A live on-location recording from Calgary, we welcome Dr. Cedric Tremblay on to the pod!

Freshly after sharing the stage at a researcher's conference, Carolyn and Cedric plop down on a set of comfortable armchairs to chat about people with lived cancer experiences, the burden of childhood cancers, lessons learned as a once upon a time young-er researcher, leveraging cross-border 🇦🇺 citizenship and experience to fuel momentum in 🇨🇦 Canada, and what might be missing in evidence-based investigatory cancer research efforts.

Aside from playing lead roles at ⁠CancerCare Manitoba⁠, ⁠Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM)⁠, and ⁠Pediatric Research in Oncology in Manitoba: Innovation, Science, Excellence (PROMISE)⁠, Dr. Cedric Tremblay is fostering the next generation of immunology researchers through the ⁠University of Manitoba⁠ and is committed to incorporating PWLLE's (People With Lived and Living Experience) in his pediatric leukemia research.

For those with lived experiences of childhood cancers, Dr. Tremblay's unwavering commitment might leave you feeling hopeful. For emerging scientists, Dr. Tremblay offers up some life advice that you'll want to consider. For his mentors, students and mentees - this might feel like a love letter to you.

Enjoy this candid conversation with Dr. Cedric Tremblay!

(01:20)-Welcome to our hangout!

(07:19)-"There's no way we can do pediatric research centered in Canada"

(09:09)-The burden of pediatric leukemia.

(10:12)-Engaging PWLLE (People With Lived and Living Experience).

(11:18)-Cedric's journey that led him to do what he does today.

(15:20)-The importance of collaboration and cross-border experience and insight.

(17:45)-Manitoba's superpower for longitudinal studies.

(22:00)-Our Indigenous population is important and the data is missing.

(23:25)-Some populations might be traumatized.

(24:55)-It's a long-game. How Cedric keeps going on challenging days.

(27:58)-Cedric reflects on his ECR experiences and lessons learned.

(33:50)-ECR workshop sessions that stood out for Cedric.

(35:57)-Indigenization in cancer research.

(36:25)-What Cedric hopes to see more of in cancer research.

(39:00)-Knocking down silos.

(42:31)-Oysters & Farewells

What did you connect with or enjoy most from this conversation? Drop us a rating and comment!

Follow/Subscribe to Candidly with Carolyn on Spotify, Apple, and everywhere podcasts are found - and we’ll promise to bring you more human-first conversations like this one!

Have a question for a future episode? Email us at ⁠⁠candidlythepod@gmail.com

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The views and opinions expressed do not represent the opinions of any podcast partners - but rather solely of the podcast author, or individuals participating in the podcast at the very moment of recording. We are all human and are constantly learning and evolving. What is shared in these conversations is for consideration only. This podcast must not be in place of official professional research, medical advice, mental health advice, mental health counselling or therapy, or as imparting any health care recommendations at all. While those on the podcast might have lived and professional experiences with cancer, it is important to seek support from health professionals who can take the time to assess and analyze your specific circumstance.

In 2019, Sam Megarry went to the hospital thinking that she had appendicitis. She had no idea what she was about to encounter around the bend - a Stage 3 colorectal cancer and Lynch syndrome diagnosis. Her life was suddenly flipped upside down at 28 years old.

Carolyn and Sam met in group therapy at Gilda's Club Toronto where a small crew of young adults in their 20s and 30s at different stages and phases of their cancer experiences met on a regular basis. Even through some seriously frigid icy snow storms, they still met week-to-week. To some, it was the only time they felt truly heard, seen and understood in their every day lives.

As Carolyn and Sam continued through their 30s - they went on to experience more life changes. A few years later, Carolyn reaches out to Sam to invite her on to the pod. They catch up and candidly chat about going from therapy icks to making it a career, how cancer might have impacted their relationship with change itself, questionable wellness narratives, cancer as depicted and perceived in Hollywood, and of course - they answer your questions!

We're so pumped to hang out with you. Go ahead and hit that play button.

(01:23)- Welcome to this conversation & an intro to Sam Megarry

(05:30)-Sam's first experience with going to therapy

(07:10)-Wellness, working in it, and the industry

(10:40)-Sam's relationship with therapy now

(14:30)-Our relationship with change itself

(17:00)-So...about that pandemic. How it was like from our seat in the house

(22:40)-The challenges of finding the right therapist as a persons experiencing cancer

(26:20)-When Sam encountered a therapist that was not the right fit

(27:50)-A therapists' lived experiences with cancer

(38:10)-Beyond the body. What about the rest of us?

