The Deep C

Marie shares her experience of being pregnant and giving birth while her son, Ezra, was undergoing treatment for leukemia. She discusses the common occurrence of parents having a baby during their child's treatment and the complex emotions that come with it. Marie also opens up about feeling jealous of families who have made it through unscathed and the challenges of caring for a child with a chronic condition post-treatment. She talks about the impact of graft versus host disease (GVHD) on Ezra and the ongoing management of his condition. Despite the difficulties, Marie remains resilient and focused on providing love and care for her children. In this conversation, Marie and Sam discuss the experience of being a parent of a child with cancer and the challenges they face during and after treatment. They reflect on the strength and resilience they have shown throughout their journey and the importance of self-love and self-care. They also discuss the power of advocacy and giving back to the cancer community. Marie highlights the need for more awareness and education around stem cell donation and blood donation. The conversation ends with a discussion about the ongoing journey of parenting a child with cancer and the hope for the future.

Curtis Vallier is a bereaved dad, a childhood cancer activist, and the podcast host of The Childhood Cancer Perspective where he provides a unique perspective on pediatric cancer from a father's point of view. In January 2020 when Curtis' daughter was six, she was diagnosed with Choroid Plexus Carcinoma Brain Cancer, which she passed from in July 2021. In our chat, Curtis discusses the lack of representation of fathers in the pediatric cancer community and the societal expectations that prevent them from expressing their emotions. Curtis left his job to focus on his nonprofit Battlecorn and his podcast, using the platform to share stories and connect with others in the community. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and raw emotion in his podcast, allowing guests to share their experiences without filters. Curtis shares his advocacy efforts to bring attention and funding to pediatric cancer research. He discusses his initial outreach to senators and representatives, the challenges of getting support, and the need to make the cause meaningful for politicians. Curtis emphasizes the importance of creating a tissue database in Wisconsin and utilizing the state's college system for research. He also talks about his persistence in advocating for change and his desire to see his daughter's name on research. Curtis reflects on the regrets and healing process after his daughter's passing and the different ways families cope with grief. Curtis discusses the impact of his organization's care packages and their investment in funding clinical trials for pediatric cancer drugs.

Leahann’s son was diagnosed with stage 3 nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkins lymphoma when he was 16yrs old. Like a lot of us, it’s so hard to talk about what this is all like during treatment, so we often find ourselves after our children are done frontline trying to make sense of what just happened. So many of our chats start here, and today’s is no exception.Leahann and I jump right in to how it felt the day she left the hospital after her son rang the bell, and how confusing it was. You’ll hear Leahann call it an “attack on her senses” and I couldn’t agree more. When you’re in treatment, your senses are operating at a whole other level. Everything is heightened and hyper vigilant, and we get so used to being in that state of adrenaline. As soon as Leahann left the hospital after the bell ringing, it was like her body was slowly shedding and loosening from this heightened state and for the first time since diagnosis, her nervous system was trying to regulate - and that felt strange and abrasive and foreign.This is such a great chat with an incredible mom who is SO easy to talk to, and feel calm and safe and warm beside. We shared a coffee during this chat, sitting at her table that made me feel so comfortable and seen and not alone. I invite you, wherever you are, whether it’s bedside with your child or sitting in a waiting room, or driving, or maybe you have a chance to be outside for a walk - wherever you are, to let yourself feel like you’re sitting with us and let yourself know that wherever you are in your child’s treatment, we’re right beside you.

Sandra’s son Isaiah was born with a heart condition and Down Syndrome, and at 14 months had open heart surgery. Just before he turned 3, he was diagnosed with ALL, in the height of covid, and because he doesn’t communicate through words, Sandra and her husband navigated Isaiah’s treatment very differently than a family whose child could express how they felt, what hurt, and what they needed. All of this during lockdowns, having to quit jobs, and raising another child at home. Sandra shares her story with so much truth and honesty, you are going to love her as much as I do in about 5 seconds.To think the bright light that bursts out of Sandra came easily, is actually the exact opposite. Her light came from having to claw her way through darkness towards it. Her joy came from having to force herself every day to find it, no matter what. Her faith and her hope came from being angry at God, and working through that painful anger towards finding peace with Him.This chat is so inspiring, I am so grateful to be able to share it with you, so let’s dive deep with Sandra.

