Today's guest is Kandy Salby, two years into remission for Stage 4 Colon Cancer, a disease that has only a 15% 5 year survival rate. She spent her time listening to and reading cancer survival stories, working with integrative practitioners as well as her oncology team, and learning as much as she could about healing.

We talk about hope and the power of attitude, being a partner in your care and questioning your medical team, the power of mindset in healing, embracing gratitude and acceptance, and so much more!!

Kandy strives to deliver hope to others, the essence of this podcast, and you're going to love her powerful story!

Resources:

Kandy's Facebook: Kandy Salby

Kandy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandysalby/

Love, Medicine and Miracles, by Bernie Siegel on Amazon

Cured, by Jeffrey Rediger on Amazon

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Today's guest is two-time male breast cancer survivor Ron Rappaport. He's also a lymphedema thriver due to a lymph node transplant, and Global Lead Advocate for Male Breast Cancer Happens.org. Ron hosts his own podcast titled It's A Wrap with Rap, where he interviews people who have overcome all types of challenges.

Male breast cancer is something that is not talked about nearly enough. 1% of all breast cancers are male, and, while that may not seem like a lot, that's 2800 men per year. Ron and I discuss the unique challenges men with breast cancer face, how important it is for them to find and lean into support, lymphedema and lymph node transplants, sharing with the men in your life, and so much more!!

Resources:

Ron's website: https://www.itsawrapwithrap.com/

Ron's email: [email protected]

Ron's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/itsawrapwithrap

Male Breast Cancer Happens website: https://malebreastcancerhappens.org/

It's a Wrap with Rap YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@itsawrapwithrap-thepodcast2933

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My website: https://melissagrosboll.com

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Today's guest is Rebecca Thomas, also known as "Giddy Up" within her cancer community, due to her love of horses and her inspiring journey. Rebecca was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at age 18 and has been a survivor for 33 years now, including a breast cancer diagnosis in 2019. She embodies living a meaningful, vibrant life as a long term survivor.

We talk about how diagnosis as a young adult shapes the rest of your life, the wonder of the human body and what it can do, the healing power of horses, the impact of long term survivorship, finding community, and so much more!! 

Resources:

Rebecca's Facebook: Rebecca Thomas

Epic Experience: https://www.epicexperience.org/

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My website: https://melissagrosboll.com

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Today's guest is Sandy Duarte, an award-winning actress and Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor, who is dedicated to inspiring others through her experiences. 

While undergoing her battle with cancer, Sandy authored the poignant book Cancer Ramblings: From Why to Why Not?, offering hope and guidance to those facing similar challenges. There are so many wonderful nuggets in this book. I have a list that I add to every time I read one of her ramblings.

We talk about so many topics in this episode, from clarity of perspective, to not sweating the small stuff, meditation, love and faith, battling cancer of the mind as much as the body, the healing power of sound bathing, and so much more. 

Her book is Cancer Ramblings and this episode is a bit of rambling through so many of the ups and downs of the cancer journey. It's such a fun interview. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Resources:

Sandy's Website: https://www.cancerramblings.com

Global Sound Bath: https://www.globalsoundbath.com/about

Sandy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandy__duarte/

Sandy's X: https://x.com/sandyduarte

Sandy's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cancer.ramblings

Sandy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-duarte-98761011/

Sandy's Book Cancer Ramblings: https://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Ramblings-Sandy-Duarte/dp/1666411701

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Today's guest is Dr. Renee Exelbert, psychologist and certified elite personal trainer. She is also a two-time breast cancer survivor, diagnosed young at age 37. She founded the Metamorphosis Center for Psychological and Physical Change, where she integrates psychotherapy and exercise, with a unique focus on the mind/body connection through use of visual imagery and cognitions.

We talk all about the mind/body connection and how you can get better and quicker results when you incorporate both, taking control of what you can in the midst of the uncontrollable nature of cancer, mindful eating and exercise, the concept of Visual Emotional Kinetics, how visualization can create physical changes in the body, and so much more!!! There are even some practical tips you can incorporate into your life today for better health.

