Podcast Category: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

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: 6 Tour de Force

This is Cancer Podcast – Episode 6: Tour de Force

Featuring Maria Thomas, MD, PhD; Neha Mehta-Shah, MD; and Justin, a lymphoma survivor

In Episode 6 of This is Cancer, competitive cyclist Justin joins us to talk about his journey as a lymphoma survivor and how a visit to the chiropractor led to his diagnosis. Washington University radiation oncologist Maria Thomas, MD, PhD, and medical oncologist Neha Mehta-Shah, MD, also sit down with us to discuss how Justin’s perseverance and championship attitude got him through a marathon of chemo, radiation, and a stem cell transplant.

About This Episode

When Justin noticed a dip in his competitive cycling performance, a visit to the chiropractor led to the discovery of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Washington University radiation oncologist Maria Thomas, MD, PhD, and Washington University medical oncologist Neha Mehta-Shah, MD, recount Justin’s elite perseverance and championship attitude that got him through a marathon of chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant.

Award-winning “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.