The Blood Cancer Experience
by LLSC
A podcast by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. This podcast is produced for people affected by a blood cancer. We will speak to experts about current topics such as treatments, diagnosis, and research. We will also hear personal stories from people affected by a blood cancer. Please note that this podcast should not be taken as medical advice.
Episodes
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Beyond diagnosis: What it means to live with a chronic blood cancer
Living with a chronic blood cancer can bring uncertainty, questions and a need for support that lasts well beyond diagnosis. In this episode, Nelly shares her experience living with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), offering an honest look at treatment, side effects and daily life (including…
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CAR T-cell therapy: A lifeline for single mom Camille diagnosed with ALL
CAR T-cell therapy is a last line of treatment for some blood cancers that resist other treatments. A form of personalized medicine, CAR-T is saving lives like that of single parent Camille Leahy, diagnosed in 2020 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Her cancer returned after chemotherapy,...
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"I'm still here." Living with multiple myeloma for 12 years
"I'm an example of what can be done for someone with multiple myeloma," says David Johnson, of B.C., first diagnosed with the disease in 2012 in his early 50s. Having had 2 relapses, 2 stem cell transplants, and participated in a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy, David is in remission today....
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Graft vs Host Disease (GvHD): Lived experience + medical expertise
Graft vs Host Disease, known as GvHD, is a side effect of a life-saving procedure. People who undergo an allogeneic stem cell transplant - where a donor's stem cells are transplanted into the recipient - can experience either acute or chronic GvHD. Listen to blood cancer survivor Libby Goszer who...
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Lending an ear, with heart: Personalized support at any time in a blood cancer experience
It may be the first time you've talked about your blood cancer, since your diagnosis, with anyone outside immediate family, or it may be after years of living with cancer... Either way, the LLSC community services lead in your region is ready to listen and support you in any way you need.…
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Psychosocial care for kids, teens and their parents going through blood cancer
Tziona Lugasi, clinical psychologist in the hemato-oncology department at CHU Sainte-Justine, talks about the impact of cancer on children, teens and their parents, and the transition from pediatric care to adult health care. Are you a parent of a child with a blood cancer? Find more resources on...
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Chronic anxiety: Mothering a toddler with acute myeloid leukemia
Maura C. had recently returned to work after maternity leave when her daughter, then 15 months old, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and immediately admitted to the oncology ward. “This is a nightmare I’m not waking up from,” Maura thought over the 5 months her toddler was in the...
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'Getting my husband back': A caregiver's story
The emotional cost of caregiving when a loved one has a blood cancer is no small matter – as Saskatchewan’s Lori Galbraith can attest. The mother of four was the caregiver of her husband Jim, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and underwent a stem cell transplant. “The hardest…
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Palliative approach to care: Healthcare experts
The term, “palliative approach to care” refers to a person-centered, holistic approach including emotional, spiritual, social and psychological care, offered by a larger team of healthcare professionals (beyond doctors and nurses) and introduced earlier in a cancer experience for full integration...
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Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): Researcher interview
Researchers are focused on maintaining an excellent cure rate in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and minimizing some of the treatment individuals receive – reduce the number of cycles of chemotherapy or avoid radiation, and looking at new drugs to improve the cure rate for others with…
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Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): A Conversation with Dr. Rena Buckstein
Dr. Rena Buckstein from Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto shares the basics of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) diagnosis, treatment, and side effects. In Canada, it is estimated that up to 5,900 new cases of MDS are diagnosed each year - most often in older adults. There are two main types of MDS:...
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Follicular Lymphoma: Conversation with Mayra Husic
Mayra Husic shares her experience with Follicular Lymphoma.
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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment options: A conversation with Dr. Philip Kuruvilla
Dr. Philip Kuruvilla, hematologist-oncologist at the William Osler Health Centre at the Brampton Civic Hospital in Brampton, Ontario talks about chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): Current treatment options, potential side effects and how to manage those side effects. CLL is the most common type…
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Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) maintenance therapy: A conversation with Dr. Tobias Berg
Dr. Tobias Berg, an associate professor and researcher from McMaster University explains maintenance therapy as a treatment option for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the factors that influence the decision to start this type of treatment. Maintenance therapy is treatment given after the first...
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Tom's Myelodysplastic Syndrome Experience
What started as a normal trip to the cottage ended up leading Tom to take a trip to the hospital- where he was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. Tom shares his blood cancer experience and how learning about his diagnosis, staying positive, and staying active are what helped him through the...
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Building Bridges: Caring for Patients in Indigenous Communities
Rachel Sutherland is an Indigenous Patient Navigator at the London Regional Cancer Program and Dr. Samantha Boshart is a Family Physician who is also the Regional Indigenous Cancer Lead for the Southwest Regional Cancer Program. In this podcast, both experts discuss the unique challenges...
