You, Me and the Big C: Putting the can in cancer

On the day our previous podcast came out Deborah James suffered a serious medical emergency.

While in hospital she started recording her experiences. This is the first part of those recordings.

This is a raw, powerful and honest account that some listeners my find distressing.

Don't forget, you can get in touch by using #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

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After five months away from the pod, the team are back together and Deborah updates Lauren and Steve on the latest developments with her health.

Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

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Steve and Lauren check in with Deborah from her hospital chemo chair.

They all talk about life now the Covid restrictions have been lifted and what that means for cancer patients.

Then end this series by reading out a few of your amazing stories of hope.

Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

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Steve Bland is flying solo this week as he asks why men sometimes find it hard to talk and to share their stories. He’s joined by Danny de Brabander, who has stage four bowel cancer, and Joe Bellman, whose mum died from cancer in late 2019, to talk about the challenges and benefits of taking your story public and leaning on mates for support when the going gets tough.

Steve also asks grief expert and counsellor Jenni Thomas OBE if and why men find it harder to open up – and whether actually they might just take a different approach to grief and the trauma of cancer and serious illness.

Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

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Deborah James is joined by fellow stage four’ers Emma Campbell and Darren Roberts to talk about hitting rock bottom, what happens physically, mentally and how they get through the day.

Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

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Deborah speaks with Lauren and Steve about the latest changes with her cancer, the complications, resulting adjustments to her treatment and what the next steps are.

For the second week running, we also hear from a team mum! Debs' mum Heather puts on the headphones to share how things have been going from a parent's perspective.

Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

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For the first time Lauren sits down with her mum, Tina, who is 31 years on from her own cancer diagnosis, to discuss the fear of cancer recurrence.

Lauren is also joined by Dr Joy Mueller, a counselling psychologist and relationship therapist, who listened to their conversation and explores some of the psychological impacts a fear of recurrence can cause.

Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Email [email protected]

Deborah James, Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland are back together again to talk cancer headlines, geek of the week and share your 'laugh or you'd cry' stories.

Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

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Lauren is joined by relationship and sex psychotherapist Miranda Christophers to answer your questions on how to regain confidence and intimacy following cancer treatment.

Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Email [email protected]

The team get together for an update on Debs' latest developments, discover what organoids are, reflect on reactions to the last two #YouMeBigC episodes.

They discuss the cancer storyline in Motherland, Covid vaccines and read some of your 'laugh or you’d cry' cancer stories.

Don't forget, you can get in touch by using the #YouMeBigC across all forms of social media - spread the word and share the positive support.

Email [email protected]