Instead, we throw it back to episode 4.

This episode was recorded six years ago, in the spring of 2020.

In the midst of a lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic, I sat down with my wife Sarah and talked about our first two years living with cancer. Our daughters were 14 and 12. They are now 20 and 18.

This is one of the most meaningful discussions I've ever recorded, and I'm proud to share it with you.

My hope then -- and my hope now -- is that this episode will be helpful to couples navigating the treacherous waters of cancer, especially those who are newly diagnosed.

Back then, we had no idea that I would still be alive in 2026, that our daughters would both be in college, and that my disease would be stable. I've been blessed with the privilege of raising the girls, being there for all of their milestones, and seeing them into adulthood.

I'm also painfully aware that so many other patients, including people I've been fortunate enough to call my friends, don't get that extra time.

In this episode, I talk with my friend Jay Abramovitch about what happens when cancer derails your career. Jay was 36, in a leadership role, building a life with his wife, when a stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis changed everything. He kept working through treatment to hold onto normalcy.

But when treatment ended, that’s when the real reckoning began. The structure was gone, and he was left asking: Who am I now, and what do I want my life to look like?

What followed wasn’t a clean pivot. It was a couple years of feeling lost, trying different paths, and redefining his priorities — health, family, and purpose. Today, Jay works as a family support specialist helping people through loss. It’s not where he started, but it’s exactly where his experience led him.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Cancer disrupts identity, not just health
2. The hardest part can come after treatment ends
3. Work can provide purpose — but also mask what’s really happening
4. Priorities shift: time, stress, and family take center stage
5. Career reinvention is messy and takes time
6. There’s no single “right” way back to work
7. Sometimes growth means moving toward what scares you

Organizations referenced in this episode

St John Ambulance

Ottawa Cancer Foundation

CCRAN

Colorectal Cancer Canada

Resources for navigating work, legal rights, and finances:

Cancer and Careers (workplace rights, job search, and career support during cancer)

Cancer Legal Resource Center (free legal help + workplace rights)

Triage Cancer (practical guidance on work, insurance, finances)

Patient Advocate Foundation (case management + job/insurance support)

CancerCare (counseling + workplace resources)

National Cancer Legal Services Network (connects you to legal help)

SPONSOR SHOUT OUT!

I want to thank my sponsor for this episode, Pfizer.

This Is Living with Cancer™ is a free online resource developed by Pfizer Oncology for all people​ living with cancer, regardless of age, income, race, location, cancer type, or stage of disease. This​ comprehensive program is available to anyone in the US, whether they’re on a Pfizer​ treatment or not, with a growing focus on those facing challenges accessing care.

Visit ThisIsLivingWithCancer.com to learn more.

I can't make this podcast happen without sponsors that believe in storytelling and the elevation of real patient voices.

All views are my own, and the opinions expressed in this show do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Daniel G. Garza continues to cut up cancer audiences and other health audiences with his hilarious takes on the edgiest topics. He is fearless, relatable, and a healer at heart.

Daniel is an anal cancer and HIV survivor whose lived experience fuels his mission to uplift and educate others.

As the founder of LilMesican Productions Inc., Daniel creates spaces for storytelling, coaching, and advocacy, especially for Latinx, LGBTQIA2S, and health-challenged communities.

His work with Cheeky Charity raises awareness of anal and colorectal cancer, and his background as a Reiki Master, Transpersonal Coach, and comedian allows him to blend healing and humor in transformative ways. Through workshops, public speaking, and creative media, Daniel inspires others to reclaim their dignity, embrace their power, and live with purpose.

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamdanielggarza_

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LilMesican

SPONSOR SHOUT OUT!

I want to thank my sponsor for this episode, Pfizer.

This Is Living with Cancer™ is a free online resource developed by Pfizer Oncology for all people​ living with cancer, regardless of age, income, race, location, cancer type, or stage of disease. This​ comprehensive program is available to anyone in the US, whether they’re on a Pfizer​ treatment or not, with a growing focus on those facing challenges accessing care.

Visit ThisIsLivingWithCancer.com to learn more.

I can't make this podcast happen without sponsors that believe in storytelling and the elevation of real patient voices.

All views are my own, and the opinions expressed in this show do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Join me and my right hand man in the movement to change the way men go through cancer, Joe Bullock.

In this relaunch episode, Joe and I talk about the early development of Man Up to Cancer, our priorities for 2026, and our friendship that has sustained us over the past six years of doing this work together.

You will hear shout-outs to Colontown, Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Jack's Caregiver Coalition, Cancer and Careers, and Duke's Mayo.

And of course, Joe does not escape the Gauntlet of Random Questions!

You'll learn which fast food chain mascots would win a brawl (hint: It's not Ronald McDonald).

*One correction: Alex Pabon was a chef for a U.S. Army general, but not a "five-star" general. The point Joe was making remains 100 percent valid.

Thanks to our sponsors for 2026, Pfizer and Foundation Medicine.

You'll be hearing more about these sponsors later in the year. I couldn't do this work without their support and their belief in improving men's mental health and cancer health.

Previous episodes with Joe Bullock

Howling Joe Bullock, 7/14/20

Cancerland legend Joe Bullock is back to talk about the Howling Place, COLONTOWN JR., and... forest bathing#KFG #BDP, 1/12/21

Has Joe Bullock cloned himself? #Cancerland needs to know! 3/22/22

Man Up to Cancer grows up w/ Joe Bullock, 1/9/24

What are the currently available screening options?

What are the new options on the horizon?

What about the rise of colorectal cancer in young people?

These are the questions I tackle in today's 25-minute episode of the Man Up to Cancer Podcast.

Got questions or comments? I want to hear them!

Cologuard

Fight CRC

Exact Sciences

Guardant Health

Colon Cancer Coalition

Classic SNL ad for Colon Blow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku42Iszh9KM

2023 SNL ad for Cologuard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu12X2cu6Y0

Isaac was just 23 years old in April 2019 when he was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. He was otherwise healthy and had no family history or other red flags. 

Just when Isaac was gaining independence as an adult, he was forced into the role of patient, depending on his mother to be his primary caregiver as he faced mutliple surgeries and grueling chemotherapy, radiation, and more. 

The shocking diagnosis was a difficult blow for this tightknit family, yet they have fought this disease together with incredible courage, intelligence, grace, and heart.

In this episode, we discuss 

• Isaac's engagement and upcoming wedding!
• The physical and emotional burdens of managing metastatic cancer over a period of years
• What it was like for mother and son to have him become dependent on her again, just as he was gaining independence
• Advice for other young men facing a cancer diagnosis
• Our mutual love for Iowa City, home to my alma mater, the University of Iowa
• The best pizza in the midwest (In my humble opinion)

Ethan is the co-founder of the global non-profit, Grassroot Soccer, which has reached millions of youth in 60+ countries with vital health information and services.

Oh, and he's a two time survivor of CD20 positive Hodgkin’s Lymphoma who has been through the gauntlet of chemo, radiation, two stem cell transplants.

We talk about how at 50 he's now the "old curmudgeon" of the Survivor family tree; his uncanny resemblance as a teenager to Patrick Dempsey's nerdy character, Ronald Miller, from the movie "Can't Buy Me Love"; his insane number of side hustles since grade school; the emotional turmoil of his two bouts with lymphoma; how medical cannabis changed his life for the better; the pressure of going through cancer in the media spotlight; and how he found his authentic voice when he stopped saying what people wanted him to say, and started telling his truth about the cancer experience.

LINKS

EO Care: Medical Cannabis Care Plans for cancer patients, Survivors and caregivers : www.EO.care

Crunch Bowl - Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/6o46Ezf

Survivor Merch : www.EthanZohn.com

Dempsey Center: www.dempseycenter.org

Social Media Channels

X (Twitter): @ethanzohn

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

Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/EthanZohnSurvivor

But what is it?

On today's throwback episode of the Man Up to Cancer Podcast, we go back to a show from August 2020. It's crazy to think that nearly four years have passed since I recorded this.

In this bonus episode, the meaning of KFG gets revealed. I ramble for 14 minutes about my first surgery, amazing nurse Aaron, and the joys of oxaliplatin chemo. I also send out a message of encouragement to all the cancer patients out there who are in pain, suffering, and basically living minute to minute.

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.org. HOWL!!

When his stepfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017, the ripple effect hit the entire family hard, especially 41-year-old DeMetrius.

"It threw us all off. I spent several years in the health and wellness space and had no idea what prostate cancer was. I immediately started researching," he said.

That launched DeMetrius into a newfound passion for cancer advocacy. More than six years later, he has established a thriving career with cancer non-profits. In the cancer world, sometimes having a strong voice — and the willingness to us it — is exactly what is needed. With his self-described "big mouth," DeMetrius is changing the lives of anyone within earshot.

