I Had Cancer

I Had Cancer

Welcome to the I HAD CANCER Podcast, an Allegheny Health Network and iHeart Production hosted by Bonny Diver of iHeartMedia. The I HAD CANCER Podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Episodes

Episode 52: Cancer specialist sees exciting times ahead for AHN

May 1, 2020 • 21 mins
Dr. David Bartlett, the new chair of AHN Cancer Institute, is an acclaimed cancer surgeon and researcher. Involved in the latest advances in care, he predicts steady growth in the search for a cure. Dr. Bartlett approaches each patient with empathy, developing friendships that are great motivators for him to push on with his work. Hear why he calls cancer a unique puzzle, and why everyday good health habits might hold the key to pr...
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Episode 51: Mom says her melanoma diagnosis was lucky

April 28, 2020 • 25 mins
Heather was 40, with a newborn son and a 3-year old daughter, when she learned that a mole on her skin was melanoma. Then, she didn’t know what it meant, but now she’s passionate about skin cancer awareness and prevention. She is thankful for AHN surgeons and dermatologists who gave top quality care and eased her mind. Hear why she tells skin cancer: “Not at my job. Not in my neighborhood!”

The I Had Cancer podcast provides persona...
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Episode 50: She lost her old self, but found a new one

April 21, 2020 • 25 mins
Ashley was 33 when ovarian cancer fractured her world. But her faith and an amazing care team at West Penn Hospital kept her going. With a leader in ovarian cancer research as her surgeon, she moved through a hysterectomy and chemotherapy to ring the final bell. Now she’s active in two cancer support groups. Hear how a schedule change, a “beat cancer” parade, and a t-shirt with a special message gave her hope.

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Episode 49: He raced his way through treatment

April 14, 2020 • 19 mins
Ray, 65, was always active, hunting elk, shoeing horses at the track, and celebrating his daughter’s wedding. Esophageal cancer interrupted his plans, but never his positivity. Surrounded by top-shelf cancer professionals at West Penn Hospital, he moved rapidly to a diagnosis, and then through chemo, radiation, and surgery. Hear why he credits divine intervention, his surgeon, and great people for his survival.

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Episode 47: A tough turn from expectant mom to cancer patient

March 24, 2020 • 19 mins
Jessica’s happiness at being pregnant was dashed when she developed a placenta tumor. She had gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), a rare cancer that arises during pregnancy. After a miscarriage, she became the youngest person – just 33 – in her chemo group. With amazing nurses and doctors, and support from generous family and friends, she became a survivor. Hear why she will never be the same again, but might be something mo...
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Episode 45: Her birthday surprise changed her life

March 10, 2020 • 18 mins
Cheryl learned she had invasive ductal carcinoma on her 50th birthday, just four months after her mother got the same breast cancer diagnosis. With chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and great support from AHN doctors and nurses — whom she calls her guardian angels — she was on her way to being a cancer survivor. Hear how family and friends — along with a very special t-shirt – were there when she rang the bell.
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Episode 43: Hockey player ices cancer

February 25, 2020 • 19 mins
When a lump in his neck turned out to be salivary gland cancer, Mike was confident his AHN doctors would pull him through. He didn’t worry. At age 54, he just wanted to keep working and playing hockey — even after surgery and during his radiation treatments. Hear how he survived his cancer and rang in the new year in a special way.

The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along the...
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Episode 42: She gathered support, then gave it back

February 18, 2020 • 16 mins
She gathered support, then gave it back
Martha Neevan, 57, got mammograms on time, every time. Then she found a lump, just two months after a breast exam. It was a fast growing form of breast case, already at stage 3. Fortunately, a great team at AHN was by her side through chemo, surgery, and radiology — all the way to “I Had Cancer.” Hear what happened halfway through her treatment and why she enlisted PacMan to join her fight.

T...
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Episode 41: A busy mom pays attention to her skin

February 11, 2020 • 19 mins
Kristi Webb was 38 with a five-month old daughter when she noticed a mole on her jaw line. Hear how she connected with care, found the information she needed, and met a whole community of Pittsburgh melanoma survivors.

