My team at Moffitt Cancer Center helped save my life and I'm forever grateful for their brilliance, dedication, and friendship over the past 6+ years. This is a repost of the episode I did with them last year.  

Being a guest on the PEP Talks podcast for providers and staff at Moffitt was an honor, a privilege, and a labor of love. Moffitt is an amazing place filled with amazing people dedicated to curing cancer.

Side note: I know I've been off the radar for a couple of years -- life's been challenging and busy and full of good things. Meanwhile, in addition to my full-time job, I'm writing a book about dealing with cancer, developing public speaking opportunities, and working on arrangements for the apartment we just bought in Italy. It's been a lifelong dream and we're so excited! 

I'll do an episode about this in the not-to-distant-future, so you can come along for that process, as well. It's all part of the "etc." in "Life, Cancer, Etc."

Keywords: Moffitt, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, cancer diagnosis, sarcoma, cancer

You can also find some episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LifeCancerEtc

Patreon: https://patreon.com/lifecanceretc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

All content not otherwise specified ©2025 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

Recently, I was a guest on "The Strong Sunflower" podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strong-sunflowers/id1548796820). I had a great time talking with Zana and Gisselle. They're both strong, kind women who are working to improve themselves and the world at large. Thanks for the opportunity, Z & G!

PC: The Strong Sunflowers

Keywords: cancer diagnosis, building to bloom, dealing with cancer

You can also find some episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LifeCancerEtc

Patreon: https://patreon.com/lifecanceretc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

All content not otherwise specified ©2025 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

Our neighbor, Tom Fitzgerald, was diagnosed with lymphoma 17 years ago. Today, he tells us about what that was like and what life's been like since. We're so glad he's healthy and that he and his wife live in our neighborhood.

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

PC: Tom Fitzgerald

Keywords: lymphoma, cancer diagnosis, lymphoma diagnosis, life after lymphoma, Oregon, Ford Mustang

You can also find some episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LifeCancerEtc

Patreon: https://patreon.com/lifecanceretc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

All content not otherwise specified ©2025 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

Bethann and Shawn Rapp shared their story about Bethann's lung cancer diagnosis last season. (You can find that conversation here: https://www.lifecanceretc.com/podcast/episode/4875ebeb/nonsmokers-get-lung-cancer-too-with-bethann-and-shawn-rapp). In this episode, they talk about how they're dealing with a recurrence, and I really appreciate them sharing how they're working through this experience.

PC: Shawn & Bethann Rapp 

Keywords: lung cancer, spouse with lung cancer, chemo for lung cancer, radiation for lung cancer, parenting a special-needs child during cancer treatment, recurrence, lung cancer recurrence

You can also find some episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LifeCancerEtc

Patreon: https://patreon.com/lifecanceretc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

All content not otherwise specified ©2025 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

You can also watch this video interview on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD-0Snw5qbk&t=67s)
I've known Camilla Ball since she was 14 years old. Her mom, Valéria, died of brain cancer when Camilla was in college. In our conversation, Camilla shares a very honest, unflinching look at that time, at herself, and at how much she's learned from the experience.

Here's a link to the article she references about rings and boundaries when supporting someone with cancer: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-xpm-2013-apr-07-la-oe-0407-silk-ring-theory-20130407-story.html

All content © 2022 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

Keywords: losing a parent, death of a parent from cancer, parent with brain cancer

You can also find some episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LifeCancerEtc

Patreon: https://patreon.com/lifecanceretc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

All content not otherwise specified ©2025 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

Getting decent sleep can be difficult, at best, after cancer -- especially after chemo. Here are some suggestions for strategies and products that have helped me get better sleep.

