The Many Faces of Cancer

Melissa Grosboll
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Alternative Health
  • Weekly

As a cancer survivor and thriver, I know how important community and support are when you are facing a cancer diagnosis. That’s why I created The Many Faces of Cancer Podcast. Each week I will be interviewing amazing people with heartfelt and inspirational stories from all sides of the cancer journey: patients, survivors and thrivers, caregivers, family and friends, and professionals. I may even throw in a bonus episode once in a while talking about things that are important to us all.  We never think it will happen to us, until it does. This podcast will be about community, knowing you’re not alone in your journey. It will also be an opportunity for people to share their stories and hopefully help others.  I hope you will all tune in. While it will be cancer stories, we all learn from others and, ultimately, these are human stories, applicable to many other areas of life.

  1. 1d ago

    It's Aggressive, But So Am I: Defying the Odds with Lung Cancer with Wendy Brooks

    "It's aggressive, but so am I." When Wendy Brooks was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in 2023, she knew she was facing a serious disease. But she also knew one thing: she wasn't going to sit back and let cancer make all the decisions. After years of proactive lung cancer screening, Wendy's cancer was detected early. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation, initially with excellent results. But just months later, the cancer returned, spreading to her brain and changing everything. Rather than allowing frightening statistics to determine her future, Wendy became determined to educate herself, explore emerging treatments, and take an active role in her care. In this episode of The Many Faces of Cancer, Wendy shares how clinical trials have become a lifeline in her journey with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. From targeted chemotherapy to innovative immunotherapy, she has experienced firsthand the extraordinary advances taking place in cancer research. Now, she's looking toward her next opportunity: a clinical trial involving personalized CAR T-cell therapy. But Wendy's story is about more than medical innovation. It's about finding your community, learning to advocate for yourself, and recognizing that your voice matters—not only in your own treatment decisions but in shaping the future of cancer care for others. Through her advocacy work, Wendy is helping raise awareness about lung cancer screening, reducing the stigma surrounding the disease, and encouraging patients to explore clinical trials as a potential treatment option. She calls herself the SCLC Unicorn, embracing the possibility of an exceptional outcome despite the odds. In this episode, we discuss: How annual lung cancer screening led to Wendy's early diagnosisThe differences between small cell and non-small cell lung cancerNavigating recurrence and brain metastasisHow clinical trials have opened doors to promising new treatmentsThe exciting potential of targeted immunotherapy and CAR T-cell therapyWhy patients should ask about clinical trials early in their treatment journeyThe importance of finding community and becoming your own advocateHow Wendy is turning her experience into a mission to help othersWendy's story is a powerful reminder that a diagnosis is not a prediction of any one person's future. With continued research, informed decisions, supportive communities, and new treatment possibilities, there are reasons to remain hopeful. As Wendy reminds us, don't be afraid to ask questions, explore your options, and advocate for the care you deserve. Resources: Wendy's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCLCUnicorn Wendy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sclcunicorn/ Wendy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sclcunicorn/ Wendy's Advocacy: LiveLung.org LCFAmerica.org Lungevity.org Wendy's Email: SCLCUnicorn@gmail.com Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ My website: https://melissagrosboll.com Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

    It's Aggressive, But So Am I: Defying the Odds with Lung Cancer with Wendy Brooks

  2. Oct 27

    Ten Fractured Vertebrae and an Unexpected Cancer Diagnosis with Rick Hyde

    What started as a seemingly ordinary back injury turned into a life-changing cancer diagnosis for Rick Hyde. In December 2023, Rick felt something snap in his back while helping his daughter change her snow tires. What followed were months of worsening pain, limited mobility, and unanswered questions. By the time doctors discovered he had multiple myeloma, Rick had suffered at least ten fractured vertebrae and lost four inches of height. But Rick wasn't about to let cancer take away his sense of humor or his ability to find the silver lining. In this episode of The Many Faces of Cancer, Rick shares his journey from debilitating pain and a delayed diagnosis to cancer treatment, a stem cell transplant, and a renewed appreciation for his health. Along the way, he reflects on the incredible advances in cancer treatment, the unwavering support of his wife, and the importance of maintaining hope when life takes an unexpected turn. With humor, gratitude, and a refreshingly practical outlook, Rick reminds us that while we can't always control what happens to us, we can choose how we approach the challenges ahead. And with his cancer currently undetectable, Rick has his sights set on something he and his wife have been looking forward to for years: getting back to traveling and enjoying retirement together. In this episode, we discuss: How an ordinary back injury led to a multiple myeloma diagnosisThe physical and emotional challenges of months spent nearly immobileHis experience with cancer treatment and an autologous stem cell transplantThe importance of family support, humor, and finding silver liningsWhy advances in cancer treatment give him hope for the futureRebuilding his health and looking forward to adventures still to comeRick's message to anyone facing a new cancer diagnosis is simple: Keep your hopes up. Look for the positive, and never underestimate the possibilities that tomorrow's treatments may bring. Resources: Rick's Email: drhmail@comcast.net Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ My website: https://melissagrosboll.com Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

