The C Word

Produced at Planet FM 104.6, community access media in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland

Can you imagine being diagnosed with stage four cancer six months after you got married? In 2016, aged 29, Vick Pellowe was in newlywed bliss when she found a lump in her neck. She was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and her life was turned upside down. In this episode she and Helen discuss young cancer survivorship, cancer treatment and infertility, mental health challenges after a cancer diagnosis and toxic positivity.

Australian author and advocate Elle Veitch was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 at the age of 27 and started the Instagram page 'Breasties for Life', where she shares an honest account of life after a breast cancer diagnosis. Elle noticed many people lost their voice after their diagnosis and uses her platform to encourage real conversations about cancer. Her book features letters from 40 people about their breast cancer. Elle is a National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia ambassador.

In 2020 Ada Chen, founder of Chuan Skincare, had just relocated to Colorado when her father was hospitalised after a fall. Ada took charge of coordinating his care, along with her sister. When he contracted Covid during his hospital stay, Ada and her sister were unable to be inside their father's hospital room in his final hours. Then, a few months into 2021, Ada's mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. This conversation is for anyone who is impacted by Covid or facing cancer with a loved one.

The C Word looks back at the most popular episode of 2021. The episode first aired in January and featured netballer Kelly Hutton talking about her experience with ovarian cancer. Kelly started a new life in Bahrain in 2019 when she noticed something wasn't right. Seven months later she was back in New Zealand having chemotherapy for aggressive ovarian cancer. Kelly talks to Helen about facing her biggest challenge. Enjoy! Helen will be back with new episodes soon.

Bari Roberts Ross shares her incredible story of being diagnosed with cancer at the same time as her husband. In her book "Stronger with Two: The Inspiring True Story of a Husband and Wife Winning the Battle Against Cancer Together" In 2009 she and husband Charles were in the doctor’s office to find out what was causing Charles' fatigue. Her husband pointed out Bari had a lump on her neck, and what happened next was lifechanging...

Ultramarathon runner, COO, and cancer lady Julia Becker Collins joins The C Word to share her experience of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the start of the pandemic in 2020. As Covid caused the State of Massachusetts to shut down, Julia was waiting for a biopsy to be booked. After navigating an overloaded health system during cancer treatment she struggled to figure out how to rebuild her life. She and Helen talk about what happens when you're life changes overnight, how to cope when you don't have a thyroid, why it's important to find your people, and more!

Helen sits down with Josh Hickford, chief executive of the Taranaki Foundation, to talk about his diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2017 when he was 27. Josh described the diagnosis like a bomb went off. After returning home from his OE, Josh was looking for his next challenge. He wasn't expecting the challenge to be cancer. He was a few months in remission when he was accepted as a contestant on the reality series 'Survivor'. Josh shares how he approached his cancer diagnosis like Sir Ed climbed Mt Everest, what his cancer diagnosis has taught him about resilience, and more!

Josh's links: https://www.instagram.com/jvhick/ / https://taranakifoundation.org.nz/ / https://weareripple.co.nz/

Helen's links: https://ko-fi.com/thecword / https://www.facebook.com/The-C-Word-Radio-105425417907685 / https://www.instagram.com/thecword_radio/ / https://cwordradio.wixsite.com/mysite

Music: Happy Days, Scott Holmes

This episode provides insights into how we can make changes to prevent burnout. Natalie Woodman speaks from personal experience and working with women to heal their bodies.

Tina Conrad aka DJ Breast Cancer talks about her new project, a book of poetry titled "From C to C". Tina was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and found that writing was an instrumental part of her journey. This is a powerful conversation about how we process our cancer diagnosis, the impact on faith and, creating something beautiful from loss.