Survivorship - The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast

Please join us for this special episode live from CancerCon®, a young adult cancer conference presented by Stupid Cancer®.

A diagnosis of cancer can present many challenges when it comes to relationships with others and the relationship you have with yourself. In this episode, we speak with experts about rediscovering yourself after cancer, exploring mental health treatment, and cancer “ghosting”.

Be sure to tune into our prior LIVE! At CancerCon episode, where we interviewed young adult patients and survivors to hear their thoughts on transitioning from their oncologist to a primary care provider.

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Support for this episode is provided by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

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There are new Medicare changes starting in January 2025 that will benefit cancer patients.   LLS Vice President of Federal Affairs, Brian Connell, joins us again on The Bloodline to inform us about these new changes and how they will impact Medicare patients.      

In this episode, you will learn about the key changes for Part D, the prescription drug plan for Medicare, as well as the drug plan for Medicare Advantage. One of these new changes requires action on the part of the Medicare enrollee, so be sure to tune in to learn more about how you can benefit.  

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The post Medicare Updates: What You Need to Know for 2025 first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Please join us for this special episode live from CancerCon®, a young adult cancer conference presented by Stupid Cancer®.

Following a cancer diagnosis and treatment, oncologists often become the default primary care for patients. Transitioning away from the oncologist to a primary care provider for general healthcare may be challenging at times for patients but may have tremendous benefits. In this episode, we ask young adults with cancer about their experiences transitioning to primary care during or after treatment.

Be sure to stay tuned for the next episode from CancerCon, where we will be hearing from experts who presented on cancer “ghosting”, rediscovering yourself after cancer and mental health.

Mentioned on this episode: 

Additional LLS Support Resources: 

Support for this episode is provided by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

The post LIVE! At CancerCon: Transitioning to Primary Care first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Exercise, or simply moving the body, can be an important part of cancer recovery, both physically and emotionally. In this episode, Dr. Shernan Holtan of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and blood cancer survivors, Paul Rothweiler and Joe Grey, share about a clinical trial they developed to introduce a personalized strength training program to patients and caregivers.

Dr. Holtan highlights the benefits of strength training for all patients, while Paul and Joe share how exercise has aided their physical and emotional recovery during and after their treatments. For patients and survivors who may be fearful or nervous about starting an exercise program, this episode is for you!

Mentioned on this episode: 

Additional LLS Support Resources: 

Support for this episode is provided by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

The post Exercise and Cancer: Celebration That You CAN first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

For patients with chronic blood cancers, such as Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM), quality of life is a main priority. Physical and emotional side effects of the disease or treatment may present several challenges for patients and caregivers.  

In this episode, we were onsite at the International Waldenström‘s Macroglobulinemia Foundation’s 2024 IWMF Educational Forum in Renton, WA.  Elissa met with experts who discussed how integrative oncology, wellness, mental health, and peripheral neuropathy affects WM patients and their caregivers.

While this episode focuses on WM, the topics discussed are relevant to all types of cancer. We encourage you to listen and learn! 

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The post LIVE! At IWMF: Living with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Matthew Matasar of Rutgers Cancer Institute, and Elizabeth Stone, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2012. 

Dr. Matasar discusses the current and emerging treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma. Elizabeth shares her story of resilience as a refractory patient throughout multiple treatments, and how she has navigated a life of hardships, joy, love and friendship while in a highly immunocompromised state.

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Support for this episode provided by Affimed Inc.

The post Patient-Doctor Perspectives: Resilience in Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

In this episode, we speak to a myeloma patient and her teenage daughter about the impact that myeloma had on her family. Lynn Steele, a social worker and Information Specialist at LLS, then joins us to share tips and resources on how families can navigate a cancer diagnosis together. 

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Support for this episode provided by: AbbVie Inc.; Genentech, Inc. & Biogen; and Johnson & Johnson.

The post Family Ties: Navigating Multiple Myeloma Together first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Join us on a heartfelt journey woven by support and education, as we speak to Teresa Altemeyer, who was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2009. In this episode, Teresa shares her experience with CLL from diagnosis through long-term survivorship. On the advice of her doctor, she went out to live her life, and found herself supporting other blood cancer patients and survivors in doing the same. Despite her own physical and mental health struggles with this disease, she shares beautiful advice learned along the way.

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Additional LLS Support Resources: 

Support for this episode provided by: AbbVie Inc.; BeiGene USA, Inc.; Genentech, Inc. & Biogen.

The post Live Your Life: Navigating Mental Health and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Dealing with cancer extends beyond physical health, often bringing financial challenges that can overwhelm patients and their loved ones.  

In this episode, we offer a beacon of support as we speak to Monica Bryant, Esq., a cancer rights attorney and Co-founder/Chief Operating Officer of Triage Cancer. She reviews the financial hurdles that may arise during treatment and provides practical strategies to help with economic hardships. She also highlights a wealth of resources designed to aid patients, covering everything from financial grants to transportation, Social Security benefits and navigating the complex world of health insurance.  

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Support for this episode provided by: Genentech, Inc. & Biogen.

The post You Aren’t Alone: Navigating The Financial Impact of Cancer first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Nutrition is a crucial part of cancer care. Many patients and caregivers play an active role in managing their nutrition during and after treatment. In this episode, we discuss nutrition after a cancer diagnosis with Luz Chavez and Susanne Massarani, Registered Dietitians from The University of Chicago. Learn the basics of oncology nutrition and how a good diet can help combat treatment-related weight loss and side effects. Caregivers will also benefit from tips on how to care for their loved ones when they experience appetite changes or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

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Additional LLS Support Resources: 

Support for this episode is provided by University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The post Bite By Bite: Supporting Cancer Patients Through Nutrition first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.