60 acast.com The Deep C https://sites.libsyn.com/507138 en Sam Taylor Sam Taylor,Childhood Cancer,Caregiving,Cancer,Oncology,Oncology Parent,Pediatric Oncology,Child Loss,Chemotherapy Snack Labs Parents Diving Into Childhood Cancer The Deep C Podcast is for families, caregivers, friends and community who are supporting a child through a cancer diagnosis.


While every ounce of your being is used to carry your child, this podcast is here to carry you.When you're bedside at the hospital, sitting in a waiting room for the millionth appointment, or just need to feel like you're not alone in this dark place - come find us.


Our conversations will match the ones you're already having in your head. No topic is off limits, no fear is kept hidden. We speak to parents and caregivers at every stage of a diagnosis - families who are NED and families who are bereaved - diving deep into their reflections and personal accounts of how they walked (sometimes crawled) through their child's cancer diagnosis.


This is not a medical podcast, we don't discuss chemo cocktails or treatment plans. You already talk about that enough. This podcast is where you come for conversations between people JUST like you: scared, tired, determined, and fierce as hell.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Deep C Podcast is for families, caregivers, friends and community who are supporting a child through a cancer diagnosis.


While every ounce of your being is used to carry your child, this podcast is here to carry you.When you're bedside at the hospital, sitting in a waiting room for the millionth appointment, or just need to feel like you're not alone in this dark place - come find us.


Our conversations will match the ones you're already having in your head. No topic is off limits, no fear is kept hidden. We speak to parents and caregivers at every stage of a diagnosis - families who are NED and families who are bereaved - diving deep into their reflections and personal accounts of how they walked (sometimes crawled) through their child's cancer diagnosis.


This is not a medical podcast, we don't discuss chemo cocktails or treatment plans. You already talk about that enough. This podcast is where you come for conversations between people JUST like you: scared, tired, determined, and fierce as hell.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Sam Taylor brian@wearesnack.io 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 the-deep-c https://feeds.libsyn.com/507138/rss episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/65ccf14049352e0016a61d30/1745679920984-a3e65955-a2a0-48f4-ab8f-5c378df83fbe.jpeg https://sites.libsyn.com/507138 The Deep C https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 When They’re Ready to Move On and You’re Not - Parenting a Teen Through Cancer with Psychologist and Mom Kelly Stein-Marcus When They’re Ready to Move On and You’re Not - Parenting a Teen Through Cancer with Psychologist and Mom Kelly Stein-Marcus Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:44:00 GMT 37:06 69c33b53f47632ce108e4a8b false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/when-theyre-ready-to-move-on-and-youre-not-parenting-a-teen 69c33b53f47632ce108e4a8b 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 when-theyre-ready-to-move-on-and-youre-not-parenting-a-teen full 62 When your child is diagnosed with cancer, everything changes — instantly. And when your teen wants to move on while you’re still trying to process it, the experience can feel isolating, overwhelming, and surreal.


In this episode, I sit down with my friend Kelly Stein-Marcus, an extraordinary mom and clinical health psychologist, to talk about her family’s journey through her teenage son Dylan’s Ewing sarcoma diagnosis. Kelly’s husband, a pediatric radiologist, delivered the scan that changed everything — and together, they found themselves navigating the impossible space between professional expertise and parental helplessness.


We explore:


  • The surreal shock of the days immediately after diagnosis, when there’s no plan and it feels like life has paused.
  • What it’s like to parent a teenager through cancer, when many teens just want to “move on” and leave the experience behind.
  • The tension between what parents need to process and celebrate, and what a teen is ready to share.
  • How Kelly’s background in psychosocial oncology shaped her perspective, but didn’t protect her from the raw, emotional reality of living it.


This episode is intimate and honest — two moms sharing their experiences, unfiltered, and reflecting on what it really means to hold your child through trauma while trying to stay afloat yourself.


Whether you’re a parent, a professional in the cancer world, or someone who wants to better understand the emotional journey families face, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone — and that even in the darkest, most disorienting moments, there is strength, resilience, and love.


Key Topics: Teen Cancer, Pediatric Oncology, Ewing Sarcoma, Parenting Through Trauma, Parental Helplessness, Psychosocial Oncology, Family Resilience, Adolescent Experience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> When your child is diagnosed with cancer, everything changes — instantly. And when your teen wants to move on while you’re still trying to process it, the experience can feel isolating, overwhelming, and surreal.


In this episode, I sit down with my friend Kelly Stein-Marcus, an extraordinary mom and clinical health psychologist, to talk about her family’s journey through her teenage son Dylan’s Ewing sarcoma diagnosis. Kelly’s husband, a pediatric radiologist, delivered the scan that changed everything — and together, they found themselves navigating the impossible space between professional expertise and parental helplessness.


We explore:


  • The surreal shock of the days immediately after diagnosis, when there’s no plan and it feels like life has paused.
  • What it’s like to parent a teenager through cancer, when many teens just want to “move on” and leave the experience behind.
  • The tension between what parents need to process and celebrate, and what a teen is ready to share.
  • How Kelly’s background in psychosocial oncology shaped her perspective, but didn’t protect her from the raw, emotional reality of living it.


This episode is intimate and honest — two moms sharing their experiences, unfiltered, and reflecting on what it really means to hold your child through trauma while trying to stay afloat yourself.


Whether you’re a parent, a professional in the cancer world, or someone who wants to better understand the emotional journey families face, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone — and that even in the darkest, most disorienting moments, there is strength, resilience, and love.


Key Topics: Teen Cancer, Pediatric Oncology, Ewing Sarcoma, Parenting Through Trauma, Parental Helplessness, Psychosocial Oncology, Family Resilience, Adolescent Experience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA["Big A" and "Little a" Advocating for Cancer Parents with Lead OPACC Parent Liaison, Susan Kuczynski]]> Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:44:00 GMT 36:40 69a0f533240faaa9b5d73d07 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/big-a-and-little-a-advocating-for-cancer-parents-with-lead-o 69a0f533240faaa9b5d73d07 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 big-a-and-little-a-advocating-for-cancer-parents-with-lead-o full 61 Today I speak with Susan, founder of OPAAC (Ontario Parents Advocating for Childhood Cancer), about the development of parent-led advocacy in pediatric oncology. Susan shares how her daughter’s diagnosis in 1995 led to her becoming a parent liaison at SickKids Hospital and eventually establishing OPAAC in 1997. Today, it remains the only parent-led childhood cancer advocacy organization of its kind in Ontario.


Our conversation explores how advocacy often begins with lived experience and evolves into structured, system-level engagement. Susan explains the difference between “Big A” advocacy — policy work, formal partnerships, and participation in hospital decision-making — and “Little a” advocacy, which includes peer support, attending appointments with parents, and staying connected to families during and after treatment.


We talk about why parents can feel overlooked within the healthcare system, how support needs change significantly once treatment ends, and why relationship-building with healthcare teams is essential for sustainable change. The episode offers a practical look at how parents can move from emotional response to effective advocacy, and how organizations like OPAAC create meaningful support for families across the treatment continuum.


You can find out more about Susan and OPACC here: https://www.opacc.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Today I speak with Susan, founder of OPAAC (Ontario Parents Advocating for Childhood Cancer), about the development of parent-led advocacy in pediatric oncology. Susan shares how her daughter’s diagnosis in 1995 led to her becoming a parent liaison at SickKids Hospital and eventually establishing OPAAC in 1997. Today, it remains the only parent-led childhood cancer advocacy organization of its kind in Ontario.


Our conversation explores how advocacy often begins with lived experience and evolves into structured, system-level engagement. Susan explains the difference between “Big A” advocacy — policy work, formal partnerships, and participation in hospital decision-making — and “Little a” advocacy, which includes peer support, attending appointments with parents, and staying connected to families during and after treatment.


We talk about why parents can feel overlooked within the healthcare system, how support needs change significantly once treatment ends, and why relationship-building with healthcare teams is essential for sustainable change. The episode offers a practical look at how parents can move from emotional response to effective advocacy, and how organizations like OPAAC create meaningful support for families across the treatment continuum.


You can find out more about Susan and OPACC here: https://www.opacc.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How To Talk To Your Child About Their Cancer with Rec Therapist Danielle Scarlett How To Talk To Your Child About Their Cancer with Rec Therapist Danielle Scarlett Tue, 03 Feb 2026 23:44:00 GMT 50:20 6982934ec0f83f827c4b3734 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-their-cancer-with-rec-therap 6982934ec0f83f827c4b3734 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-their-cancer-with-rec-therap full 60 Today I'm privileged to chat with Recreational Therapist and owner of Flow Recreation Therapy and Consulting, Danielle Scarlett, about the hard conversations no parent wants to have with their children. We work through every topic from how to tell our kids they have cancer, what to say when something is going to hurt, how to approach end of life conversations, and what to do when there are simply no words. Danielle shares practical guidance for starting these conversations in age-appropriate ways, inviting children into an open dialogue, and allowing space for uncertainty and emotion—both the child’s and the parent’s. From the power of saying “I don’t know” to the important distinction between "protecting" versus "supporting", this episode offers reassurance that there is no perfect script—only presence, honesty, and the willingness to keep the conversation going as children and parents process their cancer diagnosis together.


You can find Danielle here https://flowrecreationtherapy.ca/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Today I'm privileged to chat with Recreational Therapist and owner of Flow Recreation Therapy and Consulting, Danielle Scarlett, about the hard conversations no parent wants to have with their children. We work through every topic from how to tell our kids they have cancer, what to say when something is going to hurt, how to approach end of life conversations, and what to do when there are simply no words. Danielle shares practical guidance for starting these conversations in age-appropriate ways, inviting children into an open dialogue, and allowing space for uncertainty and emotion—both the child’s and the parent’s. From the power of saying “I don’t know” to the important distinction between "protecting" versus "supporting", this episode offers reassurance that there is no perfect script—only presence, honesty, and the willingness to keep the conversation going as children and parents process their cancer diagnosis together.


You can find Danielle here https://flowrecreationtherapy.ca/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Paving Your Own Way in Survivorship with 3x Childhood and AYA Cancer Survivor Kirsten Paving Your Own Way in Survivorship with 3x Childhood and AYA Cancer Survivor Kirsten Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:44:00 GMT 31:08 69763fc3283ec80e155fe6d1 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/paving-your-own-way-in-survivorship-with-3x-childhood-and-ay 69763fc3283ec80e155fe6d1 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 paving-your-own-way-in-survivorship-with-3x-childhood-and-ay full 59 I absolutely adore my guest today, Kirsten — and I know you’re going to feel the same way. Kirsten is a three-time childhood and young adult cancer survivor with so much honesty and insight to share about what survivorship really feels like.


Kirsten was first diagnosed with ALL at age 10, spending more than six years in treatment after a relapse — during the years when kids are learning how to make friends, belong, and be themselves. Finishing treatment didn’t mean life snapped back into place. Survivorship brought its own challenges, especially around reintegration, social development, and finding her footing after missing so much of childhood.


Later, in her 20s, Kirsten faced cancer again — this time during young adulthood, another critical stage of identity and growth. In this conversation, we talk openly about fear, uncertainty, stigma, bullying, and the long emotional tail of childhood cancer.


What makes Kirsten so special is how real she is about all of it — and how she’s used her experience to pave the way not just for herself, but for the survivors coming behind her. For parents, this episode offers a powerful glimpse into what survivorship can look like long after treatment ends.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> I absolutely adore my guest today, Kirsten — and I know you’re going to feel the same way. Kirsten is a three-time childhood and young adult cancer survivor with so much honesty and insight to share about what survivorship really feels like.


Kirsten was first diagnosed with ALL at age 10, spending more than six years in treatment after a relapse — during the years when kids are learning how to make friends, belong, and be themselves. Finishing treatment didn’t mean life snapped back into place. Survivorship brought its own challenges, especially around reintegration, social development, and finding her footing after missing so much of childhood.


Later, in her 20s, Kirsten faced cancer again — this time during young adulthood, another critical stage of identity and growth. In this conversation, we talk openly about fear, uncertainty, stigma, bullying, and the long emotional tail of childhood cancer.


What makes Kirsten so special is how real she is about all of it — and how she’s used her experience to pave the way not just for herself, but for the survivors coming behind her. For parents, this episode offers a powerful glimpse into what survivorship can look like long after treatment ends.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Support for Bereaved Parents - The Importance of Peer Connection, How Partners Grieve Differently & How Community Can Help Carry the Weight with Zach’s Bridge Founders Jenn and Jon Wall]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:44:00 GMT 51:25 695d2d7ec4d0238a45641ea5 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/support-for-bereaved-parents-the-importance-of-peer-connecti 695d2d7ec4d0238a45641ea5 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 support-for-bereaved-parents-the-importance-of-peer-connecti full 58 Recent research published in a pediatric journal confirms what cancer parents already know: the psychological impact of childhood cancer often lives longer and deeper in parents than in the children themselves. Anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and grief don’t end when treatment ends—they shape how parents live, who we become, and how we move through the world.


While we don’t need academic validation—because cancer parents already witness and confirm this truth for one another—it matters to see caregivers finally centered in research. That essential peer recognition is what led me to today’s guests.


Jon and Jenn Wall are the founders of Zach’s Bridge, a 1:1 virtual peer support program for advanced and bereaved pediatric cancer parents and caregivers. When their 16-year-old son Zach was in palliative care for osteosarcoma—a phase they call pre-bereavement—they longed to speak with other parents who had already been there. Not professionals, but peers. Parents who had planned funerals. Parents who had come home to empty bedrooms.


Those sacred conversations became the foundation of Zach’s Bridge—a place where families navigating pre-bereavement and bereavement can speak freely, honestly, and without translation.


In this episode, Jon and Jenn share how partners grieve differently and extend grace to one another, how community can help carry the weight of loss, and a powerful coping framework Jon calls Both/And—the ability to hold grief and joy at the same time.


As you listen, carry this quote with you: “We don’t need translators for our pain—we need people who speak the same language.” Parents who have lost a child deserve support from others fluent in the deeply specialized language of loss. Jon and Jenn have built something profoundly necessary for families walking this path, and I am deeply inspired by what they continue to offer those coming up behind them.


To learn more about Zach's Bridge, please visit zachsbridge.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Recent research published in a pediatric journal confirms what cancer parents already know: the psychological impact of childhood cancer often lives longer and deeper in parents than in the children themselves. Anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and grief don’t end when treatment ends—they shape how parents live, who we become, and how we move through the world.


While we don’t need academic validation—because cancer parents already witness and confirm this truth for one another—it matters to see caregivers finally centered in research. That essential peer recognition is what led me to today’s guests.


Jon and Jenn Wall are the founders of Zach’s Bridge, a 1:1 virtual peer support program for advanced and bereaved pediatric cancer parents and caregivers. When their 16-year-old son Zach was in palliative care for osteosarcoma—a phase they call pre-bereavement—they longed to speak with other parents who had already been there. Not professionals, but peers. Parents who had planned funerals. Parents who had come home to empty bedrooms.


Those sacred conversations became the foundation of Zach’s Bridge—a place where families navigating pre-bereavement and bereavement can speak freely, honestly, and without translation.


In this episode, Jon and Jenn share how partners grieve differently and extend grace to one another, how community can help carry the weight of loss, and a powerful coping framework Jon calls Both/And—the ability to hold grief and joy at the same time.


As you listen, carry this quote with you: “We don’t need translators for our pain—we need people who speak the same language.” Parents who have lost a child deserve support from others fluent in the deeply specialized language of loss. Jon and Jenn have built something profoundly necessary for families walking this path, and I am deeply inspired by what they continue to offer those coming up behind them.


To learn more about Zach's Bridge, please visit zachsbridge.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Mark Levine, Host of Help & Hope Happen Here Podcast on What He's Learned From Cancer Parents After Almost 500 Episodes]]> Tue, 16 Dec 2025 04:44:00 GMT 28:58 6940caeacc3f4b4c736b5837 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/mark-levine-host-of-help-hope-happen-here-podcast-on-what-he 6940caeacc3f4b4c736b5837 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 mark-levine-host-of-help-hope-happen-here-podcast-on-what-he full 57

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Singer, Songwriter & Cancer Mom Anna Palfreeman On Her Deeply Resonant & Essential Album, "Frontline"]]> Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:44:00 GMT 51:15 692a368c5cace2e2a5f43450 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/singer-songwriter-cancer-mom-anna-palfreeman-on-her-deeply-r 692a368c5cace2e2a5f43450 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 singer-songwriter-cancer-mom-anna-palfreeman-on-her-deeply-r full 56 The whole intention of this podcast is to give cancer parents a feeling of recognition - of knowing we’re not alone, and we do this by sharing our stories. Storytelling is how we connect at our most fundamental, primal selves - it’s the most ancient thread humans use to tie ourselves together and make sense of the world around us.


Now, when you add music to those stories - when you communicate through song - well, that’s when things get even more profound, more connected. Music transcends language, music cuts through all the logic and meaning and connects us on a cellular level.


And that’s what my guest today has done for the entire paediatric cancer community.


Anna Palfreeman, a singer & songwriter from Seattle, wrote the album Frontline when her almost 5 yr old son Emerson was diagnosed with B cell ALL in December of 2023. In a desperate state to process her shock and absorb her son's diagnosis, she found the piano in the chapel at Seattle Children’s hospital and started to pour her feelings out in the way she knew how - through song, and music.


This turned into Anna writing an entire album that starts with Emerson’s first chemo and follows his frontline treatment. Songs like, Too Much, He’ll Be Ok, Breathe and The Tunnel are all songs that will SPEAK TO YOUR SOUL. I can’t emphasize this enough. That recognition we talk about when we hear each other's stories - well, the recognition you’ll feel when you hear Anna’s songs - it will go straight to your core.


My advice is to listen to her album from start to finish as a catharsis, as a healing journey, and as confirmation that sharing our experiences is how we bear witness to each other - it’s how we feel seen, and how we see the people around us.


You can stream Frontline wherever you listen to music, or support Anna through her website annapalfreeman.com and her Bandcamp https://annapalfreeman.bandcamp.com/album/frontline

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The whole intention of this podcast is to give cancer parents a feeling of recognition - of knowing we’re not alone, and we do this by sharing our stories. Storytelling is how we connect at our most fundamental, primal selves - it’s the most ancient thread humans use to tie ourselves together and make sense of the world around us.


Now, when you add music to those stories - when you communicate through song - well, that’s when things get even more profound, more connected. Music transcends language, music cuts through all the logic and meaning and connects us on a cellular level.


And that’s what my guest today has done for the entire paediatric cancer community.


Anna Palfreeman, a singer & songwriter from Seattle, wrote the album Frontline when her almost 5 yr old son Emerson was diagnosed with B cell ALL in December of 2023. In a desperate state to process her shock and absorb her son's diagnosis, she found the piano in the chapel at Seattle Children’s hospital and started to pour her feelings out in the way she knew how - through song, and music.


This turned into Anna writing an entire album that starts with Emerson’s first chemo and follows his frontline treatment. Songs like, Too Much, He’ll Be Ok, Breathe and The Tunnel are all songs that will SPEAK TO YOUR SOUL. I can’t emphasize this enough. That recognition we talk about when we hear each other's stories - well, the recognition you’ll feel when you hear Anna’s songs - it will go straight to your core.


My advice is to listen to her album from start to finish as a catharsis, as a healing journey, and as confirmation that sharing our experiences is how we bear witness to each other - it’s how we feel seen, and how we see the people around us.


