WE Have Cancer

The guests for this episode were Phoung Ly Gallagher, Executive Vice President, and Kristina Smith, Vice President of Communications for The Colon Club.  The Colon Club provides resources for those touched by colorectal cancer.

During our conversation we discussed:

• The story behind the beginning of The Colon Club
• The Colon Club's Four pillars: Colon Talk, The Kimberly Fund, the blog and the On The Rise magazine.
• Kristina's own experience as a recipient of The Kimberly Fund
• Phuong's connection to colorectal cancer
• The upcoming Colon Camp retreat and the life-changing experiences attendees can expect.

Apply to Attend the 2019 Colon Camp - Deadline is February 1, 2019!

To apply visit: https://wehavecancershow.com/colonclub

Links Mentioned In This Episode

Colon Club - http://colonclub.com

Colon Talk - http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewforum.php?f=1

The Kimberly Fund - https://colondar.wufoo.com/forms/r1lbim8y1rxx58x/

On The Rise Magazine - http://colonclub.com/on-the-rise/

Our First Interview With Kristina Smith - https://wehavecancershow.com/054

Our Interview With Diana Sloan - https://wehavecancershow.com/077

Our Interview With Riley Castro - https://wehavecancershow.com/061

Our Interview With Nikki Moore - https://wehavecancershow.com/090

The Five Star Retreat In Nunnelly, Tennessee - http://www.fivestarretreat.com

Connect With The Colon Club

On Instagram - https://instagram.com/colonclub

On Twitter - https://twitter.com/colonclub

On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/colonclub/

Visit Their Website - http://colonclub.com

WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcast- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colon-cancer-podcast/id970806995?mt=2 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWhhdmVjYW5jZXJzaG93LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/798gZB3qGwUnpwopVV2Bxh?si=PIzyypykRauLKckji9LXsQ Stitcher- https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61770&refid=stpr Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media Like our Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter- https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram- https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on LinkedIn- https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast- https://wehavecancershow.com/guest Email Lee [email protected]

Dean Hall is the first person in history to swim the entire 184 miles of Oregon's Willamette River. He accomplished this feat in June of 2014 while he still had active leukemia and lymphoma to prove to cancer patients around the world that you don't have to give up your dreams or your drive simply because you received a diagnosis. Now, cancer-free he continues to go to great lengths to raise money for cancer research and spread his inspirational message of healing and hope around the world.

During our interview we discussed:

• How cancer played a significant part of his life before his diagnosis.
• The meaning of Swimming in Miracles and how water has played a significant role in his physical and emotional healing.
• How a quote from Albert Einstein helped him chart a new course with his life.
• The role faith has played in his life.

Connect With Dean

His website, Swimming in Miracles: https://www.swimminginmiracles.com

On Instagram: https://instagram.com/swimminginmiracles

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/swimminginmiracles

Links mentioned in the show

Forest bathing: http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html

Wim Hof: https://www.wimhofmethod.com

The book Blue Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Mind-Surprising-Healthier-Connected/dp/0316252115

WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcast- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colon-cancer-podcast/id970806995?mt=2   Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWhhdmVjYW5jZXJzaG93LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz   Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/798gZB3qGwUnpwopVV2Bxh?si=PIzyypykRauLKckji9LXsQ   Stitcher- https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61770&refid=stpr   Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media Like our Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter- https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram- https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on LinkedIn- https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast- https://wehavecancershow.com/guest Email Lee

[email protected]

 

Dr. Karin Hehenberger, is the CEO and Co-Founder of Lyfebulb, an organization whose mission is to "Reduce the burden of chronic disease through the power of the patient."

In our conversation we discussed:

• The origin and goals of Lyfebulb since its inception in 2014.
• How her own diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 16 and subsequent kidney and pancreas transplants impacted her and the mission and goals of Lyfebulb.
• The roles of Patient Ambassadors and Patient Entrepreneurs.
• Why Lyfebulb is a patient-centric organization.
• The upcoming Lyfebulb-Helsinn Innovation Challenge.
• The future of Lyfebulb.

Apply For the Lyfebulb-Helsinn Innovation Challenge - https://lyfebulb.com/innovation-award/helsinn-2019/ Connect With Lyfebulb

Visit their website - https://lyfebulb.com/

Lyfebulb on Instagram - https://instagram.com/lyfebulb

Lyfebulb on Twitter - https://twitter.com/lyfebulb 

Lyfebulb on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Lyfebulb

Lyfebulb on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/Lyfebulb

WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colon-cancer-podcast/id970806995?mt=2 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWhhdmVjYW5jZXJzaG93LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/798gZB3qGwUnpwopVV2Bxh?si=PIzyypykRauLKckji9LXsQ Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61770&refid=stpr Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Teri Griege

In 2009, shortly after completing her first Ironman Triathalon, Teri Griege was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. She was 48 years old.

