Podcast Category: Childhood Cancer

Ep 33: A Novel Life: Writing New Chapters After a Childhood Cancer Diagnosis

This is Cancer: Ep: 33 – A Novel Life: Writing New Chapters After a Childhood Cancer Diagnosis

Featuring David Wilson, MD; Debra Spoljaric, RN, MSNP; and Jenna, a cancer survivor

It’s hard not to compare Jenna’s life story to a novel. At age 15, she and her world were upended by lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. As words like biopsy, chemo and radiation therapy became daily realities, her high school sweetheart, Colton, remained steadfast at her side, and her mother, Theresa, meticulously advocated for her care. Even after a relapse, Jenna was inspired by her oncology team at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to stay the course. Motivated by her care providers, Jenna later pursued a career of her own in nursing, married Colton and, after giving birth to a daughter and a son, became a nurse in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – again inspired by the care providers in her life. This episode features Jenna alongside her mother, Theresa, her WashU Medicine pediatric oncologist, David Wilson, MD, and nurse practitioner Debra Spoljaric, RN, MSNP, who leads Siteman Cancer Center’s Lifelong Outcomes Clinic for survivors of childhood cancer. Jenna shares examples of courage, resilience and love — and the promise of a storybook ending.

About This Episode

It’s hard not to compare Jenna’s life story to a novel. At age 15, she and her world were upended by lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. As words like biopsy, chemo and radiation therapy became daily realities, her high school sweetheart, Colton, remained steadfast at her side, and her mother, Theresa, meticulously advocated for her care. Even after a relapse, Jenna was inspired by her  oncology team at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to stay the course.

Motivated by her care providers, Jenna later pursued a career of her own in nursing, married Colton and, after giving birth to a daughter and a son, became a nurse in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – again inspired by the care providers in her life. This episode features Jenna alongside her mother, Theresa, her WashU Medicine pediatric oncologist, David Wilson, MD, and nurse practitioner Debra Spoljaric, RN, MSNP, who leads Siteman Cancer Center’s Lifelong Outcomes Clinic for survivors of childhood cancer. Jenna shares examples of courage, resilience and love — and the promise of a storybook ending.

“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.

Ep 13: Addie’s Buckets of Joy: A Siteman Kids Journey

This is Cancer – Episode 13: Addie’s Buckets of Joy: A Siteman Kids Journey

Featuring Stephanie Perkins, MD; Addie, Cancer Survivor; and Ashley, a caregiver

In 2022, 11-year-old Addie traveled from central Illinois to Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital with a brain tumor so rare that the type wasn’t widely known anywhere. Addie and her mom, Ashley, are joined by Addie’s child life specialist, Nikki, to discuss the surgery, proton therapy and emotional support that saved Addie’s life – and the joy they found along the way. Later in the episode, Washington University radiation oncologist Stephanie Perkins, MD, and Washington University hematologist-oncologist Margaret Shatara, MD, discuss childhood cancer, the latest advancements and the future of treating pediatric patients.

About This Episode

In 2022, 11-year-old Addie traveled from central Illinois to Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital with a brain tumor so rare that the type wasn’t widely known anywhere. Addie and her mom, Ashley, are joined by Addie’s child life specialist, Nikki, to discuss the surgery, proton therapy and emotional support that saved Addie’s life – and the joy they found along the way. Later in the episode, Washington University radiation oncologist Stephanie Perkins, MD, and hematologist-oncologist Margaret Shatara, MD, discuss childhood cancer, the latest advancements and the future of treating pediatric patients.

“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.