LGFB Podcast: Facing Cancer Together
Support and insights for patients, loved ones, and care teams – all in one podcast. If your life is touched by cancer, the Facing Cancer Together podcast is for you.
Facing cancer doesn’t mean you are now only “the cancer patient”
So often, people in our workshops tell us that they need to feel seen, to feel understood and not feel alone. Please share the Facing Cancer Together podcast with anyone in your life facing a cancer diagnosis – or caring for someone who is.
Episode Guide
Sit Back, Relax, & Enjoy these informative episodes hosted by our very own Susan Larkin!
| Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| EP 0 | What is the Facing Together Podcast? | Introduction |
| EP 1 | You have cancer – Now What? | In our first episode, host Susan Larkin introduces some of the real voices you will hear throughout the series as they share the real deal about their own personal cancer experiences. Whether you are a patient, family, friends, or part of the health care team – we are – Facing Cancer Together. |
| EP 2 | This is Supposed to be Normal? | Hair loss. Brittle fingernails. Rashes. Stomach upset. Fatigue. Brain fog. Just a short list of the many side effects someone may have told you was “normal”. Dr. Margaret Fitch, Oncology Nurse professor and a leading researcher in psychosocial support in oncology explains how there is nothing normal about it. |
| EP 3 | Jules Whish on Living with Cancer | With advancement in treatments and greater understanding of the disease – there are people who are living with cancer. But what does that mean? Jules Whish joins us and shares how she is figuring it out as she goes – along with sharing on social media. Learn more about Jules Whish: https://www.heyjules.ca/ |
| EP 4 | Support Systems | What the heck is psychosocial support? It can be emotional support, spiritual, overall well-being, and even practical support. Dr. Margaret Fitch, Oncology Nurse, professor and a leading researcher in psychosocial support is back, talking about just how important these supports are. |
| EP 5 | Michelle Audoin is Living with Cancer | Navigating stage four cancer, facing cancer as a Black woman, grieving – and dried up raisins. Michelle Audoin is here to talk about it all – including how she ended up revealing more than she thought she ever would. |
| EP 6 | Navigating Nutrition | Going through treatment, there can be so many extra sources of stress – including food & nutrition. Hopefully listening to Registered Dietician Denise Gabrielson will help take some of that stress off your plate. |
| EP 7 | Brave, Fierce and Funny Part 1 | Anyone who names their own podcast “Women of Ill Repute” is not going to hold back. And Maureen Halloway and Wendy Mesley certainly do not hold back when it comes to sharing their cancer experience. |
| EP 8 | Brave, Fierce and Funny Part 2 | Radio broadcaster Maureen Halloway and television journalist Wendy Mesley are back – continuing the conversation about their cancer experience. |
| EP 9 | Unique Experiences | Everyone’s cancer experience is unique. In this episode, you’ll hear from Michelle Sylvain who is currently in treatment, then Denise Dmitruk on going through treatment as a nurse – and her most unusual pet. We finish with a male perspective from Michael Suba, who is looking back years later – and learning to trust his body again. |
| EP 10 | Talking to your Kids with Guest Audrey Guth | Often, a personal cancer experience can highlight gaps in the system. For Audrey Guth, it led her to helping mothers facing cancer and helping their children. In this episode, Audrey teaches us how to talk to kids about cancer. |
| EP 11 | How to Feel Like Yourself | The appearance-related impacts of cancer treatment can take a very serious toll on someone’s overall well-being. It’s not vanity. It’s about looking into a mirror, and not seeing the “Cancer Patient” – but instead seeing yourself. Dr. Margaret Fitch, and some of our other special guests, discuss why feeling like yourself does, in fact, make you feel better. Then, Andrea Galley talks about “Boobie Parties”, and body image post-surgery. |
| EP 12 | Back to Work / Back to “Normal”…Now What? | When treatment is done, people around you – including co-workers and bosses – may feel you are now “back to normal”. But side effects can last much longer after treatment ends. Dr. Christine Maheu and Maureen Parkinson, Co-Directors of Cancer and Work, will join us to share best practices. |
| EP 13 | You Are Not Alone | Throughout this podcast, you’ve heard people share their very personal stories and experiences around cancer. So many of them were nervous about being “interviewed”. When I asked them why they were doing it – they all said the same thing. They wanted to share their story to help someone else going through treatment, to know they are not alone. |
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
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When I first started experiencing unusual symptoms – constipation, bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain – in the summer of 2024, my first instinct was to put pen to paper. I drew a diagram of my body and wrote down all the things I’d been feeling. That’s the art therapist in me. When I showed the illustration to my doctor, she immediately recognized the signs of ovarian cancer. A CT scan revealed a large tumour over my right ovary, confirming her suspicions. I was completely shocked and devastated.
