Combating Cancer

Gwen Kelly
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Join Gwen Kelly, Host and Founder of Combating Cancer, a podcast focused on strength, resilience, and hope. Creating a space where people can share their personal cancer journeys—whether that involves navigating treatment, celebrating remission, or honoring the memory of a loved one.

  1. 13h ago

    What Brain Cancer Looks Like at 16

    Episode 58- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly, a stage three astrocytoma survivor diagnosed at 19, welcomes 16-year-old Riley Polster, whom she met through TikTok and who shares the same diagnosis. Riley recounts her journey from months of headaches and a chronic migraine diagnosis to the discovery of a large brain tumor requiring emergency surgery. She opens up about her fears, her family's reaction, treatment challenges, cancer progression toward her spine, balancing school during treatment, and the coping strategies that keep her going. With seven treatments remaining, Riley shares her plans for celebrating and offers heartfelt advice to other young people facing cancer: live life to the fullest. Discussed in this episode: Welcome to Combating Cancer Meeting Riley on TikTok Life Before Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis Facing the News Family Reactions and Rumors Unexpected Messages Treatment Plan Changes Side Effects and Hospital Life School During Treatment Coping and Creative Outlets Counting Down Treatments Celebrating the Finish Line Advice for Young Patients Final Takeaways and Goodbye More from Gwen:  Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community:  Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

    15 min

  2. 13h ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: No Magic Pill with Blake Mycoskie

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  3. Jun 10

    The Things I Don't Share Online

    Episode 57- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly, a stage three astrocytoma brain cancer survivor diagnosed at 19, explains she created Combating Cancer to offer a safe, honest space for those affected by cancer. She shares why she stopped drinking six months ago: alcohol didn't create her fears but uncovered lingering trauma, triggering spirals about mortality, recurrence, survivor's guilt, and anxious thoughts about her future with her fiancé, Jake, despite knowing he loves her. She also reflects on the grand mal seizure that led to her tumor diagnosis, her ongoing seizure medication's warning not to drink, and the risk of losing her independence if another seizure occurred. Gwen concludes that drinking was delaying needed self-conversations about fear and grief, emphasizing that survivorship doesn't automatically equal emotional healing and urging listeners to notice coping mechanisms that help them avoid healing. Discussed in this episode: Welcome to Combating Cancer Why This Episode Matters Alcohol Uncovers Fear Trauma and Relationship Anxiety What I Was Really Afraid Of Seizure History and Risk Survivorship and Delayed Trauma Healing Without Running Final Takeaways and Goodbye More from Gwen:  Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community:  Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

    9 min

  4. Jun 3

    Be Where Your Feet Are

    Episode 56- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly, diagnosed with stage three astrocytoma at 19, welcomes Bron Watson from Australia to Combating Cancer to discuss creating a safe, honest space for people affected by cancer. Bron, a nurse, educator, and business mentor with five sons, shares her breast cancer diagnosis in 2017 that led to a rapid full mastectomy and later her 2023 diagnosis of incurable multiple myeloma discovered through routine bloodwork. She describes the trauma of waiting for confirmation, the fear of prognosis, and choosing to become an active participant in care. Bron introduces her "Serenity Project," centered on the Serenity Prayer and the idea "Be Where Your Feet Are," focusing on the next moment or "next play," naming emotions, controlling controllables, limiting unhelpful voices, and avoiding blame and shame. She notes periods of remission, embraces travel, and encourages presence, advocacy, and day-by-day coping. Discussed in this episode: Welcome to Combating Cancer Meet Bron Watson Bron's Life Before Cancer Breast Cancer Then Myeloma The Waiting and Fear Spiral Rejecting the Terminal Script Serenity Project and Present Moment Next Play Mindset Feel the Feels and Control Controllables Vulnerability and Family Truths Remission Update and Living Now Advice for New Diagnoses Wrap Up and Goodbye More from Bron:  Website: https://www.bronwatson.com.au/the-serenity-project Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bronwatsonme/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bron_watson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwatson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BronWatson/videos More from Gwen:  Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community:  Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

    29 min

  5. May 27

    Unmasking the Impact of Cancer: Identity and Anticipatory Grief

    Episode 55- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly introduces Combating Cancer and shares her stage three astrocytoma diagnosis at 19, explaining the podcast's goal of creating a safe, honest space for anyone affected by cancer. Building on a prior episode about anticipatory grief, she describes grieving not only the fear of death but the fear of losing her identity and being seen only as "the girl with brain cancer." Gwen discusses how hair loss and changes to appearance affected her self-image, how she used hair techniques and makeup as emotional armor and a way to regain control, and how exhausting it was to manage others' discomfort, staring, pity, and gossip about her medical information. She reflects on survivorship and ongoing trauma despite clean scans, urges listeners to grieve their old selves without shame, and asks supporters to treat patients as whole people and keep diagnoses private. Discussed in this episode: Welcome to Combating Cancer Anticipatory Grief and Identity Hair Loss and Hyperawareness Mirrors, Photos, and Healing Myths Control Through Hair and Makeup Cancer as Gossip and Exposure Normalcy Survivorship and Community Advice for Patients and Supporters Privacy Healing and Closing More from Gwen:  Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community:  Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

