The C Word Radio

Welcome back to the first new episode for 2022! In this episode I'm joined by the founder of Chuan Skincare, Ada Chen, to talk about her experience as a caregiver to her parents.  In 2020 Ada had just moved from San Francisco to Colorado when her father was hospitalised after a fall. As the eldest, Ada took charge of coordinating his care, along with her sister, and making decisions for his welfare. When he contracted Covid during his stay in the hospital, Ada and her sister experienced what millions have during the pandemic, they were unable to be inside their father's hospital room in his final hours. Fast forward a few months into 2021 and Ada's mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. This time taking on the role of caregiver was slightly easier with her mum living in the same city.   "If you're caregiving, make sure that you have a self-care routine once a week, or however often you need it. Just taking 15 minutes where you don't look at your phone, don't answer anything, like have it on for emergency". In this episode we talk about:  - Losing a parent/ family member to covid - What it's like being a caregiver - The change in dynamic when your parent gets sick - Caregiving from long distance - How to take care of yourself when you are experiencing caregiver burnout - Supporting someone through breast cancer  Our conversation is important for anyone who is impacted by covid or facing cancer with a loved one. We talk about how families are impacted by serious illnesses.    Ada's links Chuan Skincare The Asian Sewist Collective Helen's links: Membership on Ko-Fi Facebook Instagram Website   The C Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.    

When I finished cancer treatment I felt more like Winona Ryder's character emerging from the bomb blast at the end of Heathers than I did a strong cancer warrior.  Join me in 2022 as I try and figure out WTF young cancer survivorship means. I'll be talking to fellow cancery people about how they have navigated the dumpster fire of post-treatment life.  You can expect the same funny, honest, and relatable content with a focus on young survivorship.  Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! 

For the last episode of 2021, I'm joined by Bari Roberts Ross to share her incredible story of being diagnosed with cancer at the same time as her husband. Bari has written a book about their experience "Stronger with Two: The Inspiring True Story of a Husband and Wife Winning the Battle Against Cancer Together" and she joined me to share how they have come through two cancer diagnosis, and one reoccurrence in the past 12 years.  "My daughter, when she hears that he has leukemia, she arranged the call with his doctor and the doctor at, at Emory university hospital. And they started talking, and they're like, we have to get him here. Because both of you all are in pretty bad shape, even though I was still at walking and talking I was in bad shape. So were both diagnosed within 72 hours. We were both diagnosed with very serious cancers."  In 2009 Bari and her husband Charles were in the doctors office to find out what was causing Charles' fatigue. Her husband pointed out Bari had a lump on her neck, what happened was lifechanging.  Bari was diagnosed with stage four metastatic head and neck cancer, Charles with leukemia.  In this episode, we talk about- How the couple coped with both undergoing cancer treatment at the same time - Why it's important to ask for help - How a relationship survives both people having life threatening illness - The challenge of recovering after cancer treatment - The US health system and insurance - Why Bari is now advocating for people of colour to gain access to better treatment This episode dives into how a family copes when it's in crisis, how cancer changes us, and the battle for equality in healthcare.  Don't miss it!    Bari's Links Buy the book  Website Helen's links: Membership on Ko-Fi Facebook Instagram Website   Music - Happy Days, Scott Holmes    

Cancer can challenge our ability to remain hopeful. As we near the end of 2021 I wanted to bring you episodes with a message of resilience and hope.   In this episode, I'm joined by author Hilda Manyo Dickson to talk about her book Osunyameye: Nothing is Impossible with God.  Hilda's story starts with the joy of having a child she was told she would never be able to have. But happiness was quickly followed by the devastation of her child being diagnosed with cancer.  Onsunyameye was just a toddler when she was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. Hilda traveled to the US from Nigeria for her beloved child to have treatment.  When your child is diagnosed with cancer you go into survival mode. We discuss how Hilda coped with her experience and how cancer has changed her life. She shares how she got through a parent's worst nightmare by leaning into her faith.  Don't miss it! Hilda's links Buy the book Website Helen's links: Membership on Ko-Fi Facebook Instagram Website Music - Happy Days, Scott Holmes      

In this episode, I'm joined by Julia Becker Collins, ultramarathon runner, COO, and cancer lady.  Julia shares her experience of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the start of the pandemic in 2020. As covid caused the State of Massachusett 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.  We 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! Julia's Links Instagram Linktree   Helen's links: Membership on Ko-Fi Facebook Instagram Website   Music - Happy Days, Scott Holmes    

In this episode of The C Word Radio, I sat 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: Instagram Website Ripple App Helen's links: Membership on Ko-Fi Facebook Instagram Website Music - Happy Days, Scott Holmes  

Have you ever experienced burnout? Before my diagnosis of breast cancer in 2018 I had gone through yet another burnout. Burnout has been a theme during my adult life but cancer and the pandemic have led me to a place of creating a lifestyle that puts my wellness first. In this episode, I'm joined by Natalie Woodman a London-based transformation coach to talk about recovering from a health crisis or burnout. We chat about our personal experiences with not listening to our bodies and what led to choosing a different path. Natalie's background is in neurological physio and rehab, which led her to work with women who are seeking to reconnect with their bodies. Natalie's links: Instagram Website Helen's links: Vote for The C Word Radio in the NZ Podcast Awards Donate to Sweet Louise  Membership on Ko-Fi Facebook Instagram Website Music - Happy Days, Scott Holmes        

In this episode, I'm joined by Tina Conrad aka DJ Breast Cancer to talk about her new project a book of poetry, "From C to C". Tina was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, she shares that writing was an instrumental part of her journey. Days after her diagnosis she woke up in the middle of the night with a story in her head about a magic potion. And that cancer was like a poison, yet also a beautiful gift that you could be given.  She jumped out of bed to write the story down, afraid it would be fleeting like a dream. We talk about how writing helped her process the wide range of emotions cancer brings with it. The other 'C' in her book title is covid and she talks about many of the same feelings coming back when the pandemic hit.  This is a powerful conversation about how we process our cancer diagnosis, the impact on faith and, creating something beautiful from loss.  Tina's links: Instagram DJ Breast Cancer Buy her book 'From C to C' Helen's links: Donate to Sweet Louise  Membership on Ko-Fi Facebook Instagram Website Music - Happy Days, Scott Holmes