My career as a clinical counsellor and art therapist with preteens and teenagers abruptly stopped when I was diagnosed. It was such positive and enjoyable work. And not only did I have to leave my private practice, I had to stop doing things that gave me pleasure and joy in life.
I love being active: Zumba, belly dancing, strength training, circuit training. I also enjoy cooking wonderful food and travelling. But quite suddenly, my life was now filled with endless medical appointments. Testing, scans, blood work, chemotherapy, surgeries. It was surreal.
With my psychology background, I knew I had to look after the other parts of myself. The physical was being cared for. What about my emotional self, my sense of self, and my need for connection?
It had seemed that all the joyful activities in my life had come to a halt, but I was able to resurrect some activities that I hadn’t done in a while – things that I could go back to. Those included reading and art. I love art, especially drawing and painting with watercolours, and it has always been my resource during the tough times in life. It’s a wonderful outlet for sorrow and other emotions that need to be released.
I had no words for what was happening to me, and so I started to draw. I drew myself sitting in the middle of a tsunami wave – the tsunami of grief after diagnosis. I painted myself at nighttime in a jungle, with moonlight pouring down – standing in the garden of hope. I created more and more art, navigating the back and forth between despair and hopefulness.
I also talked with my caring partner, Bill. I cried a lot. I got a counsellor. I connected with friends. And I found community. When I first heard about Look Good Feel Better (LGFB), from a woman in the cosmetics department at Shoppers Drug Mart, a little spark went off. I signed up right away. At the workshop, I was amazed by how supportive it felt to be in a space with other women who I could relate to. I wasn’t alone – we were all going through it. The workshop was so informative, helpful, positive, and uplifting – something I dearly needed. And with my body having surrendered to all the necessary medical procedures, learning how to use makeup to my advantage was a way to take back my sense of dignity and to connect with my femininity.
LGFB brought me a respite from my sorrow and loss. It was a bright light, bringing a sense of community and breaking the isolation I was feeling – just like my art. Body, mind, and spirit are all integrated parts of us, and throughout my cancer journey, what really needed tending was my emotional side. It was stormy and intense – it needed to be expressed. We don’t have to be positive and brave all the time.
I can’t control everything, but I can control how I care for myself. Eating well, staying connected, and doing things I enjoy – reading, creativity – have made all the difference.
Let’s Listen
Dr. Deanne Simms, Clinical Psychologist will speak to the mental health benefits of managing appearance during cancer, the impact of the loss of control and the connection between hair and identity, specifically for BIPOC women.
Dianne Austin, Cancer Survivor and Entrepreneur, will then share her story of how her personal experience has led her to create a social enterprise to meet gaps in supporting Black women facing hair loss.
Discussions with Dr. Deanne Simms & Dianne Austin
Our Speakers
Dr. Deanne Simms
President and CEO, ThriveSpace Health and Wellness
Dr. Simms is a senior Clinical Health Psychologist who has a well-established career providing specialized care for children, adolescents and adults with complex mental and physical health challenges or conditions. In her work, Dr. Simms works collaboratively with her clients while utilizing evidence-based, cognitive behavioral interventions within a measurement-based care framework. In her work ranging from primary to tertiary care settings across 4 Canadian provinces, Dr. Simms has worked to build and evaluate evidence-based practices and programs. Dr. Simms strives to support the health and well-being of the individuals she works with, while enhancing and improving service delivery in both the private and public health sectors.
Dr. Simms is a passionate leader whose responsibilities have extended to provincial and national health leadership. Dr. Simms is an innovator who drives change, and is a sought-after consultant for system-level projects. Using her scientific background, combined with her dedication to enhancing and extending health service delivery, Dr. Simms contributes meaningfully to boards, steering committees, working groups and initiatives aimed at transforming the health care landscape through disruptive, data-driven innovation. Dr. Simms is the President and CEO of ThriveSpace Health and Wellness, a company which focuses on delivering and enhancing digital health services. In this space, Dr. Simms consults with individuals, clinicians, organizations and health systems to augment and enhance service delivery. Dr. Simms is passionate about ensuring individuals everywhere can access the right care, at the right time, in the way that most suits their needs.