You can stream Frontline wherever you listen to music, or support Anna through her website annapalfreeman.com and her Bandcamp https://annapalfreeman.bandcamp.com/album/frontline

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Inside Bone Marrow Transplant - A Mom's First Hand Experience of 42 Days in BMT]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2025 21:44:00 GMT 58:39 690bb04968ccec9b8e091489 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/inside-bone-marrow-transplant-a-moms-first-hand-experience-o 690bb04968ccec9b8e091489 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 inside-bone-marrow-transplant-a-moms-first-hand-experience-o full 55 Today I chat with my friend and fellow cancer mom Jenna about carrying her son through a 42 day bone marrow transplant this past summer. This episode is really important for so many reasons, BMT is a big and daunting procedure that so many of our families go through - so many parents are in complete isolation with their children for weeks and months, there are so many layers, so many challenges - we could talk about the isolation alone for 20 episodes - it’s just such a consuming and encompassing part of treatment. Jenna does a brilliant job of sharing their experience with so much accuracy, and she does it so families who have been through BMT or are going through BMT feel seen, and know that despite the intense isolation - they are not alone.


But before we get to Jenna, I’m going to give you a little background on Jenna’s son Hendrix to set the stage.


Hendrix was 3 when he was dx with B cell ALL. He endured the very long and intense treatment ALL requires - chemo, lumbar punctures, countless procedures - right when he started maintenance, Hendrix went into severe diabetic ketoacidosis, almost losing his life. This led to a type 1 diabetes diagnosis to his already intense and wildly unfair leukaemia diagnosis.


And then, going into his 6th round of maintenance, Hendrix relapsed, forcing him to battle a second time, now as a type one diabetic. Relapse treatment was extremely challenging, Hendrix became chemo resistant and his cancer was still present even after his re-induction. He qualified for Car T therapy, which was also a long and VERY hard road, and unfortunately didn’t work as well, leaving a bone marrow transplant as the only option left. He did immunotherapy and spent seven months getting into remission for transplant, which miraculously worked, and that is where our conversation today with Jenna, Hendrix’s mom, begins.


As someone who didn’t go through BMT with my child, this was part educational, part enlightening and honestly just left me pretty astonished at Jenna’s ability to disassociate, which you’ll hear us talk about as the main strategy she used to endure this really trying, really challenging experience.


For any family going into BMT, Jenna’s story will be a reference and for any family who’s done BMT, Jenna’s story will be a recognition for what you did to support your child through one of the most harrowing experiences I think we can go through in oncology treatment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Today I chat with my friend and fellow cancer mom Jenna about carrying her son through a 42 day bone marrow transplant this past summer. This episode is really important for so many reasons, BMT is a big and daunting procedure that so many of our families go through - so many parents are in complete isolation with their children for weeks and months, there are so many layers, so many challenges - we could talk about the isolation alone for 20 episodes - it’s just such a consuming and encompassing part of treatment. Jenna does a brilliant job of sharing their experience with so much accuracy, and she does it so families who have been through BMT or are going through BMT feel seen, and know that despite the intense isolation - they are not alone.


But before we get to Jenna, I’m going to give you a little background on Jenna’s son Hendrix to set the stage.


Hendrix was 3 when he was dx with B cell ALL. He endured the very long and intense treatment ALL requires - chemo, lumbar punctures, countless procedures - right when he started maintenance, Hendrix went into severe diabetic ketoacidosis, almost losing his life. This led to a type 1 diabetes diagnosis to his already intense and wildly unfair leukaemia diagnosis.


And then, going into his 6th round of maintenance, Hendrix relapsed, forcing him to battle a second time, now as a type one diabetic. Relapse treatment was extremely challenging, Hendrix became chemo resistant and his cancer was still present even after his re-induction. He qualified for Car T therapy, which was also a long and VERY hard road, and unfortunately didn’t work as well, leaving a bone marrow transplant as the only option left. He did immunotherapy and spent seven months getting into remission for transplant, which miraculously worked, and that is where our conversation today with Jenna, Hendrix’s mom, begins.


As someone who didn’t go through BMT with my child, this was part educational, part enlightening and honestly just left me pretty astonished at Jenna’s ability to disassociate, which you’ll hear us talk about as the main strategy she used to endure this really trying, really challenging experience.


For any family going into BMT, Jenna’s story will be a reference and for any family who’s done BMT, Jenna’s story will be a recognition for what you did to support your child through one of the most harrowing experiences I think we can go through in oncology treatment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Kiddo, This is Going to Be Hard - AYA Support Through Treatment with Survivor Mel Austin Kiddo, This is Going to Be Hard - AYA Support Through Treatment with Survivor Mel Austin Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:44:00 GMT 29:35 68fc041171a7e8ab34c9e36c false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/kiddo-this-is-going-to-be-hard-aya-support-through-treatment 68fc041171a7e8ab34c9e36c 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 kiddo-this-is-going-to-be-hard-aya-support-through-treatment full 54 Today I speak with Mel, an ALL survivor currently in her second year of university. Mel was diagnosed at 17, and just recently rang the bell this past summer, so her account of treatment is still really fresh and honest. Our talk today is from Mel’s lens as an AYA patient, and how we as parents can best support our teens and young adult children going through treatment at an age when they are fully aware of every single layer of their cancer diagnosis.


Mel talks about what helped and didn’t help when it comes to support from her peers and family, and how the moments when her parents acknowledged how hard treatment was, rather than bright side it away, were the moments she connected the most. As a parent, all we want to do is take away our child’s suffering, so for her mom and dad to have the fortitude and strength to sit with Mel in her fear and discomfort is a level of love and commitment I am so deeply proud of in them. I also happen to know Mel’s parents, and want to take this chance to publicly acknowledge their strength and internal compass to know exactly how to best support their daughter. I adore Mel, and her family, and can’t wait to share her story. So, let’s dive deep with Mel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Today I speak with Mel, an ALL survivor currently in her second year of university. Mel was diagnosed at 17, and just recently rang the bell this past summer, so her account of treatment is still really fresh and honest. Our talk today is from Mel’s lens as an AYA patient, and how we as parents can best support our teens and young adult children going through treatment at an age when they are fully aware of every single layer of their cancer diagnosis.


Mel talks about what helped and didn’t help when it comes to support from her peers and family, and how the moments when her parents acknowledged how hard treatment was, rather than bright side it away, were the moments she connected the most. As a parent, all we want to do is take away our child’s suffering, so for her mom and dad to have the fortitude and strength to sit with Mel in her fear and discomfort is a level of love and commitment I am so deeply proud of in them. I also happen to know Mel’s parents, and want to take this chance to publicly acknowledge their strength and internal compass to know exactly how to best support their daughter. I adore Mel, and her family, and can’t wait to share her story. So, let’s dive deep with Mel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Doing Everything Right and Your Child Gets Cancer - Pediatric RN & Neuroblastoma Mom Leah B. on the Illusion of Control and the Freedom Beyond It]]> Sun, 12 Oct 2025 14:44:00 GMT 39:54 68ebc3b3f513ad2b81dfbe9a false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/doing-everything-right-and-your-child-gets-cancer-pediatric 68ebc3b3f513ad2b81dfbe9a 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 doing-everything-right-and-your-child-gets-cancer-pediatric full 53 Today I speak with Leah, a pediatric nurse and nutritional coach who has spent more than a decade supporting families through some of the most meaningful and vulnerable times of their life. She’s worked in pediatric intensive care and birthing centres, and later built her own practice — one that helps parents navigate those early years of nutrition and development with a more holistic, compassionate approach. Her goal was always to make a real difference — to help children heal not just from illness, but to help parents build a strong, stable foundation that would set their babies up for life.


And then, when her third child, Etta, was diagnosed at three years old with neuroblastoma, everything destabilized. Leah suddenly found herself on the other side — in that upside-down world we all know too well — where it’s not someone else’s tragedy anymore, it’s your own.


In our conversation, Leah speaks with such honesty and wisdom about what that transformation feels like — how our bodies go into motion to keep our children alive, while our hearts and souls have to step back to protect us from a pain too big to hold all at once. And we talk about how later, when treatment ends, there’s that quiet reckoning — when life asks you to come back to yourself, and how it feels to reenter a body that has just been through war. How turning on the washing machine feels impossible, because everything feels so broken. Leah talks about how she healed, and continues to heal, with such warmth, depth and grounded insight.


She’s thoughtful, gentle, and I deeply trust her — she is someone who makes you feel safe just by being in her presence. I loved this conversation, and I think you’ll feel her steadiness and grace too.


Leah's Cookbook https://www.amazon.ca/All-Organic-Baby-Food-Cookbook-Nutritious/dp/0593196759

Leah's Website https://www.bloomingmotherhood.co/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Today I speak with Leah, a pediatric nurse and nutritional coach who has spent more than a decade supporting families through some of the most meaningful and vulnerable times of their life. She’s worked in pediatric intensive care and birthing centres, and later built her own practice — one that helps parents navigate those early years of nutrition and development with a more holistic, compassionate approach. Her goal was always to make a real difference — to help children heal not just from illness, but to help parents build a strong, stable foundation that would set their babies up for life.


And then, when her third child, Etta, was diagnosed at three years old with neuroblastoma, everything destabilized. Leah suddenly found herself on the other side — in that upside-down world we all know too well — where it’s not someone else’s tragedy anymore, it’s your own.


In our conversation, Leah speaks with such honesty and wisdom about what that transformation feels like — how our bodies go into motion to keep our children alive, while our hearts and souls have to step back to protect us from a pain too big to hold all at once. And we talk about how later, when treatment ends, there’s that quiet reckoning — when life asks you to come back to yourself, and how it feels to reenter a body that has just been through war. How turning on the washing machine feels impossible, because everything feels so broken. Leah talks about how she healed, and continues to heal, with such warmth, depth and grounded insight.


She’s thoughtful, gentle, and I deeply trust her — she is someone who makes you feel safe just by being in her presence. I loved this conversation, and I think you’ll feel her steadiness and grace too.


Leah's Cookbook https://www.amazon.ca/All-Organic-Baby-Food-Cookbook-Nutritious/dp/0593196759

Leah's Website https://www.bloomingmotherhood.co/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Naturopath Dr. Jackie on Integrating Alternative Practices into her Son's High Risk ALL Treatment]]> Sun, 14 Sep 2025 23:44:00 GMT 36:59 68c75eda24c6e67e6892f679 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/naturopath-dr-jackie-on-integrating-alternative-practices-in 68c75eda24c6e67e6892f679 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 naturopath-dr-jackie-on-integrating-alternative-practices-in full 52 Today I speak with Dr Jackie, a naturopathic doctor and mom to 3 beautiful boys. Jackie’s life was completely upended when her youngest son Spencer was diagnosed with high risk ALL at 13 months old. And when I say her life, I mean her entire foundation. As a naturopath, Jackie was consciously raising her family in alignment with her practice - this meant using things like natural remedies, tinctures, supplements and diet to not only help her kids through fevers, bumps and bruises, but to also work preventatively to prepare their little immune systems for a long healthy life. So when Spencer was diagnosed, Jackie had to embrace a type of intervention that was the complete opposite of what she had built her family and practice on. Western medicine and pharmaceuticals don’t typically have a place in a naturopathic practice, and within hours her baby was needing them to survive. Jackie talks about the rapid switch she had to make, which of course she did, and how it felt to accept and even find peace with what was needed to save Spencer's life.


In our chat, Jackie shares the simple and gentle practices she brought into Spencer's treatment, and how she advocated and worked alongside their team to provide him with the support he needed. This is such a great episode for families, much like mine, who were raising their kids with natural and holistic treatments and had to instantly pivot and embrace the most toxic and harsh medicines being administered to their child’s body. I learned so much from Jackie's confidence and calm, assured belief that cancer is more than a physical disease and it's equally important to heal the body as well as our mind, soul and spirit.


You can find Jackie at www.doctorjackie.ca and/or IG @doctorjackieND

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Today I speak with Dr Jackie, a naturopathic doctor and mom to 3 beautiful boys. Jackie’s life was completely upended when her youngest son Spencer was diagnosed with high risk ALL at 13 months old. And when I say her life, I mean her entire foundation. As a naturopath, Jackie was consciously raising her family in alignment with her practice - this meant using things like natural remedies, tinctures, supplements and diet to not only help her kids through fevers, bumps and bruises, but to also work preventatively to prepare their little immune systems for a long healthy life. So when Spencer was diagnosed, Jackie had to embrace a type of intervention that was the complete opposite of what she had built her family and practice on. Western medicine and pharmaceuticals don’t typically have a place in a naturopathic practice, and within hours her baby was needing them to survive. Jackie talks about the rapid switch she had to make, which of course she did, and how it felt to accept and even find peace with what was needed to save Spencer's life.


In our chat, Jackie shares the simple and gentle practices she brought into Spencer's treatment, and how she advocated and worked alongside their team to provide him with the support he needed. This is such a great episode for families, much like mine, who were raising their kids with natural and holistic treatments and had to instantly pivot and embrace the most toxic and harsh medicines being administered to their child’s body. I learned so much from Jackie's confidence and calm, assured belief that cancer is more than a physical disease and it's equally important to heal the body as well as our mind, soul and spirit.


You can find Jackie at www.doctorjackie.ca and/or IG @doctorjackieND

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[The Shame of Having Cancer as a Kid with Childhood Cancer Survivor & Oncology Mom Lindsay Craig]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2025 01:44:00 GMT 38:34 68770a21c81367397acbae75 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/the-shame-of-having-cancer-as-a-kid-with-childhood-cancer-su 68770a21c81367397acbae75 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 the-shame-of-having-cancer-as-a-kid-with-childhood-cancer-su full 51 Todays talk with my friend Lindsay hit so close to home, in many ways. I first connected with Lindsay because our kids were diagnosed with the same cancer, rhabdo. It felt really good to talk to another parent who knew all the same things I knew - like meeting someone in a foreign country who spoke the same language AND also knew all the same people. She was comfortable, familiar and we instantly connected.


So it was a matter of minutes before Lindsay told me that ON THE SAME DAY she found her son’s cancer, 32 years prior when she was 7 yrs old, SHE was diagnosed with Wilms. Lindsay was now a child cancer survivor AND a cancer mom - I don’t need to highlight what a unique and complicated journey it’s been for Lindsay, but also a journey where her insights are already baked in, giving her a vantage point that not many of us have.


I had a million questions for Lindsay about what it’s like ushering your child through a treatment you yourself had, and this is where our chat got even deeper, because hearing Lindsay share her memories of treatment, especially integrating back into her life post treatment, felt like I was listening to my own daughter share her exact same experience. Lindsay talked about the shame of having cancer and what it felt like to be different from her peers, and how she went to extreme lengths to hide her scars and bald head - and it was all just the same for us.


Hearing Lindsay share her stories of shame and wanting to hide her cancer went straight to my core because not only was I witnessing this exact same struggle with my child, but I knew there had to be other parents out there feeling the same helplessness watching their child desperately try to blend in post treatment. This prompted our episode today where Lindsay goes deep into her feelings of being different, of looking sick and getting sad pitiful eyes from strangers, and how complicated it was to feel embarrassed about her cancer when everyone was telling her it was something to be proud of.


This talk will resonate so deeply with parents whose kids were a little older during treatment or maybe more self aware and who struggle with the whole idea that children with cancer are celebrated as being brave and warriors when really, they want to blend in and not be recognized at all - until, as you’ll hear Lindsay say, she came through her teen years and realized that she was, in fact, tremendously brave and she decided to truly embrace her cancer. But that had to be on her terms, in her own way, and not because everyone told her so.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Todays talk with my friend Lindsay hit so close to home, in many ways. I first connected with Lindsay because our kids were diagnosed with the same cancer, rhabdo. It felt really good to talk to another parent who knew all the same things I knew - like meeting someone in a foreign country who spoke the same language AND also knew all the same people. She was comfortable, familiar and we instantly connected.


So it was a matter of minutes before Lindsay told me that ON THE SAME DAY she found her son’s cancer, 32 years prior when she was 7 yrs old, SHE was diagnosed with Wilms. Lindsay was now a child cancer survivor AND a cancer mom - I don’t need to highlight what a unique and complicated journey it’s been for Lindsay, but also a journey where her insights are already baked in, giving her a vantage point that not many of us have.


I had a million questions for Lindsay about what it’s like ushering your child through a treatment you yourself had, and this is where our chat got even deeper, because hearing Lindsay share her memories of treatment, especially integrating back into her life post treatment, felt like I was listening to my own daughter share her exact same experience. Lindsay talked about the shame of having cancer and what it felt like to be different from her peers, and how she went to extreme lengths to hide her scars and bald head - and it was all just the same for us.


Hearing Lindsay share her stories of shame and wanting to hide her cancer went straight to my core because not only was I witnessing this exact same struggle with my child, but I knew there had to be other parents out there feeling the same helplessness watching their child desperately try to blend in post treatment. This prompted our episode today where Lindsay goes deep into her feelings of being different, of looking sick and getting sad pitiful eyes from strangers, and how complicated it was to feel embarrassed about her cancer when everyone was telling her it was something to be proud of.


This talk will resonate so deeply with parents whose kids were a little older during treatment or maybe more self aware and who struggle with the whole idea that children with cancer are celebrated as being brave and warriors when really, they want to blend in and not be recognized at all - until, as you’ll hear Lindsay say, she came through her teen years and realized that she was, in fact, tremendously brave and she decided to truly embrace her cancer. But that had to be on her terms, in her own way, and not because everyone told her so.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Running Towards the Pain - Bereaved Dad Matt on the Healing Power of Endurance Running Running Towards the Pain - Bereaved Dad Matt on the Healing Power of Endurance Running Sat, 21 Jun 2025 21:44:00 GMT 34:24 685730b1c1af62f027ea0ed7 true https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/running-towards-the-pain-bereaved-dad-matt-on-the-healing-po 685730b1c1af62f027ea0ed7 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 running-towards-the-pain-bereaved-dad-matt-on-the-healing-po full 50 My conversation today with Matt got so deep, so fast, and I think it’s because he’s worked really hard at clearing the path towards the place he holds his pain and grief around losing his son Landon. When Landon was 10.5 years old he passed away from medulloblastoma, leaving Matt with a choice to follow his grief in a bad, destructive direction, or in a powerful and healing direction.


A friend challenged him to run for 21 days to start a habit and hopefully give Matt an outlet for his grief, and so he started to run. And run, and run, and run for miles and miles. At first around his neighborhood, and then through the trails near his home. The more he would run, the more pain his body would endure, the closer he would get to feeling his grief - and to feeling his son. Running became his catharsis, and his direct path to connecting with Landon.


He pulled from all the mental endurance he learned during treatment and applied it to long distance running, and then ultra running - and then to running 140 miles to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer.


Matt documented his run and made it into a film called No Finish Line because, this isn’t a spoiler, at the end of Matt’s 140 mile run, he DNF’s which stands for Did Not Finish - because as Matt knows, and as we all know, childhood cancer doesn’t end. It’s a loud message to everyone watching that kids in treatment are up against a heck of a lot more than the physical and mental strain of running 140 miles, and his message lands.


This conversation today is really bold, really honest and has so many meaningful takeaways on processing pain, choosing the ultimate good vs the ultimate bad, our dragons, our grief, and what it’s like to live - truly live - when the biggest fear in your life happens. How does that change the trajectory of your path, how do you run it, and most importantly, how far can you go when you aren’t running from the pain, but running purposefully, and with great intention, towards it.


So, let’s dive deep, with Matt.


No Finish Line can be watched here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL6irMXCIM8

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> My conversation today with Matt got so deep, so fast, and I think it’s because he’s worked really hard at clearing the path towards the place he holds his pain and grief around losing his son Landon. When Landon was 10.5 years old he passed away from medulloblastoma, leaving Matt with a choice to follow his grief in a bad, destructive direction, or in a powerful and healing direction.


