Life on Pause

The holiday season holds a very special place in the hearts of many and is often symbolized by unique themes and activities that make a home feel more like home. For individuals who have experienced cancer, these unique traditions and practices can help them embrace the season's positivity and enjoyment. However, gathering with loved ones and navigating sensitive conversations can present challenges during what should be a celebratory time.

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. On this holiday edition of the show, guest speakers answer the question, “the holidays are not the holidays at my house without _____.” The episode provides cancer survivors with the opportunity to open up about the parts of their holiday season that they hold near and dear and explain their methods for sharing joy with loved ones.

Listen to cancer survivors discuss the unique ways that they experience the holiday season:

Guests describe what makes the holidays in their homes unique (0:54)

At the beginning of this episode, each guest speaker introduces themselves and tells listeners about the holiday traditions and experiences they hold dear.

Guest speakers include Lauren, a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor; Sammy, a thyroid survivor; Chisara, a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor; Abby, an acute lymphocytic leukemia survivor; and Emily, an ovarian cancer survivor. 

Preparing to address sensitive subjects (3:34)

The host describes the anticipation of spending time with family and loved ones over the holidays this year and how cancer survivors and patients can prepare for difficult conversations. She encourages listeners to have a system for addressing topics they may not wish to discuss, like health, cancer symptoms, and COVID-19.

Communicating about health news and topics (4:43)

The guest speakers provide examples and anecdotes to describe the different situations they navigate in sharing sensitive information with their social circles. Each speaker reveals a brief glimpse into the unique social constructs within their lives as they explain their methods for sharing sensitive news and addressing uncomfortable topics. 

In addition, each of their stories sheds light on the differences and similarities among people who all share this same health experience, the difficulty of disclosing this type of information during gatherings for “happy” holiday occasions, and the emotions involved with confronting sensitive topics.

Strategies for handling uncomfortable discussions (7:48)

While inquiries from loved ones may be out of concern, prioritizing your mental wellbeing is important. The host describes her strategies for confronting uncomfortable conversation topics during the holidays and diverting attention away from these subjects if need be. She asks her guests to share their tactics, and each speaker provides personal examples of how people experiencing cancer can handle these tricky situations. 

Guests give thanks to their supporters and loved ones (9:44)

The support from others can be highly beneficial for people who have experienced a cancer diagnosis. The host provides the guest speakers with the opportunity to thank their cancer support community and the people in their lives who have provided them with assistance, companionship, and care. Each speaker takes the time to share appreciation and gratitude for the members in their lives.

The topic of cancer is sensitive, and because of this, people often face difficulty addressing it with cancer patients or people experiencing cancer symptoms. This episode provides listeners with a variety of responses to the question, "What are five things to say to a cancer patient?"

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. Within this episode, listeners can hear answers to the question "What are five things to say to a cancer patient?" as submitted by individuals who have experienced different types of cancer. The episode includes recorded responses as well as emailed responses based on first-person experiences.

Listen to experienced individuals answer the question, “What are five things to say to a cancer patient?”:

First Response (00:47)

The initial responder discusses what they would tell someone with cancer, based on their own experiences with the disease and its challenging nature. 

The speaker explains that cancer patients should be encouraged to breathe and relax, as the uncertainty of the diagnosis can be stressful. They emphasize the importance of patients trusting their medical professionals and creating a cancer support community of people who will be positive and helpful while experiencing cancer symptoms and treatment. 

Finally, the speaker says that cancer patients should prioritize their health, and supportive listeners should encourage them to enjoy their lives.

Second Response (4:24)

At age 21, Ally was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. She responds to the question by expressing the importance of communicating support to cancer patients through their treatment and the decisions that they will need to make. 

Ally speaks on the impact that open communication and positive encouragement can have on a cancer patient. Rather than focusing on the external physical changes that cancer patients may experience during their treatment, Ally suggests pointing out their internal qualities. 

Cancer patients can experience feeling different or alienated due to their diagnosis and the changes that come with it. Therefore, she tells listeners to try to maintain normalcy in their relationships with cancer patients and their interactions.

Third Response (6:28)

Diana begins her response by first quoting a segment from the book "Pillow Thoughts'' by Courtney Pepperneil that she says inspired her during her experience with cancer. 

She answers the question "What to say to a cancer patient" by addressing the listeners as cancer patients themselves and communicating what she believes they would want to hear. In addition, she provides positive wishes and words of encouragement to patients.

Diana discusses how cancer patients may experience fear and how they should avoid letting their fear consume or paralyze them. Focusing too much on the long path ahead can cause cancer patients to become discouraged. Instead, Diana tells patients to take it one step at a time and continue fighting.

She speaks on the changes that cancer patients may see within themselves due to their experience with the disease and tells patients that this is ok, and to take time to get to know the new versions of themselves.

Email Responses (9:48)

In this segment, the host provides additional responses to the question "What to say to a cancer patient?" that she received via email. Answers to this question include promises of support, following through on actions promised for helping cancer patients, and confirmation that it is alright to experience fears and sadness due to their cancer symptoms and diagnoses.

When a young person has cancer, in reality, the whole family ‘has’ cancer. We invited siblings to share their experience when their sister or brother was diagnosed and underwent treatment. The siblings explore: Who does the extra work at home? Is it okay to be jealous of the time your parents are spending with your sibling (and the extra gifts they may be getting)? How do you advocate for your sibling? Listen in as the sibling pairs discuss cancer’s impact on the whole family.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) causes pain in the joints (mainly the weigh-bearing joints of the legs) and is associated with chemotherapy and steroid use during cancer treatment.  The chronic pain connected with AVN can greatly impact a young adult’s life.  Listen to the stories of these four young women who live with AVN to get a glimpse into what it’s like to live with this chronic condition.

For each young adult diagnosed with cancer, a doctor speaks a few words and a new chapter in life begins. This collection of stories captures the similarities and differences in young adults’ experiences leading up to diagnosis and afterwards.

When faced with a cancer diagnosis as a young adult, the last thing you expect is to make a quick decision about sperm-banking or egg preservation. After treatment ends and the dust begins to settle, you’re faced with questions that your peers are likely not considering, ‘Am I still able to have kids naturally?’, ‘Will I pass on genes to my children that put them at risk for cancer’ or ‘How do I tell someone I’m dating that I’m infertile?’  In this episode, the young adults talk about fertility and fertility preservation and life afterwards.

What is hair loss due to cancer treatment like for guys?  Three guys weigh in about hair in response to the Women Talking Hair podcast episode.  For two of these young men, their hair didn’t come back the same as before treatment. Listen in as they describe the impact on their identities and lives.

The Life on Pause crew chats with Dr. Blackall and Sara about the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis. How does a young adult navigate the emotional territory of mortality, fear, anxiety and survivor’s guilt? How do I do the ‘normal’ tasks of young adulthood with a cancer diagnosis?

Whether small or large, physical scars often mark the bodies of cancer survivors. In this episode, the Life on Pause crew shares stories of moving through the world with a body and spirit transformed by the experience of cancer.

A group of young women discuss how hair loss as part of their cancer treatment affected their life and identity. The group ranges in age and experience from the early teenage years to the late twenties, middle and high school students through college graduates, and including a newlywed. These young women share their decision making about wig or no wig, self-esteem, how others were supportive (or not so much) and their journey to the knowledge that who they are on the inside is not changed when their outside appearance changes. If you or a young woman you love is facing hair loss, this is a must listen.