PODCAST | FACING CANCER TOGETHER

What is the Facing Cancer Together Podcast?

In our first episode, host Susan Larkin introduces some of the real voices you will hear throughout the series as they share the real deal about their own personal cancer experiences. Whether you are a patient, family, friends, or part of the health care team – we are – Facing Cancer Together.

Hair loss. Brittle fingernails. Rashes. Stomach upset. Fatigue. Brain fog. Just a short list of the many side effects  someone may have told you was “normal”. Dr. Margaret Fitch, Oncology Nurse professor and a leading researcher in psychosocial support in oncology explains how there is nothing normal about it.

With advancement in treatments and greater understanding of the disease - there are people who are living with cancer.   But what does that mean? Jules Whish joins us and shares how she is figuring it out as she goes - along with sharing on social media.

Learn more about Jules Whish: https://www.heyjules.ca/ 

What the heck is psychosocial support? It can be emotional support, spiritual, overall well-being, and even practical support. Dr. Margaret Fitch, Oncology Nurse, professor and a leading researcher in psychosocial support is back, talking about just how important these supports are.

Navigating stage four cancer, facing cancer as a Black woman, grieving - and dried up raisins. Michelle Audoin is here to talk about it all - including how she ended up revealing more than she thought she ever would.

Going through treatment, there can be so many extra sources of stress - including food & nutrition. Hopefully listening to Registered Dietician Denise Gabrielson will help take some of that stress off your plate.

Anyone who names their own podcast “Women of Ill Repute” is not going to hold back.   And Maureen Halloway and Wendy Mesley certainly do not hold back when it comes to sharing their cancer experience.

Radio broadcaster Maureen Halloway and television journalist Wendy Mesley are back - continuing the conversation about their cancer experience. 

Everyone’s cancer experience is unique. In this episode, you’ll hear from Michelle Sylvain who is currently in treatment, then Denise Dmitruk on going through treatment as a nurse - and her most unusual pet. We finish with a male perspective from Michael Suba, who is looking back years later - and learning to trust his body again.

Often, a personal cancer experience can highlight gaps in the system. For Audrey Guth, it led her to helping mothers facing cancer, and helping their children. In this episode, Audrey teaches us how to talk to kids about cancer.

The appearance-related impacts of cancer treatment can take a very serious toll on someone’s overall well-being. It’s not vanity. It’s about looking into a mirror, and not seeing the “Cancer Patient” - but instead seeing yourself. Dr. Margaret Fitch, and some of our other special guests, discuss why feeling like yourself does, in fact, make you feel better. Then, Andrea Galley talks about "Boobie Parties", and body image post-surgery. 

When treatment is done, people around you - including co-workers and bosses - may feel you are now “back to normal”. But side effects can last much longer after treatment ends. Dr. Christine Maheu and Maureen Parkinson, Co-Directors of Cancer and Work, will join us to share best practices. 

Throughout this podcast, you’ve heard people share their very personal stories and experiences around cancer. So many of them were nervous about being “interviewed”. When I asked them why they were doing it - they all said the same thing. They wanted to share their story to help someone else going through treatment, to know they are not alone.