A friend challenged him to run for 21 days to start a habit and hopefully give Matt an outlet for his grief, and so he started to run. And run, and run, and run for miles and miles. At first around his neighborhood, and then through the trails near his home. The more he would run, the more pain his body would endure, the closer he would get to feeling his grief - and to feeling his son. Running became his catharsis, and his direct path to connecting with Landon.


He pulled from all the mental endurance he learned during treatment and applied it to long distance running, and then ultra running - and then to running 140 miles to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer.


Matt documented his run and made it into a film called No Finish Line because, this isn’t a spoiler, at the end of Matt’s 140 mile run, he DNF’s which stands for Did Not Finish - because as Matt knows, and as we all know, childhood cancer doesn’t end. It’s a loud message to everyone watching that kids in treatment are up against a heck of a lot more than the physical and mental strain of running 140 miles, and his message lands.


This conversation today is really bold, really honest and has so many meaningful takeaways on processing pain, choosing the ultimate good vs the ultimate bad, our dragons, our grief, and what it’s like to live - truly live - when the biggest fear in your life happens. How does that change the trajectory of your path, how do you run it, and most importantly, how far can you go when you aren’t running from the pain, but running purposefully, and with great intention, towards it.


So, let’s dive deep, with Matt.


No Finish Line can be watched here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL6irMXCIM8

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[The Sibling Experience - A Brother Shares His Perspective Of His Sister's Treatment 20 Years Later]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:44:00 GMT 35:52 683e65b6708e9fc9b47ce3f4 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/the-sibling-experience-a-brother-shares-his-perspective-of-h 683e65b6708e9fc9b47ce3f4 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 the-sibling-experience-a-brother-shares-his-perspective-of-h full 49

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Golden Moms The Golden Moms Sat, 24 May 2025 22:44:00 GMT 42:14 683250d8381499796b42127c false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/the-golden-moms 683250d8381499796b42127c 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 the-golden-moms full 48 Today I talk with five incredible oncology moms who met during their kids treatments and felt the need to create a collective for cancer moms to come together, feel seen, supported and less alone. Katelyn, Sarah, Amanda, Nicole and Lindsay discuss the importance of having a support system of other oncology moms, the emotional challenges they face, and how they found strength in their shared experiences.


Our discussion highlights the birth of the Golden Moms community, the significance of connecting with others who understand our journey, and the role of social media in fostering these relationships. Each mom shares their personal story, emphasizing the importance of community, shared experiences, and the need for emotional support. They discuss the discomfort that often arises in friendships during crises, the healing power of connecting with others who understand, and the necessity of caring for caregivers as well.


To find the Golden Moms, visit their instagram @goldenmoms05, and the Ottawa Golden Moms group @goldenmomsottawa

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Today I talk with five incredible oncology moms who met during their kids treatments and felt the need to create a collective for cancer moms to come together, feel seen, supported and less alone. Katelyn, Sarah, Amanda, Nicole and Lindsay discuss the importance of having a support system of other oncology moms, the emotional challenges they face, and how they found strength in their shared experiences.


Our discussion highlights the birth of the Golden Moms community, the significance of connecting with others who understand our journey, and the role of social media in fostering these relationships. Each mom shares their personal story, emphasizing the importance of community, shared experiences, and the need for emotional support. They discuss the discomfort that often arises in friendships during crises, the healing power of connecting with others who understand, and the necessity of caring for caregivers as well.


To find the Golden Moms, visit their instagram @goldenmoms05, and the Ottawa Golden Moms group @goldenmomsottawa

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Post Treatment Healing for Parents - Oncology Mom Kayleigh on Somatic Healing & Processing Her Trauma]]> Wed, 14 May 2025 18:44:00 GMT 46:32 6824eab315d5c17e05842a51 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/post-treatment-healing-for-parents-oncology-mom-kayleigh-on- 6824eab315d5c17e05842a51 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 post-treatment-healing-for-parents-oncology-mom-kayleigh-on- full 47 In this conversation, Sam and mindset coach/oncology mom Kayleigh Kennedy explore the emotional landscape for parents post treatment and the profound impact of trauma on our mental and physical health. Kayleigh shares her personal experiences and insights on mending the broken heart her son's cancer treatment left her with, and the ongoing process of healing, highlighting the significance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care. One of the ways Kayleigh has approached her healing is through somatic therapy and integrated somatic trauma processing (ISTP).


She discusses the healing power of breath work, the importance of releasing suppressed emotions, and the journey of letting go of control. The conversation highlights the physical and emotional challenges faced during therapy sessions, including intense releases of energy and emotions. Kayleigh emphasizes the significance of trusting oneself and exploring personal healing needs, while also acknowledging the discomfort that comes with the healing process.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this conversation, Sam and mindset coach/oncology mom Kayleigh Kennedy explore the emotional landscape for parents post treatment and the profound impact of trauma on our mental and physical health. Kayleigh shares her personal experiences and insights on mending the broken heart her son's cancer treatment left her with, and the ongoing process of healing, highlighting the significance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care. One of the ways Kayleigh has approached her healing is through somatic therapy and integrated somatic trauma processing (ISTP).


She discusses the healing power of breath work, the importance of releasing suppressed emotions, and the journey of letting go of control. The conversation highlights the physical and emotional challenges faced during therapy sessions, including intense releases of energy and emotions. Kayleigh emphasizes the significance of trusting oneself and exploring personal healing needs, while also acknowledging the discomfort that comes with the healing process.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Did I Make It Too Fun? A Fascinating Talk on What it's Like When Your Child Thrives Through Treatment and Doesn't Want it to End]]> Thu, 01 May 2025 01:44:00 GMT 31:39 6812de0d9704d99f84908e0c false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/did-i-make-it-too-fun-a-fascinating-talk-on-what-its-like-wh 6812de0d9704d99f84908e0c 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 did-i-make-it-too-fun-a-fascinating-talk-on-what-its-like-wh full 46 My talk with Lily has really stuck with me. This is a mom who simply refused to let cancer define her family’s life. There was no way cancer was going to interrupt their normal, and there was no way it was going to interfere with her son’s growth and learning and development. Lily was determined to maintain Wyatt’s full and active life, and not only maintain, but better it. Cancer wasn’t something that would stop him, it was something that would make him stronger.


When Wyatt was 5.5 yrs old, he was diagnosed with T cell ALL, and like all parents, Lily was floored when she was told the news over the phone after some routine blood work, But you’ll hear her say Wyatt’s diagnosis completely shifted her perspective and made her even more optimistic and less concerned and worried about the things in life that don’t matter. I’ve had a lot of talks with parents who come to those realizations, maybe after treatment, but for Lily, it was right off the bat, and she harnessed this optimism and perspective into making Wyatt’s cancer treatment an opportunity for growth and something that wasn't going to define him.


One of the areas of our chat that will stick with me forever is when we talk about how Lily made treatment so positive for Wyatt that he legitimately mourned when it was over. This makes so much sense when you hear Lily’s story, but I mean, we can all agree it’s not the most common reaction coming from a little kid who’s just gone through 3 years of gruelling cancer treatment. But port removal and final lumbar punctures were devastating for Wyatt, and we go into how Lily is managing these really honest and deep emotions. We also talk about her other son Jack and how in many ways Wyatt’s cancer treatment was hardest on him. So much insight and deep conversations in this episode.


I love Lily, she is incredible and so is this chat. I know it will stick with you too. So, let’s dive deep with Lily.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> My talk with Lily has really stuck with me. This is a mom who simply refused to let cancer define her family’s life. There was no way cancer was going to interrupt their normal, and there was no way it was going to interfere with her son’s growth and learning and development. Lily was determined to maintain Wyatt’s full and active life, and not only maintain, but better it. Cancer wasn’t something that would stop him, it was something that would make him stronger.


When Wyatt was 5.5 yrs old, he was diagnosed with T cell ALL, and like all parents, Lily was floored when she was told the news over the phone after some routine blood work, But you’ll hear her say Wyatt’s diagnosis completely shifted her perspective and made her even more optimistic and less concerned and worried about the things in life that don’t matter. I’ve had a lot of talks with parents who come to those realizations, maybe after treatment, but for Lily, it was right off the bat, and she harnessed this optimism and perspective into making Wyatt’s cancer treatment an opportunity for growth and something that wasn't going to define him.


One of the areas of our chat that will stick with me forever is when we talk about how Lily made treatment so positive for Wyatt that he legitimately mourned when it was over. This makes so much sense when you hear Lily’s story, but I mean, we can all agree it’s not the most common reaction coming from a little kid who’s just gone through 3 years of gruelling cancer treatment. But port removal and final lumbar punctures were devastating for Wyatt, and we go into how Lily is managing these really honest and deep emotions. We also talk about her other son Jack and how in many ways Wyatt’s cancer treatment was hardest on him. So much insight and deep conversations in this episode.


I love Lily, she is incredible and so is this chat. I know it will stick with you too. So, let’s dive deep with Lily.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Supporting Families & Siblings in Children's Hospice with Recreational Therapist Samantha Albert]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2025 23:44:00 GMT 36:20 68019c643d09fdf27f22ee14 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/supporting-families-siblings-in-childrens-hospice-with-recre 68019c643d09fdf27f22ee14 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 supporting-families-siblings-in-childrens-hospice-with-recre full 45 Sam Albert, a recreational therapist at Roger Nielson Children's Hospice, shares her experience supporting families and siblings through treatment and end of life care. Sam shares personal stories of growing up with a brother who had cancer, the impact of grief, and the importance of validating the sibling's experience. The conversation also emphasizes the significance of peer support among siblings and the creative ways they express their emotions.


Sam explores the profound experiences of supporting families in palliative care, emphasizing the importance of creating lasting memories, the privilege of holding space for families during their hardest moments, and the unique emotional journey caregivers undergo. The discussion highlights the beauty found in love amidst grief, the impact of personal experiences on caregiving, and also touches on the examination of belief systems and the diverse needs of families after the loss of a child.


https://www.rogerneilsonchildrenshospice.ca/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Sam Albert, a recreational therapist at Roger Nielson Children's Hospice, shares her experience supporting families and siblings through treatment and end of life care. Sam shares personal stories of growing up with a brother who had cancer, the impact of grief, and the importance of validating the sibling's experience. The conversation also emphasizes the significance of peer support among siblings and the creative ways they express their emotions.


Sam explores the profound experiences of supporting families in palliative care, emphasizing the importance of creating lasting memories, the privilege of holding space for families during their hardest moments, and the unique emotional journey caregivers undergo. The discussion highlights the beauty found in love amidst grief, the impact of personal experiences on caregiving, and also touches on the examination of belief systems and the diverse needs of families after the loss of a child.


https://www.rogerneilsonchildrenshospice.ca/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Cancer Dad Scott on His Teen Daughter’s Rhabdo Battle and How Her Love of Hockey Powers Her Fight Cancer Dad Scott on His Teen Daughter’s Rhabdo Battle and How Her Love of Hockey Powers Her Fight Tue, 01 Apr 2025 01:44:00 GMT 45:56 67eb4558506c6c628c3908df false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/cancer-dad-scott-on-his-teen-daughters-rhabdo-battle-and-how 67eb4558506c6c628c3908df 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 cancer-dad-scott-on-his-teen-daughters-rhabdo-battle-and-how full 44 In this chat, Scott Walker shares his family's journey through his teenage daughter's cancer diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma and treatment. He discusses the shock of receiving the diagnosis, the protective 'armor' parents wear, and the importance of finding moments of release. Scott emphasizes the significance of approaching treatment in phases, coping with the hair loss phase, and the vital role of team sports and community support in their journey. Scott shares the profound impact of team dynamics and community support during his daughter Peyton's cancer treatment. He emphasizes the importance of mutual support within teams, the significance of billeting, and the courage required to let go as a parent. The discussion highlights the role of community in fostering resilience and the emotional journey of navigating treatment while maintaining a sense of normalcy for Peyton. The conversation emphasizes teamwork, resilience, and the power of community in navigating difficult times.


March 31- April 4th is Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week. Here are some links to learn more:

https://www.childrenscancercause.org/ayaweek

https://acpmp.org/aya-cancer-awareness-week/

https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Clinics/Adolescent_Young_Adult_Oncology

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]]> In this chat, Scott Walker shares his family's journey through his teenage daughter's cancer diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma and treatment. He discusses the shock of receiving the diagnosis, the protective 'armor' parents wear, and the importance of finding moments of release. Scott emphasizes the significance of approaching treatment in phases, coping with the hair loss phase, and the vital role of team sports and community support in their journey. Scott shares the profound impact of team dynamics and community support during his daughter Peyton's cancer treatment. He emphasizes the importance of mutual support within teams, the significance of billeting, and the courage required to let go as a parent. The discussion highlights the role of community in fostering resilience and the emotional journey of navigating treatment while maintaining a sense of normalcy for Peyton. The conversation emphasizes teamwork, resilience, and the power of community in navigating difficult times.


March 31- April 4th is Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week. Here are some links to learn more:

https://www.childrenscancercause.org/ayaweek

https://acpmp.org/aya-cancer-awareness-week/

https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Clinics/Adolescent_Young_Adult_Oncology

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]]> <![CDATA[Love Will Keep Us Fighting - How Shara Uses Love to Battle Osteosarcoma, Immigration & Uncertainty]]> Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:44:00 GMT 1:06:57 67db69f213f133b29d8b9852 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/love-will-keep-us-fighting-how-shara-uses-love-to-battle-ost 67db69f213f133b29d8b9852 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 love-will-keep-us-fighting-how-shara-uses-love-to-battle-ost full 43 This conversation spans the epic journey of Shara and her wife Karen navigating their son's stage IV osteosarcoma diagnosis while immigrating to Canada. Friends from childhood, Shara and Karen grew up together in the Philippines. Their paths went in different directions, Shara to Canada where she’s a nurse, and Karen to becoming a psychologist, marrying and becoming a mother. Years later, when Karen was a single mom to Tim, still in the Philippines, she reconnected with Shara, and it didn’t take long for these lifelong friends to realize there was more to their connection. They fell in love, and you’ll hear Shara say, falling in love with Karen also meant falling in love with Tim, who was 7 at the time they reconnected.


As many families who are immigrating do, Karen immigrated to Canada first to be with Shara while they worked endlessly to get Tim’s paperwork approved so he could join them. It was one day over a FaceTime call that Tim told his moms that he banged his knee and there was a sore lump. After tests and scans, Shara and Karen were told over facetime from the Philippines that their son had stage IV osteosarcoma. Like all of us, their lives were instantly fractured and they were forced to navigate treatment on the other side of the world.


This conversation emphasizes the importance of hope, community support, and the unconditional love that drives parents to fight for their children's well-being. Shara's resilience and determination shine through as she recounts the struggles and triumphs of their journey, ultimately showcasing the power of love in overcoming adversity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> This conversation spans the epic journey of Shara and her wife Karen navigating their son's stage IV osteosarcoma diagnosis while immigrating to Canada. Friends from childhood, Shara and Karen grew up together in the Philippines. Their paths went in different directions, Shara to Canada where she’s a nurse, and Karen to becoming a psychologist, marrying and becoming a mother. Years later, when Karen was a single mom to Tim, still in the Philippines, she reconnected with Shara, and it didn’t take long for these lifelong friends to realize there was more to their connection. They fell in love, and you’ll hear Shara say, falling in love with Karen also meant falling in love with Tim, who was 7 at the time they reconnected.


As many families who are immigrating do, Karen immigrated to Canada first to be with Shara while they worked endlessly to get Tim’s paperwork approved so he could join them. It was one day over a FaceTime call that Tim told his moms that he banged his knee and there was a sore lump. After tests and scans, Shara and Karen were told over facetime from the Philippines that their son had stage IV osteosarcoma. Like all of us, their lives were instantly fractured and they were forced to navigate treatment on the other side of the world.


This conversation emphasizes the importance of hope, community support, and the unconditional love that drives parents to fight for their children's well-being. Shara's resilience and determination shine through as she recounts the struggles and triumphs of their journey, ultimately showcasing the power of love in overcoming adversity.

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]]> <![CDATA[The Cancer Parents Handbook - Author Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree On Her New & Much Needed Resource For Cancer Families]]> Sat, 15 Feb 2025 01:44:00 GMT 33:18 67aff90af7ed892410b2b2cf false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/the-cancer-parents-handbook-author-laura-dekraker-lang-ree-o 67aff90af7ed892410b2b2cf 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 the-cancer-parents-handbook-author-laura-dekraker-lang-ree-o full 42

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]]>

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]]> Identical Twins with Leukemia - Mom Alisha’s Extraordinary Story of Carrying her 2yr old Twin Boys Through Cancer Treatment Together Identical Twins with Leukemia - Mom Alisha’s Extraordinary Story of Carrying her 2yr old Twin Boys Through Cancer Treatment Together Sat, 08 Feb 2025 02:44:00 GMT 49:12 67a6d209d89b772ae9cb8df0 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/identical-twins-with-leukemia-mom-alishas-extraordinary-stor 67a6d209d89b772ae9cb8df0 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 identical-twins-with-leukemia-mom-alishas-extraordinary-stor full 41

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]]>

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]]> <![CDATA[An Uphill Battle - Sarah’s Story of Single Parenting Through Cancer & How Hiking Lead to Healing ]]> Sat, 25 Jan 2025 02:44:00 GMT 33:12 6794565bde7c597e47aa744a false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/episode-40 6794565bde7c597e47aa744a 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 episode-40 full 40 In today's conversation, Sarah Bailey shares her emotional journey as a single mother navigating the challenges of her daughter's leukemia diagnosis. The discussion covers her life before the diagnosis, the shock of receiving the news, the transition into a new reality, the importance of connection and support, and the complexities of parenting during treatment. Sarah emphasizes the loneliness of her experience and the significance of sharing her story to help others feel less isolated. Sarah discusses the overwhelming responsibilities of being both a medical parent and a regular parent, the emotional toll it takes, and the coping mechanisms she employs. The dialogue explores the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy, the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, and the healing power of nature and movement. Sam and Sarah discuss how nature serves as a metaphor for resilience and healing, the importance of self-care for parents, and the lessons learned through hiking. Sarah shares her journey of dedicating hikes to raise awareness for childhood cancer and the significance of supporting siblings of cancer patients. The conversation emphasizes the healing power of nature and the importance of community support.


If you would like to follow along with Sarah and Bellamy's hikes, or have one dedicated to your child, you can reach out to Sarah on instagram at @bellamywillwin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In today's conversation, Sarah Bailey shares her emotional journey as a single mother navigating the challenges of her daughter's leukemia diagnosis. The discussion covers her life before the diagnosis, the shock of receiving the news, the transition into a new reality, the importance of connection and support, and the complexities of parenting during treatment. Sarah emphasizes the loneliness of her experience and the significance of sharing her story to help others feel less isolated. Sarah discusses the overwhelming responsibilities of being both a medical parent and a regular parent, the emotional toll it takes, and the coping mechanisms she employs. The dialogue explores the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy, the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, and the healing power of nature and movement. Sam and Sarah discuss how nature serves as a metaphor for resilience and healing, the importance of self-care for parents, and the lessons learned through hiking. Sarah shares her journey of dedicating hikes to raise awareness for childhood cancer and the significance of supporting siblings of cancer patients. The conversation emphasizes the healing power of nature and the importance of community support.


If you would like to follow along with Sarah and Bellamy's hikes, or have one dedicated to your child, you can reach out to Sarah on instagram at @bellamywillwin

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]]> How It Appears vs How It Is - Bereaved Mom Tristin Shares The Realities of Living Through Loss How It Appears vs How It Is - Bereaved Mom Tristin Shares The Realities of Living Through Loss Fri, 17 Jan 2025 18:44:00 GMT 40:55 678aa7b8c7bd4ccb26920efe false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/how-it-appears-vs-how-it-is-bereaved-mom-tristin-shares-the- 678aa7b8c7bd4ccb26920efe 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 how-it-appears-vs-how-it-is-bereaved-mom-tristin-shares-the- full 39

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]]>

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]]> <![CDATA[Holding Hope & Fear with Mindset for Medical Moms host Cortney Given]]> Fri, 10 Jan 2025 15:44:00 GMT 30:00 678141b6793854daae0f4a33 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/holding-hope-fear-with-mindset-for-medical-moms-host-cortney 678141b6793854daae0f4a33 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 holding-hope-fear-with-mindset-for-medical-moms-host-cortney full 38 In today’s episode, medical mom and mindset coach Cortney Given shares her experience as a “heart mom” to daughter Zola who was diagnosed with hypo plastic left heart syndrome during Cortney’s pregnancy, and required her first heart surgery when she was only 36 hours old. Cortney has since become a coach and leader in the medical parent community, supporting parents through their child’s diagnoses and complex needs with practical and well earned tools to help us hold our hope, and our fear. Cortney is also the host of the Mindset for Medical Moms podcast where she shares so many excellent stories and strategies for parents to make this journey more safe for our mental, physical and emotional health.


You can find Cortney @cortneygiven and her podcast Mindset for Medical Moms everywhere you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In today’s episode, medical mom and mindset coach Cortney Given shares her experience as a “heart mom” to daughter Zola who was diagnosed with hypo plastic left heart syndrome during Cortney’s pregnancy, and required her first heart surgery when she was only 36 hours old. Cortney has since become a coach and leader in the medical parent community, supporting parents through their child’s diagnoses and complex needs with practical and well earned tools to help us hold our hope, and our fear. Cortney is also the host of the Mindset for Medical Moms podcast where she shares so many excellent stories and strategies for parents to make this journey more safe for our mental, physical and emotional health.


You can find Cortney @cortneygiven and her podcast Mindset for Medical Moms everywhere you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In the Same Boat - Two Cancer Moms With Kids Who Have The Same Treatments Share How They Keep Each Other Afloat In the Same Boat - Two Cancer Moms With Kids Who Have The Same Treatments Share How They Keep Each Other Afloat Wed, 04 Dec 2024 18:44:17 GMT 25:40 6750a4b6aeaa2d78df8fa5c7 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/in-the-same-boat-two-cancer-moms-with-kids-who-have-the-same 6750a4b6aeaa2d78df8fa5c7 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 in-the-same-boat-two-cancer-moms-with-kids-who-have-the-same full 37 This conversation delves into the emotional and practical challenges faced by two mothers, Jenna and Alex, as they navigate their children's leukemia diagnoses. They share their experiences from the initial diagnosis to the ongoing treatment, highlighting the shock, fear, and isolation that accompany such a journey. The discussion emphasizes the importance of connection and support among parents in similar situations, illustrating how their friendship has provided strength and understanding during one of the most challenging times in their lives.


In this heartfelt conversation, Sam, Alex, and Jenna explore the profound connections formed during the challenging journey of childhood cancer treatment. They discuss the anticipatory fears parents face, the importance of finding community, and the unexpected joys that can arise amidst the pain. The dialogue emphasizes the duality of experience, where sorrow and growth coexist, and highlights the significance of vulnerability in forging deep connections. As they share their stories, they reflect on the lessons learned and the hope that emerges from shared struggles, ultimately reinforcing the message that no one has to navigate this journey alone.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> This conversation delves into the emotional and practical challenges faced by two mothers, Jenna and Alex, as they navigate their children's leukemia diagnoses. They share their experiences from the initial diagnosis to the ongoing treatment, highlighting the shock, fear, and isolation that accompany such a journey. The discussion emphasizes the importance of connection and support among parents in similar situations, illustrating how their friendship has provided strength and understanding during one of the most challenging times in their lives.


In this heartfelt conversation, Sam, Alex, and Jenna explore the profound connections formed during the challenging journey of childhood cancer treatment. They discuss the anticipatory fears parents face, the importance of finding community, and the unexpected joys that can arise amidst the pain. The dialogue emphasizes the duality of experience, where sorrow and growth coexist, and highlights the significance of vulnerability in forging deep connections. As they share their stories, they reflect on the lessons learned and the hope that emerges from shared struggles, ultimately reinforcing the message that no one has to navigate this journey alone.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[When "I Don't Know" is The Answer - Parenting a Teen Through the Rare Diagnosis of Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2024 23:44:09 GMT 33:47 67411b9fec59709ba52ae593 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/when-i-dont-know-is-the-answer-parenting-a-teen-through-the- 67411b9fec59709ba52ae593 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 when-i-dont-know-is-the-answer-parenting-a-teen-through-the- full 36 In this episode, host Sam Taylor and parent Nicole talk about all the unknowns that come up when your child is diagnosed with a rare cancer that doesn’t respond to all the traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. When Nicole’s son Hayden was 12 years old, he had a bad fall while snowboarding and complained of serious pain in his side that brought them to the hospital. After tests and ultrasounds, Nicole was told that Hayden’s fall had ruptured a15 centimetre tumor on his kidney, diagnosing him with a rare type of cancer called Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma, typically only found in men over the age of 50. Treatment for Hayden’s cancer was surgery to remove the tumor, and 3 month follow up scans to check for recurrence.


Nicole and Sam talk about Hayden’s rare diagnosis, and how difficult it is to resume a “normal” life when the lingering fear of Hayden’s cancer returning is always present. With no other treatments to try to eradicate his cancer, Nicole talks about how she moves forward with so many unknowns. Sam and Nicole also talk about Hayden’s age, and how he is old enough to understand his cancer and have a lot of questions about it, in particular, asking if he is going to die. This conversation is so important for families who also have rare diagnoses, non traditional treatments and families whose kids are old enough to experience all the unknowns alongside their parents.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode, host Sam Taylor and parent Nicole talk about all the unknowns that come up when your child is diagnosed with a rare cancer that doesn’t respond to all the traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. When Nicole’s son Hayden was 12 years old, he had a bad fall while snowboarding and complained of serious pain in his side that brought them to the hospital. After tests and ultrasounds, Nicole was told that Hayden’s fall had ruptured a15 centimetre tumor on his kidney, diagnosing him with a rare type of cancer called Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma, typically only found in men over the age of 50. Treatment for Hayden’s cancer was surgery to remove the tumor, and 3 month follow up scans to check for recurrence.


Nicole and Sam talk about Hayden’s rare diagnosis, and how difficult it is to resume a “normal” life when the lingering fear of Hayden’s cancer returning is always present. With no other treatments to try to eradicate his cancer, Nicole talks about how she moves forward with so many unknowns. Sam and Nicole also talk about Hayden’s age, and how he is old enough to understand his cancer and have a lot of questions about it, in particular, asking if he is going to die. This conversation is so important for families who also have rare diagnoses, non traditional treatments and families whose kids are old enough to experience all the unknowns alongside their parents.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Zippaport Founder Julie Middleton On How A Good Idea Has Given Dignity and Normalcy to 5,000+ Kids With Cancer Zippaport Founder Julie Middleton On How A Good Idea Has Given Dignity and Normalcy to 5,000+ Kids With Cancer Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:44:00 GMT 49:21 67354d49f3e242968556a648 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/zippaport-founder-julie-middleton-on-how-a-good-idea-has-giv 67354d49f3e242968556a648 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 zippaport-founder-julie-middleton-on-how-a-good-idea-has-giv full 35 Julie Middleton, founder of Zippaport, shares her journey of her daughter's leukemia diagnosis and how it led to the creation of Zippaport, a charity that provides zippered shirts for kids port access. Our chat covers topics such as the challenges of treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of Zippaport on families, and the process of ordering and receiving shirts. Julie also opens up about her own experience as a cancer mom and emphasizes the importance of community and giving back, and how it can be a healing process for parents. Julie also talks about the challenges of hair loss during treatment and the feelings of shame and embarrassment it can bring. She shares her own experience and the impact it had on her daughter. Finally, Julie discusses her daughter's relapse and the roller coaster of emotions that come with it, as well as the importance of self-care and taking time for oneself during treatment.


You can learn more about Julie and her incredible work, and order a shirt, at zippaport.ca


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]]> Julie Middleton, founder of Zippaport, shares her journey of her daughter's leukemia diagnosis and how it led to the creation of Zippaport, a charity that provides zippered shirts for kids port access. Our chat covers topics such as the challenges of treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of Zippaport on families, and the process of ordering and receiving shirts. Julie also opens up about her own experience as a cancer mom and emphasizes the importance of community and giving back, and how it can be a healing process for parents. Julie also talks about the challenges of hair loss during treatment and the feelings of shame and embarrassment it can bring. She shares her own experience and the impact it had on her daughter. Finally, Julie discusses her daughter's relapse and the roller coaster of emotions that come with it, as well as the importance of self-care and taking time for oneself during treatment.


You can learn more about Julie and her incredible work, and order a shirt, at zippaport.ca


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]]> What Is Caregiver Storytelling with Dr Mike Lang - How We Can Use Storytelling To Integrate And Make Sense Of Our Caregiving Experience What Is Caregiver Storytelling with Dr Mike Lang - How We Can Use Storytelling To Integrate And Make Sense Of Our Caregiving Experience Tue, 05 Nov 2024 01:44:00 GMT 36:03 67297b72d95ef82dfa5722b4 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/what-is-caregiver-storytelling-with-dr-mike-lang-how-we-can- 67297b72d95ef82dfa5722b4 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 what-is-caregiver-storytelling-with-dr-mike-lang-how-we-can- full 34 In this conversation, Sam and Dr. Mike Lang explore the profound impact of caregiving storytelling. Mike shares his personal journey from being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when he was 25, emphasizing the importance of caregiver support and the need for connection among those affected by cancer. They discuss the challenges of identity during treatment, the significance of agency in caregiving, and the transformative power of adventure therapy. Mike emphasizes the value of caregiver storytelling as a means to bridge the gap, allowing caregivers to process their experiences and share wisdom with others. The discussion also highlights his award winning video series 'Caregivers in the Wild,' which aims to support caregivers through shared experiences and storytelling. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the significance of finding hope and connection in the caregiving journey. In this conversation, Sam and Dr Mike Lang delve into the profound themes of caregiving, storytelling, and the elusive nature of balance. They explore how shared experiences can create a safe space for caregivers to express their feelings and insights. The discussion highlights the importance of storytelling in processing experiences and the need for community support among caregivers. They also touch on future projects aimed at enhancing digital storytelling and the significance of hearing others' stories during challenging times.


mikelangstories.com


Caregivers In the Wild 

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]]> In this conversation, Sam and Dr. Mike Lang explore the profound impact of caregiving storytelling. Mike shares his personal journey from being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when he was 25, emphasizing the importance of caregiver support and the need for connection among those affected by cancer. They discuss the challenges of identity during treatment, the significance of agency in caregiving, and the transformative power of adventure therapy. Mike emphasizes the value of caregiver storytelling as a means to bridge the gap, allowing caregivers to process their experiences and share wisdom with others. The discussion also highlights his award winning video series 'Caregivers in the Wild,' which aims to support caregivers through shared experiences and storytelling. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the significance of finding hope and connection in the caregiving journey. In this conversation, Sam and Dr Mike Lang delve into the profound themes of caregiving, storytelling, and the elusive nature of balance. They explore how shared experiences can create a safe space for caregivers to express their feelings and insights. The discussion highlights the importance of storytelling in processing experiences and the need for community support among caregivers. They also touch on future projects aimed at enhancing digital storytelling and the significance of hearing others' stories during challenging times.


mikelangstories.com


Caregivers In the Wild 

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]]> <![CDATA[Do Followers Equal Funds? - Heather's Experience Using Social Media To Raise Funds For Her Daughter’s Ewing Sarcoma]]> Sun, 27 Oct 2024 17:44:21 GMT 29:59 671e8df008eefaeb8097baaf false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/do-followers-equal-funds-heathers-experience-using-social-me 671e8df008eefaeb8097baaf 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 do-followers-equal-funds-heathers-experience-using-social-me full 33 This chat with Heather was initially intended to talk about the difference between the US and Canadian health care systems and the cost of cancer, but more often than not, our talks veer into areas that go much deeper than what we originally planned.


Heather bravely and vulnerably shares how the financial pressures of her daughter’s treatment for Ewing Sarcoma made her feel like she needed to turn to social media for fundraising based on the success she’d seen when other families shared their child’s cancer journey.


The only caveat, she found, was that the more graphic and intense the photo’s, the more followers a family would have, which equates to more funds. Heather’s daughter wasn’t comfortable with sharing the more sensitive photos during her treatment, so Heather shares it impacted how many followers, and funds, they were able to raise.


This topic is VAST. There are so many opinions and strongly held beliefs when it comes to social media and how we, as a medical parent community, choose to share our child’s cancer.


There is no denying the value of social media when it comes to connecting parents, raising awareness for childhood cancer, and sharing with loved ones and our communities what our family is experiencing. But is there a line? Is there a place where we as parents have to consider what our kids might consent or agree to in the future?


Today we talk about Heather’s line, and what she felt comfortable with sharing. I would love to hear what your line is, and how it makes you feel to share, and what you feel comfortable sharing.


Thank you SO much Heather for starting this conversation with me, I really want to keep having it with all of you.


ALSO! You'll (not in a peaceful way) meet all my dogs in our episode today. They all send their deepest apologies for barking like crazy 🐕💛

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> This chat with Heather was initially intended to talk about the difference between the US and Canadian health care systems and the cost of cancer, but more often than not, our talks veer into areas that go much deeper than what we originally planned.


Heather bravely and vulnerably shares how the financial pressures of her daughter’s treatment for Ewing Sarcoma made her feel like she needed to turn to social media for fundraising based on the success she’d seen when other families shared their child’s cancer journey.


The only caveat, she found, was that the more graphic and intense the photo’s, the more followers a family would have, which equates to more funds. Heather’s daughter wasn’t comfortable with sharing the more sensitive photos during her treatment, so Heather shares it impacted how many followers, and funds, they were able to raise.


This topic is VAST. There are so many opinions and strongly held beliefs when it comes to social media and how we, as a medical parent community, choose to share our child’s cancer.


There is no denying the value of social media when it comes to connecting parents, raising awareness for childhood cancer, and sharing with loved ones and our communities what our family is experiencing. But is there a line? Is there a place where we as parents have to consider what our kids might consent or agree to in the future?


Today we talk about Heather’s line, and what she felt comfortable with sharing. I would love to hear what your line is, and how it makes you feel to share, and what you feel comfortable sharing.


Thank you SO much Heather for starting this conversation with me, I really want to keep having it with all of you.


ALSO! You'll (not in a peaceful way) meet all my dogs in our episode today. They all send their deepest apologies for barking like crazy 🐕💛

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Making a Life While Saving a Life - Marie on Pregnancy & Having A Newborn During Her Son's Leukemia, BMT & GVHD]]> Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:44:07 GMT 36:46 6712b4b9e21e2bb314a03613 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/making-a-life-while-saving-a-life-marie-on-pregnancy-having- 6712b4b9e21e2bb314a03613 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 making-a-life-while-saving-a-life-marie-on-pregnancy-having- full 32 Marie shares her experience of being pregnant and giving birth while her son, Ezra, was undergoing treatment for leukemia. She discusses the common occurrence of parents having a baby during their child's treatment and the complex emotions that come with it. Marie also opens up about feeling jealous of families who have made it through unscathed and the challenges of caring for a child with a chronic condition post-treatment. She talks about the impact of graft versus host disease (GVHD) on Ezra and the ongoing management of his condition.


Despite the difficulties, Marie remains resilient and focused on providing love and care for her children. In this conversation, Marie and Sam discuss the experience of being a parent of a child with cancer and the challenges they face during and after treatment. They reflect on the strength and resilience they have shown throughout their journey and the importance of self-love and self-care. They also discuss the power of advocacy and giving back to the cancer community. Marie highlights the need for more awareness and education around stem cell donation and blood donation. The conversation ends with a discussion about the ongoing journey of parenting a child with cancer and the hope for the future.

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]]> Marie shares her experience of being pregnant and giving birth while her son, Ezra, was undergoing treatment for leukemia. She discusses the common occurrence of parents having a baby during their child's treatment and the complex emotions that come with it. Marie also opens up about feeling jealous of families who have made it through unscathed and the challenges of caring for a child with a chronic condition post-treatment. She talks about the impact of graft versus host disease (GVHD) on Ezra and the ongoing management of his condition.


Despite the difficulties, Marie remains resilient and focused on providing love and care for her children. In this conversation, Marie and Sam discuss the experience of being a parent of a child with cancer and the challenges they face during and after treatment. They reflect on the strength and resilience they have shown throughout their journey and the importance of self-love and self-care. They also discuss the power of advocacy and giving back to the cancer community. Marie highlights the need for more awareness and education around stem cell donation and blood donation. The conversation ends with a discussion about the ongoing journey of parenting a child with cancer and the hope for the future.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[You Never Move On, You Just Move Forward - The Unstoppable Force Behind Curtis, Jaycee's Dad]]> Sat, 12 Oct 2024 02:44:00 GMT 45:13 6709e5d163ba29347852d7f2 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/you-never-move-on-you-just-move-forward-the-unstoppable-forc 6709e5d163ba29347852d7f2 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 you-never-move-on-you-just-move-forward-the-unstoppable-forc full 31 Curtis Vallier is a bereaved dad, a childhood cancer activist, and the podcast host of The Childhood Cancer Perspective where he provides a unique perspective on pediatric cancer from a father's point of view. In January 2020 when Curtis' daughter was six, she was diagnosed with Choroid Plexus Carcinoma Brain Cancer, which she passed from in July 2021. 


In our chat, Curtis discusses the lack of representation of fathers in the pediatric cancer community and the societal expectations that prevent them from expressing their emotions. Curtis left his job to focus on his nonprofit Battlecorn and his podcast, using the platform to share stories and connect with others in the community. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and raw emotion in his podcast, allowing guests to share their experiences without filters. Curtis shares his advocacy efforts to bring attention and funding to pediatric cancer research. He discusses his initial outreach to senators and representatives, the challenges of getting support, and the need to make the cause meaningful for politicians. Curtis emphasizes the importance of creating a tissue database in Wisconsin and utilizing the state's college system for research. He also talks about his persistence in advocating for change and his desire to see his daughter's name on research. Curtis reflects on the regrets and healing process after his daughter's passing and the different ways families cope with grief. Curtis discusses the impact of his organization's care packages and their investment in funding clinical trials for pediatric cancer drugs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Curtis Vallier is a bereaved dad, a childhood cancer activist, and the podcast host of The Childhood Cancer Perspective where he provides a unique perspective on pediatric cancer from a father's point of view. In January 2020 when Curtis' daughter was six, she was diagnosed with Choroid Plexus Carcinoma Brain Cancer, which she passed from in July 2021. 


In our chat, Curtis discusses the lack of representation of fathers in the pediatric cancer community and the societal expectations that prevent them from expressing their emotions. Curtis left his job to focus on his nonprofit Battlecorn and his podcast, using the platform to share stories and connect with others in the community. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and raw emotion in his podcast, allowing guests to share their experiences without filters. Curtis shares his advocacy efforts to bring attention and funding to pediatric cancer research. He discusses his initial outreach to senators and representatives, the challenges of getting support, and the need to make the cause meaningful for politicians. Curtis emphasizes the importance of creating a tissue database in Wisconsin and utilizing the state's college system for research. He also talks about his persistence in advocating for change and his desire to see his daughter's name on research. Curtis reflects on the regrets and healing process after his daughter's passing and the different ways families cope with grief. Curtis discusses the impact of his organization's care packages and their investment in funding clinical trials for pediatric cancer drugs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[After The Bell - Leahann's Reflections On Her Son's Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Post Treatment]]> Fri, 04 Oct 2024 17:44:00 GMT 30:41 67002aac8071cc42a671a1af false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/after-the-bell-leahanns-reflections-on-her-sons-hodgkins-lym 67002aac8071cc42a671a1af 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 after-the-bell-leahanns-reflections-on-her-sons-hodgkins-lym full 30 Leahann’s son was diagnosed with stage 3 nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkins lymphoma when he was 16yrs old. Like a lot of us, it’s so hard to talk about what this is all like during treatment, so we often find ourselves after our children are done frontline trying to make sense of what just happened. So many of our chats start here, and today’s is no exception.