During our conversation we discussed:

• How her diagnosis saved the lives of her two older sisters.
• Her setting a goal to complete a half Ironman one year after her diagnosis and how she trained for this during her cancer treatments.
• Completing six major marathons around the world.
• Her book, Powered by Hope and the non-profit she created by the same name.
• Her advocacy work with Pedal the Cause, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and Fight CRC.

Links Mentioned In The Show

Teri's website - http://terigriege.com/

Powered by Hope - https://www.poweredbyhope.org/

Pedal the Cause - https://www.pedalthecause.org/

Colorectal Cancer Alliance - https://www.ccalliance.org/

Fight CRC - https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/

Call On Congress - https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/events/save-the-date-call-on-congress-2019/

Colon Cancer Coalition - https://coloncancercoalition.org/

Teri's Story

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VFar8mSujU]

Connect With Teri

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teri.griege

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeriGriege https://twitter.com/PoweredByHope

Instagram: https://instagram.com/poweredbyhope

WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colon-cancer-podcast/id970806995?mt=2 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWhhdmVjYW5jZXJzaG93LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/798gZB3qGwUnpwopVV2Bxh?si=PIzyypykRauLKckji9LXsQ Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61770&refid=stpr Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

A Car Accident Saved My Life; An Interview With Lung Cancer Survivor Yovana Portillo[/caption]

Yovana Maria Portillo is a young lung cancer survivor who was diagnosed with stage 1b lung cancer purely by accident.

During our conversation we discussed:

• The story behind the accident that saved her life.
• The details of her surgery and subsequent follow-ups.
• The impact her disease had on her life.
• The stigma associated with lung cancer and the burden of blame that many lung cancer patients and survivors face.
• Where Yovana turned to when she needed support.
• How she dealt with friends and family who were afraid to utter the word "cancer" in her presence.
• The important roles exercise and spirituality play in her life

Connect with Yovana

Read her story here: https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/blog/2018/10/advocate-spotlight-yovana-portillo-phoenix-arizona

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azhikeryogirunner/

Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yovanamariaportillo

Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/asuxfin

 

WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colon-cancer-podcast/id970806995?mt=2 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWhhdmVjYW5jZXJzaG93LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/798gZB3qGwUnpwopVV2Bxh?si=PIzyypykRauLKckji9LXsQ Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61770&refid=stpr Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

 

Candace first appeared on the podcast back in 2015. You can listen to that interview here.

Much has changed in Candace's life since then. During our conversation we discussed:

• How her life has changed 15 years since her original diagnosis.
• The alarming number of questions she is asked during her advocacy work that reflect many people's lack of knowledge about their own bodies.
• The advocacy work she is doing, along with Dr. Andrew Albert, in the Chicago area.
• The growth of her non-profit, The Blue Hat Foundation.
• The reason why many people of color are distrustful of the medical community.

Links mentioned in this episode

The Blue Hat Foundation - https://www.thebluehatfoundation.org/

Call On Congress - https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/events/save-the-date-call-on-congress-2019/

Candace on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/penelopepit_stop/

Candace on Twitter - https://twitter.com/colon_survivor

The Blue Hat Foundation on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BlueHats4colons

WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colon-cancer-podcast/id970806995?mt=2 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWhhdmVjYW5jZXJzaG93LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/798gZB3qGwUnpwopVV2Bxh?si=PIzyypykRauLKckji9LXsQ Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61770&refid=stpr Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Mallory Casperson is the CEO and founder of Lacuna Loft. A former aerospace engineer, Mallory was thrust into the cancer world after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

During our interview we discussed:

• How her mother's cancer diagnosis, and subsequently her own diagnosis, caused her to leave the aerospace industry and start a non-profit.
• How Lacuna Loft began as Mallory's blog about her experience as a young adult cancer survivor.
• The three main challenges young adult cancer patients and survivors face; the lack of connections to people like them, the feeling of isolation and the need for validation.
• The range of online support resources available for young adult cancer patients and survivors.

Connect With Lacuna Loft

On their website - https://lacunaloft.org/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu8vPgF5kkUv4--AeqsYQgg/featured

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lacunaloft/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/lacunaloft

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LacunaLoft/

 

WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colon-cancer-podcast/id970806995?mt=2 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWhhdmVjYW5jZXJzaG93LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/798gZB3qGwUnpwopVV2Bxh?si=PIzyypykRauLKckji9LXsQ Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61770&refid=stpr Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

[caption id="attachment_1609" align="alignleft" width="300"] Interview With 5-yr. Breast Cancer Survivor and Cancer Scientist Noel Peters[/caption]

I had the pleasure of meeting Noel Peters in July of 2018 when I was invited to speak at the company where she works, Foundation Medicine. We quickly bonded after learning we were both Stage IV cancer patients.