    Ten Fractured Vertebrae and an Unexpected Cancer Diagnosis with Rick Hyde

  3. Oct 20

    Surviving was Only the Beginning: Finding Life After Cancer with Casey Kang

    What happens when cancer treatment ends, but the fear, anxiety, and trauma refuse to go away? In this episode of The Many Faces of Cancer, Melissa welcomes Casey Kang, a three-time acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivor, stroke survivor, author, and trauma-informed cancer coach whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Diagnosed in her early 30s, Casey endured years of grueling treatments, a chemotherapy-related stroke that temporarily paralyzed her left side, multiple relapses, and a stem cell transplant. At one point, doctors told her there were no more treatment options and encouraged her to get her affairs in order. Against the odds, Casey survived. But what came next was a battle she hadn't anticipated. After treatment, she struggled with overwhelming anxiety, fear of recurrence, and the emotional trauma of everything she had experienced. While everyone around her celebrated her survival, Casey was quietly falling apart. Eventually, she reached a breaking point that forced her to confront a difficult truth: Being alive and truly living are not the same thing. Through her own healing journey, Casey discovered ways to address the emotional and physical effects of trauma. Today, she uses that experience to help other women move beyond survival and reclaim their joy, confidence, and sense of self. Melissa and Casey discuss the often-overlooked challenges of survivorship, the importance of individualized healing, the role of community and connection, and why the end of cancer treatment isn't necessarily the end of the cancer journey. This is an honest, vulnerable, and ultimately hopeful conversation about what it means to find your way back to yourself after cancer. Resources: Casey's Website: https://www.thehappierhustle.com/ Casey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-kang-head-37a4b488/ Casey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappierhustle/ Casey's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehappierhustle Casey's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyApiKxkUYmVGioZgadGv_g Link for free guide: 4 Ways to Reduce Anxiety:  https://casey-head.mykajabi.com/free-guide Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ My website: https://melissagrosboll.com Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

    Surviving was Only the Beginning: Finding Life After Cancer with Casey Kang

  4. Oct 13

    Your Journey is Your Journey: Surviving Cancer Three Times with Amy Kearney

    What happens when you know something isn't right with your body—even when cancer is the last thing anyone expects? Amy Kearney was just 29 years old when a procedure she believed would remove part of an ovary because of a cyst turned into a five-hour surgery, a full hysterectomy and a cancer diagnosis she never saw coming. It would not be her last. Years later, an observant medical intern noticed something unusual in Amy's neck just before Amy was leaving to get married. Amy insisted on having it checked before she left, eventually leading to a thyroid cancer diagnosis. More recently, a routine skin check uncovered melanoma in a tiny spot on the back of her neck that she couldn't even see herself. Through three very different cancer experiences, Amy has learned one lesson she wants other women to hear: know your body, listen when something doesn't feel right and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. In this episode of The Many Faces of Cancer, Amy shares the emotional toll of losing her thyroid after already undergoing a hysterectomy, the difficult months that followed, and how yoga, medical support and taking care of herself helped her find her way back. We also talk about something nearly every person affected by cancer encounters—the overwhelming amount of advice, opinions and other people's cancer stories that can surround a diagnosis. Amy's advice? Stay in your lane. Your cancer journey belongs to you. Surround yourself with people who fill your cup, quiet the outside noise and give yourself permission to focus on what you need to heal. In this episode, we talk about: Being diagnosed with cancer at just 29 years oldWaking from surgery to a diagnosis Amy never expectedWhy knowing your body and speaking up mattersAmy's later thyroid cancer diagnosisThe emotional and physical struggle that followed thyroid surgeryFinding support through yoga and learning to prioritize her own well-beingWhy other people's cancer stories aren't necessarily your storyThe support-group experience Amy knew she needed to walk away fromHer more recent melanoma experience and the importance of regular skin checksSurrounding yourself with people who support rather than overwhelm youWhy taking care of yourself during cancer is not selfishAmy's story is a reminder that self-advocacy isn't about having all the answers. Sometimes it's simply knowing that something doesn't feel right—and continuing to ask questions until someone listens. And when cancer brings an avalanche of opinions, advice and frightening stories, remember Amy's message: Your journey is your journey. Quiet the noise, fill your cup and stay in your lane. Resources: Amy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-kearney-78585018/ Amy's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.kearney2 Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinbyamyk/ Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ My website: https://melissagrosboll.com Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

