The Deep C

This conversation spans the epic journey of Shara and her wife Karen navigating their son's stage IV osteosarcoma diagnosis while immigrating to Canada. Friends from childhood, Shara and Karen grew up together in the Philippines. Their paths went in different directions, Shara to Canada where she’s a nurse, and Karen to becoming a psychologist, marrying and becoming a mother. Years later, when Karen was a single mom to Tim, still in the Philippines, she reconnected with Shara, and it didn’t take long for these lifelong friends to realize there was more to their connection. They fell in love, and you’ll hear Shara say, falling in love with Karen also meant falling in love with Tim, who was 7 at the time they reconnected.As many families who are immigrating do, Karen immigrated to Canada first to be with Shara while they worked endlessly to get Tim’s paperwork approved so he could join them. It was one day over a FaceTime call that Tim told his moms that he banged his knee and there was a sore lump. After tests and scans, Shara and Karen were told over facetime from the Philippines that their son had stage IV osteosarcoma. Like all of us, their lives were instantly fractured and they were forced to navigate treatment on the other side of the world.This conversation emphasizes the importance of hope, community support, and the unconditional love that drives parents to fight for their children's well-being. Shara's resilience and determination shine through as she recounts the struggles and triumphs of their journey, ultimately showcasing the power of love in overcoming adversity.

Today we sit down with author and oncology parent Laura DeKraker Lang Ree to chat about her new book, The Cancer Parent's Handbook - What Your Oncologist Doesn't Have Time to Tell You. Laura shares her journey as a cancer parent, discussing the emotional challenges and the importance of community support. She emphasizes the need for perspective, the role of knowledge in advocacy, and the power of gratitude in navigating the difficult times. The discussion highlights the unique experiences of parents in the cancer journey and the significance of shared stories and resources. In this conversation, Laura shares her journey as a parent navigating the complexities of childhood cancer, emphasizing the importance of self-care, family dynamics, and the need for community support. She discusses the challenges of post-treatment realities, the transformation that occurs after trauma, and the significance of survivorship care. Laura's insights aim to empower parents facing similar struggles, providing them with practical advice and emotional support.

In this conversation, Alisha and Sam delve into the emotional complexities of parenting twins diagnosed with cancer. They explore themes of self-doubt, the struggle between fear and maternal instinct, and the unique challenges faced by families dealing with multiple diagnoses. The discussion highlights the emotional toll on parents, the dynamics between siblings, and the coping mechanisms that emerge during and after treatment. Alisha shares her personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and connection in the healing process. Alisha and Sam discuss the duality of trauma and beauty experienced by siblings, the complexities of navigating life post-treatment, and the longing for the simplicity that comes with a singular focus during treatment. The conversation emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, connection, and the challenges of reintegrating into normal life after such a life-altering experience.

In today's conversation, Sarah Bailey shares her emotional journey as a single mother navigating the challenges of her daughter's leukemia diagnosis. The discussion covers her life before the diagnosis, the shock of receiving the news, the transition into a new reality, the importance of connection and support, and the complexities of parenting during treatment. Sarah emphasizes the loneliness of her experience and the significance of sharing her story to help others feel less isolated. Sarah discusses the overwhelming responsibilities of being both a medical parent and a regular parent, the emotional toll it takes, and the coping mechanisms she employs. The dialogue explores the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy, the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, and the healing power of nature and movement. Sam and Sarah discuss how nature serves as a metaphor for resilience and healing, the importance of self-care for parents, and the lessons learned through hiking. Sarah shares her journey of dedicating hikes to raise awareness for childhood cancer and the significance of supporting siblings of cancer patients. The conversation emphasizes the healing power of nature and the importance of community support.If you would like to follow along with Sarah and Bellamy's hikes, or have one dedicated to your child, you can reach out to Sarah on instagram at @bellamywillwin