During our conversation we discussed:

• What it's like living with cancer
• Her experience of learning about her diagnosis and how she shared her cancer diagnosis with her children
• The uncertainty around her being staged with Advanced Breast Cancer
• What it's like being a cancer scientist and a cancer patient at the same time and how this experience has impacted her approach to her job
• The definition and importance of palliative care and how it shouldn't in any way be confused with hospice care
• The impact her diagnosis had on her marriage and her family
• Her thoughts on the annual "pink-washing" of America every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

To learn more about Foundation Medicine and the work they do listen to my interview with interview with Dr. Prasanth Reddy, Vice President of Medical Affairs: https://wehavecancershow.com/095 WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colon-cancer-podcast/id970806995?mt=2 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWhhdmVjYW5jZXJzaG93LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/798gZB3qGwUnpwopVV2Bxh?si=PIzyypykRauLKckji9LXsQ Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61770&refid=stpr Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

[caption id="attachment_1565" align="alignleft" width="300"] A Routine Colonoscopy Saved His Life, With John Cavanaugh[/caption]

in May of 2014 John Cavanaugh was diagnosed with colon cancer after a routine colonoscopy.

John's story was profiled in this Colon Cancer Coalition's Faces of Blue article.

On my 50th birthday, I promised my wife I would make an appointment for a full physical. On May 5, 2014, my primary physician, Dr. Troy Fate, MD scheduled a routine colonoscopy. I had two polyps removed and one turned out to be cancerous with positive margins. After a consultation with Dr. Scott Brill, a Colon and Rectal Surgeon at Ohio Health in Columbus, we elected for surgery on June 6th (Lilly’s birthday). Dr. Brill found no evidence of cancer in the section removed, but one lymph node out of 13 tested positive for cancer cells. One of the risks of my operation was the possibility of a leak. Unfortunately, that occurred and I fell ill with sepsis which required a second emergency surgery. Luckily Dr. Brill is an Army Veteran with trauma experience so he was able to save my life. I needed two additional procedures to install drains for fluid build up near my lungs. My wife never left my side for a month and slept next to me on a recliner (Much like the scene where Robin Williams describes the meaning of love to Matt Damon on the park bench in Good Will Hunting).

After a several rounds of antibiotics, I recovered enough to be discharged from the hospital with a temporary ileostomy. After three weeks of intensive physical and occupational therapy at home, I was able to participate in our daughter’s wedding ceremony. Then I endured several months of chemotherapy that made me look like the main character from “Unbroken”. In December, right before my birthday and the Christmas holidays, Dr. Brill reversed the diversion and I spent much of 2015 recuperating. On May 5, 2015, Dr. Brill performed a colonoscopy which resulted in a normal finding. Later in December, I had a CT scan and received a clean bill of health. I continued to be followed closely by my oncologist with regular blood screening, but am now back to work full-time.

Want your holiday greeting shared on an upcoming podcast episode? Call (813) 434-3215 and leave a short holiday greeting to a friend or loved one. Links Mention In This Episode:

The Colon Cancer Coalition:  https://coloncancercoalition.org

Cancer + Careers: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en

WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colon-cancer-podcast/id970806995?mt=2 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWhhdmVjYW5jZXJzaG93LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/798gZB3qGwUnpwopVV2Bxh?si=PIzyypykRauLKckji9LXsQ Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61770&refid=stpr Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Kyle Woody is the founder of Jack's Caregiver Coalition, a non-profit organization striving to provide world-class hospitality to men who care cancer caregivers in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. The mission of Jack's is to improve the way men think, feel and act in their role as cancer caregivers. During our conversation we discussed:

• The unique needs that men have when serving as caregivers.
• How Jack's is an event-based group, providing an alternative to the traditional "sit in a circle" support group. These events have included ax throwing, fishing and hunting outings and golf games.
• The bonding and deep conversations that naturally happen at these events.
• The long-term goal to grow to a national organization supporting men who serve as caregivers for those affected by more than cancer, including Alzheimers, A.L.S. and Post-Traumatic Stress.

Links mentioned on the show

Contact Jack's Caregiver Coalition via email - [email protected] Call Jack's Caregiver Coalition - (612) 547-6929 Follow Jack's on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jackscaregiverco Follow Jack's on Twitter - https://twitter.com/jackscaregiver Follow Jack's on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jackscaregiverco/ Follow Jack's on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8JT0S_wxclzLA7ElMW_WVA

WE Have Cancer Links Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colon-cancer-podcast/id970806995?mt=2 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWhhdmVjYW5jZXJzaG93LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/798gZB3qGwUnpwopVV2Bxh?si=PIzyypykRauLKckji9LXsQ Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=61770&refid=stpr Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest