Going back to work after cancer treatment isn't as simple as showing up on Monday. In this episode of The Survivor's Table, I dig into the real challenges survivors face when re-entering the workplace — from navigating disclosure and accommodations to rebuilding stamina, confidence, and a sense of identity beyond "patient." 

I talk about:
🔹 The emotional weight of returning to "normal" life
🔹 How to approach conversations with employers and HR
🔹 Balancing energy levels, appointments, and expectations
🔹 What support (and what silence) from coworkers really feels like

Whether you're a survivor preparing to return, a caregiver supporting someone through this transition, or an employer wanting to do better by your team — this conversation offers honest, practical insight into a part of the cancer journey that doesn't get talked about enough.

The Survivor's Table is hosted by Michael Hizer, a five-time cancer survivor. New episodes feature honest conversations with patients, survivors, and caregivers about what surviving cancer really looks like. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and pull up a chair.

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This podcast is for informational and support purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your own diagnosis, treatment, or care.

© 2026 The Survivor's Table. All rights reserved.

In this episode of The Survivor's Table, I sit down with my sister Elizabeth to talk about what it's really like to support loved ones through a health crisis. Elizabeth brings a unique dual perspective to this conversation: not just as my sister who lived through this with me, but as a therapist who understands the emotional weight caregivers and family members carry. We talk about the guilt of not being able to "fix" things, how to show up for someone without losing yourself in the process, and what she wishes more people understood about supporting a survivor. This one goes beyond the practical — it's about the emotional undercurrent that runs through every caregiving relationship.

The Survivor's Table is hosted by Michael Hizer, a five-time cancer survivor. New episodes feature honest conversations with patients, survivors, and caregivers about what surviving cancer really looks like. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and pull up a chair.

[email protected]

YouTube  |  Instagram

This podcast is for informational and support purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your own diagnosis, treatment, or care.

© 2026 The Survivor's Table. All rights reserved.

What advice does Sarah have for other caregivers? Join us on The Survivor's Table and get her honest thoughts about what it means to take on the responsibility of caring for a partner.

The Survivor's Table is hosted by Michael Hizer, a five-time cancer survivor. New episodes feature honest conversations with patients, survivors, and caregivers about what surviving cancer really looks like. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and pull up a chair.

[email protected]

YouTube  |  Instagram

This podcast is for informational and support purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your own diagnosis, treatment, or care.

© 2026 The Survivor's Table. All rights reserved.

Join Michael Hizer as he introduces The Survivor's Table and tells you about his story.

The Survivor's Table is hosted by Michael Hizer, a five-time cancer survivor. New episodes feature honest conversations with patients, survivors, and caregivers about what surviving cancer really looks like. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and pull up a chair.

[email protected]

YouTube  |  Instagram

This podcast is for informational and support purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your own diagnosis, treatment, or care.

© 2026 The Survivor's Table. All rights reserved.