113 episodes
Down There Aware Down There Aware
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- Health & Fitness
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5.0 • 13 Ratings
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A podcast bringing awareness to gynecologic cancers, women's health, and patient advocacy.
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Reacting to Hank Green's Cancer Diagnosis
This week Mary and Alex respond to Hank Green’s recent video in which he shares his cancer diagnosis. Hank was very open and honest as he begins this journey. Mary and Alex discuss their reactions to Hank’s perspective, expectations from the audience of content creators, and the many life lessons to be learned when faced with a serious diagnosis.
#Podcast #Spotify #Anchor #research #advocacy #Hodgkinslymphoma #bloodcancer #chemo #contentcreator #lifelonglearner #cancersucks #control
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Email Us: downthereaware@gmail.com
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Episode Links
Looking for Alaska: Green, John: 8601400593011: Amazon.com: Books
So, I've got cancer
It's Not about Me: Lucado, Max: 9789575879532: Amazon.com: Books
Episode Highlights
Intro [0:13]
Welcome Back! [1:24]
Hank Green [2:33]
John Green [2:45]
Fault in Our Stars [3:06]
Content creators [3:56]
“It’s probably nothing” [4:10]
American Healthcare System [6:37]
Sadie Mae joins us [10:00]
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma [10:45]
Smiling when discussing serious issues [11:01]
Emotional processing in private [12:17]
Difference between blood cancers and solid mass tumor cancers [13:04]
Risk factors for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma [16:05]
Knowledge is power [18:35]
Audio issues [20:15]
Practicalities and logistics [20:50]
“This is your job now.” [23:30]
Expectations of content creators [24:22]
It’s Not About Me [25:05]
Sadie’s afraid of the rain [25:16]
Specific requests [26:50]
“Let’s fight this thing together” - NOT. [28:40]
Good science, good healthcare, good outlook/attitude, chance [28:55]
Nerdy science guy [29:30]
Control is a spectrum [30:10]
I can be both. [30:55]
Grieving the person who’s never had cancer [31:02]
Friendships:Joyful in the moment, wise in the long term [31:38]
What you give comes back to you, multiplied.[32:40]
“I’m fine, but I’m not fine.” [33:27]
The “Big C” [33:53]
Tuberculosis? [34:37]
Effects of cancer on an entire community [35:53]
No apology necessary [37:17]
Cancer sucks! [38:07]
We wish you well, Hank! [40:12]
Thanks for listening! [40:14]
Summary Keywords Podcast, Spotify, Anchor, research, advocacy,Hodgkin’s lymphoma, blood cancer, chemo, content creator, life-long learner, cancer sucks, control
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The Ever-Changing Medical Community
This week Mary and Alex have an informal chat about the medical community and ever-changing guidelines for testing and care. They share research, articles, and personal experiences about how far we’ve come.
#Podcast #Spotify #Anchor #research #advocacy #pectusexcavatum #cervicalcancer #guidelines #insurance #colonoscopy #risk #tuberculosis #infertility #menstruation
Stay Connected
Email Us: downthereaware@gmail.com
Instagram:@downthereaware
Facebook: Down There Aware
Twitter: @downthereaware
Pinterest: Down There Aware
TikTok: Down There Aware
Episode Links
Looking for Alaska: Green, John: 8601400593011: Amazon.com: Books
Pectus excavatum: Not just a cosmetic concern
What Is Cervical Cancer? - NCI
Da Vinci Robot | Robotic Assisted Systems | Intuitive
Fact Sheets | General | Tuberculosis: General Information | TB | CDC
Episode Highlights
Intro [0:13]
Welcome Back! [1:25]
New look in the studio! [1:35]
Sadie in the spotlight! [1:55]
Katie Couric [2:52]
Dense breast tissue [3:52]
Medical recommendations and insurance [4:20]
Guidelines lagging behind research [5:20]
Colonoscopy recommendations [6:45]
The risk factor [8:10]
What can colonoscopy diagnose? [9:32]
The ever-changing hysterectomy [10:12]