Leahann and I jump right in to how it felt the day she left the hospital after her son rang the bell, and how confusing it was. You’ll hear Leahann call it an “attack on her senses” and I couldn’t agree more. When you’re in treatment, your senses are operating at a whole other level. Everything is heightened and hyper vigilant, and we get so used to being in that state of adrenaline. As soon as Leahann left the hospital after the bell ringing, it was like her body was slowly shedding and loosening from this heightened state and for the first time since diagnosis, her nervous system was trying to regulate - and that felt strange and abrasive and foreign.


This is such a great chat with an incredible mom who is SO easy to talk to, and feel calm and safe and warm beside. We shared a coffee during this chat, sitting at her table that made me feel so comfortable and seen and not alone. I invite you, wherever you are, whether it’s bedside with your child or sitting in a waiting room, or driving, or maybe you have a chance to be outside for a walk - wherever you are, to let yourself feel like you’re sitting with us and let yourself know that wherever you are in your child’s treatment, we’re right beside you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Leahann’s son was diagnosed with stage 3 nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkins lymphoma when he was 16yrs old. Like a lot of us, it’s so hard to talk about what this is all like during treatment, so we often find ourselves after our children are done frontline trying to make sense of what just happened. So many of our chats start here, and today’s is no exception.


Leahann and I jump right in to how it felt the day she left the hospital after her son rang the bell, and how confusing it was. You’ll hear Leahann call it an “attack on her senses” and I couldn’t agree more. When you’re in treatment, your senses are operating at a whole other level. Everything is heightened and hyper vigilant, and we get so used to being in that state of adrenaline. As soon as Leahann left the hospital after the bell ringing, it was like her body was slowly shedding and loosening from this heightened state and for the first time since diagnosis, her nervous system was trying to regulate - and that felt strange and abrasive and foreign.


This is such a great chat with an incredible mom who is SO easy to talk to, and feel calm and safe and warm beside. We shared a coffee during this chat, sitting at her table that made me feel so comfortable and seen and not alone. I invite you, wherever you are, whether it’s bedside with your child or sitting in a waiting room, or driving, or maybe you have a chance to be outside for a walk - wherever you are, to let yourself feel like you’re sitting with us and let yourself know that wherever you are in your child’s treatment, we’re right beside you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Down Syndrome & ALL Treatment During Covid Lockdown - Diving Into Down Syndrome, Cancer Treatment and What Sandra Wishes She Could Tell Herself Now]]> Thu, 26 Sep 2024 23:44:00 GMT 40:43 66f5f563067f94ba3f8e130b false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/down-syndrome-all-treatment-during-covid-lockdown-diving-int 66f5f563067f94ba3f8e130b 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 down-syndrome-all-treatment-during-covid-lockdown-diving-int full 29 Sandra’s son Isaiah was born with a heart condition and Down Syndrome, and at 14 months had open heart surgery. Just before he turned 3, he was diagnosed with ALL, in the height of covid, and because he doesn’t communicate through words, Sandra and her husband navigated Isaiah’s treatment very differently than a family whose child could express how they felt, what hurt, and what they needed. All of this during lockdowns, having to quit jobs, and raising another child at home. Sandra shares her story with so much truth and honesty, you are going to love her as much as I do in about 5 seconds.


To think the bright light that bursts out of Sandra came easily, is actually the exact opposite. Her light came from having to claw her way through darkness towards it. Her joy came from having to force herself every day to find it, no matter what. Her faith and her hope came from being angry at God, and working through that painful anger towards finding peace with Him.


This chat is so inspiring, I am so grateful to be able to share it with you, so let’s dive deep with Sandra.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Sandra’s son Isaiah was born with a heart condition and Down Syndrome, and at 14 months had open heart surgery. Just before he turned 3, he was diagnosed with ALL, in the height of covid, and because he doesn’t communicate through words, Sandra and her husband navigated Isaiah’s treatment very differently than a family whose child could express how they felt, what hurt, and what they needed. All of this during lockdowns, having to quit jobs, and raising another child at home. Sandra shares her story with so much truth and honesty, you are going to love her as much as I do in about 5 seconds.


To think the bright light that bursts out of Sandra came easily, is actually the exact opposite. Her light came from having to claw her way through darkness towards it. Her joy came from having to force herself every day to find it, no matter what. Her faith and her hope came from being angry at God, and working through that painful anger towards finding peace with Him.


This chat is so inspiring, I am so grateful to be able to share it with you, so let’s dive deep with Sandra.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Yogapalooza With Co Founder Steve Neville - How Steve’s Sons Neuroblastoma Inspired a 24 Hour Annual Yoga Fundraiser for Kids Cancer Research Yogapalooza With Co Founder Steve Neville - How Steve’s Sons Neuroblastoma Inspired a 24 Hour Annual Yoga Fundraiser for Kids Cancer Research Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:44:54 GMT 42:52 66e98b994ea065d850464c29 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/yogapalooza-with-co-founder-steve-neville-how-steves-sons-ne 66e98b994ea065d850464c29 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 yogapalooza-with-co-founder-steve-neville-how-steves-sons-ne full 28 In 2018 Steve and his cofounder Randy started YOGAPALOOZA, a 24 hour yoga fundraiser in support of their local children’s hospital CHEO in Ottawa, Ontario. They have since raised over $370,000 with all funds supporting childhood cancer research, a cause extremely close to Steve’s heart. When his son Cole was 5 1/2 years old he was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma. Throughout Cole’s treatment, Steve attributes his yoga and meditation practice, as well as his intention to find gratitude wherever he could, as his motivation to stay energized and intact during the heartbreak and fear of his sons cancer. Our conversation today begins with Cole’s diagnosis and treatment, and how Steve felt compelled to support childhood cancer research after Cole’s successful treatment was complete. We chat about giving back, funding critical research and the exciting new developments using zebra fish to customize cancer treatment for our kids. 


You can find out more about Yogapalooza happening in Ottawa this September 21st & 22nd, 2024 at 24yryogapalooza.ca where you can donate, register and learn more about this incredible organization. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In 2018 Steve and his cofounder Randy started YOGAPALOOZA, a 24 hour yoga fundraiser in support of their local children’s hospital CHEO in Ottawa, Ontario. They have since raised over $370,000 with all funds supporting childhood cancer research, a cause extremely close to Steve’s heart. When his son Cole was 5 1/2 years old he was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma. Throughout Cole’s treatment, Steve attributes his yoga and meditation practice, as well as his intention to find gratitude wherever he could, as his motivation to stay energized and intact during the heartbreak and fear of his sons cancer. Our conversation today begins with Cole’s diagnosis and treatment, and how Steve felt compelled to support childhood cancer research after Cole’s successful treatment was complete. We chat about giving back, funding critical research and the exciting new developments using zebra fish to customize cancer treatment for our kids. 


You can find out more about Yogapalooza happening in Ottawa this September 21st & 22nd, 2024 at 24yryogapalooza.ca where you can donate, register and learn more about this incredible organization. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Medicated Moms - Sam and Amie Talk Antidepressants and Coping Post Treatment Medicated Moms - Sam and Amie Talk Antidepressants and Coping Post Treatment Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:44:00 GMT 33:58 66df9303004cfa3cfa878eb2 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/medicated-moms-sam-and-amie-talk-antidepressants-and-coping- 66df9303004cfa3cfa878eb2 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 medicated-moms-sam-and-amie-talk-antidepressants-and-coping- full 27 This conversation provides a raw and honest look at the emotional and psychological toll of caring for a child with cancer and dives deep into the topic of medication to manage anxiety and depression.


In this episode, Amie and Sam discuss the importance of self-care and seeking help while navigating the challenges of their child's treatment and life post treatment. They emphasize the need for parents to prioritize their own well-being in order to better care for their children. They share their experiences with medication and therapy, highlighting the positive impact it has had on their mental health. They also discuss the power of connecting with other oncology parents and the support they provide. The conversation concludes with a reminder that it's okay to ask for help and that there is a strong community of parents who understand and can relate to the challenges of childhood cancer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> This conversation provides a raw and honest look at the emotional and psychological toll of caring for a child with cancer and dives deep into the topic of medication to manage anxiety and depression.


In this episode, Amie and Sam discuss the importance of self-care and seeking help while navigating the challenges of their child's treatment and life post treatment. They emphasize the need for parents to prioritize their own well-being in order to better care for their children. They share their experiences with medication and therapy, highlighting the positive impact it has had on their mental health. They also discuss the power of connecting with other oncology parents and the support they provide. The conversation concludes with a reminder that it's okay to ask for help and that there is a strong community of parents who understand and can relate to the challenges of childhood cancer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Brave! Warrior! Fighter! But Was I Really? - Insights from Childlife Specialist and AML Survivor Alexx Brave! Warrior! Fighter! But Was I Really? - Insights from Childlife Specialist and AML Survivor Alexx Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:44:21 GMT 39:59 66d8d2a8fa3021bc85e813f7 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/brave-warrior-fighter-but-was-i-really-insights-from-childli 66d8d2a8fa3021bc85e813f7 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 brave-warrior-fighter-but-was-i-really-insights-from-childli full 26 Alexx Friesen shares her experience as a child going through cancer treatment and how her parents supported her. She emphasizes the importance of giving children space to feel their emotions and validating their experiences. Alexx also discusses the role of hope and comfort in the context of pediatric cancer. She highlights the need for parents to show their human side and be supportive while also taking care of themselves. Alexx shares her perspective as both a former patient and a clinician, emphasizing the importance of support and self-advocacy skills learned during treatment.


Alexx discusses the experiences of childhood cancer survivors and the importance of providing comfort and support to children going through treatment. She explores the challenges of growing up with cancer and the impact it has on a child's development. Alexx shares personal stories from her own childhood cancer journey and highlights the need for open communication and age-appropriate explanations for children facing medical challenges. She also discusses the role of hope and comfort in supporting families and the importance of giving children a sense of control and autonomy in their treatment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Alexx Friesen shares her experience as a child going through cancer treatment and how her parents supported her. She emphasizes the importance of giving children space to feel their emotions and validating their experiences. Alexx also discusses the role of hope and comfort in the context of pediatric cancer. She highlights the need for parents to show their human side and be supportive while also taking care of themselves. Alexx shares her perspective as both a former patient and a clinician, emphasizing the importance of support and self-advocacy skills learned during treatment.


Alexx discusses the experiences of childhood cancer survivors and the importance of providing comfort and support to children going through treatment. She explores the challenges of growing up with cancer and the impact it has on a child's development. Alexx shares personal stories from her own childhood cancer journey and highlights the need for open communication and age-appropriate explanations for children facing medical challenges. She also discusses the role of hope and comfort in supporting families and the importance of giving children a sense of control and autonomy in their treatment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[To Find In The Midst of Hell What Isn't Hell - Turning Pain Into Purpose With Claire & Strong Like Sloane]]> Mon, 02 Sep 2024 02:44:00 GMT 35:40 66d4d4654c501f5496b967e1 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/to-find-in-the-midst-of-hell-what-isnt-hell-turning-pain-int 66d4d4654c501f5496b967e1 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 to-find-in-the-midst-of-hell-what-isnt-hell-turning-pain-int full 25 Claire from Strong Like Sloane talks about how her daughter Sloane was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma when she was 5 years old and how Sloane's diagnosis threw her into a place where she felt compelled to use her marketing and advocacy skills to fight for other families just like theirs. Claire discusses her coping mechanisms and advocacy work. She shares how she turns her pain into purpose and finds hope in the midst of difficult circumstances. Claire emphasizes the importance of giving oneself credit for showing up and choosing to cope. She encourages parents to find what fuels them and turn their pain into purpose, whether it's through advocacy, self-care, or other activities. Claire also highlights the strength and capability that parents discover when faced with challenging situations. Claire shares her journey of finding purpose and hope in the midst of her daughter's cancer diagnosis. She emphasizes the importance of channeling the strength and focus that comes from such a difficult experience into something positive that can help others. Claire discusses the therapeutic power of writing and how it has helped her cope with her emotions. She also talks about the Strong Like Sloan initiative and its goal of raising funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment. Claire shares her experience organizing the Heartbeats for Hope event and the Calgary Marathon, which raised over $100,000 for pediatric cancer.


@stronglikesloane



Why Write Love Poetry in a Burning World by Katie Farris


To train myself to find, in the midst of hell

what isn’t hell.


The body, bald, cancerous, but still

beautiful enough to

imagine living the body

washing the body

replacing a loose front

porch step the body chewing

what it takes to keep a body

going –


This scene has a tune

a language I can read a door

I cannot close I stand

within its wedge

a shield.


Why write love poetry in a burning world?

To train myself, in the midst of a burning world

to offer poems of love to a burning world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Claire from Strong Like Sloane talks about how her daughter Sloane was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma when she was 5 years old and how Sloane's diagnosis threw her into a place where she felt compelled to use her marketing and advocacy skills to fight for other families just like theirs. Claire discusses her coping mechanisms and advocacy work. She shares how she turns her pain into purpose and finds hope in the midst of difficult circumstances. Claire emphasizes the importance of giving oneself credit for showing up and choosing to cope. She encourages parents to find what fuels them and turn their pain into purpose, whether it's through advocacy, self-care, or other activities. Claire also highlights the strength and capability that parents discover when faced with challenging situations. Claire shares her journey of finding purpose and hope in the midst of her daughter's cancer diagnosis. She emphasizes the importance of channeling the strength and focus that comes from such a difficult experience into something positive that can help others. Claire discusses the therapeutic power of writing and how it has helped her cope with her emotions. She also talks about the Strong Like Sloan initiative and its goal of raising funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment. Claire shares her experience organizing the Heartbeats for Hope event and the Calgary Marathon, which raised over $100,000 for pediatric cancer.


@stronglikesloane



Why Write Love Poetry in a Burning World by Katie Farris


To train myself to find, in the midst of hell

what isn’t hell.


The body, bald, cancerous, but still

beautiful enough to

imagine living the body

washing the body

replacing a loose front

porch step the body chewing

what it takes to keep a body

going –


This scene has a tune

a language I can read a door

I cannot close I stand

within its wedge

a shield.


Why write love poetry in a burning world?

To train myself, in the midst of a burning world

to offer poems of love to a burning world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Every Superhero Has a Sidekick - Lisa and Tonia Carry Their Sister Rose Marie Through Her Son's Osteosarcoma]]> Mon, 29 Jul 2024 20:44:42 GMT 41:56 66a8059c82b12a8d9a288b47 true https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/every-superhero-has-a-sidekick-lisa-and-tonia-carry-their-si 66a8059c82b12a8d9a288b47 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 every-superhero-has-a-sidekick-lisa-and-tonia-carry-their-si full 24 Today we chat with Rose Marie and her two incredible sisters Lisa and Tonia about caring for her while she cares for her son during his cancer treatment. Rose Marie’s 16yr old son was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in December 2023, which means they are still in very active treatment. Her son’s tumour was on his lower right tibia and, despite Rose Marie researching and trying everything under the sun to prevent it (and I mean everything) his lower right leg had to be amputated.


This conversation really made me see caregiving in a whole different way. For the first time it was so clear how MUCH our family, sisters, brothers, parents, not only WANT to help, but that it brings them endless joy and a feeling of genuine purpose when we allow them to. So often as parents going through this we aren’t even thinking about ourselves, our needs, if we’ve eaten or showered or changed our clothes - and we have such a hard time accepting help because we forget that we even exist. All eyes are on our child and what they need, so it feels counter intuitive to accept any help for ourselves. It was so beautiful to hear how desperate Rose Marie's sisters are to help HER. Yes, of course her son too, but they want to carry Rose Marie while she carries her son.


Please share this episode with your family, your siblings, your circle. There are some expletives in this episode, Rose Marie and her sisters are passionate and very comfortable, as they should be, so just a heads up there is cursing throughout. If you’d like a cleaned up version of our chat, just send a message to thedeepc@gmail.com and we'll send one your way.


So, let's dive deep with Rose Marie, Lisa and Tonia.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Today we chat with Rose Marie and her two incredible sisters Lisa and Tonia about caring for her while she cares for her son during his cancer treatment. Rose Marie’s 16yr old son was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in December 2023, which means they are still in very active treatment. Her son’s tumour was on his lower right tibia and, despite Rose Marie researching and trying everything under the sun to prevent it (and I mean everything) his lower right leg had to be amputated.


This conversation really made me see caregiving in a whole different way. For the first time it was so clear how MUCH our family, sisters, brothers, parents, not only WANT to help, but that it brings them endless joy and a feeling of genuine purpose when we allow them to. So often as parents going through this we aren’t even thinking about ourselves, our needs, if we’ve eaten or showered or changed our clothes - and we have such a hard time accepting help because we forget that we even exist. All eyes are on our child and what they need, so it feels counter intuitive to accept any help for ourselves. It was so beautiful to hear how desperate Rose Marie's sisters are to help HER. Yes, of course her son too, but they want to carry Rose Marie while she carries her son.


Please share this episode with your family, your siblings, your circle. There are some expletives in this episode, Rose Marie and her sisters are passionate and very comfortable, as they should be, so just a heads up there is cursing throughout. If you’d like a cleaned up version of our chat, just send a message to thedeepc@gmail.com and we'll send one your way.


So, let's dive deep with Rose Marie, Lisa and Tonia.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Cancer Parent Pep Talk - Getting Unstuck with Mindset Coach & Cancer Mom Kayleigh Kennedy]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:03:16 GMT 50:20 6697428595ba0dafbfff28cb false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/if-you-dont-want-to-find-the-light-you-wont-getting-unstuck- 6697428595ba0dafbfff28cb 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 if-you-dont-want-to-find-the-light-you-wont-getting-unstuck- full 23 Kayleigh Kennedy is a cancer mom, mindset coach and the powerhouse behind Limitless Coaching where she helps clients break free from their limitations and unlock their full potential by giving them tools and practices to get them “unstuck” - but how do we apply the same tools to our kids' cancer diagnosis?


The answer is GRATITUDE. Yes, finding things to be grateful for with a cancer diagnosis, as counter intuitive and impossible that might seem. If the idea of finding things to be grateful for is a hard pill to swallow (like it definitely was for me) then let Kayleigh help to explain it. The power in shifting our mindset from a dark and scary place to a place where we have opportunity to grow and strengthen is a way we can show ourselves love and support during the really scary and impossible moments of our kids' treatment.


Kayleigh is PROOF that we can apply simple practices to getting through this dark place in tact, and that no matter how much effort it takes us to find some light down here, it takes way more effort to stay in the dark.


Kayleigh can be found on instagram @thekayleighkennedy or hello@kayleighkennedy.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Kayleigh Kennedy is a cancer mom, mindset coach and the powerhouse behind Limitless Coaching where she helps clients break free from their limitations and unlock their full potential by giving them tools and practices to get them “unstuck” - but how do we apply the same tools to our kids' cancer diagnosis?


