Episode 9: Dave Lopez: CBS News Icon, Prostate Cancer, Caregiver to His Wife & Mother & His New Book

We are excited to bring you today’s episode with Dave Lopez. For fifty years if there was a story in Los Angeles, reporter Dave Lopez covered it. Fires, floods, serial killers, OJ, crooked politicians…Dave brought the stories that mattered into LA living rooms. He retired in 2020 after an unprecedented 43 years on the air as a reporter at KCBS Channel 2, Los Angeles. A talented journalist and diehard sports reporter, Dave broke barriers at a time when there were not even Spanish-speaking first responder firefighters or cops in the city, much less appearing on a major newscast. He credits his success to his upbringing in South Park, where he was raised by his parents, Tilly and Al, both of whom came to the US as children from Mexico. Dave’s father Al, a fixture in the neighborhood for fifty years, was the rock of his family. Sadly, Al fell apart when his wife of five decades was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Today, Dave will discuss his own diagnosis with prostate cancer, skin cancer, losing his wife to cancer and also how caring for elderly parents, particularly those with dementia or Alzheimer’s destroys not only the patient, but the family as well. 00:02:17 Our Sponsor for today’s episode is The Zen Roller! Go to www.healthinterruptedpodcast.com and click on the Sponsor page to purchase The Zen Roller. USE CODE HEALTH for 25% off 00:03:08 Gina talks about living in Los Angeles for decades, being in the car in LA traffic listening to the radio in the car. 00:04:27 Dave talks about his bout with prostate cancer in 1996 & having a radical prostatectomy 00:07:20 Dave talks about going to the doctor when not feeling well & making it a point to get his routine physical every year, no fail. 00:08:17 Dave talks about the importance of simple maintenance to keep good, solid health 00:11:49 Dave talks about giving himself 1 day, not longer, to be angry with prostate cancer diagnosis 00:15:32 Dave talks about the impact his parents made on him, being the oldest of 8 siblings, and having a catholic school education. 00:19:19 Dave talks about his mother’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s and care taking for her at the end of her life. 00:25:18 Dave talks about how he handled being a caretaker for his mother while simultaneously his wife was suffering with a disease. Advice – do what you need to do to keep your family member comfortable, rely on the experts and don't try to do it alone, take a break. 00:33:11 – Dave talks about his exercise routine to try and stay as fit and healthy as he can. 00:35:00 The Rooster crows the first time 00:36:10-00:37:07 The Rooster crows MANY MORE TIMES 00:36:36 Rooster Crows AGAIN & Dave’s Fitness Tip 00:37:30 Dave’s Nutrition Tip 00:39:31 Dave’s Mental/Spiritual Tip 00:41:31 Dave’s Beauty Tip – 00:45:16 Elaine Memorial Scholarship Fund at Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy in San Pedro, CA– $12,000 for students who want to become teachers 00:46:24 Gina names Dave’s book “the Rooster Crows at 4pm” 00:47:24 Dave’s Call To Action – Call someone from your past and say hello 00:48:32 Bonus News Stories from Dave! 00:50:55 Dave does a shout out to his CBS Family Connect with our guest, Dave Lopez: Instagram: @reporter_dave_lopez Facebook: Dave Lopez (Public Figure) Twitter: @cbsladavelopez Resources: Prostate Cancer Information: PCF.org Alzheimer’s Information: www.alz.org Connect with the Hosts of Health Interrupted: Gina Lombardi https://www.instagram.com/coachlombardi Laura Kaeppeler https://www.instagram.com/kaeppelerlaura Or go to www.healthinterruptedpodcast.com for more information KEYWORDS: Los Angeles Reporter News Coverage Prostate Cancer Alzheimer’s Caregiving Exercise Health Fitness Nutrition Sun Screen CBS News KCAL9 Vicks Vaporub