Life, Cancer, Etc.

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!

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

You can see this interview on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMX5Cdv3MYs&t=8s

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

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

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.

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

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

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

*** You can also listen to this episode -- and many others -- on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. ***

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 © 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

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

*** You can also listen to this episode -- and many others -- on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. ***

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 © 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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

*** 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

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

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

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.

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

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

My sister, Kate, was diagnosed with invasive ductile carcinoma at the end of September. She's currently in the middle of chemo, awaiting surgery and radiation, and talks with us about what life's like right now for her, her husband, and their six kids.

Kate did a follow-up episode right after breast-cancer surgery. You can find it here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1468990/episodes/10278542-graphic-content-advisory-right-after-breast-cancer-surgery-with-kate

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

Photo © 2022 Kate JP
Content © 2022 Heidi Bragg

Keywords: breast cancer, invasive ductile carcinoma, breast cancer prognosis, chemo for breast cancer, mom with breast cancer, parenting with breast cancer, working during cancer treatment, breast cancer diagnosis

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