DaVinci machine [12:25]
FL DOT [14:55]
Decisions to benefit whom? [16:06]
Pectus Excavatum repair [19:35]
Global society [21:50]
John Green [22:05]
Tuberculosis [22:30]
Eradicating cervical cancer [23:05]
Check out our TikTok [23:38]
Maternal mortality rate [24:10]
Challenge for audience! [25:11]
Like, Subscribe, Rate, and Share! [25:20]
Previous podcast episodes [25:56]
Alex’s story [26:15]
Infertility [26:28]
Preteens and menstruation prep [27:05]
Thanks for listening! [27:49}
Summary Keywords Podcast, Spotify, Anchor, research, advocacy,pectus excavatum, cervical cancer, guidelines, insurance, colonoscopy, risk, tuberculosis, infertility, menstruation
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When to Seek a 2nd Opinion
This week Mary and Alex discuss the reasons for and the process through which we might go about seeking a 2nd opinion. 1. To gather information, 2. Not comfortable with diagnosis, 3. Unsuccessful treatment
#Podcast #Spotify #Anchor #research #advocacy #pectusexcavatum #IdiopathicIntracranialHypertension #discectomy #2nd opinion
Stay Connected
Email Us: downthereaware@gmail.com
Instagram:@downthereaware
Facebook: Down There Aware
Twitter: @downthereaware
Pinterest: Down There Aware
TikTok: Down There Aware
Episode Links
The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence
Pectus excavatum: Not just a cosmetic concern
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Episode Highlights
Intro [0:13]
Welcome Back! [1:24]
Happy Birthday, Mary & George! [1:48]
Second opinions [2:20]
Negative stigma? [2:58]
Gathering more information [3:31]
Will’s 2nd opinion for pectus excavatum [4:31]
Alex’s 2nd opinion for IIH [7:13]
The Gift of Fear [12:04]
Treatment is unsuccessful [16:35]
Didn’t seek 2nd opinion [17:10]
Back injury [18:28]
No need to rush into decisions [23:31]
Sadie may enters [26:07]
Thanks for listening! [26:15]
Summary Keywords
Podcast, Spotify, Anchor, research, advocacy, pectus excavatum, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, discectomy, 2nd opinion
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When Life Throws a Curveball
This week Mary and Alex reflect on an article written by a woman who left her fiancé when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor because, in her words, “I knew the future we had planned out was over.”
#Podcast #Spotify #Anchor #research #advocacy #caregiver #empathy #commitment #braincancer
Stay Connected
Email Us: downthereaware@gmail.com
Instagram:@downthereaware
Facebook: Down There Aware
Twitter: @downthereaware
Pinterest: Down There Aware
TikTok: Down There Aware
Episode Links
I Dumped My Man Because He Has Cancer. Now I'm Running in His Honor
Woman Reveals Broke Fiancé Recovering Brain Surgery
Danielle Epstein: Londoner left partner Jelle Fresen because his cancer was ‘damaging my mental health’ | PerthNow
"How to remain single forever": Danielle Epstein slammed over London marathon fundraiser after abandoning cancer-stricken boyfriend
Leaving my boyfriend after his cancer diagnosis was the best thing for both of us
Woman who left fiancé because he had cancer ended their relationship while he was in hospital
Episode Highlights
Intro [0:13]
Welcome Back! [1:25]
Unexpected break [2:05]
Alex’s disclaimer [2:50]
Danielle and Jelle’s story [3:55]
It’s not about you! [6:30]
In sickness and in health [6:40]
Me, myself, and I [7:00]
Caregivers [8:04]
Seeking validation [9:05]
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs [10:10]
Ann-Forest’s story [11:30]
Change in life’s trajectory [12:55]
Mental Health Awareness [15:35]
Negative response [17:33]
You can do both! [19:02]
Benefits of caregiving [20:35]
Divorce rate [23:28]
Oops! Lost the video, but still have sound! [24:23]
Video is back! [24:46]
LOVE [26:06]
Michael J. Fox [27:45]
We just don’t get it. [29:52]
Thanks for listening! [32:49]
Summary Keywords
Podcast, Spotify, Anchor, research, advocacy, brain cancer, caregiver, empathy, commitment
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Is Health Anxiety Real?