Tadin Passionflower Tea: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FFQWBLA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yogi Bedtime Tea: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YGN1KLN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Rootcha Magnesium & Zinc: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076G5LXQR?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder-t1_ypp_rep_k0_1_7&&crid=31DAJ16SWSKF0&&sprefix=rootcha

L-Tryptophan: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077TYN4G5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Citrical Petites: https://www.amazon.com/Citracal-Petites-Calcium-Citrate-Vitamin/dp/B07RCJY6WD/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1PM54U7F5ZKIC&keywords=citracal+petites&qid=1656337695&rdc=1&s=hpc&sprefix=citrical+petites%2Chpc%2C126&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzTDIyVzFBOU1USUowJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTAwMDIzMTYzQzNWRVQ5VkUyTSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjk1OTg2M0xPMjdQVkkyMTJMJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Perfect Aminos: https://prz.io/pEQLRpEtO

Feather the Owl Diffuser: https://www.myyl.com/heidi.bragg

Cedarwood essential oil: https://www.myyl.com/heidi.bragg

Valor essential oil: https://www.myyl.com/heidi.bragg

All content © 2022 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

Keywords: chemo, sleep after chemo, chemotherapy, cancer and sleep

You can also find some episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LifeCancerEtc

Patreon: https://patreon.com/lifecanceretc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

All content not otherwise specified ©2025 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

NOTE: You can see the video from this interview on our YouTube channel, here. Many thanks to Courtney and Riley at #AmbitionStrikes for their encouragement to make the jump to YouTube!

Olivia Luginski was my social worker at Moffitt Cancer Center after I was diagnosed with a cardiac sarcoma. Olivia helped guide us through the process of getting help and offers advice for anyone -- patient or caregiver -- who's dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Plus, she's a delightful human being.

To review the resource list Olivia mentioned, submit a request on our website's contact page and we'll email you the 9-page document.

For more information about Imerman Angels' peer-matching service for patients and caregivers, visit www.imermanangels.org.

To contact Moffitt Cancer Center, visit www.moffitt.org.

Photo courtesy of Oliva Luginski
All other content © 2022 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

You can also find some episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LifeCancerEtc

Patreon: https://patreon.com/lifecanceretc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

All content not otherwise specified ©2025 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

Here's where my head -- and heart -- are these days. Getting through cancer is not a one-shot deal; you've got to deal with the aftermath, too, and figure out what you want the future to look like. 

Also, we're adding video interviews to our YouTube Channel starting in June! I think I was a little afraid to announce this because it meant I had to commit and I'm so out of my depth -- it's exhilarating and terrifying, all at the same time. But taking those leaps are how we grow, right?  So I'm heading into the unknown and excited to see where this path leads.

Photo and content © 2022 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc.

You can also find some episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LifeCancerEtc

Patreon: https://patreon.com/lifecanceretc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

All content not otherwise specified ©2025 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

*** CONTENT WARNING *** We speak very graphically and specifically about breast cancer surgery, so please use headphones if you're around kiddos.

My sister Kate had breast cancer surgery last week. She thought it was important to share what it's like in the "limbo" after treatment so that others know what to expect and feel less alone. I love how honest and real Kate is and appreciate her willingness to be open and vulnerable.

Link to Kate's first episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1468990/episodes/9867650

Photo © 2022 Kate Jensen
Content © 2022 Heidi Bragg

Keywords: breast cancer, invasive ductile carcinoma, breast cancer surgery, lumpectomy, breast cancer surgery recovery, breast reconstruction, breast lift after cancer surgery, mom with breast cancer, parenting with breast cancer

You can also find some episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LifeCancerEtc

Patreon: https://patreon.com/lifecanceretc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

All content not otherwise specified ©2025 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.

Dr.  Debbie Egbert is an anesthesiologist in practice in Oregon.  Debbie is a wealth of information and has an obvious passion for serving her patients. Side note: she's also a fabulous gardener and cook! In this episode, we talk about what anesthesia is and how it works.

Photo © 2021 Dr. Debbie Egbert

Keywords: questions about anesthesia, types of anesthesia, anesthesiologist

You can also find some episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LifeCancerEtc

Patreon: https://patreon.com/lifecanceretc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Everyone on the "Life, Cancer, Etc." podcast is sharing their own experiences, not giving medical advice.

All content not otherwise specified ©2025 Heidi Bragg and Life, Cancer, Etc. All rights reserved.