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Beyond Childhood Cancer: a Conversation With Alyssa
Alyssa Brandone was 11 years old when she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. In this podcast episode, Alyssa shares her experience with a pediatric blood cancer and how the support of her family and friends helped her overcome the challenges of integrating back into “normal” life after...
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Brain Fog and Work: A Conversation with Sukant
In this episode of our AYA podcast series, Sukant Sharma shares his experience balancing work, side effects, and his personal life after being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
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Preparing for Treatment with Shae-Lynn
After being diagnosed with leukemia at 21 years old, Shae-Lynn Way shares her experience with shifting her mindset while preparing for a second stem cell transplant after her leukemia returned.
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The Power of Perspective: Michelle Burleigh's Experience with APL
Originally thought to be a locked muscle from exercise, Michelle Burleigh shockingly discovered that she had a rare form of Acute Leukemia. In this podcast, Michelle recounts her experience being diagnosed with APL, revealing how her sudden diagnosis taught her about finding perspective, slowing...
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Life After Cancer: Young adult survivor talks about having a love life after cancer
Blood cancer survivor Meredith, 26, talks about her love life after stage 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma. She was diagnosed at age 18 and in university. A love life can be positively or negatively affected if one of the partners is diagnosed with cancer. Meeting a new partner following the disease could…
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Life After Cancer: Survivor talks about relearning to live his life
Eric Pesarchuk, 36, survivor of B-cell lymphoma diagnosed in 2021 who underwent 2 spinal surgeries, 11 rounds of radiation and 5 months of chemotherapy. He had to learn to walk again - and today is in remission. He lives with wife, their 5 year old daughter, in British Columbia. Being affected by...
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Fear of Recurrence: Coping strategies and tips shared by an oncology nurse
Jacqueline Galica an oncology-certified Registered Nurse with over 20 years of experience in oncology. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Queen’s University School of Nursing, where her research program focuses on the psychosocial concerns – including fears of cancer recurrence - of...
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Life After Cancer: A Conversation on Survivor's Guilt with Grace
It was a surgery for a rare congenital heart defect that lead Grace's doctors to shockingly discovered her stage II Hodgkin's Lymphoma. In this episode of the AYA podcast series, Grace discuss the realities of isolation and survivor's guilt that come with achieving remission after a blood cancer...
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Here to Help: How LLSC community service leads support people affected by a blood cancer
Join Charlotte Hall-Coates and Natasha Sani as they discuss the role of a Community Services Lead in providing personalized support to those in the blood cancer community. In this podcast, Charlotte and Natasha highlight the individualized support available to you through the Community Services...
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Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: A Conversation with Lindsay Thompson
It was an ordinary bump on the elbow that wouldn't heal that led Lindsay Thompson to her doctor. The eventual diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) came as a complete surprise. Lindsay shares how she found strength in support from her family and coworkers to help her through her...
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The next generation of blood cancer researchers
In this podcast you'll meet two members of the McMaster SynBio team, a student-led research team that hopes their research will improve treatments for B-cell lymphoma. The team is working on a method that they hope will ultimately kill the cells responsible for B-cell lymphoma while leaving…
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Al Pritchard shares his experience with a rare lymphoma
When Al Pritchard learned that he had anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), he told himself that cancer was not going to take anything from him. Taking control meant not only sharing his diagnosis with family and friends, but also with his work community. The support he received showed him that…
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Karen Williamson share her stem cell transplant experience
Karen Williamson was feeling well and looking forward to a trip to Europe so it was a shock when she was diagnosed with leukemia. She spent many months in the hospital being treated for the disease. Early on, her medical team told her she would need a stem cell transplant. Karen says the process...
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Ron Ternoway learns and lives with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
When Ron Ternoway was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), he did what he has always done when faced with an unfamiliar topic. He tracked down as much information as he could so he could be a full partner is his treatment. "My way of freaking out when I…
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Eric Pitters - CLL Watch and Wait
It's not at all surprising that when Eric Pitters was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) he told his doctor, "I've got a cancer and I want it treated now." However, his doctor explained that it would be best to use an approach called Watch & Wait. Several studies have shown that...
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Diagnosis and treatment of hairy cell leukemia: Brent Kirchner shares his story
Brent Kirchner returned from an afternoon at the local pool not feeling well and thinking he was coming down with the flu. As his symptoms worsened, he ended up in the hospital and in an induced coma to help clear his lungs of fluid. Brent was eventually diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia, a type...
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Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN): Progress in treatment
In the last 10 years, there have been many advancements in the treatment of MPNs. In combination with a better overall understanding of its causes and what contributes to its progression, Dr. Dawn Maze says it is a very "exciting" time in the treatment of MPNs. In this episode, Dr. Maze, a...
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Understanding a diagnosis of lymphoma and what's to come with Dr. Mary-Margaret Keating
When she was a first-year resident, Dr. Mary-Margaret Keating's grandfather was diagnosed with a fast-growing lymphoma. At the time, she was unable to answer many questions from her family. It made her more interested in trying to understand the disease and was one of the factors that influenced...