"Knowing what I know now, in regards to early detection, I encourage everyone," he said. "I know it's difficult, but you've gotta talk about it."

Things you will learn about DeMetrius in this episode:

• He has 45+ first cousins — and that's just on his mom's side of the family
• He looks so young, sometimes people think he and his 20-year-old son are brothers
• He served in the Air Force for eight years… in Nebraska

@LLS - Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

@Zero Prostate Cancer

Jay Abramovitch of South Mountain, Ontario, and Jason Manuge of Kingston, Ontario, were both in their 30s when they were diagnosed with young onset colorectal cancer.

Jason is facing the challenges of cancer that has spread to his bones, while Jay is navigating a couple of new, small tumors that have popped up in his lungs, after a few years of NED - No Evidence of Disease.

To hear these two young guys open the doors of their hearts - and reject bitterness in the face of brutally difficult circumstances - was something I will never forget.

The Rev. Ian Williams, a pastor at St. Helen Parish in Hebron, Indiana, is my guest today on the Man Up to Cancer Podcast. He has been living with metastatic liver cancer for more than three years.

Father Ian is the leader of the Indiana Chapter of Man Up to Cancer. He is a source of encouragement, care, and inspiration for members of our community.

On today's episode, Ian reflects on faith, nature, and humor and other aspects of his cancer journey. I also put him in the Gauntlet of Random Questions, where he answers questions about animals, time travel, and a certain Olympic sport not generally associated with the Hoosier state.

The stress of cancer accumulates, a thick and heavy covering that I can't shake.

It builds with each scan, each blood draw, each surgery.

It builds in the days between.

Nearly six years in the world of never knowing.

For 2,130 days the stress builds and my body and soul labor under the weight of it.

What are my cancer cells doing today? Where are they misbehaving? Where is my immune system keeping them in check? Where might my immune system be overwhelmed? How long can I go managing my cancer as a chronic illness? Will I make it to Elsie's high school graduation? Will I make it to Sage's college graduation? Will I slide through the eye of the needle and reach longterm survival, against all odds of science and every friend that I have lost to this same disease?

The people who have never had cancer in their bodies tell people like me to stop thinking about it. After the scans, the blood draws, the surgeries, they send me out into the sunshine and tell me not to think about it, as if my world looks anything like theirs.

I realized a while ago that I can't stop thinking about it. I can't stop those questions from repeating in my head.

So I lean the fuck into it.

I say bring it on, let me ask the question, how long can I do this? So many times that it becomes a mantra, and I tell myself that this would make those cancer muggles insane, and only I'm strong enough to keep asking the question and to turn it into a raging inferno of motivation.

But yeah, the stress doesn't go away. It's rust. You can cover it up, bondo that shit, but you know it's under there, you know the frame is still compromised. And after 2,130 days of stress, this frame is compromised. The scars and adhered tissues and severed muscles and nerves of 10 surgeries.

After 2,130 days of stress, this brain is compromised. There are some moments, beautiful moments in which I'm right here right now, grounded in the present, aware of my living breath and the sensation of my feet on the wood floor, the sensation of the heat from the wood stove.

Other times though, I'm like Billy Pilgrim and I've come unstuck in time.

Sometimes in a dream, sometimes even when I'm awake I find myself back on that first surgical table, staring up into a cluster of the brightest lights I've ever seen, mask over my face and breathing in the sweet anesthetic while surgical techs inspect my IV lines and double count the instruments that will cut me open.

Big breaths Trevor, we're gonna take good care of you. 10-9-8

Other times, I'm back on my most recent surgical table, just a few months ago, The same buzz of activity. Are these the same techs? Are they even real at all? Or is this the 3rd surgery, the 5th, they all swirl and mesh together with an antiseptic smell, muffled voices and the constant beeps of the heart and respiratory monitors, the same voice in my head telling me - you're going to see Sarah, Sage, and Elsie on the other side of this.. This team knows what they're doing.. They do this all the time.. You're not dying today.. My body is strong, my body is strong, my body is strong.

And each time after the blackness I am born again to the waiting world, disoriented, in pain, and with a shock of recognition that I didn't die.

I cannot put the exhaustion of this into words.

But I can tell you about the hospital after my last surgery.

I guess I need to write about that.

Lee Silverstein is joining us from his home in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Lee is a natural helper of people; As a career management professional, he has been a consultant, mentor, and coach helping students, executives, and others land jobs or change careers.

He is a public speaker and Podcaster and I first got to know him by listening to his We Have Cancer Podcast.

He has been living for more than 12 years with stage IV colorectal cancer. To put that in perspective, less than 15 percent of people with his diagnosis live past 5 years.

Lee became part of the Man Up to Cancer community, and our Howling Place FB group, soon after it launched in 2020, and since that time he has become a beloved member. Guys look up to him for his openness, wisdom, and humor.

He recently reached a point where treatment is no longer working, there are no interventions to stop the disease, and he has entered into hospice care.

Today, we are going to talk about Lee’s passions, his family, his transition to hospice and the legacy he will leave for all of us.

Of course we get off track and talk about #decklife, Peeps, and gingerbread houses.

How sweet it is to bring back the MUTC Podcast for 2024!

This chapter is all about how some very special people in my life helped me redefine the definition of courage in my fight against cancer.

Here is an excerpt:

Cancer tried to drown me.

It was a cold river that rose up far above the banks, plucked me from my pleasant dreams, took me down into the raging current, and smashed me again and again into the rocks.

I choked and flailed and blacked out. I cried out for mercy, for the sake of my wife and kids. I pleaded with the universe, Mother Nature, or whatever gods might listen.

In the early portion of 2019, after my Shawshank moment with Sarah, while I was reaching out for help, I still felt like that frantic swimmer swept up in the ice-cold water whose only instinct was to fight like hell against the current.

I thought if I swam hard enough and long enough, I could get back upstream, back to safety—to that place before cancer.

That’s when another helper came into my life, with the right guidance at the right time. Technically, Kate was my physical therapist. I began seeing her for hands-on therapy to help alleviate the pain from my surgical adhesions and the 12-inch scar from liver surgery and smaller scar from colon surgery.

In truth, Kate is a healer in the best definition of the word. She bonds instantly with people going through trauma and knows what they need. She does talk therapy while providing manual therapy, and she is insanely intuitive.

“Trevor,” she would say, “you are fighting so hard to go back upstream. I want to help you see that you can’t get back there. You are in the current, and your only option is to stop struggling and face downstream. I know it’s scary, I know you didn’t ask for this, but there is no going back to your life before.”

The truth of her words were clear, even while I kept flailing. But I continued to protest.

“I think I can turn downstream, but I’m struggling with my shame,” I told her. It was the shame that was relentless. At that time, I was convinced that all cancer patients, except for me of course, handled their diagnosis and treatments with grace and courage. You know, those 5K runners and top fundraisers. They were all crushing it. And here I was, debilitated, leing my family down.

“I’m a mess. I’m failing them,” I told her.

“You’re being way too hard on yourself. You’re not going to be able to understand this now,” she said, “but you are exactly where you need to be.

“Courage doesn’t always look like what you think it should look like,” she said.

And then she told me a story.

These chapters are creating connections where guys who live near one another can meet up for a coffee or a beer, or go to a ballgame, or dinner, or even rally resources for members and their families who need help.

Each chapter has a private chat group, and their own version of the MUTC logo. With the chapter system, guys can get the best of the community online, and then also have that in-person experience that really takes friendships to a whole new level.

Today's episode features three men who are playing central roles in the local chapters.

Don Helgeson of Nanaimo, B.C., Canada, is a member of the Man Up to Cancer leadership team, and is our Meet-Up Coordinator. In this role, he is overseeing the development of the chapters.

John Bradley and Brandon Martin are leaders of the Colorado chapter of MUTC, one of the first chapters to come together in 2022.

The world faced a health pandemic. Governments faced instability. Tom Brady went to the Bucs and got dumped by Giselle.

But one thing hasn't changed: A lifelong friendship between myself and the one and only Joe Bullock of Durham, N.C.

It's a friendship that has endured the ups and downs of cancer, and the stresses and joys of trying to create a brand new cancer support community for men.

Joe is the community manager for MUTC, and lead admin for the Howling Place group. I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have him on board.

On today's episode, we reminisce about the beginnings of MUTC and discuss where this movement is headed in 2023. And of course, we share some laughs along the way.

KFG Joe. I love you brother!

The OG co-host, Kelin Welborn, turns the tables and interviews me about my independently published book, "Open Heart, Warrior Spirit: A Man's Guide to Living with Cancer," and the past, present, and future of Man Up to Cancer.

