What is it like to face not one, but two very different cancer diagnoses? And how does the experience of living with a rare cancer compare to one that affects so many people?

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Eye Believe Podcast brings together three remarkable women—Barbara Johnson, Sharlene Carlson, and Elizabeth—who share something unique: they have each faced both breast cancer and ocular melanoma.

In this special panel episode, these women open up about their diagnoses, the differences between navigating a common cancer and a rare one, and the emotional challenges that come with belonging to two cancer communities.

From the abundance of breast cancer resources to the isolation that can accompany an ocular melanoma diagnosis, their stories highlight why awareness, education, and meaningful connections matter so much.

In this episode, we discuss:

💗 The similarities and differences between breast cancer and ocular melanoma

💙 Finding support and community after two different cancer diagnoses

🎗️ How cancer has changed their lives, relationships, and perspectives

🩺 Navigating treatment, surveillance, and ongoing health concerns

💭 Managing scan anxiety, uncertainty, and difficult days

🌸 Finding joy through creativity, journaling, walking, and meaningful connections

🤝 The importance of peer support and connecting with others who understand

💪 Lessons learned through years of survivorship

The conversation also touches on genetic testing, family cancer histories, and the importance of awareness for men who may also develop breast cancer.

Through laughter, honesty, and personal reflection, these three women remind us that every cancer journey is different, but no one should have to navigate it alone.

Whether you're living with ocular melanoma, breast cancer, both diagnoses, or supporting someone who is, we hope this conversation helps you feel seen, understood, and connected.

💙 Find Your Community with A Cure In Sight

Looking for someone who understands what you're going through? Our Cure Companions program connects ocular melanoma patients with others who have walked a similar path.

Explore Cure Companions, patient resources, support programs, and upcoming events at:

🌐 https://acureinsight.org/

Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors

We are grateful to the organizations helping make The Eye Believe Podcast possible:

Ideaya Biosciences Delcath Systems Aura Biosciences Castle Biosciences Immunocore Natera

The Eye Believe Podcast shares personal experiences and educational information. This episode is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team regarding your individual health and treatment decisions.

#EyeBelievePodcast #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #BreastCancer #OcularMelanoma #UvealMelanoma #CancerSurvivorship #RareCancer #ACureInSight

The Art of Ocular Prosthetics | The Eye Believe Podcast

What happens after you’re told you may lose an eye? What will you look like? Will people notice? And how is a prosthetic eye actually made?

In this episode of The Eye Believe Podcast, Danet sits down with Sara Moslehi, ocularist and anaplastologist at Art in Soul Prosthetics in Lakewood, Colorado, for an honest and reassuring conversation about prosthetic eye rehabilitation.

Sara has worked in the field for more than 18 years and explains the incredible combination of anatomy, sculpture, painting, color theory, medicine, technical precision, and artistry that goes into creating a custom ocular prosthesis. But as Sara shares, the work is about much more than replacing anatomy—it’s also about helping patients navigate changes in how they see themselves and how they feel being seen by others.

In this episode, we talk about:

👁️ What an ocularist does and the role they play in a patient’s care 💙 Why it can be helpful to meet with an ocularist before surgery 👁️ The differences between enucleation, evisceration, and exenteration 🎨 How a custom prosthetic eye is created and matched to each individual 🪞 Concerns about appearance, identity, confidence, and feeling like yourself again 🩺 What patients can expect at their first ocularist appointment 💙 The rehabilitation process after eye loss 🤝 Why emotional support is an important part of the journey, too

Danet also brings a unique perspective to this conversation as an ocular melanoma patient who has a prosthetic eye herself.

For anyone facing eye loss, Sara offers an important reminder: you don’t have to figure out your entire future today.There are people who can help you through each part of the process, and there are realistic prosthetic options available after eye loss.

🔗 Learn more about Sara Moslehi and Art in Soul Prosthetics: https://www.artinsoulprosthetics.com/about

Instagram: @sara_moslehi_anaplastology LinkedIn: sara-moslehi-945abb27

💙 Learn more about A Cure In Sight: https://acureinsight.org/

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting The Eye Believe Podcast:

Ideaya Biosciences Delcath Systems Aura Biosciences Castle Biosciences Immunocore Natera

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Talk with your healthcare team about your specific treatment, surgical, and rehabilitation needs.

#EyeBelievePodcast #OcularMelanoma #UvealMelanoma #ProstheticEye #Ocularist #Enucleation #EyeLoss #ACureInSight

💙 IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR THE UVEAL MELANOMA COMMUNITY

Uveal melanoma has recently been added to the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances list—an important development for patients who may need to apply for Social Security disability benefits.

But what does that actually mean? Who may qualify? And where do you start?

In this episode of The Eye Believe Podcast, Danet welcomes back Molly Vocino, a social worker at Thomas Jefferson, to break down this important update and help patients better understand Social Security disability benefits and the application process.

