Cancer Out Loud:
The CancerCare Podcast
Everyone’s experience of cancer is different—but that doesn’t mean we have to experience it alone.
Cancer Out Loud: The CancerCare Podcast features conversations with people living with cancer, caregivers, survivors, loved ones and the bereaved. Wherever you are in your experience, CancerCare is here to provide help and hope.
Episode 59: There Is No Us, Without Them
In this episode, Mike and Nancy open up about the profound impact of losing their spouses and the unforeseen journey of healing that followed. Join us as they recount their experiences at CancerCare's Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp, a place they never imagined would place a pivotal role in their paths towards recovery. Joined by Kathy Nugent, CancerCare's Senior Director of Regional Programs, we hear about how Healing Hearts shaped Mike and Nancy's experience.
They speak candidly about the challenges and nuances of blending their lives and supporting their young daughters through this complex process. This conversation offers an honest and raw look into navigating grief, finding strength in vulnerability and building a new family from a place of shared understanding and resilience. Listen in for a genuine and heartfelt exploration of life, loss and the unexpected forms that healing can take.
,Episode 58: What the Grief? Part II
In the second part of this episode, oncology social worker Lucia continues her conversation around grief with two former members of her Bereavement Support Group, Jay and Lou. After being with their wives for upward of 30 years, they share their journeys of loss, moving forward and survival. Join us for an episode exploring the evolving nature of grief and the crucial role of a support system; a raw look at love, loss and healing. ,Episode 57: What the Grief? Part I
Cancer Out Loud returns this summer to share new stories of hope and resilience. In the first part of this heartfelt episode, oncology social worker Lucia brings together two former members of her Bereavement Support Group, Susan and Mary, to share their experiences navigating grief and loss after the death of their husbands. They touch on the universality of loss and yet the profoundly personal journey of bereavement. With Lucia guiding their conversation, they delve into the complexities of healing, the importance of support systems and the strength they found in unexpected places. Tune in for this intimate exploration of grief that illuminates the tragedy of loss, the power of resilience and where to find glimmers of hope.Episode 56: Without CancerCare…
March is National Social Work Month and an opportunity to reflect on the positive impact that CancerCare’s services have had on the oncology community. For our Season 6 finale and the three year anniversary of the Cancer Out Loud Podcast launch, we take a closer look at what it means to be an oncology social worker at CancerCare. Listen in as earlier podcast guests share their sentiments of what it would be like without the support of CancerCare. Cancer Out Loud will return later this spring for Season 7.
Episode 55: Speaking Up Can Save Your Life
Before her cancer diagnosis, Valarie worked in human resources. After being diagnosed with both multiple myeloma and breast cancer, Valarie’s life took a different path - one of advocacy and patient education. As her goals shifted, she focused on educating others about the disease, while shedding light on health inequities. In the penultimate episode of Season 6, Valarie shares how advocating for herself led to empowering others to find their voice.
Episode 54: The Power of Multiple Truths
When Judy was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer almost a decade ago, many emotions ran through her mind: shock, fear, disbelief and curiosity. Judy, a research scientist by trade, wanted to know more about her diagnosis and was disappointed by the lack of literature and research available. Join us for a story of hope, perseverance and gratitude, as Judy shares the highs and lows of navigating a rare cancer diagnosis.
Episode 53: A Portal to Gratitude
Healing looks different for everyone. Often, the expressive arts can create an outlet to understand and process difficult emotional experiences - this includes creative writing, music, crafting, painting, etc. This episode takes a deeper dive into the different tools that can be used to cope with a cancer diagnosis. Listen in as Chris speaks with her oncology social worker, Sara, about the challenges she has faced throughout her cancer experience. Chris is no stranger to gratitude and her story is one that many can relate to- in Chris’ words, “Just know you can ride these waves, but you will find your feet on the shore again - it’s always possible.”
Episode 52: Learning to Pivot
A cancer diagnosis is incredibly disruptive and unpredictable. At the time her 32-year-old husband was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer, Whitney was starting a doctoral program while building her private therapy practice. Whitney is no stranger to the world of chronic illness as she has managed her own for many years. With her husband’s diagnosis, she learned to take on a different role all together. Join us as Whitney shares her experience as a young adult caregiver and what it has been like to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of the past 16 months.
Episode 51: A Light in the Dark
Meet Kris, a stage III chondrosarcoma survivor, avid golfer and skier, father, and husband. In this episode, Kris speaks with his social worker Nikki about how he navigated his diagnosis and hemipelvectomy. This surgery resulted in removing his left pelvis, hip, and leg. Kris has experienced many ups, downs, and in-betweens. Throughout it all, he remains determined, focusing on living life moment by moment and filling his days with joy and love. Listen in as Kris finds light shining through in the darkest of places.
Episode 50: It’s a Marathon Not a Sprint
Just before Lindsay’s 40th birthday, she was diagnosed with a rare, advanced cancer. Pre-diagnosis, Lindsay was a marathon runner, an avid traveler and a bit of a workaholic. Listen in as Lindsay shares with host Sarah Paul how she advocated for answers, underwent a life-changing surgery and is now learning to navigate survivorship.
Episode 49: Cancer Is Not Just a Six Letter Word
In the opening episode of Season 6, we meet Kouichi. A passionate father, environmental activist, editor and a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor. Listen in as Kouichi speaks with his oncology social worker, Cassie, about navigating his cancer experience. Kouichi shares a passionate story of hope, survivorship and the power of fatherhood.