Founded in January 2020, MUTC has grown to include:

• The Howling Place Facebook group of 2000 male cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers from around the world
• Content (podcast, website, social media, email)
• Annual retreat - The Gathering of Wolves
• Chemo Backpack Program
• 15+ regional chapters

After taking a break from the podcast in order to write the book (September-December 2022), I'm fired up to get back in the saddle and bring you engaging conversations this year. With guests from all corners of #cancerland, my goal is to serve up a weekly mix of entertainment, education, and uppercuts that hit you right in the feels.

Got an idea for a guest or topic? Email me at trevor@manuptocancer.com

Thanks for listening. Love to you, #cancerfam

Meet my friend Chris Taylor from Albany, Georgia. Chris was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2010, and he has gone through multiple radiation and chemotherapy treatments. He is a beloved member of the Man Up to Cancer community, and is one of 18 Wolfpack Leaders from across North America.

Chris is a U.S. Navy veteran, artist, and a proud gay man. This guy lives his life without apologies and he doesn’t have time for BS.

I hope you check out our conversation about coping with side effects, his artwork, mental health challenges, and how being gay has colored his cancer journey.

#KFG

A recently retired Mountie of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Don has survived melanoma, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. He is one of my #LynchSyndrome brothers, and a man of wisdom, compassion, and integrity.

Don spends a lot of his time on a new mission as a patient advocate. He is one of Man Up to Cancer’s Wolfpack Leaders, and is an admin for Tracy Morgan’s PC Tribe. Don is also the author of a memoir, “Prostate Cancer at 51.”

Check out our conversation and see which weapon Don will use during the Zombie Apocalypse. I promise you that it’s the most Canadian answer ever given in the Gauntlet of Random Questions!

My guest is Tim McDonald from Tampa, Florida. Tim is a stage IV colon cancer thriver, and his best chance at curing his disease is through a living-donor liver transplant.

That means he needs a hero. Someone willing to give up part of their liver to replace his. Ready to save a life? Go to timsliver.com, and see if you might be Tim's match.

Tim is a force of nature who always helps anyone he can.

He is a generous, kind, compassionate and a brave soul who cares deeply about humanity and builds community everywhere he goes.

He is the Community Account Manager at HomeRoom and the former Director of Community at Huffington Post, Founder of My Community Manager, and Director of Communications for Social Media Club Chicago. He's also an ambassador for Fight Colorectal Cancer.

“Once I go through all this," Tim said, "I am going to build a community for anybody that’s got metastasized cancer looking for a liver donor.”

You have all played Life. Well, the cards are a bit different in the Cancer Edition.

Here's just one example from our game:

"Your nurse tells you it’s OK for you to eat breakfast, not knowing your doctor only wants you to have one sip of water. Lose your turn due to bowel obstruction."

If you are looking for a light-hearted distraction during this cancer sh*tshow, look no further, Justin and I have your back!

Justin is a men’s health activist, testicular cancer survivor, and the founder of aBallsySenseofTumor.com. He was 25 years old when he was diagnosed with stage II testicular cancer in 2016, and he underwent surgery and chemotherapy.

Through writing and speaking, Justin has shared his story to spread awareness about testicular cancer and to promote open conversation about men’s health. His writing has appeared in Cure Magazine, I Had Cancer, The Mighty, The Good Men Project, Stupid Cancer, and more, and his advocacy work has been featured by publications around the world. 

In this episode, we also spend some time talking about the need for more men to become cancer patient advocates; how to prevent advocacy burnout; and Man Up to Cancer’s upcoming Gathering of Wolves. 

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

A shout out to our sponsor - Natera, developers of a new kind of test called Signatera that can detect recurrence as much as a year earlier than imaging. Ask your doctor if Signatera is right for you. Natera.com/signaterapatients

Part 2 of our interview with the amazing Jacquie Emory. When we left off last week, Jacquie’s husband Rich, a stage IV colon cancer patient, was undergoing a liver transplant. The surgery was a success, but in some ways, it was just the beginning.

“This is when the hard part begins,” Jacquie says. “This is when the real work starts.”

Liver transplant is still only occasionally used for colorectal cancer patients with metastatic disease, for several reasons. But more patients than ever are exploring this option, and many are qualifying for the procedure. For those who fit the criteria, the transplant can be the best chance of extending life, and possibly a cure.

Click here to listen to Part 1.

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

A shout out to our sponsor - Natera, developers of a new kind of test called Signatera that can detect recurrence as much as a year earlier than imaging. Ask your doctor if Signatera is right for you. Natera.com/signaterapatients

Liver transplant is still only occasionally used for colorectal cancer patients with metastatic disease, for several reasons. But more patients than ever are exploring this option, and many are qualifying for the procedure. For those who fit the criteria, the transplant can be the best chance of extending life, and possibly a cure.

Everyone who knows Jacquie knows she wears her heart on her sleeve. She tells it like it is, without sugar coating. She is quick to laugh, cry, and to share her heart with us in cancerland.

Over the past two years she has had a front row seat to the best of cancer care in America, and sometimes the worst. Jacquie is the definition of a caregiver advocate.

Check out this two-part interview to find out why.

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

A shout out to our sponsor - Natera, developers of a new kind of test called Signatera that can detect recurrence as much as a year earlier than imaging. Ask your doctor if Signatera is right for you. Natera.com/signaterapatients

Dr. Rogers is a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of Utah’s School of Medicine, where he founded the Men’s Health Inequities Research Lab.

Just last year, He also founded the Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation, focused on removing obstacles to equity among African-American men and other underrepresented populations by increasing awareness of Colorectal cancer.

African-American men have died from colorectal cancer at the highest rates of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S. for more than 25 years. They are less frequently enrolled in clinical trials, and less likely to be offered genetic testing, palliative care, and other critical supports. Dr. Rogers is helping to lead the movement to change that picture. 

In some of Dr. Rogers’ latest research, he shows that men who identify as “strong” are the least likely to get cancer screenings. If they get diagnosed with cancer, they are also less likely to seek second opinions, or get help for mental health problems. All of this puts these men at HIGHER risk to die from cancer, and to NOT be around to care for their families. 

So the men who think of themselves as strong, are actually behaving in a way that makes them vulnerable. This is the same exact barrier that I’m confronting in my advocacy work with Man Up to Cancer! We need to change culture so that screening for cancer is a sign of strength, not of weakness. 

For a full bio of Dr. Rogers, click here to visit his website. 

Yep, Buddy was diagnosed nine years ago. Thanks to his self-advocacy and a phase one clinical trial, Buddy has far outlived his prognosis. He has become a beloved advocate for cancer organizations, including the LUNGevity Foundation. He has also made a lot of friends through Moffitt Cancer Center.

A native of Tampa, Fla., Buddy is a proud father and grandfather, a US Navy veteran, and a (mostly) retired CPA and tax consultant.

In this episode, Buddy makes this indisputable comment about screening for lung cancer for people over 50: “If you meet the qualifications, your screening won’t cost a dime, and it could save your life”

He also makes this statement, which is up for debate: “Tampa is the home of the best Cuban sandwich in the world.”

What do you think - Is he right? Check out tomorrow’s show and give us some feedback!

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates prescription digital therapy apps to help patients address the common yet overlooked side effects of cancer, like stress, anxiety, and depression.

Check out their new, fully remote clinical trial at bluenotetherapeutics.com/trials.

Boyd is also one hell of a storyteller.

He is a two-time blood cancer survivor who underwent a life-saving stem cell transplant in May 2012. Since that time, Boyd has finished 10 marathons — mostly because people told him he would never be able to do it. This month he makes a return to his favorite course at the legendary Boston Marathon.

Boyd runs to prove the doubters wrong, and to give hope to other cancer patients and survivors, with the message that anything is possible.

In 2019, Boyd finally got the chance to meet the U.S. Navy Serviceman, Nathan Barnes, who risked his own life to give boyd a stem cell donation.

Video of Boyd meeting his donor, Nathan, at the Disney half marathon in 2019:

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/05/disneymagicmoments-runners-who-inspire-us-part-2/?fbclid=IwAR0aYNcwA6Iv41KhNlTt5w5agVcrB7e_rKySQf5h_ocKjQJPDVdxbYPNVDg

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

A shout out to our sponsor - Natera, developers of a new kind of test called Signatera that can detect recurrence as much as a year earlier than imaging. Ask your doctor if Signatera is right for you. Natera.com/signaterapatients

Today’s show is all about cancer surveillance. As colorectal cancer survivors, we usually rely on traditional imaging including MRI and CT scans, and sometimes PET scans. We also track our disease activity with a CEA blood test. An elevated CEA often indicates active cancer.

But scans and CEA testing both have major limitations. Scans don’t detect recurrence until the cancer is large enough to show up. And CEA is not a reliable indicator for many patients.

Enter Signatera. This is a highly sensitive blood test that can accurately detect cancer activity long before it shows up on a scan. The Signatera test is custom designed for your individual cancer. I have been using this test over the past few years, with the endorsement of my medical teams at New England Cancer Specialists, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Massachusetts General Hospital. 