    Your Journey is Your Journey: Surviving Cancer Three Times with Amy Kearney

  5. Oct 6

    Still Here but Forever Changed after Brain Cancer with Jason Berger

    At 34, police officer Jason Berger experienced seizures that led to a diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma. More than two decades later, he shares a story of repeated relapses, difficult treatment decisions, and the people who helped him keep looking for options. Jason reflects on the difference his girlfriend Liz made in his life, the support he found through a patient community, and his experience seeking other opinions before a stem cell transplant. He also speaks candidly about the vision, balance, memory and other challenges that remain long after treatment. Together, Melissa and Jason explore a side of survivorship that can be easy to overlook: gratitude for being alive can exist alongside grief for what has changed. Jason shares how storytelling and public speaking have offered another way to find purpose. ·       The impact of a life changing diagnosis ·       Support from a partner and others living with the same disease ·       Seeking other opinions and finding resources for care away from home ·       The lasting effects that clear scans do not reveal ·       Making room for both hope and the realities of survivorship Resources: Jason's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonberger2004/ Jason's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.berger.113057 Jason's Website: https://www.murrayroadstrong.com/ Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ My website: https://melissagrosboll.com Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

    Still Here but Forever Changed after Brain Cancer with Jason Berger

  6. Sep 29

    Carried by Faith: Surviving Cancer, Grieving Loss and Choosing Joy with Terri Renella

    What carries you forward when life gives you more than you ever imagined you could bear? For Terri Renella, the answer has been faith. Terri has faced extraordinary challenges — a rare and aggressive parotid gland cancer that returned multiple times, an ICU stay on a ventilator, difficult decisions about her treatment, the loss of both parents and three brothers, and eventually the unimaginable loss of her beloved son, George. Today, Terri is celebrating 10 years cancer-free, and through everything she has endured, her faith has become the foundation she continually returns to. In this deeply personal conversation, Terri takes us back to her cancer diagnosis and the frightening progression that followed. She shares why she sought multiple opinions, researched her options, became her own advocate, and ultimately chose a medical team she felt would work with her rather than simply tell her what to do. We talk about the importance of viewing your healthcare providers as partners and asking questions when something doesn't feel right — while recognizing that every person's cancer journey and treatment decisions are uniquely their own. But Terri's story extends far beyond cancer. After losing her son, George, she made a conscious decision not to bury her grief. Instead, she allowed herself to mourn deeply and leaned more fully into her faith. Through prayer, scripture, surrender and learning to release the things she cannot control, Terri has slowly found her way toward peace and purpose. One of the most beautiful lessons she shares is that joy can sit beside sorrow. Finding joy again doesn't mean the grief disappears or that we stop loving the people we've lost. It means allowing ourselves to experience both. Terri also shares why surrender isn't something that happens once. For her, it's a daily — and sometimes moment-by-moment — practice of trusting God, letting go of control and taking the next step even when she can't see where the road is leading. We also talk about the importance of real human connection, finding community, and Terri's growing desire to use everything she has lived through to help others — particularly parents who have experienced the loss of a child — believe that life can still hold meaning, purpose, peace and even joy. In this episode, we talk about: • Terri's rare and aggressive parotid gland cancer diagnosis • Surviving multiple recurrences and a life-threatening hospitalization • Becoming your own healthcare advocate • Finding doctors who feel like partners in your care • Navigating fear and difficult treatment decisions • How faith carried Terri through cancer and profound loss • Losing her son, George, and giving herself permission to truly grieve • Learning that joy and sorrow can exist together • What it means to surrender control and trust God • The importance of prayer, community and genuine human connection • Finding peace and purpose after unimaginable loss • Terri's desire to use her story to give hope to others Ten years cancer-free, Terri's story isn't simply one of survival. It's a story of faith — faith when the future was uncertain, faith in the midst of devastating loss, and faith that even after our darkest seasons, there can still be purpose, connection, peace and joy. Resources: Terri's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terriren Terri's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrilynn-renella-49ab332/ Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ My website: https://melissagrosboll.com Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

    Carried by Faith: Surviving Cancer, Grieving Loss and Choosing Joy with Terri Renella

  7. Sep 22

    Don't Tell Me the Odds: 25 Years Beyond Terminal Cancer Diagnosis with Mike Swinden