The answer is GRATITUDE. Yes, finding things to be grateful for with a cancer diagnosis, as counter intuitive and impossible that might seem. If the idea of finding things to be grateful for is a hard pill to swallow (like it definitely was for me) then let Kayleigh help to explain it. The power in shifting our mindset from a dark and scary place to a place where we have opportunity to grow and strengthen is a way we can show ourselves love and support during the really scary and impossible moments of our kids' treatment.


Kayleigh is PROOF that we can apply simple practices to getting through this dark place in tact, and that no matter how much effort it takes us to find some light down here, it takes way more effort to stay in the dark.


Kayleigh can be found on instagram @thekayleighkennedy or hello@kayleighkennedy.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Force of Addy’s Love - How Jess Finds Strength and Purpose From Her Daughter’s Unforgettable Addy-tude The Force of Addy’s Love - How Jess Finds Strength and Purpose From Her Daughter’s Unforgettable Addy-tude Tue, 09 Jul 2024 03:11:00 GMT 48:08 668c9d5cc4d72731df0c989b false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/the-force-of-addys-love-how-jess-finds-strength-and-purpose- 668c9d5cc4d72731df0c989b 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 the-force-of-addys-love-how-jess-finds-strength-and-purpose- full 22 Jess will tell you she draws all her strength from her daughter Addy. In our conversation, Jess shares how Addy's force and unstoppable energy impacted everyone in her life, and continues to be shared today.


When Addy was 13 she was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a very rare cancer, especially in children. Addy went through nine months of treatment and passed two days after her 14th birthday. During her treatment, Addy centred her focus on helping other kids, asking Jess to start raising funds and awareness for kids just like her.


Jess committed to following through on Addy’s wishes, starting Team Addy that, since March 2022, has raised $387,000 for sarcoma research. They’ve held 2 annual Family Fun Day events, as well as a “Concert with Addy-tude” and many, many community and 3rd party events and initiatives from their “army”.


A beautiful documentary called Team Addy was produced by the Ontario Basketball Association where you will meet Addy’s family and coaches and start to get what I’m talking about when I say there is FORCE and energy and love that surrounds Jess and everyone in Addy’s world.


And if you know Sick Kids Hospital, you likely know of their most recent initiative Precision Child Health that is changing the game in paediatric care - and this massive new campaign was launched with a crystal ball that is inspired by Addy and a conversation she had with her brilliant oncologist Dr Malkin that you’ll hear Jess share in our chat.


Jess has found a way to channel her love for Addy into a strength and purpose, and with that kind of love behind her, she’s unstoppable.


https://www.teamaddy.ca/

https://www.teamaddy.ca/events/family-fun-day

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Jess will tell you she draws all her strength from her daughter Addy. In our conversation, Jess shares how Addy's force and unstoppable energy impacted everyone in her life, and continues to be shared today.


When Addy was 13 she was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a very rare cancer, especially in children. Addy went through nine months of treatment and passed two days after her 14th birthday. During her treatment, Addy centred her focus on helping other kids, asking Jess to start raising funds and awareness for kids just like her.


Jess committed to following through on Addy’s wishes, starting Team Addy that, since March 2022, has raised $387,000 for sarcoma research. They’ve held 2 annual Family Fun Day events, as well as a “Concert with Addy-tude” and many, many community and 3rd party events and initiatives from their “army”.


A beautiful documentary called Team Addy was produced by the Ontario Basketball Association where you will meet Addy’s family and coaches and start to get what I’m talking about when I say there is FORCE and energy and love that surrounds Jess and everyone in Addy’s world.


And if you know Sick Kids Hospital, you likely know of their most recent initiative Precision Child Health that is changing the game in paediatric care - and this massive new campaign was launched with a crystal ball that is inspired by Addy and a conversation she had with her brilliant oncologist Dr Malkin that you’ll hear Jess share in our chat.


Jess has found a way to channel her love for Addy into a strength and purpose, and with that kind of love behind her, she’s unstoppable.


https://www.teamaddy.ca/

https://www.teamaddy.ca/events/family-fun-day

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[When Fear is The Driving Force - How Community & Connection Helps Us Take Back Control]]> Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:44:00 GMT 42:47 66816683a2d4e67a7ba38dd5 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/when-fear-is-the-driving-force-how-community-connection-help 66816683a2d4e67a7ba38dd5 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 when-fear-is-the-driving-force-how-community-connection-help full 21 Rachelle’s daughter was originally diagnosed with Wilms at 16 months old, and then relapsed at 3 years old in a new city without the family and support system they’d had for her daughter’s initial treatment.


Rachelle candidly and honestly talks about the need to “claw” together a community of cancer parents to help them survive her daughter’s treatment. We talk about connections, finding comfort in other oncology parents, and how it feels when a bereaved parent supports families of NED kids, and the complicated emotions that come up of comparative suffering and survivors guilt.


This conversation spans different topics that will all sound familiar to oncology parents, not necessarily because you’ve had them out loud before, but because you’ve thought and felt every single word - and that’s what makes Rachelle and her deep insights and take away’s so valuable and important to hear.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Rachelle’s daughter was originally diagnosed with Wilms at 16 months old, and then relapsed at 3 years old in a new city without the family and support system they’d had for her daughter’s initial treatment.


Rachelle candidly and honestly talks about the need to “claw” together a community of cancer parents to help them survive her daughter’s treatment. We talk about connections, finding comfort in other oncology parents, and how it feels when a bereaved parent supports families of NED kids, and the complicated emotions that come up of comparative suffering and survivors guilt.


This conversation spans different topics that will all sound familiar to oncology parents, not necessarily because you’ve had them out loud before, but because you’ve thought and felt every single word - and that’s what makes Rachelle and her deep insights and take away’s so valuable and important to hear.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A Good Mother - Cracking Open Our Purpose and Creativity After Loss A Good Mother - Cracking Open Our Purpose and Creativity After Loss Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:44:00 GMT 45:54 667b5f8aec0d32fbe3056ec9 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/a-good-mother-cracking-open-our-purpose-and-creativity-after 667b5f8aec0d32fbe3056ec9 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 a-good-mother-cracking-open-our-purpose-and-creativity-after full 20 When Taryn's daughter June was 8 months old, she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. After an aggressive treatment of chemo, surgery, tandem stem cell transplants and radiation, June passed at 18 months old. Just over two years later, Taryn shares all the ways June cracked her open and how being June's mom helped her discover her purpose, and reconnect with her identity through poetry and writing.


Taryn shares her magnificent poem A Good Mother from her blog Carrying June where you'll also find brilliant and beautiful reflections on life after loss, childhood cancer, and motherhood.


https://carryingjune.com/

https://carryingjune.com/blog-1-2/z7o08aqqcsyltbyrin5xqcsakboprg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> When Taryn's daughter June was 8 months old, she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. After an aggressive treatment of chemo, surgery, tandem stem cell transplants and radiation, June passed at 18 months old. Just over two years later, Taryn shares all the ways June cracked her open and how being June's mom helped her discover her purpose, and reconnect with her identity through poetry and writing.


Taryn shares her magnificent poem A Good Mother from her blog Carrying June where you'll also find brilliant and beautiful reflections on life after loss, childhood cancer, and motherhood.


https://carryingjune.com/

https://carryingjune.com/blog-1-2/z7o08aqqcsyltbyrin5xqcsakboprg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[The Different Depths to Bereavement - Dave & Kristy’s Honest, Real & Brave Dive into Losing Their Only Child to Pediatric Melanoma]]> Tue, 18 Jun 2024 18:44:00 GMT 53:54 6671d945afdac9fcff2216f3 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/the-different-depths-to-bereavement-dave-kristys-honest-real 6671d945afdac9fcff2216f3 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 the-different-depths-to-bereavement-dave-kristys-honest-real full 19 Dave and Kristy Costa lost their only child Lacey to pediatric melanoma less than two years ago. In our conversation, they share what it was like to be parents in the cancer community with such a rare diagnosis, and how the framework for Lacey's treatment didn't follow typical cancer treatment, leaving them to chart their own course from the very beginning.


Dave and Kristy go deep into their reflections of carrying Lacey through her treatment, and generously share their honest and real account of what they thought, and what they felt - every step of the way. We discuss the language around childhood cancer and what words like "hope" and "miracles" feel like when you're on the flipside and your child doesn't get their "miracle" - does that mean they were less deserving? We talk about landmines and how simple tasks like making dinner or seeing a back to school display can be paralyzing, and perhaps the most profound question we've heard on this podcast to date from a bereaved parent - am I still a mother?


Every single word from Dave and Kristy is unforgettable and will leave you feeling seen, supported and stronger than before thanks to their willingness to go deep into the places we've all been, but may not have the words to describe. Dave and Kristy do it for us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Dave and Kristy Costa lost their only child Lacey to pediatric melanoma less than two years ago. In our conversation, they share what it was like to be parents in the cancer community with such a rare diagnosis, and how the framework for Lacey's treatment didn't follow typical cancer treatment, leaving them to chart their own course from the very beginning.


Dave and Kristy go deep into their reflections of carrying Lacey through her treatment, and generously share their honest and real account of what they thought, and what they felt - every step of the way. We discuss the language around childhood cancer and what words like "hope" and "miracles" feel like when you're on the flipside and your child doesn't get their "miracle" - does that mean they were less deserving? We talk about landmines and how simple tasks like making dinner or seeing a back to school display can be paralyzing, and perhaps the most profound question we've heard on this podcast to date from a bereaved parent - am I still a mother?


Every single word from Dave and Kristy is unforgettable and will leave you feeling seen, supported and stronger than before thanks to their willingness to go deep into the places we've all been, but may not have the words to describe. Dave and Kristy do it for us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Meeting Your Cancer Mom Soulmate - How Laura and Sam Saved Each Other While Saving Their Kids Meeting Your Cancer Mom Soulmate - How Laura and Sam Saved Each Other While Saving Their Kids Tue, 11 Jun 2024 13:44:00 GMT 42:35 66685bbd3484e000121c0d80 true https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/meeting-your-cancer-mom-soulmate-how-laura-and-sam-saved-eac 66685bbd3484e000121c0d80 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 meeting-your-cancer-mom-soulmate-how-laura-and-sam-saved-eac full 18 Traversing the oncology parent landscape can be a very lonely and isolating experience. Most of our family and friends can’t relate, and explaining this place to them is exhausting and can make us feel even more removed from the lives we once knew. But if we look around the hospital waiting rooms and hallways, the little kitchenettes and playrooms, chances are pretty high that we’re surrounded by other parents who feel the exact same way. Yes, we’re exhausted, and the idea of making new friends isn’t anywhere close to what we’re here for, but it’s amazing what can happen when we make the connection with another medical parent because it turns out, we have the power to save each other.


Laura McNabb, a fellow oncology mom and I met in a radiation centre lobby while our kids were both receiving treatment, and within an instant, we bonded and lifted each other up by sharing our experience and just KNOWING the other knew what this all felt like.


Our conversation today is just like listening to two old friends talk about the places they’ve been and the memories they have, except the places are kids cancer hospitals and the memories are of ringing bells and being petrified of post treatment scans - you know, the normal stuff that only oncology parents can relate to.


So get cozy, even if you’re in one of those terrible plastic waiting room chairs (we’re so sorry you’re there, we know they suck) and listen to your two friends Sam and Laura chat about the stuff you can’t bring up at dinner parties or soccer practice. We get it, we know how you feel, and you’re never, ever alone - not when you're with us 💛


Laura's Blog https://www.fromlandtoc.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Traversing the oncology parent landscape can be a very lonely and isolating experience. Most of our family and friends can’t relate, and explaining this place to them is exhausting and can make us feel even more removed from the lives we once knew. But if we look around the hospital waiting rooms and hallways, the little kitchenettes and playrooms, chances are pretty high that we’re surrounded by other parents who feel the exact same way. Yes, we’re exhausted, and the idea of making new friends isn’t anywhere close to what we’re here for, but it’s amazing what can happen when we make the connection with another medical parent because it turns out, we have the power to save each other.


Laura McNabb, a fellow oncology mom and I met in a radiation centre lobby while our kids were both receiving treatment, and within an instant, we bonded and lifted each other up by sharing our experience and just KNOWING the other knew what this all felt like.


Our conversation today is just like listening to two old friends talk about the places they’ve been and the memories they have, except the places are kids cancer hospitals and the memories are of ringing bells and being petrified of post treatment scans - you know, the normal stuff that only oncology parents can relate to.


So get cozy, even if you’re in one of those terrible plastic waiting room chairs (we’re so sorry you’re there, we know they suck) and listen to your two friends Sam and Laura chat about the stuff you can’t bring up at dinner parties or soccer practice. We get it, we know how you feel, and you’re never, ever alone - not when you're with us 💛


Laura's Blog https://www.fromlandtoc.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Radiation Necrosis - When You're Battling the Treatment, Not the Cancer]]> Tue, 04 Jun 2024 19:44:00 GMT 53:28 665f77c0e177f100124f21db false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/radiation-necrosis-when-youre-battling-the-treatment-not-the 665f77c0e177f100124f21db 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 radiation-necrosis-when-youre-battling-the-treatment-not-the full 17 The transition from parent to oncology parent is fast, it’s sudden, and within seconds we’re thrown into a landmine of medical terminology that feels like it's exploding all around us. Words we’ve never heard, let alone can pronounce, are being referenced to our child and their survival. We’re given treatment plans and chemo protocols, radiation doses, surgical procedures, an entire book of meds from the pharmacy - every word so long, with so many syllables and acronyms, and we have to know what they all mean RIGHT NOW. Sometimes there’s a social worker or a really lovely nurse who will act as your translator, but more often than not, you are in a foreign country, you don’t speak the language, and you’re fighting for your child’s life.


And that’s exactly what happened to Audrey when her 16month old son Levi was diagnosed with an ependymoma. She was suddenly immersed in this new language - a language that is terrifying and heavy and full of questions. SO many questions. And so like all of us, Audrey looked to her doctors to translate, to explain and to educate her on all the different outcomes her son could face - Audrey deserved to know all the words, even the hardest and most painful ones a human being can hear- words like, end of life. Audrey deserved to have these words spoken to her, especially before they had already begun.


Audrey knows her story centres on a rare side effect called radiation necrosis, and she knows what happened to Levi is uncommon, but she also knows that’s why their story needs to be told.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The transition from parent to oncology parent is fast, it’s sudden, and within seconds we’re thrown into a landmine of medical terminology that feels like it's exploding all around us. Words we’ve never heard, let alone can pronounce, are being referenced to our child and their survival. We’re given treatment plans and chemo protocols, radiation doses, surgical procedures, an entire book of meds from the pharmacy - every word so long, with so many syllables and acronyms, and we have to know what they all mean RIGHT NOW. Sometimes there’s a social worker or a really lovely nurse who will act as your translator, but more often than not, you are in a foreign country, you don’t speak the language, and you’re fighting for your child’s life.


And that’s exactly what happened to Audrey when her 16month old son Levi was diagnosed with an ependymoma. She was suddenly immersed in this new language - a language that is terrifying and heavy and full of questions. SO many questions. And so like all of us, Audrey looked to her doctors to translate, to explain and to educate her on all the different outcomes her son could face - Audrey deserved to know all the words, even the hardest and most painful ones a human being can hear- words like, end of life. Audrey deserved to have these words spoken to her, especially before they had already begun.


Audrey knows her story centres on a rare side effect called radiation necrosis, and she knows what happened to Levi is uncommon, but she also knows that’s why their story needs to be told.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How To Hug a Hospital - Denise Bebenek on Healing, Miracles and the Power of Our Human Spirits How To Hug a Hospital - Denise Bebenek on Healing, Miracles and the Power of Our Human Spirits Tue, 28 May 2024 00:44:14 GMT 1:12:17 66552a517d5431001316dbcc false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/how-to-hug-a-hospital-denise-bebenek-on-healing-miracles-and 66552a517d5431001316dbcc 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 how-to-hug-a-hospital-denise-bebenek-on-healing-miracles-and full 16 Denise Bebenek is the Founder, President and driving force behind the Meagan Bebenek Foundation: Creating a Circle of Hope, a foundation that has raised over 6 million dollars to support and fund research for pediatric brain cancers.


In late 2000, Denise’s youngest child, Meagan, was diagnosed with an inoperable and malignant brain tumour. She died six months later, only two weeks past her fifth birthday. That June day, Denise envisioned a real yet symbolic “hug” of the hospital, sending a message to all within that they are not alone.


The vision became an annual 5 km walk and “hug” event, initially known as Meagan’s Walk and now known as Meagan’s HUG, with thousands joining in every year, trekking through the streets of Toronto to the Hospital for Sick Children. At SickKids, they join hands to form the “circle of hope”, the world’s only hospital hug.


Denise shares her story of being an oncology parent and discusses the power of community, the importance of celebrating and honouring our kids, and how the true path towards healing is found in connection, community and knowing we're never alone.


If you are a bereaved parent, a parent who is tirelessly advocating for cancer research, a parent who needs to find hope and light in a dark place, or simply someone who is looking for inspiration from a human spirit who is proof that love, and connection, and miracles are possible - then you will fall in love with Denise the same way I did.


So, let's dive deep, with Denise.


https://www.meaganbebenekfoundation.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Denise Bebenek is the Founder, President and driving force behind the Meagan Bebenek Foundation: Creating a Circle of Hope, a foundation that has raised over 6 million dollars to support and fund research for pediatric brain cancers.


In late 2000, Denise’s youngest child, Meagan, was diagnosed with an inoperable and malignant brain tumour. She died six months later, only two weeks past her fifth birthday. That June day, Denise envisioned a real yet symbolic “hug” of the hospital, sending a message to all within that they are not alone.


The vision became an annual 5 km walk and “hug” event, initially known as Meagan’s Walk and now known as Meagan’s HUG, with thousands joining in every year, trekking through the streets of Toronto to the Hospital for Sick Children. At SickKids, they join hands to form the “circle of hope”, the world’s only hospital hug.


Denise shares her story of being an oncology parent and discusses the power of community, the importance of celebrating and honouring our kids, and how the true path towards healing is found in connection, community and knowing we're never alone.


If you are a bereaved parent, a parent who is tirelessly advocating for cancer research, a parent who needs to find hope and light in a dark place, or simply someone who is looking for inspiration from a human spirit who is proof that love, and connection, and miracles are possible - then you will fall in love with Denise the same way I did.


So, let's dive deep, with Denise.


https://www.meaganbebenekfoundation.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[A Future Worth Fighting For - A Father's Story of His Wife's Fight to Save Their Child, and Herself]]> Thu, 16 May 2024 00:44:00 GMT 41:30 66456096b14f30001264963f false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/a-future-worth-fighting-for-a-fathers-story-of-his-wifes-fig 66456096b14f30001264963f 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 a-future-worth-fighting-for-a-fathers-story-of-his-wifes-fig full 15 In today's episode we meet Jeff who's daughter Lily was diagnosed with an astrocytoma when she was four months old. In sharing about Lily's cancer treatment, Jeff turns the focus from his daughter towards his incredible wife Julie and the heroic efforts she took to save Lily, and then in turn, the realization that she needed to save herself.


Jeff shares the intimate and vulnerable details of how his wife supported their daughter for years throughout her treatment, and the toll it takes on a parent, particularly a mother. WIth respect and pride, Jeff details Julie's breakdown and subsequent breakthrough, and shares the ways they have both healed from the battle of a childhood cancer diagnosis.


This episode is for every single parent who is struggling to stay afloat, and it will give you permission to ask for a life preserver when you're drowning. There is nothing more brave, or loving, than knowing when it's time to save yourself.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In today's episode we meet Jeff who's daughter Lily was diagnosed with an astrocytoma when she was four months old. In sharing about Lily's cancer treatment, Jeff turns the focus from his daughter towards his incredible wife Julie and the heroic efforts she took to save Lily, and then in turn, the realization that she needed to save herself.