I use Signatera for monitoring. If the test comes back positive for circulating tumor DNA, I can begin planning with my team, exploring my next treatment options, rather than just having my head in the sand, waiting for tumors to show up on the scans. 

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

A shout out to our sponsor - Natera, developers of a new kind of test called Signatera that can detect recurrence as much as a year earlier than imaging. Ask your doctor if Signatera is right for you. Natera.com/signaterapatients

• His recent visit to Washington D.C. for the Call on Congress event organized by Fight Colorectal Cancer. They are on a mission to make our legislators recognize colorectal cancer as a national priority, and to urge the National Cancer Institute to develop a strategic action plan for colorectal cancer.
• The new 'Chemo Backpack' program that Man Up to Cancer is launching this month, with support from Natera and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
• 'Captain' Jackson Forssberg and the early development of COLONTOWN Junior. Joe is the program manager for this group that connects families with children who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

We should have 4 episodes with Joe, but one of the tapes from 2020 mysteriously disappeared. We think it will show up in a time capsule in a few hundred years.

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates prescription digital therapy apps to help patients address the common yet overlooked side effects of cancer, like stress, anxiety, and depression.

Check out their new, fully remote clinical trial at bluenotetherapeutics.com/trials.

On this episode, she shares her emotional journey, talks about the lack of resources for caregivers, and provides excellent advice for those who are going through loss. Thank you Stacey for opening your heart and trusting me to share your story. 💙

#caregivers #caregiversupport #widow #cancerwarrior

This is a Facebook post from Stacey on April 1, 2021, on the 10-year anniversary of Rick's proposal, and the 7-year-anniversary of his funeral.

“It seems that I use the same word to describe this day each year, but it holds true. Bittersweet. There is no more fitting word to encapsulate the joy and fulfillment of the day I became engaged to marry this man (and the devilish look in his eye all day long on April Fools...!) but also the same exact day I buried my husband, just three years later.

When we decided to get married, we felt the world was at our fingertips. We were so ready to build our dreams together. We had no idea that surviving terminal cancer would so quickly become our only dream and goal.

Ten years ago today, Rick asked me to be his wife. Seven years ago today was his funeral. He knew me so well on so many levels. He had expectations for me to fulfil after he died, and I’m entirely certain he would be really proud of me today.

I don’t wish widowhood on anyone, but I am surviving, and thriving even while I continue to live with the grief of his loss. My life and relationship with Rick helped develop the person I am today. With each success I can hear his completely unsurprised response running through my mind, and with the setbacks I dig deep to try to feel his encouragement.”

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates prescription digital therapy apps to help patients address the common yet overlooked side effects of cancer, like stress, anxiety, and depression.

Check out their new, fully remote clinical trial at bluenotetherapeutics.com/trials.

Now fundraising on Patreon!

There’s now a way for you to support the Man Up to Cancer Podcast, and to get some awesome perks while doing so. We are now accepting donations on Patreon.

Just go to www.patreon.com/manuptocancer, and you can see how it works. You can sign up for $5, $10, or $20 per month tiers, or you can make a one-time donation.

There are rewards for patrons, including shout-outs, discounts in the Man Up to Cancer store, exclusive merch, and a monthly hang-out with me and other patrons.

Thank you to our first 21 patrons!

Joe Bullock, Steven Barker, Danny Riggs, David Lothrop, Brad Hammond, Greg Johnson, Dave Hench, Jamie Wagner, Mike Bigos, Richard Fox, Cliff Magness, Nick Mesenbrink, the Pierce family, Tim Sullivan, Jenifer Edwards, Teresa Ferrer, Dave Nitsche, Ryan Switzer, the Whitney family, Robert Ramirez, and Diana Violette.

Those are the words of my friend Danny Riggs of Houston, Texas. Roughly one in 833 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. They face the confusion, stigma, and isolation of coping with what is primarily a women’s cancer.

In today’s episode, Danny (in his typical no-holds barred fashion) talks about what it was like to get the diagnosis, to endure the treatment, and to navigate survivorship.

Yes, men get breast cancer. If you have a lump, pain, swelling, or anything unusual going on with your breasts or nipples, talk to your doctor. 

Danny is also one of 18 Wolfpack Leaders from across the U.S. and Canada. In that role, he talks to other people in the cancer community about the Man Up to Cancer mission, resources, and our Howling Place Facebook group. 

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates prescription digital therapy apps to help patients address the common yet overlooked side effects of cancer, like stress, anxiety, and depression. 

Check out their new, fully remote clinical trial at bluenotetherapeutics.com/trials.

You can also follow them on LinkedIn.

Now fundraising on Patreon!

There’s now a way for you to support the Man Up to Cancer Podcast, and to get some awesome perks while doing so. We are now accepting donations on Patreon.

Just go to www.patreon.com/manuptocancer, and you can see how it works. You can sign up for $5, $10, or $20 per month tiers, or you can make a one-time donation. 

There are rewards for patrons, including shout-outs, discounts in the Man Up to Cancer store, exclusive merch, and a monthly hang-out with me and other patrons.

There were many times along the way when I didn't think I would be here to tell the tale.

Through four moments, I give you a look back at my journey. These are four moments in my journey that changed the course of my life.

Derailed - my diagnosis story.

Shawshank Redemption moment - Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'.

Meeting Jocko - Sometimes the words from a leader find you when you most need them.

Best Day Possible - Notice I didn't say, Best Day Ever.

Thank you to Sarah, Sage, Elsie, and everyone else who has gotten me here.

Grace is of African descent, lives in Brooklyn, NY, and she believes we are all global siblings, no matter what part of the world we come from. She has a background as a mental health advocate, working closely with Member States and top officials at the United Nations. 

In 2016, Grace was diagnosed with Stage III triple-negative breast cancer, and through that experience she has developed a powerful voice in cancer awareness, advocacy, and public policy. Grace hosts a youtube talk show, Cancer Convos with Grace B, and she is the author of a memoir, “Impossicant.”

Today we explore her advocacy work, the stigma of cancer across cultures, and we ask the question: How can we get more men to take control of their health?

“A guy will look out more for what’s happening to the engine in his car, than to what’s happening in his own body," Grace says.

Check out Cancer Convos with Grace B. on Youtube.

Check out "Impossicant" on Amazon.

But we are also privileged to see humanity at its best. Because we confront mortality, we also come to know life in a different way, and the fuel of life that is LOVE. When all else is taken from us, there is nothing more meaningful than the love of another human being.

I hope you listen to the story of Michael Mancini and Carole Motycka. You’ll understand why Carole keeps reminding us, “Love always wins.”

Previous podcast episodes featuring Mike and Carole 

https://www.manuptocancer.com/blog1/caroleandmike 

https://manuptocancer.captivate.fm/episode/carole-and-mike 

On today’s episode, I chat with Michael about his journey from being a cancer patient, to becoming an advocate. He encourages patients, survivors, and caregivers to volunteer for advocacy organizations, at any level you feel comfortable doing so, because as Michael says, “Every voice counts.”

Michael was diagnosed with aggressive stage 3b rectal cancer in March 2012, and following 11 months of treatment was declared cancer-free in May 2013. 

As the Tennessee state lead ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Michael volunteers his time to push for new legislation and policy changes that will make life better for people facing cancer and their families. 

Last year, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network presented Michael with their Volunteer Award for Excellence in Cancer Advocacy. It's like the lifetime achievement award for cancer advocacy and the highest honor bestowed on an ACS CAN volunteer.

Michael is the author of “It’s Not Harder than Cancer: The Mindsets You Need to Survive and Thrive After Serious Illness.” He lives in Knoxville with his wife, Sarah, and their rescue dog, a Golden Bassett named Marley.

You can connect with him and check out his work at https://www.michaelholtzonline.com/ 

If you want to learn about the work of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and are interested in possibly becoming a volunteer, visit https://www.fightcancer.org/ 

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates digital therapeutics to help cancer patients cope with the emotional distress associated with our disease.

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

Now fundraising on Patreon

There’s now a way for you to support the Man Up to Cancer Podcast, and to get some awesome perks while doing so. We are now accepting donations on Patreon.

Just go to www.patreon.com/manuptocancer, and you can see how it works. You can sign up for $5, $10, or $20 per month tiers, or you can make a one-time donation. 

There are rewards for patrons, including shout-outs, discounts in the Man Up to Cancer store, exclusive merch, and a monthly hang-out with me and other patrons.

As this is the 50th episode of the Man Up to Cancer Podcast!