(41:47)-Question From Pareetah

(45:41)-When they think you're being an alarmist

(47:40)-Question From Madison

(51:30)-Parenthood & genetic considerations

(57:10)-Question from Gideon

(59:35)-"But...you look and seem so healthy!"

(1:00:45)-When Chadwick Boseman passed

(1:07:57)-Question from Kim

(1:08:51)-When they go in for a hug

(1:11:27)-Question from Bree

(1:11:47)-Cancer plots in film and tv

(1:15:00)-Parting words from Sam

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Learn more about Sam Megarry ⁠here⁠. We’re thrilled to know that she's making her way through the professional psychotherapy world.

What did you connect with or enjoy most from this conversation? Drop us a comment or give us a rating!

Follow/Subscribe to Candidly with Carolyn on Spotify, Apple, and everywhere podcasts are found - and we’ll promise to bring you more human-first conversations like this one about life with and after cancer.

Have a question for a future episode? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠candidlythepod@gmail.com⁠⁠

Follow Candidly With Carolyn ⁠⁠⁠on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.candidlythepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

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The views and opinions expressed do not represent the opinions of any podcast partners - but rather solely of the podcast author, or individuals participating in the podcast at the very moment of recording. We are all human and are constantly learning and evolving. What is shared in these conversations is for consideration only. This podcast must not be in place of official professional research, medical advice, mental health advice, mental health counselling or therapy, or as imparting any health care recommendations at all. While those on the podcast might have lived and professional experiences with cancer, it is important to seek support from health professionals who can take the time to assess and analyze your specific circumstance.

We are back to our regular programming answering your questions survivor-on-survivor style - this time with Aisha McClellan! Aisha was diagnosed with cervical cancer just as she was about to turn 32 years old. Shortly after, she was told that she could have 3 months to live. Spoiler alert: years later, she joins us on the pod - and we'd love for you to meet her!

Carolyn and Aisha met and hit it off while travelling for work. Months later, while back in Toronto - Carolyn had a touching and tearful encounter with a stranger. It inspired her to appreciate the lived experiences of parenthood through cancer and reach out to Aisha via voicenote to go there with all of you.

Carolyn and Aisha catch up and get in to it. From how getting cancer as a young mother changed her approach and outlook on parenting, shifts in identity, what's missing from the conversation, and of course they answer your - super thoughtful, might we add - questions! Parent-to-Parent, Friend-to-Friend, Survivor-to-Survivor. Hypewoman-to-you!

Hit that play button while you're whipping up some magic in the kitchen, doing a deep clean, on a drive or stroll, or during your night time wind down routine. Either way, come get cozy with us and hang out with Carolyn and Aisha. Enjoy!

Follow Aisha on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@aishatheadvocate

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What did you connect with or enjoy most from this conversation? Drop us a comment or give us a rating!

Follow/Subscribe to Candidly with Carolyn on Spotify, Apple, and everywhere podcasts are found - and we’ll promise to bring you more human-first conversations like this one about life with and after cancer.

Have a question for a future episode? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠candidlythepod@gmail.com⁠⁠

Follow Candidly With Carolyn ⁠⁠⁠on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.candidlythepod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

(01:55)- Welcome To This Conversation

(02:35)-About Aisha McClellan and Her Diagnosis

(05:55)-A New Normal For Aisha?

(10:20)-How Cancer Might Have Shifted Aisha's Approach To Parenting

(12:40)-"Are My Kids - Too - Dependant On Me?" I Want To Be There For Them While I'm Here

(13:35)-Processing The Diagnosis While Offering Life Teachings To Her Kids

(15:25)-That Profound Moment With Her Daughter That Catalyzed Some Shifts

(17:30)-Kids Have Sophisticated Wiring

(18:45)-What Might Have Better Prepared Aisha For This

(21:50)-Why Aisha Took A Beat Before Doing Advocacy Work

(23:50)-What's Missing From The Conversation

(27:40)-Surprising & Standout Lessons Learned

(31:10)-Question From Kent

(42:00)-Question From Huma

(54:40)-Question From Janelle

(1:05:15)-Parting Message From Aisha

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The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the podcast author, or individuals participating in the podcast at the moment of recording. We are human and are constantly learning and evolving. They do not represent the opinions of any podcast partners. What is shared in these conversations is for consideration only. This podcast must not be in place of official professional research, medical advice, mental health advice, mental health counselling or therapy, or as imparting any health care recommendations at all. While those on the podcast might have lived and professional experiences with cancer, it is important to seek support from health professionals who can take the time to assess and analyze your specific circumstance.