In this mini episode, we pause to reflect on everything that's happened and everything we've carried as the year comes to a close. We've pulled together moments from some of the conversations that shaped our year, reflecting on friendship, grief, gratitude, humor, and the small, often overlooked moments that make life feel a little lighter. This episode isn't your typical "new year, new me" episode. It's us giving ourselves, and you, permission to feel everything this year has brought and step into a new year with honesty, heart, and a little more ease.

Show Notes / Clips Featured:

• When Your Friends Disappear After Diagnosis: Why People Ghost Those with Chronic Illness or Cancer
• Revisiting Our Conversation with Lys (In Honor of Her Birthday)
• Laughing Through the Breakdown: The Power of Humor in Coping with Mental Health Struggles
• Radical Acceptance - Learning to embrace reality without judgment
• Grief, Gratitude, and Chronic Illness: How We're Really Doing This Holiday Season

In this week's episode, Jes shares about a recent GI appointment that left her needing more information and clarity which is something that, after cancer, doesn't feel optional. Wanting to understand your symptoms, your options, and your plan isn't refusal. It's informed consent.

Den brings both clinical and lived-experience insight, breaking down why clear explanations matter in chronic illness care and sharing a practical list of questions you can take with you to your next appointment to feel more prepared and empowered.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever left an appointment feeling rushed, dismissed, or unsure — and is learning how to advocate for themselves without apologizing.

💬 Stay Connected Follow us on TikTok and Instagram, and join our free Support Circle for people who've been touched by cancer or chronic illness.

📝 SHOW NOTES:

Questions to Bring to Your Next Appointment

• What is the working diagnosis right now?

• What are we ruling out?

• Why are you recommending this medication or treatment?

• What benefits should I expect?

• What are the risks or side effects?

• How will we know if this is working?

• What should improvement look like, and in what timeframe?

• What's the plan if this doesn't help?

• Are there alternative options?

• What follow-up or monitoring will be done?

• When should I reach out if symptoms change or worsen?

We hope these questions help you at your next apt. 

📅 Scheduling  - There will be no new episode next week, Dec 24. We'll be back December 31st with a final episode to close out the year.

In this week's episode, Den and Jes slow things down and talk candidly about what it looks like to hold grief and gratitude at the same time especially when you're living in a body that's changed, tired, or still healing. Instead of trying to offer you a guide or tidy answers, this is a real-time conversation between two friends about the emotions that surprised us this season, the ones we're still unpacking, and how both the heavy and the hopeful can coexist.

We're giving ourselves (and you) permission to feel it all — the joy, the ache, the overwhelm — and permission to not be okay. If the holidays are bringing up more than you expected, or if you're still figuring out what this season means for you, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone in it.

Tune in and take what you need. Then come hangout with us over at morethanadiagnosis.org

Today feels like a full-circle moment. More Than a Diagnosis is becoming a nonprofit! Jes and Den are joined by Nerisa and Karen — the four of them make up the board. In this episode, they give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into who they are as a team, what brought them together, and what they're most excited to bring to this community. Follow along at morethanadiagnosis.org to stay updated, join the Support Circle, and be part of the journey as we grow together.

To hear the entire episode please tap to listen here.

In honor of our friend Lys' birthday, we're re-sharing the conversation we recorded with her last season. This conversation is filled with love, transparency, and the kind of strength that has touched so many in this community. Lys is currently on hospice, and she and her family are navigating significant medical and end-of-life expenses. If you feel called to support, you can find the links to support financially below. There's no pressure, just an invitation to show up with love in whatever way feels right to you. And if you can not donate monetarily please consider sharing her story so that it can reach more folks. Thank you for holding space with us today, and for celebrating Lys' light right alongside us. Support Lys and her family: 

https://gofund.me/26d9a97b9 https://venmo.com/u/AlyssaBurks https://cash.app/$ABurks11

https://www.zelle.com/ - Alyssa Burks [email protected] https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/TNDSVN1PSOAU?ref_=wl_share

In this first episode of our Missing Pieces series, Den gets real about how a mysterious abdominal mass led to a FAP diagnosis, a desmoid tumor, and eventually having her colon removed. Along the way, hundreds of precancerous polyps were discovered during a colonoscopy in her mid-30s — and her life hasn't been the same since. Den keeps it honest and hilarious, talking about everything from bathroom habits and food struggles to what it's like being a nurse with… let's just say, gas. But this episode isn't just about the messy stuff — she also shares how she's found acceptance, joy, and a sense of wholeness even after all she's been through. Funny, real, and surprisingly uplifting, this conversation is a reminder that even when our bodies are missing pieces, our lives don't have to be. 🩶 If you're living with cancer, chronic illness, or just want to hear stories from folks who get it, visit morethanadiagnosis.org to join our Support Circle, connect with others, and check out resources for living your best life even when life throws curveballs.

Medical jargon can feel like a whole other language—but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. In this episode, Den flips into "nurse mode" to break down the alphabet soup of labs, cancer care, chronic illness, and pharmacy terms… while Jes tries her best to guess what they mean. Together, they decode acronyms, simplify confusing lingo, and remind you that it's always okay to ask for clarity in your care. 👉 Played along with the episode? We'd love to hear your score! And if you enjoyed the show, don't forget to rate, review, follow, and share with a friend who could use a laugh while learning a little too. Share your experience over in our Support Circle at morethanadiagnosis.org

Acceptance can feel complicated, especially when life throws chronic illness, cancer, or unexpected challenges your way. Jes and Den dive into radical acceptance—what it is, what it isn't, and how it can transform the way we navigate difficult circumstances. They share personal stories of struggling with acceptance, discuss the psychology behind resistance and denial, and offer practical tools for embracing reality without guilt or shame. ✨ Join our free support circle at morethanadiagnosis.org to share your journey, connect with others, and explore strategies for radical acceptance together.

Living with chronic illness, autoimmune conditions, or post-cancer fatigue can leave you feeling completely drained—but fatigue is far more than just being tired. In this episode, Jes and Den share their personal experiences with chronic exhaustion, break down the science behind why our bodies get so depleted, and offer practical strategies for pacing yourself, validating rest, and reclaiming your energy. Join them for a warm, honest conversation about why rest is resistance, why you don't have to earn it, and how to navigate life when your energy is limited. ✨Connect with our community of survivors and folks living with chronic illness at morethanadiagnosis.org, share your experiences with fatigue, and follow us on social media to continue the conversation.

We're supposed to be on break… but we couldn't resist popping in for a little bonus episode because we're actually together in person. So we thought, why not record while we can? We talk about life lately, relive some of the best moments from our community beach meetup, and tease a few things coming in Season 2. Grab your beverage and hang out with us, have some laughs, and get a little peek behind the scenes.

Be sure to follow us on Tiktok, Instagram and connect with us right on our website for the latest updates on when we'll be dropping season 2!