    In 2001, John Michael “Mike” Swinden was told he had multiple myeloma—an incurable blood cancer—and that even with an experimental clinical trial, the hope was for just three to five more years. Twenty-five years later, Mike is still here. In this episode of The Many Faces of Cancer, Mike shares his remarkable story with the humor, stubbornness, faith, and determination that have carried him through an extraordinary life. From a career that included being a police officer, truck driver, soldier, artist—and even a teenage “shark walker”—Mike has never exactly taken the conventional path. He takes us back to the back pain and anemia that eventually led to his diagnosis, entering a clinical trial when there were few other options, undergoing two autologous stem cell transplants, and enduring treatment that left him profoundly weak. But this conversation is about much more than treatment. Mike talks candidly about the darkest moments of cancer, including the times he wondered whether he wanted to keep going, and the family, friends, faith, humor, and sheer stubbornness that helped him through them. He also shares why he believes hope matters, why accepting help is a strength, and what it has meant to become the person who can now offer hope to someone newly diagnosed. Twenty-five years after being given an expiration date, Mike has had adventures, made friendships, helped other cancer patients—and accumulated enough stories that his guardian angel, he jokes, is probably exhausted. This is a conversation about surviving the unimaginable, finding strength when you aren't sure you have any left, and refusing to let statistics write the rest of your story. In this episode: The unexpected symptoms that led to Mike’s multiple myeloma diagnosisBeing offered one chance through a clinical trialTwo autologous stem cell transplants and the physical toll of treatmentWhy Mike never wanted the odds to determine how long he would liveThe emotional lows that can accompany cancerFaith, anger, humor, family, and accepting helpBecoming a source of hope for others facing cancerThe surprising adventures that came after cancerAnd why Mike says, “You will not know how strong you are until you’re tested.”Resources: Mike's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-swinden-0081b51a/ Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ My website: https://melissagrosboll.com Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

    Don't Tell Me the Odds: 25 Years Beyond Terminal Cancer Diagnosis with Mike Swinden

  8. Sep 15

    Turning Down the Volume: Finding Yourself After Cancer with Kathryn Pol

    What happens when cancer forces you to stop carrying everything—and finally start listening to yourself? In this episode of The Many Faces of Cancer, Melissa talks with breast cancer survivor, mindfulness practitioner, certified yoga teacher, and New Lotus Collective founder Kathryn Pol about a cancer journey that changed far more than her physical health. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, Kathryn remembers feeling as though she had spent years carrying the weight of everything—career, family, finances, relationships, and the belief that if she didn't hold it all together, everything might fall apart. Cancer became the moment that was finally “big enough to make her move.” Kathryn shares the fear surrounding her diagnosis, chemotherapy and hair loss, including the touching story of her husband shaving her head during treatment—and eventually learning to cut her hair as it grew back, something he still does seven years later. But much of this conversation is about what happened on the inside. Kathryn explains how yoga, mindfulness, breathwork, meditation, affirmations, and learning to quiet the noise around her helped change her relationship with stress, control, and healing. She offers a beautiful reframe for anyone who thinks yoga isn't for them: instead of seeing it as a “workout,” consider it a “work in.” As Kathryn puts it, when she began turning down the volume of life, the volume of herself got turned up. Melissa and Kathryn also talk about the unique connection within the cancer community, the often-overlooked experience of caregivers, and Kathryn's work with Susan G. Komen Colorado and New Lotus Collective. And when Melissa asks what she would tell the woman who heard “you have cancer” seven years ago, Kathryn's answer brings the entire conversation full circle: You don't have to figure everything out. You don't have to know the ending. You don't have to carry the ending. You just have to take the next step. In this episode: Kathryn's 2019 breast cancer diagnosis and treatmentThe fear and identity surrounding hair lossThe often-unseen emotional burden carried by caregiversWhy Kathryn once felt responsible for carrying everythingHow yoga became part of her cancer recoveryWhy yoga can be a “work in” instead of a workoutMeditation without trying to “clear your mind”Learning to distinguish thoughts from truthLetting go of control—and why it's a lifelong practiceThe healing power of sharing your storyFinding belonging within the cancer communityKathryn's involvement with Susan G. Komen ColoradoWhy healing is “simple, not easy”Taking the next step without needing to know the endingResources: Kathryn's Website: www.newlotuscollective.com Kathryn's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575620872850 Kathryn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newlotuscollective/# Kathryn's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-pol-03836611 Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ My website: https://melissagrosboll.com Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

    Turning Down the Volume: Finding Yourself After Cancer with Kathryn Pol
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5
out of 5
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About

As a cancer survivor and thriver, I know how important community and support are when you are facing a cancer diagnosis. That’s why I created The Many Faces of Cancer Podcast. Each week I will be interviewing amazing people with heartfelt and inspirational stories from all sides of the cancer journey: patients, survivors and thrivers, caregivers, family and friends, and professionals. I may even throw in a bonus episode once in a while talking about things that are important to us all.  We never think it will happen to us, until it does. This podcast will be about community, knowing you’re not alone in your journey. It will also be an opportunity for people to share their stories and hopefully help others.  I hope you will all tune in. While it will be cancer stories, we all learn from others and, ultimately, these are human stories, applicable to many other areas of life.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Grosboll
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    148
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Many Faces of Cancer
  • Show Website
    The Many Faces of Cancer

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