I Had Cancer

Dr. David Bartlett, the new chair of AHN Cancer Institute, is an acclaimed cancer surgeon and researcher. Involved in the latest advances in care, he predicts steady growth in the search for a cure. Dr. Bartlett approaches each patient with empathy, developing friendships that are great motivators for him to push on with his work. Hear why he calls cancer a unique puzzle, and why everyday good health habits might hold the key to preventing it. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.

Heather was 40, with a newborn son and a 3-year old daughter, when she learned that a mole on her skin was melanoma. Then, she didn’t know what it meant, but now she’s passionate about skin cancer awareness and prevention. She is thankful for AHN surgeons and dermatologists who gave top quality care and eased her mind. Hear why she tells skin cancer: “Not at my job. Not in my neighborhood!” The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.

Ashley was 33 when ovarian cancer fractured her world. But her faith and an amazing care team at West Penn Hospital kept her going. With a leader in ovarian cancer research as her surgeon, she moved through a hysterectomy and chemotherapy to ring the final bell. Now she’s active in two cancer support groups. Hear how a schedule change, a “beat cancer” parade, and a t-shirt with a special message gave her hope. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.

Ray, 65, was always active, hunting elk, shoeing horses at the track, and celebrating his daughter’s wedding. Esophageal cancer interrupted his plans, but never his positivity. Surrounded by top-shelf cancer professionals at West Penn Hospital, he moved rapidly to a diagnosis, and then through chemo, radiation, and surgery. Hear why he credits divine intervention, his surgeon, and great people for his survival. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.

Randy Stewart, 69, never expected a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. But his medical team at West Penn Hospital gave him the confidence to stay positive through six months of chemo, radiation, and surgery. He also was among the first patients to get a new immunotherapy drug in a clinical trial with Johns Hopkins Medicine. Hear how a very special daily message inspired him during treatment and his new diet as a survivor. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations...

Jessica’s happiness at being pregnant was dashed when she developed a placenta tumor. She had gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), a rare cancer that arises during pregnancy. After a miscarriage, she became the youngest person – just 33 – in her chemo group. With amazing nurses and doctors, and support from generous family and friends, she became a survivor. Hear why she will never be the same again, but might be something more. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.

Bob was 73 when an unexpected blood disorder, myelodysplastic syndrome, led to acute myeloid leukemia, a form of blood cancer. AHN doctors and Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers brought about four separate miracles to return him to health. Now he’s back on the ladder, making repairs around the house. Hear how he’s helping his doctors give hope to other patients. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode...

Cheryl learned she had invasive ductal carcinoma on her 50th birthday, just four months after her mother got the same breast cancer diagnosis. With chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and great support from AHN doctors and nurses — whom she calls her guardian angels — she was on her way to being a cancer survivor. Hear how family and friends — along with a very special t-shirt – were there when she rang the bell.

When the doctor called with her test results on a Saturday, Kathy, 62, knew it wasn’t good news. Her diagnosis was locally advanced pancreatic cancer. After chemo and radiation with a great team at AHN, she was referred to the AHN’s partners — world-renowned surgeons at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Today, as a 6-year survivor, Kathy wants people to know there is always hope. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their...

When a lump in his neck turned out to be salivary gland cancer, Mike was confident his AHN doctors would pull him through. He didn’t worry. At age 54, he just wanted to keep working and playing hockey — even after surgery and during his radiation treatments. Hear how he survived his cancer and rang in the new year in a special way. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.

She gathered support, then gave it back Martha Neevan, 57, got mammograms on time, every time. Then she found a lump, just two months after a breast exam. It was a fast growing form of breast case, already at stage 3. Fortunately, a great team at AHN was by her side through chemo, surgery, and radiology — all the way to “I Had Cancer.” Hear what happened halfway through her treatment and why she enlisted PacMan to join her fight. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.

Kristi Webb was 38 with a five-month old daughter when she noticed a mole on her jaw line. Hear how she connected with care, found the information she needed, and met a whole community of Pittsburgh melanoma survivors. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email toIHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.

Mike couldn’t wait for doctors to remove every trace of prostate cancer from his body. Listen to his message of hope, and an idea to increase the survival rate from 90 to 100%.

Renee thought she had hemorrhoids, but doctors confirmed she had rectal cancer. Hear how she met her AHN cancer team the very next day and finished out her treatments at a brand new cancer institute just 3 miles from her home in Butler. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email toIHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number

Erin said her annual checkup became the biggest deal of her life. Before starting her senior year in college, 21-year-old Erin visited her doctor, who found that Erin’s tonsil was swollen. She had no other symptoms, but the discovery led to doctors diagnosing Erin with acute myeloid leukemia. She talks about how her brother shared his stem cells and her highly specialized AHN team instilled confidence and hope in her for a cure. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.

Only 45 and just relocated to Pittsburgh with her family, Wendy found a lump in her breast. She called 412-DOCTORS the next morning, saw a doctor the same day, had a biopsy the next, and underwent a successful mastectomy soon after. Hear how Wendy’s illness motivated her daughter, Shelby, to create a program that provides comfortable pillows to AHN breast cancer patients as they recover from surgery. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their stories to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.

Naomi was 52 when she felt a lump in her breast. She went to the Breast Center at Allegheny General Hospital for her gynecologist appointment. In the next few hours, Naomi had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy and received a diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer. She shares how her husband rallied behind Naomi and gave her strength and faith to fight the advanced disease for the last 10 years. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Over the last year, more than 30 amazing survivors shared their journeys of battling cancer on the I Had Cancer Podcast. Their inspirational stories have instilled hope and strength in others and demonstrated the power of positivity when combined with a team of AHN cancer experts. Hear some highlights from 2019 as we celebrate both survivors and those who are on the path toward remission. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their...

Over the last year, more than 30 amazing survivors shared their journeys of battling cancer on the I Had Cancer Podcast. Their inspirational stories have instilled hope and strength in others and demonstrated the power of positivity when combined with a team of AHN cancer experts. Hear some highlights from 2019 as we celebrate both survivors and those who are on the path toward remission. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their...

Stephanie was diagnosed last June with aggressive breast cancer. She was willing to travel anywhere to get best treatment. But after she met her AHN team of specialists, discovered that more than 20 doctors were involved in her treatment plan, and was enrolled in an immunotherapy clinical trial, Stephanie knew she had the best care in her backyard. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.