In this episode, the guys are honoured to join Dr. Sammy! A distinguished medical professional with a wealth of experience and a passion for palliative care reform. Dr. Sammy, a McMaster University Medical School graduate, holds a remarkable record of accomplishment. With a background in Family Medicine and fellowship training in Palliative Medicine, she dedicates her clinical practice to the community, providing compassionate care in patients' homes. But Dr. Sammy’s impact extends beyond the clinic. She's a vocal advocate for palliative care reform, believing that these principles should be integrated into care from the outset of a patient's illness journey. Alongside co-author Dr. CN Seow, she co-hosts the Waiting Room Revolution podcast and co-authored "Hope For The Best, Plan For The Rest: 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis." A book that every single person should get their hands on! In this episode, the gang delves into vital topics such as empowering patients and families with information, the importance of the 'big picture' in illness, and the challenges of toxic positivity in healthcare.

Pre-order Hope For "The Best, Plan For The Rest" here! https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Best-Plan-Rest-Life-Changing/dp/1774582961

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At just 22 years old, John embarked on his personal training business, but life had an unexpected twist. At the age of 27, he was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a debilitating autoimmune disease that targets the spine, hips, and even vital organs. This progressive disease threatened to derail his dreams and ambitions. However, John's resilience and unwavering spirit shone through. He refused to be defined by his diagnosis and embraced a powerful mantra: "I'm more than the bad things that happen to me." With a plan of action firmly in place, John used his own experiences to empower others facing similar challenges, offering them hope and a path forward through fitness. John joins the fellas to talk all about his experience as a trainer living with AS!

Check out John’s book here - https://www.amazon.com/Through-Pain-Suffering-Triumph-Personal-ebook/dp/B0C8L8X2R7

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This week is all about ICK. In a bizarre medical twist down under, a Canberra hospital found a live worm partying in an Australian woman's brain! After weeks of mysterious symptoms, a neurosurgeon pulled out an 8cm-long roundworm from her noggin. The worm, named Ophidascaris robertsi, is usually a python's buddy, making this a world-first case of an unexpected brain-crasher. The suspect? Native grasses collected from where pythons go dookie. Speaking of ick and dookie - a Delta Airlines flight bound for Barcelona made an unexpected U-turn due to a rather "crappy" situation onboard. Turns out, it was a major "medical issue" that left passengers holding their noses. Delta discreetly apologized for the smelly delay, promising speedy delivery to Barcelona and a memorable in-flight story. Finally for WHAT THE HELLTH, Jer squeamishly dives into a story of one poor woman's experience with having a "dinner plate-sized" medical device accidentally left inside her after surgery. Ew

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This week the gang have the privilege of speaking with Teague Foreman, a 27-year-old physiotherapist hailing from Woodstock, NB, who has not only dedicated herself to improving the lives of others but also triumphed over her own health challenges. Teague shares her inspiring journey from a childhood filled with sports, including competitive swimming, to becoming a highly educated professional with a Bachelor of Science in Biomechanics and a Master of Science in Physiotherapy. What sets Teague apart is her unique approach to healthcare – she provides physiotherapy services right in the comfort of people's homes, making a significant impact on their lives. The conversation delves into Teague's personal battle with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Classical Type, a condition she underwent a 20+ year diagnostic odyssey to confirm. She sheds light on key clinical presentations that can aid others facing similar challenges and explores the far-reaching implications of genetic confirmation, including the unexpected hurdles she faced in securing health benefits and life insurance.

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Get ready for a rollercoaster ride with this week's guest, Jocelyn Kervin! She's not just rocking the high school music scene but also strikes a chord in the world of Multiple Myeloma awareness. Imagine going from running 5K races around Toronto to receiving a life-altering diagnosis at 43 of a disease you've never even heard of!

We chat about everything from the rapid advancements in MM treatments to the urgent need for early diagnosis. Once considered an "older person's cancer," MM is making its appearance in younger populations, and Jocelyn is here to say it's time for a wake-up call, especially for family physicians and the general public.

Oh, and you can't miss the jaw-dropping twist—how a fractured rib during sex led Jocelyn to the X-ray that quite literally saved her life!

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Join Taylor and Brian for a Feel-Good Friday episode of Sickboy Podcast that's a whirlwind of emotions. We start with a concerning update from Nova Scotia, where the rise in pleasant weather has led to an increase in melanoma cases. Next, we share an awe-inspiring tale of a woman who regains her voice 20 years after a stroke, thanks to the power of AI. We conclude with a poignant story about a Japanese couple who break their 20-year silence, reminding us that it's never too late for love. Tune in for an episode filled with highs, lows, and awe-inspiring moments!

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Life might seem pretty strange if you live more than 50 years with autism, but never know it. Today we're sitting down with Tom Bennett, Master Tailor in London's historic Savile Row, to talk about walking through life trying to figure out where he fits in, creating relationships and finding his passion, and attention, for creating the finest garments money can buy.

Is it Tara or Tara? Well, if you can't answer that then good luck pronouncing Myasthenia Gravis or Enneagram. Don't worry, we'll get to the bottom of it!

This week, Tara (you'll find out) joins us to unravel her intricate journey with Myasthenia Gravis, or MG if that's easier. Diagnosed in 2017, MG did a number on her, snatching away her voice and sapping her muscles—all while remaining an 'invisible' illness to the untrained eye.

Don't count Tara out, though. After an odyssey of treatments, surgeries, and a whole lot of grit, she's up and kicking. She's also taken her voice back in a big way, co-hosting her own podcast, Unpacked, which dives into the messiness of life, from vulnerability to failure, and the things we all need to talk about more.

This episode is a crash course in how to ask for help, set boundaries, and how to find balance amidst trauma, grief, and acceptance. We get into it all—and of course, share some hearty laughs along the way. It's a mouthful of an episode, so hit play and let's trip over some words together!

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This week on FGF, Tay & Bri are talking radioactive wastewater, how hangin' with your buds for no reason will save your life, and why planes are almost running into each other a lot more than you would hope they do. Also, the AI revolution is the utopia that Taylor is waiting for. Let's wrap this week up with some good vibes and some heavy laughs.

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Get ready to play in the mental health jungle gym with the one and only Angela Murphy! This week on Sickboy, we're unravelling the mysteries of the mind like never before. Trauma? Check. The 4 F's (not as scary as report cards, promise)? Check. Wonder Pup Books? Double check. Angela's going to guide us through the funhouse of emotions, and hey, we might even learn how to dodge that pesky burnout along the way. From tiny tots to temperamental teens, she's got the wisdom, laughs, and probably a few well-timed dad jokes to make this a must-listen. Grab your curiosity cap and buckle up for a fun one!