Monthly Archives: June 2017

Lisa Gainsley: Facilitating the Healing Journey

June 27, 2017Podcastbreast cancer, cancer, cancer patient, death, healing, lung cancer, lymphatic massage, lymphatic system, lymphedema, mother, wellnessDianeMcDaniel

Today I’m speaking with Lisa Gainsley, certified massage and lymphedema therapist, who works primarily with cancer patients. Lisa talks about how her journey of exploration—beginning with the academic study of cultural anthropology and religion, her training as a healer in various modalities, and her eventual specialization in the lymphatic system—brought her to the meaningful work of facilitating others in their own healing journey. She also talks about how her mother’s experience with lung cancer and her death when Lisa was 13 years old set her on a path of working with cancer patients as well as her own healing, wellness, and care of self.

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Charlie Tercek: Seeking Normalcy During and After Cancer

June 20, 2017PodcastBacillus Calmette-Guerin, BCG, bladder cancer, cancer, chemotherapy, gratitude, immunotherapy, support, surgeryDianeMcDaniel

How does one maintain routine and regularity when a cancer diagnosis and its treatment threatens to upend life as one knows it?

Today I’m speaking with Charlie Tercek, who in 2010 was diagnosed with and treated for bladder cancer. Charlie talks about the critically important role his family played in taking the lead to find the right care when the route he initially chose did not go as planned. He also reflects on the way that cancer has made him more willing to move on quickly from experiences that don’t work out as expected, how going through the experience together strengthened the bond between him and his wife, and his feelings of gratitude for what he has.

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Father’s Day Special Episode

June 16, 2017Podcastanger, brother, daughter, death, encouragement, father, Father's Day, fatherhood, fathers, fighting, mother, sister, soccer, sports, surgeon, surgery, workDianeMcDaniel

Father’s Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. To mark the day we’re doing a special extra episode of the Real Cancer podcast.

Unlike other episodes, this one doesn’t focus specifically on cancer and it doesn’t feature a conversation with a single individual. Rather, this crowdsourced episode includes the voices of nine sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers reflecting on what they are thinking about on this Father’s Day.

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Sharon Holly: Empowering Oneself In the Healing Process

June 13, 2017Podcastalternative treatments, breast cancer, cancer, chemotherapy, healing, lumpectomy, oncology, profession, radiation, support, therapy, yoga, yoga therapyDianeMcDaniel

People undergoing cancer treatments often seek healing and support beyond the confines of oncology and traditional medical practice. Many seek to participate in their own therapeutic journey via a variety of other healing modalities.

Today I’m speaking with Sharon Holly, yoga therapist, who in 2010 began a journey toward finding a new professional path as she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Sharon talks about her work as a yoga therapist, working in an individualized way with people undergoing treatment for and living with cancer. Sharon explains the yoga therapy philosophy as an integrative process of looking at the person as a whole, helping clients develop agency to become part of the healing process, and discovering what will help that won’t harm.

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Jenny Pagliaro: Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer

June 6, 2017Podcastcancer, chemotherapy, diagnoses, family, friends, incurable, independence, life goals, life plans, MBC, Metastatic Breast Cancer, music, PET scan, radiation, rock and roll, Roses and Cigarettes, Santa Monica, scan, singer, songwriter, support, yogaDianeMcDaniel

How does one live with a diagnosis of incurable, metastatic cancer? How does one move forward with life goals and plans when the likelihood of a future has been deemed uncertain and tenuous.

Today I’m speaking with Jenny Pagliaro, singer and songwriter from the band Roses and Cigarettes, who—after initial treatment for Stage II Breast Cancer in 2015—was diagnosed one year later with Metastatic Breast Cancer. Our conversation takes place one week after Jenny had a PET scan that revealed her cancer to have receded by 90% compared to her previous scan. Jenny talks about living on an emotional rollercoaster during in the past two years, from initial diagnoses and completion of treatment, to a diagnoses of Metastatic Breast Cancer and receiving an estimate of six months to live, to this moment of hope for more time. She also talks about complicated interactions with family and friends who want to help her and the competing emotions behind wanting to maintain independence while knowing that she is reliant on the support of others.

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