Jeff shares the intimate and vulnerable details of how his wife supported their daughter for years throughout her treatment, and the toll it takes on a parent, particularly a mother. WIth respect and pride, Jeff details Julie's breakdown and subsequent breakthrough, and shares the ways they have both healed from the battle of a childhood cancer diagnosis.


This episode is for every single parent who is struggling to stay afloat, and it will give you permission to ask for a life preserver when you're drowning. There is nothing more brave, or loving, than knowing when it's time to save yourself.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Cole's Medulloblastoma Survivor Story - From Childhood Brain Cancer to Advocate for Kids Just Like Him]]> Mon, 06 May 2024 22:44:00 GMT 52:06 663964e20546210012a9308e false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/ep-14-coles-medulloblastoma-survivor-story-from-childhood-br 663964e20546210012a9308e 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 ep-14-coles-medulloblastoma-survivor-story-from-childhood-br full 14 In recognition of Brain Cancer Awareness Month, today’s episode features Cole who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma when he was 12yrs old. Today, Cole is a 22 yr old soon to be college graduate who dedicates his time, energy and passion to raising awareness and advocating for childhood cancer research.


Cole shares his memories of his life before cancer, what it felt like to be diagnosed, and how his family and God carried him throughout his treatment. Cole is vulnerable, honest and so generous with his insights into what it’s like from a child’s perspective to be treated for such an aggressive and life changing diagnosis.


Cole’s story is featured in a new book by legendary ESPN sportscaster Dick Vitale called “Until My Last Breath: Fighting Cancer with My Young Heroes.” Dick, battling cancer himself, shares in Until My Last Breath the resilient stories of kids who have battled pediatric cancer, with all the proceeds benefiting the V Foundation’s Dick Vitale Paediatric Cancer Research Fund. Cole has his own chapter where you can read more about the incredible work he’s done, and I know will continue to do.


Until My Last Breath - Dick Vitale (Amazon link) 

V Foundation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In recognition of Brain Cancer Awareness Month, today’s episode features Cole who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma when he was 12yrs old. Today, Cole is a 22 yr old soon to be college graduate who dedicates his time, energy and passion to raising awareness and advocating for childhood cancer research.


Cole shares his memories of his life before cancer, what it felt like to be diagnosed, and how his family and God carried him throughout his treatment. Cole is vulnerable, honest and so generous with his insights into what it’s like from a child’s perspective to be treated for such an aggressive and life changing diagnosis.


Cole’s story is featured in a new book by legendary ESPN sportscaster Dick Vitale called “Until My Last Breath: Fighting Cancer with My Young Heroes.” Dick, battling cancer himself, shares in Until My Last Breath the resilient stories of kids who have battled pediatric cancer, with all the proceeds benefiting the V Foundation’s Dick Vitale Paediatric Cancer Research Fund. Cole has his own chapter where you can read more about the incredible work he’s done, and I know will continue to do.


Until My Last Breath - Dick Vitale (Amazon link) 

V Foundation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[In the Rhabdomyosarcoma Trenches Together - The Shared Experience of the Same Diagnosis & The Faith That Carries Us Through]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2024 01:44:00 GMT 40:46 66305497fdc68b001237c35e false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/ep-13-in-the-rhabdomyosarcoma-trenches-together-the-shared-e 66305497fdc68b001237c35e 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 ep-13-in-the-rhabdomyosarcoma-trenches-together-the-shared-e full 13 Oncology parents instantly connect on so many levels because our experience is so nuanced and unique, but it's especially familiar and comfortable talking to a parent whose child has the exact same diagnosis as yours. Under the absolute worst circumstances, it turns out that it IS possible to find people who can make you feel seen and supported.


In this episode, we share our experience with our kids Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma - through diagnosis, treatment and scans, we relate on every single level. It was like talking to an old friend, Ebony was so easy and willing to share.


We go deep into hope, support and Ebony's faith in God to carry her through her son's treatment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Oncology parents instantly connect on so many levels because our experience is so nuanced and unique, but it's especially familiar and comfortable talking to a parent whose child has the exact same diagnosis as yours. Under the absolute worst circumstances, it turns out that it IS possible to find people who can make you feel seen and supported.


In this episode, we share our experience with our kids Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma - through diagnosis, treatment and scans, we relate on every single level. It was like talking to an old friend, Ebony was so easy and willing to share.


We go deep into hope, support and Ebony's faith in God to carry her through her son's treatment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Confessions of a Child Life Specialist - Insights on How We Can Best Support our Kids Through Treatment Confessions of a Child Life Specialist - Insights on How We Can Best Support our Kids Through Treatment Mon, 22 Apr 2024 17:44:53 GMT 38:07 6626acadaaeadd0012e2c633 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/ep-12-confessions-of-a-child-life-specialist-insights-on-how 6626acadaaeadd0012e2c633 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 ep-12-confessions-of-a-child-life-specialist-insights-on-how full 12 Today we speak with Jasmine Miller, a Child Life Specialist at the UF Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, Florida. Jasmine gives parents her strategies on working with kids to face the really big scary feelings that come with a cancer diagnosis, and she shares some vulnerable truths of what children confess to her about their treatment when their parents aren’t in the room.


Jasmine has her bachelor's degree in music therapy and has a masters degree in child development. She has been working with children with chronic illness in the hospice world since she was 18 yrs old, and she is the child of a stage 4 lung cancer survivor.


Jasmine talks about the importance of the mental and emotional health of a child during their cancer treatment, and ways she can support the entire family to find joy and connection during a dark and scary time.


https://www.floridaproton.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Today we speak with Jasmine Miller, a Child Life Specialist at the UF Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, Florida. Jasmine gives parents her strategies on working with kids to face the really big scary feelings that come with a cancer diagnosis, and she shares some vulnerable truths of what children confess to her about their treatment when their parents aren’t in the room.


Jasmine has her bachelor's degree in music therapy and has a masters degree in child development. She has been working with children with chronic illness in the hospice world since she was 18 yrs old, and she is the child of a stage 4 lung cancer survivor.


Jasmine talks about the importance of the mental and emotional health of a child during their cancer treatment, and ways she can support the entire family to find joy and connection during a dark and scary time.


https://www.floridaproton.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Reality of Relapse - What It’s Like To Come Back Again - And Again The Reality of Relapse - What It’s Like To Come Back Again - And Again Tue, 16 Apr 2024 02:44:00 GMT 47:03 661df0827b6cf200179cbaf4 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/ep-11-the-reality-of-relapse-a-candid-conversation-about-leu 661df0827b6cf200179cbaf4 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 ep-11-the-reality-of-relapse-a-candid-conversation-about-leu full 11 When I first met Julie, I felt this deep enduring strength inside of her. The kind of an embattled solider who had seen war many, many times. I knew she was the perfect person to talk about the roller coaster of this disease, how totally unpredictable and out of control it can be, and how difficult (I actually think we use the word impossible in our conversation) it is to ride it. How do you get comfortable knowing your world could be thrown upside-down in an instant? How do you do life, how do you function, how do you buy your child shoes for the next season when you’re not even sure they’ll be alive to wear them? And that’s what I loved and appreciated so much about Julie, she didn’t shy away from these questions and instead spoke honestly and candidly about her struggles, her anger, and what it feels like to take knock after knock and just keep going against the fiercest storm.


Julie’s 6 yr old son Carson was diagnosed with Leukaemia when he was two, with a rare genetic mutation called the Philadelphia Chromosome that makes his treatment more complex. He relapsed during maintenance, received a bone marrow transplant with his big brother Reid as his donor, and it worked - for over 2 years Carson was cancer free. This past Christmas, literally on Christmas Day, Julie received the devastating news that Carson had relapsed for a second time, catapulting them back into the world they thought was behind them. So behind them in fact, that Carson barely remembered his first treatment and was now reentering the cancer world as a very alert, aware and reluctant 6 year old who wanted none of this.


Julie and I talk about the armour we wear during our kids' treatment and if it ever feels safe to take it off. If you’re in a relapse or if you feel like everywhere you turn there’s just another blow, another complication, another setback, take a listen because Julie is proof that we can survive in uncertainty, and that we have more to give than we sometimes believe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> When I first met Julie, I felt this deep enduring strength inside of her. The kind of an embattled solider who had seen war many, many times. I knew she was the perfect person to talk about the roller coaster of this disease, how totally unpredictable and out of control it can be, and how difficult (I actually think we use the word impossible in our conversation) it is to ride it. How do you get comfortable knowing your world could be thrown upside-down in an instant? How do you do life, how do you function, how do you buy your child shoes for the next season when you’re not even sure they’ll be alive to wear them? And that’s what I loved and appreciated so much about Julie, she didn’t shy away from these questions and instead spoke honestly and candidly about her struggles, her anger, and what it feels like to take knock after knock and just keep going against the fiercest storm.


Julie’s 6 yr old son Carson was diagnosed with Leukaemia when he was two, with a rare genetic mutation called the Philadelphia Chromosome that makes his treatment more complex. He relapsed during maintenance, received a bone marrow transplant with his big brother Reid as his donor, and it worked - for over 2 years Carson was cancer free. This past Christmas, literally on Christmas Day, Julie received the devastating news that Carson had relapsed for a second time, catapulting them back into the world they thought was behind them. So behind them in fact, that Carson barely remembered his first treatment and was now reentering the cancer world as a very alert, aware and reluctant 6 year old who wanted none of this.


Julie and I talk about the armour we wear during our kids' treatment and if it ever feels safe to take it off. If you’re in a relapse or if you feel like everywhere you turn there’s just another blow, another complication, another setback, take a listen because Julie is proof that we can survive in uncertainty, and that we have more to give than we sometimes believe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Life After - Spirituality, Beliefs and Signs After Child Loss The Life After - Spirituality, Beliefs and Signs After Child Loss Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:44:00 GMT 39:37 660a1bde3207c3001796bab3 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/ep-10-the-lifeafter-spirituality-beliefs-and-signs-after-the 660a1bde3207c3001796bab3 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 ep-10-the-lifeafter-spirituality-beliefs-and-signs-after-the full 10 My conversation with Erin was special from the second she opened her mouth. She is the most gentle, warm and beautiful soul, and so willing to share and get vulnerable about what life was like after her daughter Arden passed 4 years ago.


At Arden’s 12 month check up, Erin mentioned to her paediatrician that Arden had a small bump on her chest, and her doctor brushed it off as a lipoma. But Erin knew that Arden hadn't been herself, she was pale, bruising and, as we ALL know, something just didn’t feel right. After many more trips to the doctor, Erin finally brought Arden to the ER with the firm intention of not leaving until she had answers.


After ultrasounds and scans, Erin was brought back into a very sterile ER hospital room, I know you know the room, and with her baby in her lap, the doctors said they found a grapefruit sized tumour in Arden’s abdomen and tests would later indicate she had Neuroblastoma.


I don’t take conversations about our kids lightly. When a parent is opening up and sharing the details of their child’s life, I consider it an honour to be trusted, and I do everything to create a space that feels safe to do that. In my conversation with Erin, we do talk about Arden’s EXTENSIVE treatment that involved surgeries, chemo, a tandem bone marrow transplant, radiation and relapse.


I don’t include these details in the episode you’ll hear today because Erin’s gift to us is how she describes walking through the time after Arden passed, the signs she's received, what’s brought her comfort, what she believes, and the ways she’s tried to process Arden’s loss.


I’ll also add for context that Erin found out she was pregnant towards the end of Arden’s life, and she graciously and openly shares how she mothered Arden as well as the baby growing inside her.


I’m telling you, Erin will enter your heart and never leave.


This episode is for Arden, and Griff 💛

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> My conversation with Erin was special from the second she opened her mouth. She is the most gentle, warm and beautiful soul, and so willing to share and get vulnerable about what life was like after her daughter Arden passed 4 years ago.


At Arden’s 12 month check up, Erin mentioned to her paediatrician that Arden had a small bump on her chest, and her doctor brushed it off as a lipoma. But Erin knew that Arden hadn't been herself, she was pale, bruising and, as we ALL know, something just didn’t feel right. After many more trips to the doctor, Erin finally brought Arden to the ER with the firm intention of not leaving until she had answers.


After ultrasounds and scans, Erin was brought back into a very sterile ER hospital room, I know you know the room, and with her baby in her lap, the doctors said they found a grapefruit sized tumour in Arden’s abdomen and tests would later indicate she had Neuroblastoma.


I don’t take conversations about our kids lightly. When a parent is opening up and sharing the details of their child’s life, I consider it an honour to be trusted, and I do everything to create a space that feels safe to do that. In my conversation with Erin, we do talk about Arden’s EXTENSIVE treatment that involved surgeries, chemo, a tandem bone marrow transplant, radiation and relapse.


I don’t include these details in the episode you’ll hear today because Erin’s gift to us is how she describes walking through the time after Arden passed, the signs she's received, what’s brought her comfort, what she believes, and the ways she’s tried to process Arden’s loss.


I’ll also add for context that Erin found out she was pregnant towards the end of Arden’s life, and she graciously and openly shares how she mothered Arden as well as the baby growing inside her.


I’m telling you, Erin will enter your heart and never leave.


This episode is for Arden, and Griff 💛

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Unbreakable Bonds - Supporting Partners and Siblings Through a Cancer Diagnosis Unbreakable Bonds - Supporting Partners and Siblings Through a Cancer Diagnosis Tue, 26 Mar 2024 01:44:00 GMT 40:43 660232905d82c70016f9d082 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/ep-09-unbreakable-bonds-kevins-perspective-on-childhood-canc 660232905d82c70016f9d082 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 ep-09-unbreakable-bonds-kevins-perspective-on-childhood-canc full 9 Kevin’s son Asher was diagnosed at 3 months old with LCH when it was still a very rare cancer diagnosis with minimal research and a trial and error treatment plan. Kevin’s wife Katy became the “medical” parent while he was the parent who kept life running. Kevin speaks candidly about their division of roles and how they kept an open and consistent line of communication with each other throughout Asher’s treatment as a way to stay connected and make sure the other was feeling supported and cared for.


Kevin shares his eternally optimistic attitude about Asher’s diagnosis, and how committed he and his wife Katy were to getting to the other side of treatment. Kevin also opens up about his feelings about their daughter who was 5 years old when Asher was diagnosed. He shares how painful it is to remember how his daughter felt during that time, and how she was the “forgotten sibling”, a pain so many parents with multiple children feel when one child has medical needs. Kevin is so gracious with his open and vulnerable feelings around his regrets, and by sharing his honest account of Asher's treatment, he connects us all because we know these exact feelings.


This conversation is both heartbreaking and also heart affirming, Kevin is an incredible dad to both his kids, and the way he describes the impenetrable bond he and Katy have on the other side of Asher’s treatment is absolutely beautiful.


This episode covers parenting dynamics through a cancer diagnosis, the roles we adopt, how we parent multiple children, and what it feels like to go back to normal too fast after treatment is done.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Kevin’s son Asher was diagnosed at 3 months old with LCH when it was still a very rare cancer diagnosis with minimal research and a trial and error treatment plan. Kevin’s wife Katy became the “medical” parent while he was the parent who kept life running. Kevin speaks candidly about their division of roles and how they kept an open and consistent line of communication with each other throughout Asher’s treatment as a way to stay connected and make sure the other was feeling supported and cared for.


Kevin shares his eternally optimistic attitude about Asher’s diagnosis, and how committed he and his wife Katy were to getting to the other side of treatment. Kevin also opens up about his feelings about their daughter who was 5 years old when Asher was diagnosed. He shares how painful it is to remember how his daughter felt during that time, and how she was the “forgotten sibling”, a pain so many parents with multiple children feel when one child has medical needs. Kevin is so gracious with his open and vulnerable feelings around his regrets, and by sharing his honest account of Asher's treatment, he connects us all because we know these exact feelings.


This conversation is both heartbreaking and also heart affirming, Kevin is an incredible dad to both his kids, and the way he describes the impenetrable bond he and Katy have on the other side of Asher’s treatment is absolutely beautiful.


This episode covers parenting dynamics through a cancer diagnosis, the roles we adopt, how we parent multiple children, and what it feels like to go back to normal too fast after treatment is done.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Are You Internal or External? Parents Sam and Ley Dive Into the Different Ways they Process their Daughters Cancer Are You Internal or External? Parents Sam and Ley Dive Into the Different Ways they Process their Daughters Cancer Mon, 18 Mar 2024 20:44:00 GMT 41:06 65f8a2b86dc4590017353024 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/ep-08-are-you-internal-or-external-parents-sam-ley-dive-into 65f8a2b86dc4590017353024 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 ep-08-are-you-internal-or-external-parents-sam-ley-dive-into full 8 My husband and I are VERY different, like we're about as opposite as it gets, but somehow we’ve found a way to intersect where it matters the most to us. We have our outside life where people at parties would think we're strangers, and our inside life where our roots grow so far and widespread you will never find where they end. 


When our daughter was diagnosed, our differences for some reason worked in our favour. He became our pillar of strength and I became our pillar of action. While he was holding her hand, I was holding our life. Both equally important. 


Our conversation in this episode exposes our differences in a way I think a lot of partnerships will relate. My husband, an internal processor, was head down, steady strokes, with a firm as hell resolve that we would make it to shore. I, on the other hand, the external processor, had to feel and experience everything - the drowning, the gasping, the sinking, and the darkness. Lots of darkness (still some darkness). But also the blinding light that inevitably follows - light like I've never, ever known. 


The different ways parents move through their child's diagnosis can be so complex and unique, both as individuals and partners, but the one common unwavering thread is the love we have for our children. 


There are no differences among us when it comes to that. 


McNabb family blog fromlandtoc.com


Email and reach out at thedeepcpodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> My husband and I are VERY different, like we're about as opposite as it gets, but somehow we’ve found a way to intersect where it matters the most to us. We have our outside life where people at parties would think we're strangers, and our inside life where our roots grow so far and widespread you will never find where they end. 


When our daughter was diagnosed, our differences for some reason worked in our favour. He became our pillar of strength and I became our pillar of action. While he was holding her hand, I was holding our life. Both equally important. 


Our conversation in this episode exposes our differences in a way I think a lot of partnerships will relate. My husband, an internal processor, was head down, steady strokes, with a firm as hell resolve that we would make it to shore. I, on the other hand, the external processor, had to feel and experience everything - the drowning, the gasping, the sinking, and the darkness. Lots of darkness (still some darkness). But also the blinding light that inevitably follows - light like I've never, ever known. 


The different ways parents move through their child's diagnosis can be so complex and unique, both as individuals and partners, but the one common unwavering thread is the love we have for our children. 


There are no differences among us when it comes to that. 


McNabb family blog fromlandtoc.com


Email and reach out at thedeepcpodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> You Already Know How To Do This - Inside a Cancer Parent Therapy Session with Laura Pasqualino, MSW You Already Know How To Do This - Inside a Cancer Parent Therapy Session with Laura Pasqualino, MSW Sun, 10 Mar 2024 12:44:00 GMT 51:14 65ee4a06128cfd0017808dc7 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/ep-07-you-already-know-how-to-do-this-inside-a-cancer-parent 65ee4a06128cfd0017808dc7 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 ep-07-you-already-know-how-to-do-this-inside-a-cancer-parent full 7 In today's episode Sam talks with her cancer therapist, social worker Laura Pasqualino about the tools and strategies Laura helped Sam apply during her daughter's treatment. Laura believes we already know the way through the darkness, we've just never had to access the resiliency and inner-guides until now. She gives examples of how she helps parents find their way, and how she teaches us to visit the pain, not live in it.


Laura holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto and has over 25 years experience in both hospital and community settings. She is a program leader and consultant at Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation, and also runs her own private practice supporting oncology families throughout their child's treatment, and beyond.