In 2018 Steve and his cofounder Randy started YOGAPALOOZA, a 24 hour yoga fundraiser in support of their local children’s hospital CHEO in Ottawa, Ontario. They have since raised over $370,000 with all funds supporting childhood cancer research, a cause extremely close to Steve’s heart. When his son Cole was 5 1/2 years old he was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma. Throughout Cole’s treatment, Steve attributes his yoga and meditation practice, as well as his intention to find gratitude wherever he could, as his motivation to stay energized and intact during the heartbreak and fear of his sons cancer. Our conversation today begins with Cole’s diagnosis and treatment, and how Steve felt compelled to support childhood cancer research after Cole’s successful treatment was complete. We chat about giving back, funding critical research and the exciting new developments using zebra fish to customize cancer treatment for our kids. You can find out more about Yogapalooza happening in Ottawa this September 21st & 22nd, 2024 at 24yryogapalooza.ca where you can donate, register and learn more about this incredible organization. 

This conversation provides a raw and honest look at the emotional and psychological toll of caring for a child with cancer and dives deep into the topic of medication to manage anxiety and depression. In this episode, Amie and Sam discuss the importance of self-care and seeking help while navigating the challenges of their child's treatment and life post treatment. They emphasize the need for parents to prioritize their own well-being in order to better care for their children. They share their experiences with medication and therapy, highlighting the positive impact it has had on their mental health. They also discuss the power of connecting with other oncology parents and the support they provide. The conversation concludes with a reminder that it's okay to ask for help and that there is a strong community of parents who understand and can relate to the challenges of childhood cancer.

Alexx Friesen shares her experience as a child going through cancer treatment and how her parents supported her. She emphasizes the importance of giving children space to feel their emotions and validating their experiences. Alexx also discusses the role of hope and comfort in the context of pediatric cancer. She highlights the need for parents to show their human side and be supportive while also taking care of themselves. Alexx shares her perspective as both a former patient and a clinician, emphasizing the importance of support and self-advocacy skills learned during treatment. Alexx discusses the experiences of childhood cancer survivors and the importance of providing comfort and support to children going through treatment. She explores the challenges of growing up with cancer and the impact it has on a child's development. Alexx shares personal stories from her own childhood cancer journey and highlights the need for open communication and age-appropriate explanations for children facing medical challenges. She also discusses the role of hope and comfort in supporting families and the importance of giving children a sense of control and autonomy in their treatment.

Claire from Strong Like Sloane talks about how her daughter Sloane was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma when she was 5 years old and how Sloane's diagnosis threw her into a place where she felt compelled to use her marketing and advocacy skills to fight for other families just like theirs. Claire discusses her coping mechanisms and advocacy work. She shares how she turns her pain into purpose and finds hope in the midst of difficult circumstances. Claire emphasizes the importance of giving oneself credit for showing up and choosing to cope. She encourages parents to find what fuels them and turn their pain into purpose, whether it's through advocacy, self-care, or other activities. Claire also highlights the strength and capability that parents discover when faced with challenging situations. Claire shares her journey of finding purpose and hope in the midst of her daughter's cancer diagnosis. She emphasizes the importance of channeling the strength and focus that comes from such a difficult experience into something positive that can help others. Claire discusses the therapeutic power of writing and how it has helped her cope with her emotions. She also talks about the Strong Like Sloan initiative and its goal of raising funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment. Claire shares her experience organizing the Heartbeats for Hope event and the Calgary Marathon, which raised over $100,000 for pediatric cancer.@stronglikesloaneWhy Write Love Poetry in a Burning World by Katie FarrisTo train myself to find, in the midst of hellwhat isn’t hell.The body, bald, cancerous, but stillbeautiful enough toimagine living the bodywashing the bodyreplacing a loose frontporch step the body chewingwhat it takes to keep a bodygoing –This scene has a tunea language I can read a doorI cannot close I standwithin its wedgea shield.Why write love poetry in a burning world?To train myself, in the midst of a burning worldto offer poems of love to a burning world.