This is Cancer

Finding Purpose and “Presents”: Travis on Living His Best Life with Metastatic Cancer

Travis, a patient with metastatic bladder cancer, has discovered new meaning in life since learning his cancer was incurable. The 50-year-old shares a perspective that left hosts Laura and Patrick speechless — and nearly everyone in tears. Travis credits his WashU Medicine oncologist, Melissa Reimers, MD, for focusing on his treatment so he can focus on “living his best life” — including by dressing up as Santa to bring joy to kids diagnosed with cancer. Travis and Dr. Reimers’  uplifting relationship and Travis’s unique approach to the season remind us of the unexpected gifts found even during life’s most challenging times.   “This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio [https://www.spot.studio/] in St. Louis, MO.   For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to: www.UncleTravisSantaClaus.com [http://www.uncletravissantaclaus.com]

The New Era of Breast Cancer Detection and Treatment

Join us as we sit down with three leading experts from Siteman Cancer Center: a breast surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a breast imaging radiologist. Together, they reveal the cutting-edge advancements in breast cancer detection and treatment—straight from the front lines of research and patient care.   From groundbreaking imaging technologies and recommendations on assessing a woman’s risk to surgical techniques and therapies, learn what’s changing in breast cancer care and what is on the horizon.    “This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio [https://www.spot.studio/] in St. Louis, MO.   For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to: https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/empoweringmbc/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/empoweringmbc/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/metastatic-breast-cancer-support-group/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/metastatic-breast-cancer-support-group/]  https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/mammography/locations/mammography-van/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/mammography/locations/mammography-van/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/mammography/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/mammography/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/breast-cancer/clinical-trials/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/breast-cancer/clinical-trials/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/ydr/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/ydr/]

A Novel Life: Writing New Chapters After a Childhood Cancer Diagnosis

It’s hard not to compare Jenna’s life story to a novel. At age 15, she and her world were upended by lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. As words like biopsy, chemo and radiation therapy became daily realities, her high school sweetheart, Colton, remained steadfast at her side, and her mother, Theresa, meticulously advocated for her care. Even after a relapse, Jenna was inspired by her  oncology team at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to stay the course.   Motivated by her care providers, Jenna later pursued a career of her own in nursing, married Colton and, after giving birth to a daughter and a son, became a nurse in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – again inspired by the care providers in her life. This episode features Jenna alongside her mother, Theresa, her WashU Medicine pediatric oncologist, David Wilson, MD, and nurse practitioner Debra Spoljaric, RN, MSNP, who leads Siteman Cancer Center’s Lifelong Outcomes Clinic for survivors of childhood cancer. Jenna shares examples of courage, resilience and love — and the promise of a storybook ending.   “This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio [https://www.spot.studio/] in St. Louis, MO.   For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to: https://siteman.wustl.edu/patients/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/patients/] https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/oncology-services/why-choose-us [https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/oncology-services/why-choose-us] https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/] https://fertility.wustl.edu/treatments-services/integrated-care-fertility-preservation-progra [https://fertility.wustl.edu/treatments-services/integrated-care-fertility-preservation-program/] m/ [https://fertility.wustl.edu/treatments-services/integrated-care-fertility-preservation-program/] https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/oncology-services/proton-beam-therapy [https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/oncology-services/proton-beam-therapy] https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/oncology-services/cancer-support [https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/oncology-services/cancer-support]

Parenting Through Cancer: Less Perfection, More Connection

When you're diagnosed with cancer, everything changes — except your kids still need dinner, stories, clean clothes and someone to kiss them goodnight. In this episode, Faith shares how she and her husband navigated her stage 4 cancer diagnosis while raising two young daughters. With support from her care team and community, they worked to keep routines steady, emotions honest, and hope alive. Joined by WashU Medicine gynecologic oncologist Andrea Hagemann, MD, and WashU Medicine clinical psychologist Amaris Tippey, PhD, we explore the emotional toll of parenting through illness, the power of honest conversations with kids, and how love, support and boundaries can carry a family through the unimaginable. This is an episode about resilience, community and the kind of strength that grows in the hardest places.   “This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio [https://www.spot.studio/] in St. Louis, MO.   For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to: https://siteman.wustl.edu/patients/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/patients/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/social-work-services/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/social-work-services/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/siteman-psychology-service/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/siteman-psychology-service/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/support-groups-at-siteman/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/support-groups-at-siteman/]

10 Minutes at a Time: Coping with the Unexpected Side of Chemo

At 31, Colin was healthy and active — until a sudden cough and trouble breathing led to a diagnosis that would change everything: a rare form of cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Having faced a grueling regimen of cancer treatment, Colin opens up about the harsh realities of side effects. Brain fog, nausea, weakness, smell sensitivity —side effects  impacted every aspect of life.  WashU Medicine medical oncologist Armin Ghobadi, MD, who has personally invested in researching and developing new treatments for blood cancers, joins the conversation. He offers expert insight into the challenges of intensive cancer treatments and how patients need to speak up about their symptoms so their team can navigate it with them. Together, they aim to bring hope, reassurance and practical advice to anyone feeling overwhelmed or worn down on their own path through cancer treatment.   “This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio [https://www.spot.studio/] in St. Louis, MO.   For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to: https://siteman.wustl.edu/patients/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/patients/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/leukemia/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/leukemia/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/leukemia/treatments/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/leukemia/treatments/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/] https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/specialized-programs/stem-cell-transplant-and-cellular-therapies-center/ [https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/specialized-programs/stem-cell-transplant-and-cellular-therapies-center/]   Episode 18: Mind over Cancer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upUUDxVcRfs&list=PLAvCzAIAfHmEnRXa3ov9K1gdC8_tLJrRE&index=32 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upUUDxVcRfs&list=PLAvCzAIAfHmEnRXa3ov9K1gdC8_tLJrRE&index=32] Bonus Episode: Differentiating Leukemia and Lymphoma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KV5dkOGo1s&list=PLAvCzAIAfHmEnRXa3ov9K1gdC8_tLJrRE&index=47 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KV5dkOGo1s&list=PLAvCzAIAfHmEnRXa3ov9K1gdC8_tLJrRE&index=47]