Dianne Austin
Co-founder and CEO of Coils to Locs
Dianne Austin, B.S. is the co-founder and CEO of the startup, Coils to Locs, a direct to hospital distributor of high-quality coily, curly hair prosthesis (wigs) for Black women or any woman with highly textured hair. Coils to Locs is at the forefront of addressing an unrecognized health care disparity that impacts Black women experiencing chemotherapy-related hair loss: The lack of coily, curly wigs that are available at cancer centers in the U.S. that can be purchased with health insurance reimbursement.
A five-year breast cancer survivor and thriver, Dianne is passionate about healthcare equity issues given her personal experiences and that of family and friends within the healthcare system.
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
Newsletter Form
“I liked getting information that was specifically for teens and connecting with other people who understood what I was going through in the teen workshop.”
Maddie W., Workshop Participant
Prefer direct information from a professional?
Try one of our workshops today!
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
Newsletter Form
“I didn’t expect that my most visible side effects would be changes to my skin. I’m not fussy about how I look, but I didn’t like how other people reacted. My faced LOOKED painful. I appreciated getting some tips on how to calm my dry, irritated skin and not have my scalp hurt as much. These resources and the workshop were helpful.”
Marc W., Workshop Participant
Prefer direct information from a professional?
Try one of our workshops today!
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
Newsletter Form
Simple Everyday Makeup Tutorial
“I feel empowered to try different makeup and techniques that will help me with some of the side effects I am experiencing. I don’t feel as scared or overwhelmed – I am eager to try them!”
Lucy N., Workshop Participant
Prefer direct information from a professional?
Try one of our workshops today!
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
Newsletter Form
“I didn’t want to invest in a wig but after reviewing these resources and attending the LGFB Hair, Wigs & Scarves workshop, I changed my mind. It will be a good option to improve my self image and look and feel better. Now I’m in the process of buying one. Thanks!”
Linda G., Workshop Participant
Prefer direct information from a professional?
Try one of our workshops today!
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
Newsletter Form
” There’s lots of great information. I feel as though the questions I had were answered before I even had a chance to ask them. I’m not happy about the changes to my body, but I am accepting them, and I appreciate the tips and support to help me deal with this.”
- Kathryn R, Workshop Participant
Prefer direct information from a professional?
Try our Bras & Prostheses Workshop today!
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
Newsletter Form
Post Surgical Products
Prostheses Basics
Fitting & Clothing Tips
Nightwear & Sleep Support
Care & Maintenance
Skincare During Radiation
Nipple Appearance Options
Access & Financial Help
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
Newsletter Form
Practical Advice within a Caring Community
We know how important it is to simply feel like yourself, especially when going through cancer treatment. Look Good Feel Better offers free workshops that help address both the emotional and appearance-related side effects of treatment.
Everyone deserves support during cancer treatment
LGFB workshops are a space where cancer isn’t in charge. You can concentrate on yourself. Learn information and techniques that can help you manage or even minimize some side effects of your cancer treatment. Talk with and connect with others facing a similar cancer experience. Offer an understanding smile to someone who may need one.
What happens at LGFB workshops?
Led by our expert volunteers, our workshops offer real information, helpful tips and techniques AND supportive care. At the end of the session, we hope you’ll feel that you can face cancer with a bit more confidence and feel more like yourself again.
We Provide Online and In-person Workshops
IN-PERSON:
Our primary in-person workshop is 2 hours long and addresses skincare, makeup that helps address physical side effects, hair loss, scalp and nail care, wigs, scarves and other hair alternatives. It is called Skincare, Makeup & Hair. It is offered in 80 locations across Canada where our volunteers will greet you with a warm smile and a free kit of skincare and makeup products.
Learn More about This WorkshopCheck for In-Person Workshops Near You
ONLINE:
We offer several online workshops topics. Each is an hour to an hour and a half long, are led by one of our subject matter experts, and are easily accessible via Zoom.
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter