In this episode, we continue the conversation around neurodiversity and navigating a cancer diagnosis. 

My beautiful friend, Alissa Harris, joins me to talk about being part of the lost generation. We’re a group of people who went undiagnosed with ADHD (and often autism) until adulthood.

It’s not only ADHD we have in common, Alissa is a cancer survivor after going through treatment for thyroid cancer 15-years-ago. 

Alissa’s story will resonate with people who were diagnosed with ADHD as an adult! She was always drawn to high-pace, dopermine-inducing industries but found herself in a continual cycle of burn-out. 

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Alissa found herself at home with to-do lists but never got anything done. After decades of being busy, the slowness of lockdown uncovered a hidden part of herself. 

We talk about: 

• adult diagnosis of ADHD
• how ADHD impacts our executive function 
• making sense of your life when you're diagnosed with ADHD as an adult
• how cancer impacts the way we experience life. 

And more! 

Alissa is an LA-based ADHD coach who works with people to develop tools to thrive in life. 

Alissa’s links: 

https://www.alissa-harris.com/

Helen's links:

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The C-Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.

In today's episode, you'll be meeting one of my online friends, Denise Carter-Bennett (Ngāpuhi; Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei; Ngāti Hine), who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was eleven. 

Denise is autistic and has ADHD and has faced a lot of medical issues in the past few decades! Her cancer diagnosis at such a young age had a big impact on her, now in her 30s she still grapples with side effects. 

Denise shares how she has learned to advocate for herself with doctors and how she has learned to appreciate her body for all it has been through.

In this episode, we talked about:

• How to deal with medical information that contains a complex health history
• What is it like going through surgery, being diagnosed with cancer, having autism, and ADHD as a teenager
• The mental and physical trauma of pregnancy after cancer treatment
• Why it is important to have self and body appreciation after cancer; and

And more!

June is my cancerversary, my diagnosis with ADHD as an adult has been one of the most significant aspects of my post-treatment life! Over two episodes in June I'm talking to other people who have been through cancer diagnosis and are neurodivergent like I am. 

Helen's links:

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The C-Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.

• How differing cancer types, treatments, and experiences can be a learning moment for everyone.
• How sharing your cancer experience can help someone else
• How to move forward to be the best version of yourself and be confident in the decisions you are making

April’s Links:

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Helen's links:

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The C-Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.

In this episode, my guest shares her unique experience of cancer. 

Dr Liz O'Riordan was working as a consultant breast surgeon in 2015 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time. 

After decades of treating people with breast cancer, the doctor was now the patient and Liz realised how little she knew about the treatments and experience for breast cancer. 

Three years later cancer returned on her chest wall. She had both breasts removed which meant she couldn't move her left shoulder and was forced to retire. 

We cover: 

- what it is like going from doctor to patient 

- Losing your career and identity

- how little we are taught about menopause

And more! 

Liz’s links

Website https://liz.oriordan.co.uk/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/oriordanliz/

Helen's links:

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The C Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.

Today’s episode will be a continuation of our theme of dealing with cancer during the covid pandemic. It’s basically the two Cs no one wants. 

Amanda Wallace joins us from deep in the US mid-west, Idaho. She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019 after experiencing flu-like symptoms. At the time she was working at her local movie theatre but once she was diagnosed treatment happened almost instantly. 

Amanda had a recurrence in 2020 right in the middle of the pandemic. 

"And you're trying to figure out what normal is because it just doesn't seem to exist anymore." - Amanda

Going through cancer treatment is one thing, but going through it during a global pandemic? 

No one prepares you for that kind of situation. 

In this episode, we talked about:

What is it like going through a whirlwind of tests and scans for chemotherapy maintenance.

How to manage cancer recurrence and remission amid the pandemic.

The staggering effect chemotherapy has on the brain.

How cancer confronts people and reveals their true selves in relationships.

And why being a cancer patient is like being a fish in ‘Finding Nemo’... And more! 

Helen's links:

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The C-Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.

Cancer, Covid, and children are three C’s you never hope to experience at the same time. In this episode, Jessica Licata shares her experience of having a beautiful baby and being diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during the pandemic. 

Accessing healthcare as Covid ripped through Chicago was challenging, Jessica shares the lengths she went to in order to get a diagnosis. And why it’s important to learn how to advocate for yourself. 

In this episode, we talked about:

• The challenge of a cancer diagnosis during the Covid pandemic
• How do friendships or relationships dynamics change during and after a cancer diagnosis
• The different experiences of pregnancy after cancer remission
• What is the importance of having a support group as you battle cancer
• Why do you need to celebrate your cancer wins

And more! Check out the full episode. 

Helen's links:

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 The C Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.

Cancer can be a traumatic experience in both mind and body. Once treatment ends many of us struggle with the fear of reoccurrence. But what if happens when you discover that your cancer has returned?

Our guest for this episode is Olivia Clarke, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. At the end of 2021, her cancer returned.

Despite the challenges she faced in her life, she decided to find humor in her own little ways. This experience has also motivated her to form an online community where she helps people who are undergoing cancer treatment by raising money and awareness with her blog Humor Beats Cancer.

In this episode, we talked about:

• How do you move on after having cancer
• Why you don’t need to be as active as you were pre-cancer
• How does cancer affect our relationship with friends and family
• What is the importance of a therapist while dealing with cancer
• Is it possible to go back to your life pre-cancer

Resources and Links Mentioned In This Episode

Olivia Clarke:

Website:https://www.humorbeatscancer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humorbeatscancer/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/humorbeatscancer

Twitter: https://twitter.com/humorbeatcancer?lang=en

If you want to contribute or have any funny thing to share, reach out at editor@humorbeatscancer.com

What's the worst birthday present you've ever had? For New Yorker Jonny Puglia a shock diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer was not the gift he was expecting on his 30th birthday.

Fortunately, Jonny decided not to dwell on it and decided to face it with his humor. After battling stage IV colorectal cancer for years,  beating cancer not once but twice, he has now used his experience to help adults who are also affected by cancer with his blog Thrivr.

In this episode, we talked about:

- Living through cancer symptoms without the benefit of insurance

- Why mental health is just as important as chemotherapy

- How to properly use other people's experiences to help yours

- The importance of having someone come with you to doctor's appointments

- Why you shouldn't shy away from asking your doctor everything you need to know

Jonny's links:  Website

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Helen's links:

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  The C Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.