50 shows, close to 20,000 downloads, and lots of friends made along the way. As it turns out, a lot of people are interested in the topics of men and cancer, our experiences as patients, survivors, and caregivers, and the lessons we learn along the way. I think it’s only fitting that today is an unedited solo show. This episode features:

• An update on my personal cancer journey
•  Reflections on going from treatment to 'Watch and Wait'
•  A rant about a near and dear subject: Toxic Positivity

Thank you to all of my guests who have been so generous with their time, energy, and spirit. 

Thanks to Kelin Welborn for being my co-host, my friend, jill of all trades when it comes to Man Up to Cancer marketing, merch, and more.

Suzi Pond and Alice Anderson for getting me started in podcasting, and for more things than I have time to say.

Thanks to Joe Bullock and the more than 1400 men of the Howling Place Group. KFG, you are all fierce and loving wolves, and I will go to battle with you always.

Here’s a snippet from my rant about toxic positivity, that strange cultural phenomenon where total strangers advise us to cure our cancers through -- you guessed it -- the power of positive thinking! 

As cancer patients, we are routinely shamed.

And somehow it’s culturally ok to shame us.

We are made to feel that something we did, something we ate, or purely because of our poor mindset.. That’s why we got cancer.

And that if we just think the right way, or pray the right way, or fix whatever chakras are misaligned, we will heal ourselves.

Wow, talk about a burden.

In November of 2018, Robert and Elaine Ramirez lost their 37-year-old son, Armand, to metastatic colon cancer. They have experienced a heart-wrenching journey of love, loss, and healing.

On today's show, I speak with Robert about his experience as a father who had a son die from cancer. He talks about the tools he has used to cope, including journaling, reading, groups, therapy, and music. He also talks about the hole in his life that will always be there.

Thank you Robert for opening your heart for this emotional and important episode.

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates digital therapeutics to help cancer patients cope with the emotional distress associated with our disease.

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

Now fundraising on Patreon

There’s now a way for you to support the Man Up to Cancer Podcast, and to get some awesome perks while doing so. We are now accepting donations on Patreon.

Just go to www.patreon.com/manuptocancer, and you can see how it works. You can sign up for $5, $10, or $20 per month tiers, or you can make a one-time donation. 

There are rewards for patrons, including shout-outs, discounts in the Man Up to Cancer store, exclusive merch, and a monthly hang-out with me and other patrons.

Music has kept him going.

Jason has been playing music in some form or another for most of his life. But he didn’t sing in front of a live audience until after his cancer diagnosis and first surgery (which was 21 hours!).

Motivated by his friend Camden and his life coach Derek, Jason worked through his apprehensions, and he and has emerged as a musical artist to watch. 

Last fall, he was invited to Los Angeles to record his song, “What’s Next?”, with a professional band and producers. He was selected for this honor by Cancer Can Rock, a non-profit organization founded by Jim Ebert, who is a multi-platinum record producer and a cancer survivor. The foundation serves musicians facing aggressive cancer.

https://cancercanrock.org/featured-artists/jason-beaulieu/

https://www.facebook.com/survivingthroughmusic

https://www.instagram.com/survivingthroughmusic

Jason.Beaulieu.music@gmail.com

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates digital therapeutics to help cancer patients cope with the emotional distress associated with our disease.

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

Now fundraising on Patreon!

There’s now a way for you to support the Man Up to Cancer Podcast, and to get some awesome perks while doing so. We are now accepting donations on Patreon.

Just go to www.patreon.com/manuptocancer, and you can see how it works. You can sign up for $5, $10, or $20 per month tiers, or you can make a one-time donation. 

There are rewards for patrons, including shout-outs, discounts in the Man Up to Cancer store, exclusive merch, and a monthly hang-out with me and other patrons.

• Wife and mom to two girls, Lucy and Penelope
• Oncology nurse
• Entrepreneur and co-owner (with her sister Sarah Nichols Kelly) of Salty Girl Beauty.
• Philanthropist and co-founder (also with her sister!) of Foundation 4 Love.

Leah and Sarah have been featured in Allure, InStyle, PopSugar, the View, Good Morning America and other major media appearances.

She is one of my amazing oncology nurses at New England Cancer Specialists in Scarborough, Maine. The team has held my hand through dozens of chemo sessions since my colon cancer diagnosis in March of 2018. They are heroes to me and so many others in Cancerland.

QUICK FUNDING NOTE:

We are now accepting donations on Patreon. Just go to Patreon.com/manuptocancer, and you can see how it works. 

You can sign up for $5, $10, or $20 a month tiers, or make a one time donation. There are rewards for subscribers including shoutouts, discounts in the Man Up to Cancer store, exclusive merch, and a monthly hangout with yours truly.

Thank you to our first 15 patrons!

Joe Bullock, Steven Barker, Danny Riggs, David Lothrop, Brad Hammond, Greg Johnson, Dave Hench, Jamie Wagner, Mike Bigos, Mary Roy, Diana Violette, Richard Fox, Cliff Magness, Nick Mesenbrink, and the Pierce family.

I'm getting ready for major abdominal surgery #4 in the past 3 and a half years. I'll be going to Massachusetts General Hospital. A surgeon there will open me up and take out several small tumors from my abdomen. I may also lose a section of my stomach, because the tumors have been hanging out for quite some time right up against it.

I talk about my emotions around the surgery, and give thanks to many of the people who have played such important roles in getting me to this point.

After my update, I'm adding in the pilot episode of the podcast. We've had a lot of new people join the Man Up to Cancer community recently, and I hope they get a chance to check out this pilot.

#KFG

Steven is part of the growing admin team in Man Up to Cancer's Howling Place Facebook group.

He lives with his wife, Katie, and their two kids in a suburb of Memphis, Tenn. He spent the first nine months of 2019 simply trying to find a doctor that would hear his concerns and consider his symptoms may be more severe than “most guys his age.”

It was nearly a year before he finally received a proper diagnosis: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma, stage III.

From my takeaways:

• Why a man should NEVER ignore low iron levels 
• What it’s like to be a dad raising young kids while cancering
• Uncover the identity of Steven’s celebrity crush (Hint: This one might blindside you)

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates digital therapeutics to help cancer patients cope with the emotional distress associated with our disease.

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

Dave has always been able to rely on his body and mind working in sync. He is accustomed to pushing both to the extreme, as an ultra runner and Ironman athlete. 

He started doing endurance events as a teenager, and by the time he turned 50, Dave had completed more than a dozen grueling Ironman triathlons (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run), and many more ultra running events. The Winnepeg native had literally trained for thousands of hours over the course of decades.

So when Dave was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in the spring of 2019, his response was bewilderment. 

“There was no reason, no indication that this should have happened,” Dave said. 

His diagnosis came after Dave began having vision problems in his left eye. The problems got so bad that doctors had to remove the eye. When the tissue was tested in the lab, it revealed cancer. Additional scans and tests showed it was lung cancer had spread throughout his body. An oncologist basically told Dave that he was going to die of cancer.

Dave is determined to prove the doctors wrong. He has been on two targeted therapies that have kept his disease stable. And he has resumed one of his great passions: hiking in the scenic wilderness of Western Canada, often with his dog Indie. 

He is also speaking up as an advocate for lung cancer awareness, and advances in research and treatment. One of the organizations that has helped him along the way is Wellspring.

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates digital therapeutics to help cancer patients cope with the emotional distress associated with our disease.

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

I'm excited to spend time on the podcast today with Michael, who has become a beloved member and one of the administrators for the Man Up to Cancer - Howling Place Facebook group.

Michael, 32, is from Buffalo, NY (technically South Wales). He has been fighting stage 4 colorectal cancer since June of 2020. At first he was told that his cancer was inoperable and incurable. Not satisfied with that prediction, Michael and his wife Sara took the bull by the horns. They learned everything they could about Michael's disease, and they connected with a team at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. In less than a year, Michael has had multiple surgeries, along with strategic chemotherapy, to rid his body of cancer.

Michael shares a powerful story of self-advocacy, and the power of second opinions for cancer patients.

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates digital therapeutics to help cancer patients cope with the emotional distress associated with our disease.

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

To me, he is a real life hero who has made life better for cancer patients and their families, including me and my family.

In 2008, Patrick founded the Dempsey Center here in our home state of Maine. 

The Dempsey Center provides services, classes, and workshops that improve the quality of life for people impacted by cancer. 

This includes counseling, support groups, nutrition and fitness classes, massage, reiki, acupuncture, and more. All provided at no cost to clients.

In a wide-ranging interview, Kelin and I talk to Patrick about the Dempsey Center's past, present, and future. We also talk about Patrick's career, his upcoming movies, and why he decided to return for a guest run as McDreamy, Dr. Derek Shepherd, on Grey's anatomy.

Specifically, the physical surgical scars that many of us cancer patients have...

And the emotional scars that go along with those scars of the flesh.

My friend Charlie Henricks, a fellow stage 4 colon cancer survivor, joins me.