Molly walks us through:

💙 What it means to be included on the Compassionate Allowances list ⏱️ How the designation may help expedite the disability determination process 📋 The difference between SSDI and SSI 💼 How work history can affect SSDI eligibility 💰 What patients should know about income and working while applying for or receiving benefits 📝 How to begin a disability application 🤝 When a social worker or other professional may be able to help 📅 Waiting periods, possible back payments, and other important details 🏥 How disability benefits may connect with health insurance eligibility

If you are living with uveal melanoma—particularly metastatic disease—or helping care for someone who is, we encourage you to learn about this important change and what it could mean for you.

🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS & RESOURCES

Social Security Administration — Uveal Melanoma Compassionate Allowance Information: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0423022523

Apply for Social Security Disability: https://www.ssa.gov/disability

Social Security Compassionate Allowances: https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/

💙 Learn more about A Cure In Sight: https://acureinsight.org/

Questions? Contact us at Contact@ACureInSight.org

Please share this episode with the uveal melanoma community. Someone may not realize that this new designation could affect the disability application process available to them.

Thank you to our sponsors for making The Eye Believe Podcast possible:

Ideaya Biosciences Delcath Systems Aura Biosciences Castle Biosciences Immunocore Natera

This episode is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. Social Security eligibility and benefits depend on individual circumstances. For information about your specific eligibility or application, contact the Social Security Administration or an appropriate professional.

#EyeBelievePodcast #UvealMelanoma #OcularMelanoma #CompassionateAllowances #SocialSecurityDisability #SSDI #CancerSupport #ACureInSight

🍂 Healthy Habits for the Fall Hustle

Fall is here—and with it comes busy schedules, shorter days, holiday parties, comfort food, cold weather, and all the reasons our healthy routines can suddenly disappear.

So how do we enjoy the season without completely falling off the wagon?

In this episode of The Eye Believe Podcast, Megan is joined by Sheri and Leah for a practical conversation about preparing now for the busy months ahead and finding realistic ways to keep taking care of ourselves when life gets hectic.

We talk about:

🍎 Meal prepping and keeping healthy options ready for busy days 🚶‍♀️ Finding ways to keep moving as the weather gets colder 💭 Why mindset may be just as important as food and exercise 📈 Focusing on getting just 1% better instead of trying to be perfect 🎄 Navigating holiday parties and enjoying the season without abandoning your goals 🥣 Making simple swaps for favorite foods and treats 🍂 Preparing ahead for cold and flu season ☀️ Adjusting to shorter days and changing routines ❤️ The importance of connection, laughter, and community during the winter months

🛒 Looking for some of the products mentioned in this episode? We’ve gathered our favorites in the A Cure In Sight Amazon Storefront to make them easy to find: https://amzn.to/4yhqVeD

Purchases made through our Amazon links may help support A Cure In Sight at no additional cost to you.

One of the biggest takeaways? You don't have to do everything perfectly.

Figure out what you need most right now. Maybe it's meal prep. Maybe it's movement. Maybe it's your mindset. Small changes add up—and one indulgent meal or busy week doesn't mean you've failed. You can simply get back to the habits that help you feel your best.

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, too. As Sheri and Leah remind us, years from now we may not remember everything that was on the table—but we'll remember the people who were sitting around it. 💙

🎧 Watch, listen, and head into the fall and holiday season with a plan!

Thank you to our sponsors for making The Eye Believe Podcast possible!

-Ideaya Biosciences -Delcath Systems -Aura Biosciences -Castle Biosciences -Immunocore -Natera

Learn more about A Cure In Sight, sign up for our newsletter, and find upcoming events at ACureInSight.org.

This episode is intended for general educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Talk with your healthcare team about what's appropriate for you.

#EyeBelievePodcast #HealthyHabits #FallWellness #Wellness #HealthyHolidays #CancerSurvivorship #ACureInSight

Cancer has a way of changing relationships.

In Episode 16 of My 15 Years, Melody reflects on the people who were part of her life before her ocular melanoma diagnosis—and what happened to those relationships afterward.

She shares candid stories about friends, coworkers, marriage, divorce, dating, and the people who surprised her by staying… as well as those who didn’t. She talks about the hurt that can come when people pull away after a diagnosis and the lessons she’s learned about expectations, boundaries, and letting relationships evolve.

Fifteen years later, Melody sees relationships differently. Not everyone who enters our lives is meant to stay forever. Some people are there for a season, some become lifelong friends, and sometimes letting go creates space for new relationships and new versions of ourselves.

Melody also shares how those experiences have shaped the way she approaches relationships today—from choosing the people she surrounds herself with to letting go of the need for validation and worrying about what others think.

It’s an honest, funny, and sometimes unexpected conversation about cancer, connection, friendship, love, and learning that a relationship doesn’t have to last forever to have mattered.

Rare Cancer. Resilient Hope. Revolutionary Research.

🔔 Subscribe to follow the full My 15 Years series 💙 Learn more about A Cure in Sight 🤝 Support ocular melanoma research and patient support: https://acureinsight.org/donate/

A cancer diagnosis can bring appointments, medications, scans, paperwork—and a whole lot of mental clutter. Could getting organized make some of it a little easier?

