Turning Pain into Purpose: The Power of Sharing Your Story with Dustin Hawes

Turning Pain into Purpose: The Power of Sharing Your Story with Dustin Hawes

In this episode, we are joined by Dustin Hawes, the Senior Social Media Specialist for the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. In his role, Dustin is passionate about sharing the stories of cancer patients, caregivers, and researchers to build a supportive and informed online community. We recorded this interview last year, shortly after Dustin created a beautiful social media feature documenting our own medical journey. Today, we are sharing this conversation to discuss the practical and emotional impacts of storytelling in healthcare. Dustin explores why patients choose to share their most vulnerable health journeys, how social media can amplify these stories to drive real action, and how externalizing our experiences can help us find purpose. Whether you are ready to share your own story or learning how to hold space for someone else's, this episode provides a grounded look at how sharing our experiences helps both the speaker and the listener. In this episode, we cover: * The Power of Narrative: Why shaping our medical journey into a cohesive story is a key part of the healing process. * Vulnerability in Healthcare: Dustin shares firsthand insights on the impact of storytelling and why patients choose to share their experiences. * Finding Your Throughline: How to identify the central message of your experience when you are ready to speak out. * How to Be a Great Listener: We break down Brené Brown’s core teachings on empathy, including how to avoid an "empathy miss" when supporting a loved one. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: * Coming Soon... As I hinted at in this episode, we are putting the finishing touches on a project designed to help patients and caregivers. Make sure you are subscribed to the podcast so you don't miss the official launch announcement!  * Brené Brown on Empathy: Watch the powerful animated short about how to truly show up for someone in pain: https://youtu.be/1Evwgu369Jw?si=HfXIjokpRO61YeO1 [https://youtu.be/1Evwgu369Jw?si=HfXIjokpRO61YeO1] * The Knight Cancer Institute Feature: Check out the beautiful social media feature Dustin created about our journey: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIzOpFtzpPh/ [https://www.instagram.com/p/DIzOpFtzpPh/] Connect with Us: We would love to hear how this episode resonated with you.  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help other caregivers find this community or use the "Text Us" feature in your podcast app to share a piece of your story with us. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2393355/fan_mail/new]

The Math of a Miracle: Our Full Cancer Journey (From Diagnosis to Remission)

What do you do when you’re facing a medical mountain that feels impossible to climb? After a rare Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia (MPAL) diagnosis, a bone marrow transplant, and an unexpected relapse, we learned what it truly means to hold onto hope. Against all odds—by the grace of God, the brilliance of our medical team, and a selfless donor from Germany—Thomas' new immune system fought off the cancer, and we just celebrated his one-year milestone in sustained remission! In this episode, we are sharing our story from diagnosis to today. This isn't just a story about surviving—it’s a story about being a steward of a second chance. We discuss the overwhelming gratitude we feel for the doctors and nurses at OHSU and the Bend Cancer Center, the anchor of our faith, the prayers of our community, and the incredible gift of our donor, who changed everything. By exploring the science of Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), we share how we worked to keep our hearts focused on hope during the darkest hours, and why guarding your mindset is a vital part of the healing process. 📺 Watch the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/BfHTecVzVRE [https://youtu.be/BfHTecVzVRE] (We share some special visuals and photos, so head over to YouTube if you'd like to see them!) In This Episode, We Share: * The Smallest Beginnings: How a simple finger cut led to a diagnosis that changed our lives overnight, and the humor we found in being a "medical advocate." * A Debt of Gratitude: Honoring the medical teams and our donor, who bridged the gap when it mattered most. * The Logistics of a Miracle: The scary reality of rapidly stopping anti-rejection meds to fight the cancer, and the suspense of getting donor cells across the world. * The Science of Hope: A look at how shifting from fear to hope physically supports the body's natural ability to heal. * The Gandalf Perspective: Why the ultimate goal isn't just avoiding "bad math," but deciding what to do with the time we are given. Resources Mentioned: * Podcast: Blood Cancer United * Quote: When Calls the Heart (Hallmark Channel) * The Gandalf Quote: J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrainitonpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thebrainitonpodcast] 📱 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thebrainitonpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@thebrainitonpodcast] 🎥 If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share this episode with someone who is navigating a hard season. ❤️ Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2393355/fan_mail/new]

Julie’s Legacy: The Science of Living Fully (Plus: Thomas is in Remission!)