I’m grateful to be connected to A LOT of cancer patients and survivors on social media, mostly Facebook, and a while back I posted about my scars, and I asked my friends to finish this sentence.

“My scars are ______”

I had about 200 responses, which were all amazing, I don’t have time to share all of them, but I want to share a bunch of these responses with you.

One day I’m myself, engaged with the world, enjoying life with Sarah, Sage, and Elsie, then I go for chemo, and I turn into a zombie. I’m disengaged, sick to the very core of my being, drowning in that toxic chemical soup. I’m non-verbal, slumped in the bed or on the couch, and when I do get up I’m stumbling around.

It’s like I’m here but I’m not here. 

And I want to talk about this because the affects of chemo, what it really looks like, is something we rarely if ever see in popular culture.

Also in this episode, I devote a segment to two of my heroes: Jayden Oakes and Jayne Vinson. Jayden was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago, at the age of 11. He died last month, after fighting his disease with such incredible bravery, and a fierce commitment to LIVING as well as he could, even while enduring treatment that left him sick, weak, and unable to do the things that his peers take for granted.

Jayne, his grandmother and primary caregiver, was a relentless advocate for Jayden. She did everything she possibly could to get him the best care in the world, and the best chance at saving his life. You have never seen a grandmother love a grandchild the way Jayne did over these past two years. 

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates digital therapeutics to help cancer patients cope with the emotional distress associated with our disease.

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

Founded by legendary basketball coach Jimmy Valvano, the V Foundation is one of the largest fundraising organizations in the world for cancer research, having awarded more than $250 million in research grants since its inception in 1993.

In August, the V Foundation is hosting the annual Victory Ride for a Cure. Take part in virtual cycling and non-cycling events throughout the month. You can also join fellow riders in person on Aug. 28 in Raleigh, N.C. Choose from 10-, 30-, 60-, or 100-mile routes. 

I had the honor of interviewing Tom Vibert. He is a stage 4 colorectal cancer survivor; an avid cyclist; and a major fundraiser for the Victory Ride. We are joined by Mick McDonald, a communications staffer for the V Foundation, and host of the Voices of Victory Podcast. 

@thevictoryride 

@vfoundation 

#myvictory 

Last week, I almost got into a fight while waiting to board a plane with my family in Baltimore...

Naturally, that regrettable encounter inspired tomorrow's solo episode of the Man Up to Cancer Podcast. Served up with your Tuesday morning run, peloton ride, or laundry folding.

For better or worse, this is a solo deep-dive into the emotion of anger, and how it is experienced by people facing cancer.

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates digital therapeutics to help cancer patients cope with the emotional distress associated with our disease.

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

As someone who has experienced depression and anxiety during cancer, I’ve had the privilege of working as a patient advisor for Blue Note over the past year. They’re developing digital programs to help cancer patients cope with the emotional stress of our disease. 

For the podcast, I interviewed Blue Note CEO Geoff Eich, and head of finance/operations Mark Elfers. Take a listen and find out how two ex-fighter pilots from the US Marine Corps ended up leading a movement to help the emotional well-being of cancer patients. 

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

OK, let’s get the bad cancer news out of the way...

I have a peach-sized mass in my upper abdomen — nestled up against my stomach — that continues to grow despite my treatments. I call him Problem Child. We plan on getting a biopsy next week, to see if there are any clues on how to get him to settle the hell down. It may be radiation. It may be chemo. It may be both. Surgery is not on the table right now, but may be in the future.

On to the good news!

The rest of the small tumors in my abdomen have not grown. The one tumor in my liver is presumed dead. And I passed the THREE-YEAR MARK of my cancer diagnosis. To celebrate, I hiked Mt. Pierce in New Hampshire with Sarah and some good friends. It was a beautifully clear, sunny, 50-degree day, and I felt really good! Also, we are traveling to California in a few days to visit my dad and his fiancee, and to take in the incredible natural beauty there. 

More good news…

Thanks to you, the Man Up to Cancer Podcast has been downloaded more than 10,000 times since we launched last July! Huge thanks to the pod squad (Kelin, Suzi, Alice) and all my amazing guests for making this show a success. Who knew there would be such interest in a podcast about dudes and cancer?!?

Even more good...

Man Up to Cancer is thrilled to welcome three new sponsors this spring! I only partner with organizations and companies that I love and trust, and that provide real benefits for the MUTC community. We depend on these partnerships to carry out our mission. 

Blue Note Therapeutics

https://bluenotetherapeutics.com/

Natera

https://www.natera.com/oncology/signatera-advanced-cancer-detection/patients/

Zero Gravity Cannabis

https://zerogravitycannabis.com/

Dan is the author of The Half Book: He’s Taking his Ball and Going Home. He lives with his wife and children in St. Louis, Missouri.  

Bio material from Huff Post:

Dan graduated from the Foundation Film program at the Vancouver Film School in 2000. He has been making documentaries, commercials, and short films since for companies big and small around the world. He has won numerous awards in his career, including a Telly Award Winner, a seven-time Telly Award Finalist Winner, and an AIR (Achievement in Radio) award, with two other nominations. 

Dan wanted to change the way people looked at a cancer diagnosis, after his own experience left him wondering about several questions that he was unable to have answered during his fight. In 2010, he and his producing partner, Joe Farmer, founded The Half Fund, a mission dedicated to “lifting the veil on cancer” through the use of mass-media communications, such as movies and documentaries and books and music. 

The Half Fund has achieved 501-(C)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service, and has received a strong endorsement from the American Cancer Society. The mission of The Half Fund is to “…remove the myopia associated with a cancer diagnosis…to give answers to questions before someone knows to even ask.” 

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates digital therapeutics to help cancer patients cope with the emotional distress associated with our disease.

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

J.J. is an inspiration and a cancer slaying beast. He has endured 96 rounds of chemo, 10 major surgeries, hundreds of IVs, scans, blood tests, and the list goes on.

On a recent episode of the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, J.J. got a shout-out as the “GOAT of chemotherapy treatments.” He was also paired with golf legend John Daly at the 2021 PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS Cologuard Classic in Tucson. 

This guy offers a master class in perseverance. At one point, he went 450 days without eating solid food, and he's endured other grueling experiences that would test the will and spirit of anyone. He's still here, still cheering for the Hokies, still inspiring cancer patients and survivors around the globe. We love you JJ!

SPONSOR SHOUT-OUT!

Today’s episode is brought to you exclusively by the good folks at Blue Note Therapeutics.

Blue Note creates digital therapeutics to help cancer patients cope with the emotional distress associated with our disease.

Check out their premier product, COVID Cancer Care, at covidcancercare.com, and we’ll keep you posted on more programs that they’re going to be releasing soon.

You can also visit their website, bluenotetherapeutics.com, and follow them on LinkedIn.

The Ferro family founded and operates Epic Experience, a non-profit that offers free adventure camps for cancer survivors. Think whitewater rafting, hiking, XC skiing, campfires, and really an opportunity for people impacted by cancer to make deep connections and in some cases to re-define what is possible for them.

Epic Experience also offers other survivorship programs, including regional one-day events, online fitness and mobility classes.

All of this stemmed from Michael Ferro’s battle with a brain tumor AND testicular cancer.

We talk to Michael and Colin about what it has been like to face the challenge of cancer as brothers, the impact Michael's disease has had on the family, and which brother really is the family favorite.

For the past five years, the Cleveland Clinic has been running the MENtion It campaign. Each year, they survey roughly 1,000 men on specific topics related to men’s health. 

Some previous findings

Men are 25% less likely than women to take part in preventive care.

61% wait until something becomes unbearable to go to the doctor.

72% of men say they would rather clean toilets than go to the doctor. 

(I say, to those men avoiding screenings that could save their lives, start scrubbing.)

About Dr. Bajic

Petar helps guys with sensitive problems in an area of the body where guys don’t want to have problems, and they certainly don’t want to talk about them.

He often sees cancer patients and survivors who are coping with loss of sexual function, the impact of radiation, hormone therapy, and other common consequences of cancer treatment.

Today's topic is about the bonds we form in cancer support communities, and how we cope with the deaths of our friends.

If you take part in a cancer support group, I hope this gives you some comfort, and maybe even a few strategies, to cope with the inevitable losses that we face along the path.

I also hope it nudges you to confront your own beliefs and feelings around death. We are always learning and developing that relationship, and I continue to learn from all of you.

This episode is recorded in honor of Dennis Wilbur, and all of our departed brothers who have been beloved members of Man Up to Cancer's Howling Place group on Facebook. Fly high, brothers. We pick up your banners and carry them forward.

Here is a snippet:

"The genuine love and care that we see everyday in the Howling Place is astounding

And it really, really matters.