The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against ...
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Episode 40: From patient to advocate

February 4, 2020 • 19 mins
Mike couldn’t wait for doctors to remove every trace of prostate cancer from his body. Listen to his message of hope, and an idea to increase the survival rate from 90 to 100%.
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Episode 39: Just 3 miles away

January 28, 2020 • 18 mins
Renee thought she had hemorrhoids, but doctors confirmed she had rectal cancer. Hear how she met her AHN cancer team the very next day and finished out her treatments at a brand new cancer institute just 3 miles from her home in Butler.

The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their ...
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Episode 38: College student’s swollen tonsil leads to leukemia diagnosis

January 21, 2020 • 17 mins
Erin said her annual checkup became the biggest deal of her life. Before starting her senior year in college, 21-year-old Erin visited her doctor, who found that Erin’s tonsil was swollen. She had no other symptoms, but the discovery led to doctors diagnosing Erin with acute myeloid leukemia. She talks about how her brother shared his stem cells and her highly specialized AHN team instilled confidence and hope in her for a cure.

Th...
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Episode 37: Mom’s cancer battle inspires daughter to comfort others

January 14, 2020 • 20 mins
Only 45 and just relocated to Pittsburgh with her family, Wendy found a lump in her breast. She called 412-DOCTORS the next morning, saw a doctor the same day, had a biopsy the next, and underwent a successful mastectomy soon after. Hear how Wendy’s illness motivated her daughter, Shelby, to create a program that provides comfortable pillows to AHN breast cancer patients as they recover from surgery.

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Episode 36: Conquering Stage 4 Breast Cancer with Husband, AHN and Faith

January 7, 2020 • 23 mins
Naomi was 52 when she felt a lump in her breast. She went to the Breast Center at Allegheny General Hospital for her gynecologist appointment. In the next few hours, Naomi had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy and received a diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer. She shares how her husband rallied behind Naomi and gave her strength and faith to fight the advanced disease for the last 10 years. The I Had Cancer podcast provides person...
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Episode 33: She found expert cancer care right here

December 17, 2019 • 19 mins
Stephanie was diagnosed last June with aggressive breast cancer. She was willing to travel anywhere to get best treatment. But after she met her AHN team of specialists, discovered that more than 20 doctors were involved in her treatment plan, and was enrolled in an immunotherapy clinical trial, Stephanie knew she had the best care in her backyard. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer su...
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Episode 32: Brain tumor discovered during European Vacation

December 10, 2019 • 20 mins
Dan was vacationing in Austria with his wife when he suffered a seizure and learned he had brain cancer. He recounts how Highmark helped him return to the US via an air ambulance and had Dan, 34, admitted to Allegheny General Hospital. Listen to Dan describe his brain surgery, performed while he was awake in order to preserve parts of the brain that control vision, speech and movement. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and...
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Episode 30: Routine colonoscopy found preacher’s cancer

November 26, 2019 • 19 mins
The Rev. Leslie Boone had no symptoms, but a routine colonoscopy revealed she had colorectal cancer. Listen as Leslie talks about how she never feared the disease, even as she endured procedures, chemotherapy and radiation. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight aga...
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Episode 29: Medical professional becomes the patient

November 19, 2019 • 15 mins
As an occupational therapy assistant, Sonny is used to caring for others. After having a routine mammogram that indicated she had breast cancer, the tables were turned, and she was now the patient. Sonny describes how she quickly received a treatment plan from her AHN team while her family and friends provided endless support through the entire journey. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with canc...
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Episode 28: Pirates pitcher shuts out cancer

November 12, 2019 • 26 mins
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon describes the fear he felt after discovering something wrong in his testicle and later receiving a cancer diagnosis.  He talks about his surgery, rehabilitation, and return to the mound just 5 weeks after surgery.  Jameson encourages other men to perform self-checks and stay in tune with their bodies. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivo...
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Episode 27: A story of serendipity

November 5, 2019 • 18 mins
Lung cancer survivor Stephanie, 74, had a new doctor who recommended a baseline chest X-ray. That simple screening led to Stephanie’s robotic-assisted surgery. Hear how sharing her family story with her doctor helped save her life. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own f...
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