How do you choose to "Live Fully" when facing a terminal diagnosis? Today, we’re sharing the powerful story of Thomas’ mom, Julie, and the "qualitative research" we did to capture her spirit for her memorial bench in Drake Park. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: See the photos of Thomas' mom Julie, our new memorial bench, and the "Honorary RN" ceremony mentioned in this episode here: https://youtu.be/AWjKiECkPbE  [https://youtu.be/AWjKiECkPbE ] Julie was an intuitive master of resilience. We break down the brain science behind her philosophy—Live Fully, Laugh Often, Love Always—and show how these weren't just nice sentiments, but survival strategies that helped her outlive her prognosis by nearly a year. IN THIS EPISODE: * The Memorial Bench: The challenge of summarizing a life in three lines. * Live Fully: Why doing the action first (Behavioral Activation) creates the feeling of hope. * Laugh Often: The "Broaden-and-Build" theory and how humor chemically undoes the effects of stress. * Love Always: The Stanford Forgiveness Project and the physiological health benefits of letting go. * Marigold’s Great Adventure: A tribute to the children’s book Julie wrote 10 days before she passed. RESOURCES: Check out Julie's book, Marigold’s Great Adventure, and download free coloring pages at:https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/marigolds-adventure [https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/marigolds-adventure] HUGE HEALTH UPDATE: Thomas has reached his 1-year milestone and is officially in sustained CNS remission! 🎉 Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrainitonpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thebrainitonpodcast] 📱Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thebrainitonpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@thebrainitonpodcast]🎥 If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share this episode with someone who's navigating a hard season. ❤️ Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2393355/fan_mail/new]

The Holiday Spirit: When Grief and Joy Sit at the Same Table

How do you find "The Most Wonderful Time of Year" when you’re facing your hardest days? 📺 Watch the full video version on YouTube [https://youtu.be/aPk8j4gjx_s?si=XrHFdMtCmTTUEz-9]: https://youtu.be/aPk8j4gjx_s?si=XrHFdMtCmTTUEz-9  In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about reclaiming the holiday spirit while navigating cancer, hospital stays, and grief. Whether you’re spending the holidays in a hospital room or managing the heavy waves of loss at home, we share practical ways to brighten your environment and strategies for holding space for both sorrow and celebration. We truly believe you don’t have to choose between grief and joy—there is room at the table for both. What we discuss in this episode: * Navigating the "Grief Wave": Practical strategies for when the holidays feel heavy or unexpected emotions surface. * Hospital Holiday Hacks: How simple things like battery-powered lights and cozy blankets can transform a clinical space. * The Power of Dressing Up: Why wearing something festive—even in a hospital room—is a powerful tool for mental resilience. * Connecting with Care Teams: Small ways to share the spirit with your nurses and doctors. * Safe Celebrations: How to stay connected to your community while prioritizing your health. Key Takeaways: * Reclaiming the holiday spirit is an active choice, not a location. * It is okay to hold space for both grief and celebration at the same time. * Small, simple moments of "festive resilience" can change your entire outlook. * You are not alone—we are walking this path with you. Resources & Mentions:  * Blood Cancer United Interview 🩸: https://youtu.be/ek-O6hNKKXc?si=mJypgj5D7YA3F4n0 [https://youtu.be/ek-O6hNKKXc?si=mJypgj5D7YA3F4n0] * Heated Seats for Outdoors: https://a.co/d/8yfGOA3 [https://a.co/d/8yfGOA3] * Colorful KN95s 😷: https://a.co/d/18EGLf9 [https://a.co/d/18EGLf9] * Warm Christmas Jazz 🎄: https://youtu.be/CPFutAYDBTI?si=P9n9vrrDgi4rlcEs [https://youtu.be/CPFutAYDBTI?si=P9n9vrrDgi4rlcEs] * Instrumental Christmas Fireplace Ambience: https://youtu.be/qOb0aoWH8DA?si=sHhknTFyMxgKcKAw [https://youtu.be/qOb0aoWH8DA?si=sHhknTFyMxgKcKAw] * Tranquil Autumn Jazz: https://www.youtube.com/live/2G00EZsE_2w?si=ulBHzFlVPld1TNm- [https://www.youtube.com/live/2G00EZsE_2w?si=ulBHzFlVPld1TNm-] * Haunted Pumpkin Porch Ambience 🎃: https://youtu.be/Mq-RRyha5Ag?si=_wS7DuK4Z1ZhyJsv [https://youtu.be/Mq-RRyha5Ag?si=_wS7DuK4Z1ZhyJsv] Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrainitonpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thebrainitonpodcast] 📱Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thebrainitonpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@thebrainitonpodcast] 🎥 If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share this episode with someone who's navigating a hard season. ❤️ #HospitalHolidays #CancerJourney #GriefSupport #HolidayHacks #BrainItOn #MentalHealth #FindingJoy #Resilience Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2393355/fan_mail/new]

Navigating Grief and Choosing Love

In this episode, Lindsey shares her personal journey through grief following the loss of her mother-in-law, Julie, who passed away from pancreatic cancer. She discusses the complexities of grief, emphasizing that it encompasses more than just the loss of a loved one. The conversation explores the importance of vulnerability, the necessity of grieving, and the process of finding meaning in loss. Lindsey also highlights the support she and her family have received, the role of faith in their healing, and practical strategies for coping with grief. Ultimately, the episode serves as a reminder that while grief is painful, it is also a testament to the love shared with those who have passed. Key Learnings: * Grief is proof of our love. * The only cure for grief is to grieve. * Love changes its address. * God is close to the brokenhearted. * Grief is normal, natural, and necessary. * Finding meaning is a continuous process. Connect with us on Instagram @thebrainitonpodcast 📱and subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@thebrainitonpodcast] for videos and behind-the-scenes content! 🎥  If this episode helped you, please leave us a review and share it with someone who's navigating a hard season. ❤️ Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2393355/fan_mail/new]