The C Word Radio

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

In this episode, I'm joined by Niya Kight. Niya shares her journey of healing after her breast cancer diagnosis on her Instagram page and she is such a joy to follow! Niya’s experience hasn’t been straightforward - like many of us, cancer was a wake-up call that we need to radically change the way we do things. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in the early stages of her second pregnancy, in the middle of a pandemic. Her birth story is extraordinary and that's we where kicked off our conversation.  Niya's links: Instagram Helen's links: Donate to Sweet Louise  Membership on Ko-Fi Facebook Instagram Website Music - Happy Days, Scott Holmes  

Cheryl Carr has been living with breast cancer for 12 years. At 38 when she was first diagnosed, she was reeling from a divorce and parenting two young children, the diagnosis was a huge shock. There was no family history, she had led a healthy lifestyle.  When cancer comes back After her first experience with cancer, Cheryl was determined to live more intentionally. She felt the stress from her divorce had been a factor in her cancer so did everything she could to live as stress-free as she could. She never expected her cancer to return, she had maintained a positive frame of mind, built her life to a great place. Cancer coming back was not part of the plan. Living with cancer Cheryl shares her experience of the difference in approaches to stage 4 breast cancer in Australia, where she was living at the time of her diagnosis, and when she returned to New Zealand. She explains the importance of having a team who are working with you and open to finding different ways of managing your cancer.  Sweet Louise One of the most important elements of living with incurable breast cancer is having a good support network. Cheryl was introduced to Sweet Louise and talks about how vital they have become to her. Living with breast cancer can be lonely and has a financial impact. Cheryl explains how Sweet Louise has helped her, even down to providing the funds to do something special for her daughter's birthday.  Helen's links: Vox article on Pinkwashing Donate to Sweet Louise  Facebook Instagram Website Music - Happy Days, Scott Holmes