Resources:

Renee's website: https://drexelbert.com/

Renee's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-exelbert-ph-d-59137b89/

Renee's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.renee.exelbert/

Renee's Book on Amazon: Chemo Muscles: Lessons Learned from Being a Psycho-Oncologist and Cancer Patient

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Today's guest is Janna "Starshine" Jones, a survivor of Stage IIb Melanoma, leading her to become a volunteer for several organizations and a member of the Board of Directors for Epic Experience. Starshine is Janna's Epic Experience Camp name, and it fits her so perfectly. She shines as bright as the stars and radiates joy and love.

We talk about the power of community, rediscovering play in our lives, connecting with others in this "cancer club", journalling, perseverance and finding joy in even the hard times, and so much more! 

Resources:

AIM at Melanoma Foundation: https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/

Epic Experience: https://www.epicexperience.org/

Be Well Therapy: https://www.bewelltherapy.net/

Janna's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janna.jones.775

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My website: https://melissagrosboll.com

Email me: [email protected]

Today's guest is Lauren Huffmaster, certified cancer coach, founder of Adventure Therapy Foundation, podcast host, author, and inspiration. She has been in treatment for breast cancer since 2015, diagnosed at age 35. She is now living each day to the fullest with metastatic breast cancer. 

We talk all about the emotional side effects of cancer, especially fear, isolation, and broken identity, the importance of grieving and "the void" (where active treatment ends), post-traumatic growth, hope vs. fear, and so much more!

Emotional healing is an aspect of cancer that isn't addressed nearly enough. This conversation is just the tip of the iceberg. You can get more by connecting with Lauren and reading her book.

Resources:

Lauren's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenhuffmaster/

Lauren's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.huffmaster

Lauren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenhuffmaster/

Lauren's Website: https://adventurefound.org/

Get a free copy of Lauren's Children's Book - The Adventure Jar: https://www.expose-mbc.com/support-for-families

Get Lauren's Book on Amazon: Cancering: Exploring the Seasons of Emotional Healing

Follow:

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Today's guest is Becky Bosley, an oncology nurse, leader of myeloma support groups since 2018, and both a breast and ovarian cancer survivor. She is passionate about empowering the myeloma coMMunity with research, education, advocacy and support. 

We talk about the uniqueness of myeloma, the importance of support groups in the healing journey, the reach of a cancer patient beyond themselves, and so much more. We even delve into the topic of death and dying. It's an uncomfortable conversation for many, including me, and so important to talk about. We don't grow without being a bit uncomfortable.

Resources:

Becky's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-bosley-bsn-rn-7b744a200/

Becky's X: https://x.com/MidAtlanticMSG

International Myeloma Foundation Website: https://www.myeloma.org/

Find a Myeloma Support Group here: https://www.myeloma.org/support-groups

Becky's email: [email protected]

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Today's guest is Dr. Rachel Orgel, a passionate educator with a lifelong commitment to student success. Diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer at age 13, Rachel would endure two recurrences and several surgeries in her teens and early 20s before an experimental procedure changed the game.

We talk about childhood cancer, spending weeks or months in the hospital at a time, PTSD that still affects her today, the importance of humor, what led her to write her children's book, and so much more. 

Resources:

Rachel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-orgel-66a6b914/

Rachel's Book on Amazon: But Is It The Bad Kind?

Rachel's email: [email protected]

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You are in for such a treat today!! I had the privilege of interviewing the Ninja Moms, Debbie Feinberg and Brandi Lebsack. Their sons, Max Feinberg and Kaden Lebsack, have been competing on American Ninja Warrior for several years now and always do very well, with Kaden being last man standing two years in a row! They are also breast cancer survivors and fierce friends.

We talk about the Ninja Mom community, supporting each other during their breast cancer journeys, cheering on the success of their sons, championing the cause on a global scale, and so much more!!

And you can catch Max and Kaden on American Ninja Warrior (ANW) Monday nights on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Resources:

Debbie's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.feinberg

Debbie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LV2organize/

Debbie's email: [email protected]

Brandi's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandi.lebsack

Brandi's Website: https://www.ninjaintensity.com/

Brandi's email: [email protected]

Bucket of Chalk: https://www.bucketofchalk.com/

Follow:

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My website: https://melissagrosboll.com

Email me: [email protected]