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What I learned from my AML experience: Sarah Robertson shares her story
While her experience with an aggressive form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was filled with uncertainty - waiting for a diagnosis, not knowing the effects of chemotherapy, undergoing a stem cell transplant - Sarah Robertson says she learned some important lessons. She discovered she had an...
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Darren Bessette explains how "revolutionary" treatment used to treat his DLBCL
When Darren Bessette was re-diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in 2019, it was more difficult to treat. Darren says he was fortunate to get access to a "revolutionary" new treatment through a clinical trial. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a way to get immune...
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Embracing fear and courage: Jeanette Castillo shares her Ph+ ALL experience
When she was diagnosed with Philadelphia positive acute ALL (PH+ ALL) in 2007, Jeanette Castillo leaned heavily on her healthcare background to cope. Having seen many people go through their own health challenges with a hopeful perspective, she adopted a similar attitude. Now 14 years post-stem...
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Living with a blood cancer and staying safe as COVID restrictions lifted
The lifting of many COVID restrictions across Canada may leave people living with a blood cancer feeling anxious and uncertain. However, Dr. Gerard Farrel, a GP from Newfoundland, says the best approach is to keep doing what you've been doing for the past 2 years for at least the next 2 months.…
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Blood cancer survivor Doug: 20 years after diagnosis
Ever since he was diagnosed with myelofibrosis 20 years ago, Doug Chisolm has tried to live every day to the fullest, even spending all his retirement savings and having to start saving again. In this episode, Doug speaks about the ups and downs of his blood cancer experience, why he thinks it's...
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Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Conversation with Gail Whiteford
Gail Whiteford returned from a 2014 hiking trip in Japan and Australia, visited her doctor for her annual physical, and was shocked to, soon after, be diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). In this episode, Gail shares her treatment experience and some of the important lessons she has...
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Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Conversation with Andy Friedman
Andy Friedman returned to Ontario from BC’s Gabriola Island with a plan to spend more time with his grandchildren. What he did not plan on was a chronic lymphocytic leukemia diagnosis. In this episode, Andy talks about the good and bad of his post-diagnosis life, including his experience with…
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Acute myeloid leukemia: A conversation with Lois Lewis
When Lois Lewis was diagnosed with AML in 2010, she had just retired from a career filled with music - as a music therapist, music teacher and leader of an intergenerational choir. Lois shares her cancer experience, which, not surprisingly, included the Gaelic version of the song Auld Lang Syne.
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Multiple Myeloma – A Conversation with Patrick Alexander
Just a few days before Christmas in 2010, Patrick Alexander, an LLSC First Connection volunteer from Vancouver, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He talks to us about his experience with his diagnosis, treatment and how it changed his view on life.
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The Latest in Myeloma Treatment
Dr. Ismail Sharif, an assistant professor at Dalhousie University and with the department of hematology, provides an overview of Myeloma: its causes, current treatment options and what the future holds for Myeloma treatments.
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Blood cancer in youth and physical activity
This podcast is for parents of children with blood cancer, as well as teenagers and young adults affected by this type of cancer. During and after cancer, physical activity is essential for young people. It can speed up their recovery, improve their overall health and help them cope with…
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Living with Polycythemia vera – A Conversation with Joanne McKinley
Joanne was diagnosed with Polycythemia vera in 2012. She shares her experience with her diagnosis, the support she received from local groups and how it has changed her life.
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Too Young for Cancer - A conversation with Max Parrot
In this episode, Max Parrot, professional Canadian snowboarder, an Olympic silver medalist and an eight-time X Games champion, speaks candidly about his blood cancer experience and its impact on his life and career. Max explains why he felt like "a lion in a cage" throughout treatment, and lets...
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No one left behind on the sad train – A conversation with Cynthia
In this special AYA episode, Montana Skurka and NHL survivor Cynthia Ghosen discuss the power of positive thinking, staying optimistic, and how goal setting can help you through treatment. Cynthia also shares how family and friends played a key role in her recovery and how her cancer experience…
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One in a million –A conversation with Amanda
In this special AYA episode, guest host Montana Skurka connects with Amanda Saunders, who 13 months after having a heart transplant was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). The two discuss what life is like living with a rare blood cancer while completing university...
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Can’t come to swim practice... I have cancer – A Conversation with Cole
In this special AYA episode, guest host Montana Skurka connects with Cole Myers. When Cole was 16 he went from competing in triathlons to being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. The two discuss diagnosis, relapse, and the silver-lining that come from their experiences.
About this show
A podcast by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. This podcast is produced for people affected by a blood cancer. We will speak to experts about current topics such as treatments, diagnosis, and research. We will also hear personal stories from people affected by a blood cancer. Please note that this podcast should not be taken as medical advice.
Hosted by
LLSC