In this episode of The Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by professional organizer Kelly Tait of Bee Organized to talk about simple, practical ways patients and caregivers can prepare their homes and information for treatment.

Kelly shares why organization during cancer isn't about making everything look perfect—it's about function, reducing stress, and conserving your energy for the things that matter most.

We talk about:

🏠 Preparing your space before treatment 💊 Creating an easy-to-access medication station 🛏️ Setting up your recovery area with the things you'll need nearby 📋 Keeping important doctor and medication information in one place 🗂️ Organizing medical records, scans and results with a simple binder or digital system 🧠 How clutter can contribute to decision fatigue 🤝 Making things easier for caregivers and loved ones who want to help ✨ Simple organizing strategies that don't require a complete home makeover

Whether you're preparing for treatment, currently navigating cancer care, caring for someone you love, or simply feeling overwhelmed by all the stuff that comes with a diagnosis, this episode is packed with realistic ideas you can actually use.

💙 Sometimes a little organization can help create a little more breathing room.

🗂️ Looking for tools to help you get organized? Check out some of our favorite organizers and organization essentials here: https://amzn.to/4r8Fm21

As an Amazon Associate, A Cure In Sight may earn from qualifying purchases.

Thank you to our sponsors for making The Eye Believe Podcast possible!

-Ideaya Biosciences -Delcath Systems -Aura Biosciences -Castle Biosciences -Immunocore -Natera

Learn more about A Cure In Sight at ACureInSight.org.

#EyeBelievePodcast #CancerSupport #CancerCare #CancerTreatment #ProfessionalOrganizer #OcularMelanoma #ACureInSight

👨‍⚕️ Who’s Looking After the Rest of You?

When you’re diagnosed with ocular melanoma, it’s easy for cancer care to become the center of your healthcare. But while your oncology team is focused on your cancer, who is looking after the rest of you?

In this episode of The Eye Believe Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Ian Kamerman, an ocular melanoma survivor and primary care physician in Australia, for a conversation about the important role primary care can play before, during, and long after a cancer diagnosis.

Ian brings a unique perspective to this discussion—not only as a physician, but as someone who has been living the ocular melanoma journey himself for more than a decade.

We talk about:

👨‍⚕️ The difference between your oncologist and your primary care physician 🩺 Why continuity of care matters when you have multiple specialists ❤️ Preventive care, including blood pressure, diabetes, heart health and routine cancer screenings 🧠 Mental health, anxiety, sleep and quality of life after a cancer diagnosis 🔬 Surveillance, scanxiety and the challenges of incidental findings 💪 Why staying healthy matters beyond your cancer diagnosis 🤝 The value of connecting with other patients who truly understand the journey 💙 Learning how to live your life without allowing cancer to occupy every waking moment

As Ian reminds us, having cancer doesn’t mean every health concern is about cancer. Your oncology team is an incredibly important part of your care—but they’re just one part of the team that helps take care of the whole person.

For anyone newly diagnosed, living in the “long middle,” or simply trying to navigate life after ocular melanoma, this is a conversation worth hearing.

🎧 Watch, listen and share with someone in the ocular melanoma community.

Thank you to our sponsors for making The Eye Believe Podcast possible!

-Ideaya Biosciences -Delcath Systems -Aura Biosciences -Castle Biosciences -Immunocore -Natera

Watch Ian's episode about Living in the Long Middle- https://youtu.be/dQtA1VuzfW0

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always discuss your healthcare decisions with your medical team.

#EyeBelievePodcast #OcularMelanoma #UvealMelanoma #CancerSurvivorship #CancerCare #PrimaryCare #CancerSupport #ACureInSight

“Why me?”

It’s a question many people ask after receiving a cancer diagnosis. But what happens when that question begins to consume your life?

In Episode 15 of My 15 Years, Melody opens up about the years following her ocular melanoma diagnosis and how fear, uncertainty, and a sense of victimhood became part of her identity. She candidly shares how cancer began influencing nearly every decision she made—and how her search for control sometimes led her to extremes.

Melody also talks about the therapy and deep personal work that helped her begin shifting her perspective from “Why me?” to “Why not me?” She shares how she learned to quiet the constant conversations in her head, stop allowing ocular melanoma to consume every part of her life, and begin focusing again on the people, experiences, and joy that were still right in front of her.

Fifteen years later, Melody looks back with perspective, humor, and plenty of hard-earned wisdom about accepting what we cannot control while choosing how we live with what happens to us.

If you’ve ever struggled with “Why is this happening to me?”—whether because of cancer or another life-changing experience—this conversation may resonate with you.

Rare Cancer. Resilient Hope. Revolutionary Research.

🔔 Subscribe to follow the full My 15 Years series 💙 Learn more about A Cure in Sight 🤝 Support ocular melanoma research and patient support: https://acureinsight.org/donate/