This week Mary and Alex chat about the term “health anxiety.” Is it real? Is it a positive or negative concept? Is there any value in it?
#Podcast #Spotify #Anchor #research #advocacy #healthanxiety #trepidation #anticipation #fear #hypochondria #worry #munchausensyndrome #familyphysician #TodayShow #UFHealth
Stay Connected
Email Us: downthereaware@gmail.com
Instagram:@downthereaware
Facebook: Down There Aware
Twitter: @downthereaware
Pinterest: Down There Aware
TikTok: Down There Aware
Episode Highlights
Intro [0:13]
Welcome Back! [1:25]
Time to chat [1:46]
The TODAY Show [1:53]
Peloton instructor dx with breast cancer [2:03]
Health Anxiety [3:19]
“Scanxiety” [3:39]
Hypochondria [6:45]
Negative connotation [7:40]
Worry [8:35]
What Ifs [10:05]
Hug the Mountain [12:30]
Shout out to Victoria [14:50]
Alex’s teaching emergency [15:20]
Sadie Mae [16:57]
Healthy attitude and preparation [17:18]
Munchausen Syndrome [18:20]
Shands experience [18:48]
Develop honest relationships with doctors [20:40]
Trusted Internet sites [22:50]
Yikes! We lost our video! [24:11]
Importance of regular check-ups [25:25]
Vital role of family physicians [26:04]
Thanks for listening! [27:16]
Summary Keywords Podcast, Spotify, Anchor, research, advocacy, health anxiety, trepidation, anticipation, fear, hypochondria, worry, munchausen syndrome, family physician, Today Show, UF Health
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The Consequences of a Delayed Diagnosis
This week Mary discusses (and Alex reacts) to the medical and legal ramifications that can come from a delay in diagnosing endometriosis.
#Podcast #Spotify #Anchor #research #advocacy #travel #endometriosis #delayeddiagnosis #patient advocacy
Stay Connected
Email Us: downthereaware@gmail.com
Instagram:@downthereaware
Facebook: Down There Aware
Twitter: @downthereaware
Pinterest: Down There Aware
TikTok: Down There Aware
Episode Highlights
Intro [0:13]
Welcome Back! [1:23]
Happy Easter! [1:40]
What is the cost of a delayed diagnosis? [2:27]
The overlap between endometriosis and other conditions. [3:32]
Where a diagnosis starts [4:37]
Pitfalls of specialist referrals [10:05]
Primary care physician superstars [12:32]
Diagnosis stats [15:37]
Why are there delays? [16:51]
Dismissal of symptoms [17:20]
Taking the easy route [20:22]
Let’s be real, some doctors are lazy [21:09]
Will doesn’t have a clue [21:27]
The legal perspective of a delayed diagnosis [22:55]
Whoops lost the camera feed! [23:02]
Sadie joins us (and is bored with all of the liturgical talk [23:34]
Patient vs. Doctor responsibility in a delayed diagnosis [24:23]
Maggie’s diagnosis [25:46]
Sometimes delayed diagnosis is unavoidable [26:33]
Signs of a delayed diagnosis [27:00]
Lack of coordination between specialist [30:15]
It’s a team effort [32:10]
Thanks for listening! [34:47]
Summary Keywords Podcast, Spotify, Anchor, research, travel, ovarian cancer, insurance, delayed diagnosis, endometriosis, miscommunication, specialists, team effort, patient advocacy
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Customer Reviews
Great podcast on women’s health and patient advocacy!
I think this is a great podcast for all women (and men) to listen to and become more aware of your body and become a better patient advocate for yourself. I’m a Registered Nurse and I enjoy listening to this podcast every week. Thank you, Alex for sharing your cancer story and journey with us. I appreciate you and your mom talking about all the tough topics and making the “taboo” topics less taboo. I hope more people will become “more down there aware” after listening to your podcast.
Update 2021- Love listening to Season 2 and all the new topics. I’m learning something new each episode. This podcast has helped me become a better advocate for my health. Thanks Alex and Mary for sharing your health journeys. Can’t wait for Season 3!