Tristin's daughter Kinley was diagnosed with a malignant rhabdoid tumor at four months old, and nine weeks into treatment, were told Kinley's cancer was incurable. She passed at seven months old. In our conversation today, we explore the complexities of navigating personal relationships and conversations in the context of pediatric oncology. We discuss the emotional weight of sharing Kinley's story, the importance of community support, and the challenges of maintaining privacy regarding a child's diagnosis. Tristin shares her deeply personal journey through caregiving, navigating medical challenges, and the emotional complexities of grief after the loss of Kinley. The discussion highlights the importance of connection in caregiving, the impact of receiving a life-altering diagnosis, and the coping strategies that have helped her navigate her grief. Tristin also shares her journey of navigating motherhood after the loss of Kinley, the importance of having a supportive community, the connection she feels between her living children and Kinley, and the complexities of grief. Tristin emphasizes the need for bereaved parents to find connections with others who understand their experiences and the balance of living a heavy life while still finding joy.

In today’s episode, medical mom and mindset coach Cortney Given shares her experience as a “heart mom” to daughter Zola who was diagnosed with hypo plastic left heart syndrome during Cortney’s pregnancy, and required her first heart surgery when she was only 36 hours old. Cortney has since become a coach and leader in the medical parent community, supporting parents through their child’s diagnoses and complex needs with practical and well earned tools to help us hold our hope, and our fear. Cortney is also the host of the Mindset for Medical Moms podcast where she shares so many excellent stories and strategies for parents to make this journey more safe for our mental, physical and emotional health.You can find Cortney @cortneygiven and her podcast Mindset for Medical Moms everywhere you listen.

This conversation delves into the emotional and practical challenges faced by two mothers, Jenna and Alex, as they navigate their children's leukemia diagnoses. They share their experiences from the initial diagnosis to the ongoing treatment, highlighting the shock, fear, and isolation that accompany such a journey. The discussion emphasizes the importance of connection and support among parents in similar situations, illustrating how their friendship has provided strength and understanding during one of the most challenging times in their lives. In this heartfelt conversation, Sam, Alex, and Jenna explore the profound connections formed during the challenging journey of childhood cancer treatment. They discuss the anticipatory fears parents face, the importance of finding community, and the unexpected joys that can arise amidst the pain. The dialogue emphasizes the duality of experience, where sorrow and growth coexist, and highlights the significance of vulnerability in forging deep connections. As they share their stories, they reflect on the lessons learned and the hope that emerges from shared struggles, ultimately reinforcing the message that no one has to navigate this journey alone.

In this episode, host Sam Taylor and parent Nicole talk about all the unknowns that come up when your child is diagnosed with a rare cancer that doesn’t respond to all the traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. When Nicole’s son Hayden was 12 years old, he had a bad fall while snowboarding and complained of serious pain in his side that brought them to the hospital. After tests and ultrasounds, Nicole was told that Hayden’s fall had ruptured a15 centimetre tumor on his kidney, diagnosing him with a rare type of cancer called Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma, typically only found in men over the age of 50. Treatment for Hayden’s cancer was surgery to remove the tumor, and 3 month follow up scans to check for recurrence. Nicole and Sam talk about Hayden’s rare diagnosis, and how difficult it is to resume a “normal” life when the lingering fear of Hayden’s cancer returning is always present. With no other treatments to try to eradicate his cancer, Nicole talks about how she moves forward with so many unknowns. Sam and Nicole also talk about Hayden’s age, and how he is old enough to understand his cancer and have a lot of questions about it, in particular, asking if he is going to die. This conversation is so important for families who also have rare diagnoses, non traditional treatments and families whose kids are old enough to experience all the unknowns alongside their parents.

Julie Middleton, founder of Zippaport, shares her journey of her daughter's leukemia diagnosis and how it led to the creation of Zippaport, a charity that provides zippered shirts for kids port access. Our chat covers topics such as the challenges of treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of Zippaport on families, and the process of ordering and receiving shirts. Julie also opens up about her own experience as a cancer mom and emphasizes the importance of community and giving back, and how it can be a healing process for parents. Julie also talks about the challenges of hair loss during treatment and the feelings of shame and embarrassment it can bring. She shares her own experience and the impact it had on her daughter. Finally, Julie discusses her daughter's relapse and the roller coaster of emotions that come with it, as well as the importance of self-care and taking time for oneself during treatment.You can learn more about Julie and her incredible work, and order a shirt, at zippaport.ca