    12 min

  6. May 20

    Losing a Parent Young: The Grief No One Talks About

    Episode 54- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly, a stage III astrocytoma brain cancer survivor, welcomes 22-year-old Megan McCoy, whom she met on TikTok, to discuss how cancer affected her family. Megan shares that her mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer when Megan was 16 during COVID after a missed mammogram, later developing spine and liver metastases, and died in January 2023; Megan describes anticipatory grief during her freshman year of college, fears about milestones her mom would miss, and the anger that led her to try cancer research before pursuing nursing. She explains how working in a cancer hospital deepened her empathy for patients, highlights the importance of treating patients as people, and emphasizes the vital role of community support from family, friends, school, and her soccer team, including celebrating her brother's birthday the day after their mom died. Megan recommends resources like Pittsburgh's The Caring Place and advises preventive scans, self-advocacy, living fully, and telling loved ones you love them! Discussed in this episode: Welcome to Combating Cancer Meet Megan via TikTok Megan's Story and Career Path Empathy in Oncology Care Hearing the Diagnosis at 16 Anticipatory Grief Explained Anger and Channeling Grief Grief Resources and Support Groups The Village That Carried Her Family Dynamics and Guilt Advice for Teens Facing Cancer Final Thanks and Goodbye More from Gwen:  Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community:  Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

    25 min

  7. May 13

    When Cancer Changes Your Circle

    Episode 53- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly welcomes listeners to Combating Cancer, sharing her background of being diagnosed with stage three astrocytoma brain cancer at 19 and her goal of creating a safe, honest community for anyone impacted by cancer. She announces her scans came back great again, but describes how scan-day anxiety returned after a long hospital wait and multiple failed IV attempts, leaving her emotionally drained despite good results. The experience leads into the episode's main theme: how cancer and other major hardships change relationships, especially when people you expected to show up don't, which can feel like a deep betrayal. Gwen reflects on learning that some people aren't emotionally equipped to handle illness, while others unexpectedly step in with consistent support, including a rekindled high school friendship. She encourages listeners to grieve absences without overlooking those who do show up and invites anyone feeling alone to lean on this community. Discussed in this episode: Welcome to Combating Cancer Clean Scan Update Scan Day Spiral IV Struggles and Breakdown When People Disappear Why Some Can't Show Up Focus on Who Stayed Unexpected Support Let People Love You Final Thanks and Goodbye More from Gwen:  Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community:  Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

    12 min
  8. Don't Suffer in Silence: Learning to Advocate for Yourself in Cancer

    May 6 ·  Video

    Don't Suffer in Silence: Learning to Advocate for Yourself in Cancer

    Episode 52- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly, a stage three astrocytoma survivor diagnosed at 19, welcomes Dr. Tiffany Troso Sandoval, a medical oncologist specializing in breast and gynecologic cancers. Dr. Troso worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering for over 25 years and recently retired to focus on patient education. They discuss how overwhelming a new cancer diagnosis can be, why patients often can't absorb medical information during initial visits, and practical strategies such as bringing a caregiver, taking notes, using FaceTime or Zoom, and speaking up about barriers like transportation or medication pickup. Dr. Troso emphasizes delegating tasks to a support "army," matching helpers to roles, and using social work resources when support is limited. She previews her book, "Calming the Cancer Chaos," which is designed to help women understand, organize, and take control of their cancer care.  Discussed in this episode: Welcome to Combating Cancer Meet Dr. Tiffany Troso Sandoval The Diagnosis Overwhelm Bring a Second Set of Ears Build Your Care Team Asking for Help Without Guilt When Support Is Limited Speak Up to Your Doctors A Cautionary Patient Story Her New Book Explained Where to Find Tiffany Final Thanks and Goodbye More from Tiffany:  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@drtiffanytroso?sub_confirmation=1  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drtiffanytroso  IG: https://www.instagram.com/drtiffanytroso/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552914207941  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@winningthecancerjourney  Substack:  https://substack.com/@drtiffanytroso  Shopify Store: https://store.empoweredcancerpatient.com/  LinkTree:  https://linktr.ee/drtiffanytroso Book Cover Link:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OjL5_gvCz6o1wmORRATsrd--c7__dZkD/view?usp=sharing Book Early Interest List:  https://drtiffanytroso.com/b2b-waitlist More from Gwen:  Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community:  Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

    28 min
See All (59)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join Gwen Kelly, Host and Founder of Combating Cancer, a podcast focused on strength, resilience, and hope. Creating a space where people can share their personal cancer journeys—whether that involves navigating treatment, celebrating remission, or honoring the memory of a loved one.

Information

  • Creator
    Gwen Kelly
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Combating Cancer

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