Because at the end of the day, as human beings we all want to know that we are cared for, that we are valued, and that we are loved even in our sickness — and all the way to our death. 

It takes courage to see each other all the way down the path. 

There is no lack of courage in the Howling Place, and I’m incredibly proud of that.

I love you guys. KFG." 

Let’s talk about sex, baby!

Where do we begin to navigate this minefield of taboo subjects? Is it possible to maintain or regain a fulfilling sex life during cancer treatment and beyond?

If any topic calls for an expert, this is the one! Fortunately, we have an expert with us for a special 2-part series. 

Dr. Sharon Bober is director of the Sexual Health Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. The program provides education, consultation, and counseling for patients and their partners who have experienced changes in sexual health during and after cancer treatment.

Where do we begin to navigate this minefield of taboo subjects? Is it possible to maintain or regain a fulfilling sex life during cancer treatment and beyond?

If any topic calls for an expert, this is the one! Fortunately, we have an expert with us for a special 2-part series. 

Dr. Sharon Bober is director of the Sexual Health Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. The program provides education, consultation, and counseling for patients and their partners who have experienced changes in sexual health during and after cancer treatment.

Tracy is the founder of Mohawk Mission, which calls on men to screen for prostate cancer. He is also a volunteer, advocate, and fundraiser for ZERO: The End of Prostate Cancer.

Tracy is also a leader in the Man Up to Cancer community, and I’m proud to call him a friend. 

Christy Cochran Holson is from Charlotte, NC. She is the mom of two boys, and she is a part-time college sociology instructor. She is married to a fantastic guy, Buddy, who has been fighting stage 4 colorectal cancer for the past two and half years.

In this episode, Kelin and I talk to Christy about the roller coaster of her life as a cancer caregiver. Christy is a straight shooter. She talks about how horrible it is to face cancer, but also how the journey has brought her even closer to her husband and their boys.

About a year ago, Christy was one of the first caregivers to do a Q&A with me for the Man Up to Cancer website.

It’s so important for us, as the Man Up to Cancer community, to recognize and support our caregivers, to share their stories so that we can have a better understanding of the impact cancer has on them. 

She's the president of Fight Colorectal Cancer, aka Fight CRC, a national organization focused on colorectal cancer research, education, and awareness.

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined and 1 in 20 people will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

In this episode, Kelin and I talk to Anjee about the past, present, and future of Fight CRC; the movement toward health equity; the "guy" problem (we don't want to see the doctor); and more.

We also put Anjee through the GAUNTLET OF RANDOM QUESTIONS, including this gem: Would you rather be a hobbit or a giant for a week? Hint: She wouldn't mind having hairy feet.

If you want to meet the change-makers in Cancerland -- the people making a huge positive impact on the lives of patients, survivors, and their families -- Anjee needs to be on your list.

He is a leader in COLONTOWN, an online community for people with CRC. He is also a leader and administrator in the Man Up to Cancer community.

On this episode, Jason shares some amazing stories from his cancer journey, and also shares 5 tips to make chemo suck less. 

Jason has been through a lot of chemotherapy over the past few years. He has also endured six surgeries, Y90 radiotherapies, fistulas, a perforated bowel, biopsies, chemical burns, and the loss of more than 100 pounds. In short, he is a cancer badass. 

The tagline for Man Up to Cancer is “Open Heart Warrior Spirit.” Jason lives and breathes that approach to cancer and life.

He is the founder of OffScrip Media, the first audio broadcast network focused on consumer health and patient advocacy. 

You may have heard of a little organization called Stupid Cancer... 

Well, Matthew is the founder. Under his leadership from 2007 through 2018, Stupid Cancer grew into a powerhouse, as the largest and most influential young adult cancer organization in the world.

Matthew is not even close to being done in his mission to call out the bullshit in #cancerland, hold the powerful accountable, and make cancer suck less for the rest of us.

Joe Bullock, my brother in arms, the lead administrator for Man Up to Cancer’s Howling Place Facebook group, makes a triumphant return to the podcast. Together, we kick off 2021 in style. 

We celebrate the first anniversary of the Howling Place, which now has more than 850 members from around the world (male cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers). When the group hits 1000 members, Joe’s getting a tattoo, and I’m going to livestream the shit out of that. 

We talk about Joe’s amazing advocacy work, including the upcoming launch of COLONTOWN JR., which is a supportive space for families with children who have colorectal cancer. 

And finally, I put Joe through the “Gauntlet of Random Questions,” including the classic: 

70s, 80s, or 90s. Which was the best decade, and why?

Sage is 15. She is a beautiful singer. She runs XC, indoor, and outdoor track. She loves music and her friends and Grey's Anatomy.

Elsie is 13. She is a ball of enthusiasm. She plays softball and soccer. She loves to swim, and her friends, and Gilmore Girls.

On today's episode, I sit down for a conversation with Elsie. She asked to come on the podcast because 1) she loves podcasts, and 2) she hopes her perspective will help other kids who have a parent facing cancer.

Sage politely declined to appear on the show. If you know Sage, this totally makes sense, and we respect her decision. (-;

If you're facing cancer and you have kids, I think there will be a few tidbits in this episode that will give you a boost, or at least make you feel that you're not alone! KFG!!

In 2017, when Stephen was just 29 years old, he was diagnosed with inoperable, stage four lung cancer. His disease is currently stable, and he remains in active treatment.

Not long after his diagnosis, Stephen and his wife Emily started the Huff Project, a non-profit with a mission to erase the negative stigma associated with lung cancer, and to raise money for research that will help prevent future cases, and advance treatment options. 

Today, I sat down for a chat with Stephen about life with lung cancer, and what motivates him each day as a teacher and leader of a non-profit organization. 

On this cancer journey, when bitterness creeps into your soul -- and it will -- what are you going to do?

Are you going to feel sorry for yourself? Check out from the things you love because they're too painful? Shake your head and say no, it hasn't been worth it?

Or will you choose life? Will you invite joy and celebrate the moments as they come?

It's OK to experience bitterness. I'm just suggesting that it's not OK to dwell there.

I suggest we follow the lead of Gabriele "Gabe" Grunewald. Gabe was a professional runner, and she LIVED with cancer for 10 years, between her diagnosis as a college student at age 22, and her death in 2019 at the age of 32.

"Cancer can stop you from doing a lot of things. I'm well aware of that. But I'm more interested in what cancer can't stop me from doing. Here's to finding out."

Carole Motycka and Michael Mancini are both stage IV colorectal cancer thrivers.

They are both rock star advocates, inspiring other patients and fighting for legislative changes, more funding for scientific research, and other advances in the field.

They are also in a loving relationship, having met at the Call-on Congress event put on by Fight CRC.

In this episode, I talk to Carole and Mike about finding love in #cancerland, what it's like to play the roles of patient and caregiver. I also force them into the hot seat for the Gauntlet of Random Questions.

Fight CRC

Colon Club

Cleveland Clinic, where Carole had her liver transplant

You may know him as a football legend who starred at NC State and went on to become one of the greatest wide receivers of all-time in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams.

But others know him better for his impact off the field -- as the guy with a huge heart who would do anything for kids who have a parent facing cancer.

As a young man, Torry lost his mother to cancer. Hear how that experience shaped him, prepared him for his NFL career, and laid the foundation for the charitable work of the Holt Brothers Foundation, along with his brother Terrence.

Kevin is the real deal, super inspirational without the BS.

He is an acclaimed chef, restaurant owner, and businessman who became a breakout star on Bravo’s award-winning television series Top Chef.

Kevin is the founder and owner of Red Beard Restaurants, including the restaurants Gunshow and Revival in his home state of Georgia. 

He has the greatest titles ever for his cookbooks: 

Fire in My Belly and Pure Pork Awesomeness.

Importantly for this show, Kevin is a survivor of a rare form of renal cancer, for which he had a kidney removed in 2018.

F#ck that.

It’s our disease, and how we face it is our choice.

In today’s episode, Kelin Welborn and I talk about Chadwick Boseman, his legacy, and the “responsibilities” of celebrity cancer patients. We then meander into a talk about gender, masculinity, and how boys are raised in the good ol’ USA.

* Production note.. The audio quality isn’t great on this one, as it was not produced by our amazing friends at Redbird Media Group. 

On October 17th, volunteers Joe Gillette and Steve Bell will join with me and Joe Bullock for a virtual presentation "See Yourself A Coast 2 Coast 2 Coast Journey To Men's Cancer Awareness"

As part of that broadcast we will show a special "Light Up The Journey" ceremony taped the week before at my property in Cape Elizabeth Maine, centered around "That Tree" which featured so prominently in my YouTube video.

Joe Gillette of Brooklyn and Steve Bell of California are champions of hope.

