Chemo Glow

Facing Life Before Death

Join me on this 2 part matter of fact, upbeat and honest conversation with the powerful and inspiring Jean Holstein.  Jean has been living with Metastatic Breast Cancer for the past 13 years. She is sharing her truth about facing life before death with her family, friends and doctors. Thank you Jean for finding the humor and allowing me to share your story.  Look out for Facing Life Before Death Part 2. Please check out Jean's blog where she occasionally update her journey through the world...

Puzzle Pieces

Join me for a lively, funny and heartfelt conversation with Dr. Anita Groves McAllister, PharmD.  Dr. Groves McAllister practiced traditional pharmacy for 13 years and has been a Healthcare consultant for the past 21 years. Her background is in pharmacy oncology with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer. Ironically her thesis was on doxorubicin better known as the “red devil”. She is well versed in the pharmaceutical world but realized that lots of life puzzle pieces didn’t fit the same after be...

The Third Wheel...Lymphedema

Valerie Hunsel, is an occupational therapist and a certified lymphedema therapist with Home Health for UNC Rex. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Howard University and she is certified Lymphedema trained from the Dr. Vodder School. Our paths crossed when I started receiving treatment for lymphedema at UNC REX Healthcare Outpatient Rehabilitation Services. Please join me as we talk about treatment, managing the ebbs and flow off the lymphedema and living ...

I Got You

As a fellow creator, Joseph Pickney is the host of “The Other Side Sports Podcast”.  On his show he discuss “All things sports and a little bit of everything else in the world that matters”. What matters most to Joe is his wife Telonya of 28 years and their 2 children. On August 13, 2010, at age of 37 Telonya was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 3B ER+. Joe then became his wife Champion supporter and her caregiver.  Join me for a very candid conversation about life, love and...

No Pictures Please

After 67 years of perfect health Tina was diagnosed in November 2020 with AML(acute myeloid leukemia) a very serious form of leukemia, one that can arise from undiagnosed myleodysplastic syndrome. You may be familiar with that term from Robin Robert’s documented journey back in 2013.  Tina’s diagnosis came in her 34th year of sobriety and less than 6 months after her fiancé’s suicide.  She is now 200+ days out from a bone marrow transplant which is considered a possible curative fix for this...

Episode 18: Why Am I Still Here?

Janine Jones was a competitive CrossFit Athlete in the best shape of her life. She had a promising career and family life. As a registered Pediatric Nurse, she was not expecting a sudden diagnosis of Diffuse Large B Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Janine was the most positive cancer patient and later had to find the answer to the question, "Why am I still here?" Janine gives back to the hospital that saved her life by volunteering with the Patient Family Advisory Council at the UNC Lineberger C...

Episode 17: Healing Without Boundaries

Katerina Gmitter is a young breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed at 32, a young mother with two children, ages 2½ and 4 months. She knows firsthand the value of a respite, having a break from cancer, and family obligations to focus on self-care. Her mother passed away from metastatic breast cancer when Katerina was 20. Her mission is to help women on their own healing journey through respites, nature, connection, and self-care. 

Episode 16: Impeccable Strength

Four years ago, Africa Moore was at Chapel Hill looking in a doctor's face trying to breathe after the doctor said: "I'm sorry... you are stage 4, and you're incurable." Today, she is breathing cancer-free and trying to express how grateful she is for His grace and mercy! #ChemoGlow #mestastastic #bless #breastcancer #graceandmercy #RobinRoberts Theme: Hot Coffee by Ghostrifter Official License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Episode 15: It Takes a Village

Terri Robinson was happy, raising a teenager and making her way through life when she was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. She relied on her faith, family, and friends to build her village and support her during her journey.  Music : Hot Coffee by Ghostrifter Official https://soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-of

Episode 14: Trust HIS Plan

Jill Berry is an Army veteran, mentor, thriver and volunteer. She is a touchstone in the community and around the country to assist women in navigating breast cancer. God allowed her to live to help others through this disease. Joined us for a candid discussion with Jill and her husband Rev. Dr. Anthony Berry. Music : Hot Coffee by Ghostrifter Official https://soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-of ...            

