Season 1
Dec. 21, 2021
Five Things to Say
The topic of cancer is sensitive, and because of this, people often face difficulty addressing it with cancer patients or people experiencing cancer symptoms. This episode provides listeners with a variety of responses to th…
Dec. 7, 2021
Sisters and Brothers Chime In On Cancer
When a young person has cancer, in reality, the whole family ‘has’ cancer. We invited siblings to share their experience when their sister or brother was diagnosed and underwent treatment. The siblings explore: Who does the …
Nov. 16, 2021
First Cancer, Now Avascular Necrosis?!?
Avascular necrosis (AVN) causes pain in the joints (mainly the weigh-bearing joints of the legs) and is associated with chemotherapy and steroid use during cancer treatment. The chronic pain connected with AVN can greatly i…
Nov. 2, 2021
Diagnosis Stories
For each young adult diagnosed with cancer, a doctor speaks a few words and a new chapter in life begins. This collection of stories captures the similarities and differences in young adults’ experiences leading up to diagno…
Oct. 19, 2021
What’s Cancer Got To Do With Fertility and Fertility Preservation?
When faced with a cancer diagnosis as a young adult, the last thing you expect is to make a quick decision about sperm-banking or egg preservation. After treatment ends and the dust begins to settle, you’re faced with questi…
Oct. 5, 2021
Guys Respond: Hair
What is hair loss due to cancer treatment like for guys? Three guys weigh in about hair in response to the Women Talking Hair podcast episode. For two of these young men, their hair didn’t come back the same as before trea…
Sept. 21, 2021
The Psychology of Survival with psychologist, Dr. George Blackall and survivorship social worker, Sara Merrill
The Life on Pause crew chats with Dr. Blackall and Sara about the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis. How does a young adult navigate the emotional territory of mortality, fear, anxiety and survivor’s guilt? How do I do …
Sept. 7, 2021
Scar Stories: Markers of Cancer Survivors
Whether small or large, physical scars often mark the bodies of cancer survivors. In this episode, the Life on Pause crew shares stories of moving through the world with a body and spirit transformed by the experience of can…
Aug. 24, 2021
Young Women Talking Hair
A group of young women discuss how hair loss as part of their cancer treatment affected their life and identity. The group ranges in age and experience from the early teenage years to the late twenties, middle and high schoo…
Aug. 10, 2021
Milestones: Graduation
What happens to the usual milestones like graduation when you throw cancer into the mix? Seven 2021 graduates reflect on cancer’s impact on this milestone—some of the graduates were treated as young children and others more…
July 20, 2021
Ewings Sarcoma
What is Ewings Sarcoma? In this episode, three young adults describe it from the inside out while Dr. Joe Drabick provides the medical description. Special thanks to University of Florida for partnering with Penn State Hea…
July 6, 2021
You’re Stronger Than You Believe: Reflections on Limb Loss
Four young adults with amputations due to their cancer treatment reflect on their experience. They share what it was like to come to terms with the limb loss, adapting to the new reality, interacting with the public and much…
June 15, 2021
Between Two Kingdoms Discussion
You finish cancer treatment and then what? Suleika Jaouad's memoir, Between Two Kingdoms, beautifully captures the young adult cancer experience. Traveling through diagnosis to discovering and creating a life after treatment…
June 1, 2021
Twenty Years Later
What is life like twenty years after a cancer diagnosis? Does life ever return to ‘normal’? The Life on Pause crew talks with three different cancer survivors, who are twenty years post-diagnosis. Does scanxiety ever go a…
May 18, 2021
The Boot Camp of Bone Marrow Transplant
A bone marrow transplant can be life-saving and changing for some oncological and non-oncological conditions. Terry Shapiro, CRNP, with 30 plus years of experience, talks with four young adults about their experience with t…
May 4, 2021
Social Media: The Public Side of Cancer
What to post? What to share? Social media can be tricky enough without a cancer diagnosis. Listen in as Sarah Daniels, AYA Child Life specialist and social media researcher from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, facili…
April 20, 2021
Through Cancer with Video Games
How do you continue to connect to friends, keep your mind engaged and yet distracted from dark thoughts and pass the time in the infusion room? Through video gaming, of course. Three teens share their cancer experience and…
April 6, 2021
Overcoming the impact of cancer treatment with exercise
Cancer treatment impacts greatly impacts the physical treatment. This podcast begins with young adults sharing their experiences of physical deconditioning, regaining strength and exercises role in helping cope with cancer.…
March 16, 2021
Body image and how it is impacted during cancer treatment
Joined by Julie Larson, clinical social worker with a focus on cancer patients, the Life on Pause crew discusses cancer’s impact on body image. From the moon face from steroids, hair and limb loss to changes in body capabili…
March 2, 2021
Pets as Medicine
Furry friends offer a lot in the way of medicine and therapy during cancer treatment. In this episode, young adults talk with Karen Casto of Canine Assistants about the role of animals as supports during cancer. From pure en…
Feb. 16, 2021
Emily's story from diagnosis to life afterwards
Listen in to Emily’s story as she walks us through her cancer diagnosis which isn’t a straightforward one and done diagnosis. She also describes her experience with anti-mnda receptor encephalitis, life in a rehab hospital…
Feb. 2, 2021
The Unmentionables
This episode, the young adults talk about some of the ‘unmentionable’ parts of the cancer experience. Join them as they discuss using a humor (including a dark sense of humor), pulling the cancer card, ‘cancer perks’, body f…
Jan. 19, 2021
College and Cancer
In this episode, Life on Pause talks with Marcus about his experience with cancer and college. How do you attend college with a compromised immune system? What is studying like with the effects of chemo? Should I use accommo…
Jan. 5, 2021
The Teen vs Young Adult Cancer Experience
This week the group discusses what parts of their lives were put on pause when they received their cancer diagnoses. From friendships, to college and careers, to the stepping stones of life, the group reflects on how they fa…