Laura is a cherished guide for families carrying their children through treatment and has helped hundreds of parents through the darkest times of their lives. Her ability to sit in the pain with a parent and help to release feelings of shame, guilt, denial and anger is profound. Laura's decades of experience has given her a perspective and insight that brings parents comfort in knowing they aren't alone, and that the deepest most painful places can be safe to explore with someone who knows the terrain.


Therapy isn't for everyone and can oftentimes hold a stigma that we're weak or lack the resources ourselves to navigate our pain. If you're curious about how a therapy session sounds, this episode will give you a fly on the wall advantage of how Laura walks Sam through the terrifying fear of her daughter's diagnosis, and provides Sam with tools and insights to cope and manage in ways that give her hope, strength and lead her out of a dark place and towards the light.


If you'd like to find Laura, you can contact Wellspring and connect with her there.


https://wellspring.ca/


Wellspring Family Support

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In today's episode Sam talks with her cancer therapist, social worker Laura Pasqualino about the tools and strategies Laura helped Sam apply during her daughter's treatment. Laura believes we already know the way through the darkness, we've just never had to access the resiliency and inner-guides until now. She gives examples of how she helps parents find their way, and how she teaches us to visit the pain, not live in it.


Laura holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto and has over 25 years experience in both hospital and community settings. She is a program leader and consultant at Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation, and also runs her own private practice supporting oncology families throughout their child's treatment, and beyond.


Laura is a cherished guide for families carrying their children through treatment and has helped hundreds of parents through the darkest times of their lives. Her ability to sit in the pain with a parent and help to release feelings of shame, guilt, denial and anger is profound. Laura's decades of experience has given her a perspective and insight that brings parents comfort in knowing they aren't alone, and that the deepest most painful places can be safe to explore with someone who knows the terrain.


Therapy isn't for everyone and can oftentimes hold a stigma that we're weak or lack the resources ourselves to navigate our pain. If you're curious about how a therapy session sounds, this episode will give you a fly on the wall advantage of how Laura walks Sam through the terrifying fear of her daughter's diagnosis, and provides Sam with tools and insights to cope and manage in ways that give her hope, strength and lead her out of a dark place and towards the light.


If you'd like to find Laura, you can contact Wellspring and connect with her there.


https://wellspring.ca/


Wellspring Family Support

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[If Trauma Was a Contest, No One Would Win - Dawn on her Son's ALCL, Vision Loss & Turning Agony into Advocacy]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2024 01:44:00 GMT 1:03:28 65e54090b8456c0016e2d2d1 false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/ep-06-if-trauma-was-a-contest-no-one-would-win-dawn-on-her-s 65e54090b8456c0016e2d2d1 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 ep-06-if-trauma-was-a-contest-no-one-would-win-dawn-on-her-s full 6 Host Sam Taylor chats with Dawn who’s son Ollie was 7 when she noticed a tiny bump on his neck that wasn’t going away. After months of trying to get answers, with multiple doctors suggesting it was cat scratch disease or tuberculosis, they finally got a biopsy that concluded it was ALCL. Treatment began, Ollie relapsed, and with the cancer cells now in his central nervous system they attached themselves to his optic nerves. After waking up from a lumbar puncture, Ollie was groggy and asking to have the lights turned on. Sitting under the bright fluorescent beams of the recovery room, Dawn assumed he was still just coming out of it, but when Ollie persisted, she could tell something was very wrong. After multiple tests, they learned that Ollie’s cancer had caused severe optic nerve atrophy resulting in his permanent loss of sight. Now blind, Ollie continued treatment including a stem cell transplant using his older sister as his donor, during covid.


Dawn shares her journey of navigating Ollie’s cancer diagnosis and treatment and finding hope in the midst of darkness, and the importance of giving back to the community. She highlights the challenges of adjusting optimism in the face of uncertainty and the need to create a roadmap when there is no guidance. She also explores the concept of the gift of cancer and finding light in the darkness. Dawn talks about the difficult decision of having her daughter as a stem cell donor for her son and the difficult parenting conversations they were forced to have. She explains how she turned her experience into advocacy and awareness, particularly in the areas of blood donation and childhood cancer education. Dawn reflects on finding purpose and empowerment through her advocacy work and the goal of improving support and education for families in the oncology and vision loss communities.


https://www.accessforkidscancer.ca/


https://opvic.ca/


https://www.ontario.ca/page/special-education-advisory-committees


https://www.bloodcancers.ca/i-care-someone-blood-cancer/blood-cancers-kids-teens-young-adults/childhood-blood-cancers


https://www.lls.org/dare-to-dream


https://www.cnib.ca/


https://kidskickingcancer.ca/


https://www.blood.ca/en/stories/the-need-goes-on-14-mission-to-save-her-brother


https://olliesbump.blogspot.com/


https://www.pogo.ca/


https://www.instagram.com/cnib_ollies_hope/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Host Sam Taylor chats with Dawn who’s son Ollie was 7 when she noticed a tiny bump on his neck that wasn’t going away. After months of trying to get answers, with multiple doctors suggesting it was cat scratch disease or tuberculosis, they finally got a biopsy that concluded it was ALCL. Treatment began, Ollie relapsed, and with the cancer cells now in his central nervous system they attached themselves to his optic nerves. After waking up from a lumbar puncture, Ollie was groggy and asking to have the lights turned on. Sitting under the bright fluorescent beams of the recovery room, Dawn assumed he was still just coming out of it, but when Ollie persisted, she could tell something was very wrong. After multiple tests, they learned that Ollie’s cancer had caused severe optic nerve atrophy resulting in his permanent loss of sight. Now blind, Ollie continued treatment including a stem cell transplant using his older sister as his donor, during covid.


Dawn shares her journey of navigating Ollie’s cancer diagnosis and treatment and finding hope in the midst of darkness, and the importance of giving back to the community. She highlights the challenges of adjusting optimism in the face of uncertainty and the need to create a roadmap when there is no guidance. She also explores the concept of the gift of cancer and finding light in the darkness. Dawn talks about the difficult decision of having her daughter as a stem cell donor for her son and the difficult parenting conversations they were forced to have. She explains how she turned her experience into advocacy and awareness, particularly in the areas of blood donation and childhood cancer education. Dawn reflects on finding purpose and empowerment through her advocacy work and the goal of improving support and education for families in the oncology and vision loss communities.


https://www.accessforkidscancer.ca/


https://opvic.ca/


https://www.ontario.ca/page/special-education-advisory-committees


https://www.bloodcancers.ca/i-care-someone-blood-cancer/blood-cancers-kids-teens-young-adults/childhood-blood-cancers


https://www.lls.org/dare-to-dream


https://www.cnib.ca/


https://kidskickingcancer.ca/


https://www.blood.ca/en/stories/the-need-goes-on-14-mission-to-save-her-brother


https://olliesbump.blogspot.com/


https://www.pogo.ca/


https://www.instagram.com/cnib_ollies_hope/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Just Don't Call It a Journey - Cara on Leukemia, Life Support and Legacy]]> Mon, 26 Feb 2024 03:44:15 GMT 52:59 65dbfe0a4fa56a0016bd1fff false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/ep-05-just-dont-call-it-a-journey-cara-on-leukemia-life-supp 65dbfe0a4fa56a0016bd1fff 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 ep-05-just-dont-call-it-a-journey-cara-on-leukemia-life-supp full 5 Host Sam Taylor talks to Cara whose daughter was two years old when she was diagnosed with Leukemia. Due to adrenal complications during treatment, Cara's daughter arrested and was placed on life support for 47 days in the ICU. Cara talks about coping through this dark and scary time, what helped to pull her through, and how once her daughter was done treatment, she felt like she'd lost her identity. Sam and Cara talk about therapy, how to best support a friend during treatment, the "bad words" that make them cringe and how they've found ways to live with the ever present knowing that cancer can always come back. Cara is the most proud of her daughters and being their mom, and she attributes her life to them - her greatest legacy.


Cara and Sam have a conversation like two old friends, sitting around a table, having a coffee and just catching up. Except instead of talking about the normal daily life stuff, they dive deep into the topics only other cancer parents can have with each other. The comfort and ease that comes with these vulnerable and honest chats can make oncology parents feel so seen, and so connected. We hope this episode gives you that familiar, relatable feeling of just being around friends who get you and who know where you've been, because I promise we do.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Host Sam Taylor talks to Cara whose daughter was two years old when she was diagnosed with Leukemia. Due to adrenal complications during treatment, Cara's daughter arrested and was placed on life support for 47 days in the ICU. Cara talks about coping through this dark and scary time, what helped to pull her through, and how once her daughter was done treatment, she felt like she'd lost her identity. Sam and Cara talk about therapy, how to best support a friend during treatment, the "bad words" that make them cringe and how they've found ways to live with the ever present knowing that cancer can always come back. Cara is the most proud of her daughters and being their mom, and she attributes her life to them - her greatest legacy.


Cara and Sam have a conversation like two old friends, sitting around a table, having a coffee and just catching up. Except instead of talking about the normal daily life stuff, they dive deep into the topics only other cancer parents can have with each other. The comfort and ease that comes with these vulnerable and honest chats can make oncology parents feel so seen, and so connected. We hope this episode gives you that familiar, relatable feeling of just being around friends who get you and who know where you've been, because I promise we do.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Sitting In The Dark Together - Sarah Blackwood on Supporting a Family Through Cancer Sitting In The Dark Together - Sarah Blackwood on Supporting a Family Through Cancer Mon, 19 Feb 2024 01:44:15 GMT 1:00:39 65d263b3f981dc00169d8a15 true https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/life-preservers-sarah-blackwood-on-keeping-a-family-afloat-t 65d263b3f981dc00169d8a15 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 life-preservers-sarah-blackwood-on-keeping-a-family-afloat-t full 4 Host Sam Taylor talks to her best friend musician Sarah Blackwood from Walk Off the Earth on all the ways friends and community can support a family through their child's cancer treatment. Sarah shares the ways they built an army of support, how they delegated tasks, and how they knew to ride the waves of treatment by sitting in the pain and fear of cancer and never trying to make it better. Sarah talks about her coping strategies through grief and trauma after her own personal loss, and how she found ways to stay active and helpful as a way to process her pain. Sarah and Sam give families take away tools to share with their own friend group, and they talk about what it's like to be so deep and dark in the ocean, and have friends who act as life preservers who pull you to the surface.


https://www.walkofftheearth.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Host Sam Taylor talks to her best friend musician Sarah Blackwood from Walk Off the Earth on all the ways friends and community can support a family through their child's cancer treatment. Sarah shares the ways they built an army of support, how they delegated tasks, and how they knew to ride the waves of treatment by sitting in the pain and fear of cancer and never trying to make it better. Sarah talks about her coping strategies through grief and trauma after her own personal loss, and how she found ways to stay active and helpful as a way to process her pain. Sarah and Sam give families take away tools to share with their own friend group, and they talk about what it's like to be so deep and dark in the ocean, and have friends who act as life preservers who pull you to the surface.


https://www.walkofftheearth.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Special Episode for International Childhood Cancer Day - Sickboy and The Deep C Special Episode for International Childhood Cancer Day - Sickboy and The Deep C Thu, 15 Feb 2024 16:52:58 GMT 1:32:54 65ce416a8cc773001680c3f3 true https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/special-episode-for-international-childhood-cancer-day-with- 65ce416a8cc773001680c3f3 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 special-episode-for-international-childhood-cancer-day-with- bonus 3 In recognition of International Childhood Cancer Day, join host Sam Taylor on The Deep C as she sits down with Sickboy to share how parents and caregivers learn to cope with their child's cancer diagnosis. Sam talks about how disorienting and lonely it is when a child is diagnosed, and how it feels like being tossed into the depths of the ocean. Sam shares how the only way to survive and to carry your child through treatment is to learn how to breathe underwater, to learn how to become a fish.


In this episode, Sam and Sickboy delve into the power of community, sharing personal stories and insights on how these connections can serve as lighthouses in the midst of the storm. Sickboy hosts Jeremie, Taylor and Brian lead Sam to share the deepest truths and emotions of her daughter's cancer, during treatment and into remission.


They discuss the reasons why Sam started The Deep C, and why it's so important for caregivers to have a community and an outlet to save themselves while they give all of their energy and strength towards saving their child.


https://www.sickboypodcast.com/

https://internationalchildhoodcancerday.org/

https://campfirecircle.org/

https://cedoughertyconsulting.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In recognition of International Childhood Cancer Day, join host Sam Taylor on The Deep C as she sits down with Sickboy to share how parents and caregivers learn to cope with their child's cancer diagnosis. Sam talks about how disorienting and lonely it is when a child is diagnosed, and how it feels like being tossed into the depths of the ocean. Sam shares how the only way to survive and to carry your child through treatment is to learn how to breathe underwater, to learn how to become a fish.


In this episode, Sam and Sickboy delve into the power of community, sharing personal stories and insights on how these connections can serve as lighthouses in the midst of the storm. Sickboy hosts Jeremie, Taylor and Brian lead Sam to share the deepest truths and emotions of her daughter's cancer, during treatment and into remission.


They discuss the reasons why Sam started The Deep C, and why it's so important for caregivers to have a community and an outlet to save themselves while they give all of their energy and strength towards saving their child.


https://www.sickboypodcast.com/

https://internationalchildhoodcancerday.org/

https://campfirecircle.org/

https://cedoughertyconsulting.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Even The Hardest Day Was A Day I had With Him - Carolyn and Her Son's Terminal Leukemia ]]> Sun, 11 Feb 2024 20:00:00 GMT 1:12:32 96585f48-853f-4a27-aafb-bedad4daa880 false http://sites.libsyn.com/507138/carolyn 65ccf14521ee6b0016af4ed0 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 even-the-hardest-day-was-a-day-i-had-with-him-carolyn-explor full 2 In this episode of The Deep C, host Sam Taylor speaks with Carolyn, mom to four beautiful babies. When Carolyn's second baby Malcolm was 5 months old he was diagnosed with leukemia. In an instant, Carolyn and her partner were airlifted to CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) and admitted, during covid, while she was pregnant with their third child. For almost 6 months, Carolyn lived at CHEO with Malcolm while he received treatment. The hospital became Carolyn's home, and the nurses and doctors her family.


When Malcolm's treatment was complete and Carolyn and her partner were preparing to return home to North Bay, their team ran tests that determined Malcolm's cancer had returned, and it was terminal.  Carolyn bravely and lovingly shares the days leading up to Malcolm's passing, and the hours after. She does this for families like her, who are palliative or bereaved so that they don't feel alone and can find connection in this place of pain and uncertainty. Carolyn gives words to some of the most deep and profound emotions we can feel as parents, and she does it all with a grace and honesty that will expand your entire heart.


This episode covers child loss, bereavement and the death of a small child. When Carolyn begins to share about Malcolm's passing, there is a break where the host lets you know the conversation is shifting to sharing details about his death. Please sit with this information, take a break, and give yourself the space to decide if you'd like to continue listening. While Carolyn's description of Malcolm's passing is full of love, it may also cause triggers for listeners. Please be loving with yourself, and reach out for support. Below are the supports Carolyn used, as well as the supports the host mentions at the end of the episode.  This episode is dedicated to Malcolm 💛 


https://rogerneilsonhouse.ca/

https://wellspring.ca/online-programs/programs/all-programs/parents-of-children-with-cancer-support-group/

https://cedoughertyconsulting.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of The Deep C, host Sam Taylor speaks with Carolyn, mom to four beautiful babies. When Carolyn's second baby Malcolm was 5 months old he was diagnosed with leukemia. In an instant, Carolyn and her partner were airlifted to CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) and admitted, during covid, while she was pregnant with their third child. For almost 6 months, Carolyn lived at CHEO with Malcolm while he received treatment. The hospital became Carolyn's home, and the nurses and doctors her family.


When Malcolm's treatment was complete and Carolyn and her partner were preparing to return home to North Bay, their team ran tests that determined Malcolm's cancer had returned, and it was terminal.  Carolyn bravely and lovingly shares the days leading up to Malcolm's passing, and the hours after. She does this for families like her, who are palliative or bereaved so that they don't feel alone and can find connection in this place of pain and uncertainty. Carolyn gives words to some of the most deep and profound emotions we can feel as parents, and she does it all with a grace and honesty that will expand your entire heart.


This episode covers child loss, bereavement and the death of a small child. When Carolyn begins to share about Malcolm's passing, there is a break where the host lets you know the conversation is shifting to sharing details about his death. Please sit with this information, take a break, and give yourself the space to decide if you'd like to continue listening. While Carolyn's description of Malcolm's passing is full of love, it may also cause triggers for listeners. Please be loving with yourself, and reach out for support. Below are the supports Carolyn used, as well as the supports the host mentions at the end of the episode.  This episode is dedicated to Malcolm 💛 


https://rogerneilsonhouse.ca/

https://wellspring.ca/online-programs/programs/all-programs/parents-of-children-with-cancer-support-group/

https://cedoughertyconsulting.org/

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]]> <![CDATA[You Just Have To Keep Swimming - Tamy and Her Son's Relapsed Neuroblastoma]]> Fri, 02 Feb 2024 21:44:00 GMT 52:48 19d445ed-79fc-4f10-8fdb-6f8a9bda53fa false http://sites.libsyn.com/507138/tamy-bwell 65ccf14521ee6b0016af4ed1 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 how-to-keep-swimming-with-tamy-mom-to-neuroblastoma-diagnose full 1 In this episode of The Deep C, host Sam Taylor talks to Tamy, the mom of a 6-year-old powerhouse of a little dude being treated for relapsed neuroblastoma. Sam and Tamy talk about the shock of diagnosis, of what it’s like being in treatment for 5 years, and how it’s never an option to stop moving forward. Tamy shares her well earned coping strategies on scanxiety and relapse results, how she’s found community through her fundraising business Little Press Co. and how she’s learned to keep swimming, even in the roughest and darkest waters.


Tamy’s son’s treatment plan isn’t currently following any map or direct course, it’s constantly evolving, changing, and reacting on a daily basis. Despite the uncertainty and uncharted waters ahead, Tamy stays focused on her son and how he’s feeling, appreciating the days he feels good, and cherishing every second of his unstoppable grit and resilience. Tamy is a fighter, but she will be the first to tell you she gets it all from her son 💛 


Tamy’s website https://littlepressco.ca/

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]]> In this episode of The Deep C, host Sam Taylor talks to Tamy, the mom of a 6-year-old powerhouse of a little dude being treated for relapsed neuroblastoma. Sam and Tamy talk about the shock of diagnosis, of what it’s like being in treatment for 5 years, and how it’s never an option to stop moving forward. Tamy shares her well earned coping strategies on scanxiety and relapse results, how she’s found community through her fundraising business Little Press Co. and how she’s learned to keep swimming, even in the roughest and darkest waters.


Tamy’s son’s treatment plan isn’t currently following any map or direct course, it’s constantly evolving, changing, and reacting on a daily basis. Despite the uncertainty and uncharted waters ahead, Tamy stays focused on her son and how he’s feeling, appreciating the days he feels good, and cherishing every second of his unstoppable grit and resilience. Tamy is a fighter, but she will be the first to tell you she gets it all from her son 💛 


Tamy’s website https://littlepressco.ca/

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]]> Welcome to the Deep C Podcast Welcome to the Deep C Podcast Tue, 30 Jan 2024 22:26:00 GMT 3:20 7453b567-9e44-4edd-8f2e-21233b0825ee false https://shows.acast.com/the-deep-c/episodes/65ccf14521ee6b0016af4ed2 65ccf14521ee6b0016af4ed2 65ccf14049352e0016a61d30 Trailer episode trailer

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