Episode 13: Before the Battle

Pastor Rick Barber understands from his military experiences what it means to be in battle. However, in the war that is Prostate Cancer, he learned to face his diagnosis by putting God in front.   Music: Hot Coffee by Ghostrifter Official https://soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-of... Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2CMqiz0 Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Y30VQPGtxOs        

Episode 12: Healing on the Other Side

Michael Virgil was married to his wife Rose for over 22 years. Michael understood in the moment that he had to be strong to carry her through, knowing Rose's healing would be on the other side. Michael is now sharing his wife's story and educating other caregivers. He is a contributing writer for the book, "Love Me So I Can Live" compiled by Jeannette Tyson Gregory.

Episode 11: Beating the Odds

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. My guest, Tomma Hargraves, is changing the face of lung cancer. She is a 14-year survivor and giving back in every way. In addition to being an advocate for lung cancer awareness, Tomma is active in the cause of social justice.  

Episode 10: The Gift

My very special guest on this episode continues to be a 'Gift' to so many women. Her life changed in 2008 when both her brother and sister died of cancer and she was diagnosed with breast cancer the same year. Her nonprofit organization "Celebrate Life08" embraces celebrating life one day at a time. Her work is grounded in faith and empowers women to live past their diagnosis. Thank you, Mrs. Jeannette Tyson Gregory, for giving me "The Gift to Celebrate Life".             

Episode 9: Who Takes Care of Me? (A Caregiver's Tale)

Who takes care of me? Our guest didn't ask herself that question when she found out her dad was diagnosed with cancer. Instead, she moved him into her home and became an advocate for his care. As a clinical social worker, she is used to caring for others, but what happens when you need to be taking care of, regardless of whether you know it or not.   

Episode 8: The Three Big "C"s: Cancer, CoVid & Care

What do you do when you're dealing with Cancer in a CoVid world and person that Cares for is no longer allowed to be by your side. Nurse Arica shares her experiences about caring for the patient and being that bridge between the caregiver and the doctor ensure her patient is not alone.  The Three Big "C's" combined is nothing we could have imagined in 2020. 

Episode 7: Life is Meant to be Lived

Cassandra was determined to live her best life without losing her mind. She was raising her 3 sons and going through some major life changes. She finally had the time for the breast reduction surgery that she had been putting off. After her surgery her new fantastic ta-ta’s was sitting pretty. At her follow up appointment everything stopped when she heard the doctor say “I have some good news and some bad news”.

Episode 1: This is my Truth

I had that GLOW. The GLOW you have when you meet the love of your life at wedding in Hawaii. The GLOW you have when he wants to make you his forever. The GLOW you have when know nothing can go wrong at 36. Then that GLOW dimmed and became my CHEMO GLOW.

Moving Mountain Faith

Episode 6: Moving Mountain Faith

Episode 5: Cancer... What?!

This podcast is dedicated in the Loving Memory of Harold F. Sanders. His daughter Vanessa honored me with a interview in the mist of her family's storm.  Our conversation was colorful, joyful and powerful. The last 30 minutes of this interview is PRICELESS.  At the end of this show you will be asking yourself "Cancer...What?!"

Episode 4: Today is that Day

Having a moment!!! Today is that day when my world went dark and angry was my armor. The day I never thought I would forget but I did because life goes on. You forget how much you share on social media until Facebook takes you down memory lane. I thought I was so deep at the time and now I can laugh at myself. Enjoy my moment!

Episode 3: The Hill

My guest on this episode is Dj Amatuli with UNC  "Get REAL and HEEL" Program.  Get REAL (Get Recreation, Get Exercise, Get Active, Get Living) & HEEL (a reference to Healing and the UNC Tarheels). This program is a breast cancer after-care program based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is part of the Linberger Cancer Center.  Dj and his team played a valuable part in my healing process. The REAL healing began when I was able see a me again. 

Episode 2: Pimping Pink for the Cure

I was living my best life ever and I had the pleasure of sharing the moment with friends and family. I'm so excited to have my first guest to be someone who knows how to "Pimp Pink for the Cure". Thank you Telonya for showing me how to wear it so well.

Episode 1: This Is My Truth

I had that GLOW. The GLOW you have when you meet the love of your life at a wedding in Hawaii. The GLOW you have when he wants to make you his forever. The GLOW you have when you know nothing can go wrong at 36. Then that GLOW dimmed and became my CHEMO GLOW.