Facebook page for the "See Yourself" collaboration

https://www.facebook.com/ACSWolfpack

GoFundMe page for the collaboration

https://gf.me/u/yz525p

"In the Tree, I See Myself" video essay

https://youtu.be/kMCQgGeQ_JA

What?! Never heard of Lynch Syndrome?

Let us break it down for you in today's episode. Basically it's is a genetic glitch that makes some of us more likely to develop cancer. Scientists estimate that about 1 in 279 people carry a Lynch Syndrome mutation.

David and I happen to be among the 1s in the 279s.

A three-time cancer survivor, David and his wife Robin are the founders of Alive and Kickn, a foundation with a mission to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by Lynch Syndrome. The foundation focuses on research, education, and screening.

"Alive" comes from the fact that David is very much alive and enjoying life, despite cancer's best efforts to take him down.

"Kickn" comes from his passion for soccer, although he confesses on today's episode that his game is a tad rusty.

Check out the incredible impact Alive and Kickn is making at https://www.aliveandkickn.org/

Also check out the Living With Lynch page, a collaboration between Alive and Kickn and the Colon Cancer Coalition. They are hosting a Lynch Syndrome patient workshop on Oct. 9, 2020.

https://www.livingwithlynch.org/

On today’s episode, Kelin and I talk to Scott Wilson. 

Scott is a husband, father, internationally acclaimed photographer, and a stage 4 colorectal cancer survivor.

He is a powerhouse advocate for education, screening, research and treatment advances for colorectal cancer, in Colorado and at the national and international levels.

A few of our topics…

* What it’s like to communicate with our kids about cancer

* Why it’s important for male patients and survivors to have their own space to talk

* The tattoo that Scott is planning on getting in two years

A native of Scotland, he has that unmistakable accent. Because I’m an American descendent of Scottish ancestors, I have had a bro crush on Scott for a while, and I’m pretty sure that if you listen to a few minutes of this podcast, you will too. 

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.com. HOWL!!

LINKS

https://www.wilsonaxpe.com/

Instagram @wilsonaxpe

https://www.facebook.com/Wilsonaxpe/

https://www.colonclub.com/our-stories/colon-cancer/scott-wilson

https://www.denverpost.com/2020/02/10/colorado-colon-cancer-screening/

Justin is a men’s health activist, testicular cancer survivor, and the founder of aBallsySenseofTumor.com. In November 2016, he was diagnosed with stage II testicular cancer at the age of 25. Justin is known for his sense of humor. He is a frequent nominee and a past winner of WEGO Health's Hilarious Patient Leader award.

Throughout his diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, and being cleared in remission in March 2017, he has been passionate about sharing his story to spread awareness about testicular cancer, promote open conversation about men’s health, and talk about the unspoken realities of being a cancer survivor.

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.com. HOWL!!

www.aballsysenseoftumor.com

www.wegohealth.com/awards

In today’s episode, you get to hear from the man himself!

I was honored to have a heart-to-heart talk with Jared. We touch on a wide range of topics, including the importance of family, and the unique challenges that men face when we are diagnosed with cancer. 

Jared is a husband, dad, recently retired Air Force officer, and a stage 4 colon cancer badass. In the Howling Place (Man Up to Cancer’s private Facebook group for men impacted by cancer), we all look up to Jared for his strength, courage, and honesty. 

If this resonates with you (especially if you are a man impacted by cancer looking to connect with others who are in the same boat) I invite you to learn more about our community at www.manuptocancer.com

Rob was a heavy duty mechanic before his diagnosis more than four years ago. Since then he has done 25 radiation treatments, more than 40 chemo sessions, and eight surgeries, and he continues to fight this disease like the badass he is.

Then we dive into "Things Not to Say to a Cancer Patient," and a spirited round of "Cancer Patient Trivia."

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.com. HOWL!!

Use my voice to help others facing cancer, or stay on the sidelines.

I almost said no.

Saying yes was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Today on the podcast, Kelin and I chat with Erika, the visionary colon cancer survivor who founded COLONTOWN in 2011.

www.colontown.org

COLONTOWN improves the quality of life and outcomes for people with colorectal cancer, through shared knowledge, experience, and support.

It's an online community, created and operated entirely by colorectal cancer patients, survivors, and care partners. Colontownies are leaders of the ‘patient-to-patient’ movement, educating members on the science and latest advancements related to our disease.

COLONTOWN is structured in private groups on Facebook. The core neighborhood is “Downtown.” From there, members can participate in more than 120 neighborhoods that cater to all aspects of colorectal cancer. For example, “Four Corners” is for stage IV patients, and "Corner Cupboard" offers solutions to common side effects. 

I have my next MRI coming up in a few weeks. My tumor marker has bumped up a bit, triggering some awesome PTSD. 

Feeling some creeping anxiety, fear, anger, etc. You know, the usual darker emotions of a cancer journey. 

What to do? 

Sit down for a “Trevor cancer update” with my friend Kelin, obviously. 

In this short episode, Kelin and I chat about the difficulties of juggling GRATITUDE with the occasional intrusion of WORRY. 

#manuptocancer #cancerland #kfg

Then Kelin and I dive deep into a discussion about how shame has reared its ugly head in my cancer journey.

Shout out to the organizations we mention: The Colon Club, COLONTOWN, and the Dempsey Center.

Here's an excerpt:

"Don't be weak. Toughen up. Take it like a man.

So what happens to the American man - one who has been taught there is no hurdle he can't handle on his own - when a challenge comes along that he can't simply fix?

What happens when he gets cancer?"

Kelin is a Swiss Army knife of creativity and logistics. She created the howling wolf logo, the website, and more. She is a loyal friend. And she's a damn good co-host for the Man Up to Cancer Podcast.

This is the story of how Kelin got involved at day one, and has helped to build and empower the Man Up community.

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.com. HOWL!!

Just before his high school prom and graduation, at the age of 18, Jason was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Now 26, Jason has used his experience as fuel to help others.

As an event planner, Jason has organized the largest simultaneous self-check for testicular cancer, which made him a Guinness World Record Holder. He is the co-founder of the social media campaign and day: National Ball Check Day.

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.com. HOWL!!

But what is it?

In this bonus episode, the meaning of KFG gets revealed. I ramble for 14 minutes about my colon surgery, amazing nurse Aaron, and the joys of oxaliplatin chemo. I also send out a message of encouragement to all the cancer patients out there who are in pain, suffering, and basically living minute to minute.

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.com. HOWL!!

This was the hardest episode for me to record, and also the one that was most necessary.

We talk about what it was like to receive the diagnosis; how we told our children I had cancer; my mental health crisis in the months that followed; and how our marriage was the anchor that we both needed.

We hope our conversation can provide comfort -- and maybe even inspiration -- for other couples going through cancer.

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.com. HOWL!!

Jay, aka @thatcancerdude, talks about family, fitness, and purpose in his leukemia journey.

Diagnosed at age 26... stem cell transplant... Living to the fullest more than 8 years later. Jay has been involved as a participant, volunteer, and consultant for organizations that provide direct support for cancer patients, including Epic Experience and Reel Recovery.

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.com. HOWL!!

There is a friend of mine who is shouldering a lot, and I want to honor him. 

In this 15-minute episode, you will get to know one of my heroes, Jared McMillan. Jared is a husband, dad, recently retired Air Force officer, and a stage 4 colon cancer badass. You will get to know him through his own writing, and through the words of others who know him best.

On top of the brutal regimen he is on to treat his cancer, and the relentless side effects, Jared was diagnosed this week with COVID-19.

By the end of the episode, you will hopefully understand why he closes every social media post with the same two hashtags.

#NeverEverQuit

#FaithFamilyFight

If this resonates with you (especially if you are a man impacted by cancer looking to connect with others who are in the same boat) I invite you to learn more about our community at www.manuptocancer.com

You'll see why it's OK for guy friends to tell each other, "I love you."

Three facts about Erik...

1- Benchpressed the couch in our college apartment...With me and my future wife Sarah sitting on it.

2- Nearly drowned during a remote hunting and fishing trip in Canada or Wisconsin or wherever the hell sasquatches hunt.

3- Travelled to Maine from Chicago, completely unannounced, for a surprise visit with me after he learned I had cancer.

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.com. HOWL!!

Joe is also an ambassador for FightCRC, and an active patient voice in several organizations including COLONTOWN. He is a husband, father, and a stage IIIB colon cancer survivor.

Keep howlin', Joe!

In this short pilot episode, you'll get to know me and the reasons why guys are terrible at "cancering".

So, give me 7 minutes, and I'll give you a behind-the-scenes tour of Man Up to Cancer, and what to expect from the newest podcast in #cancerland.

-Trevor

1:32 My cancer dossier

3:06 What happens when you isolate during cancer (hint: it ain't good)

4:50 Grief, pain, anger, and other fun cancer feelings

5:54 What the heck is Man Up to Cancer?