S1Ep1 The Diagnosis
Welcome to the first episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC.
In today's episode, we'll look back at the beginning of the my wife Kristine's stage 4 colorectal cancer journey, the diagnosis.
I am joined by CRC patient advocate and friend Annie Delores, whose information can be found here or through the podcast's website.
Full transcription can be found on the website.
Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford
Guest: Annie Delores
Special thanks to Tina for her feedback and friendship.
Helpful links related to this episode:
In today's episode, we'll look back at the beginning of the my wife Kristine's stage 4 colorectal cancer journey, the diagnosis.
I am joined by CRC patient advocate and friend Annie Delores, whose information can be found here or through the podcast's website.
Full transcription can be found on the website.
Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford
Guest: Annie Delores
Special thanks to Tina for her feedback and friendship.
Helpful links related to this episode:
- NCCN guidelines for Colon Cancer
- NCCN guidelines for Rectal Cancer
- WHO fact sheet on Colorectal Cancer
- (00:43) - Intro to Special Guest - CRC Patient Advocate Annie Delores
- (01:07) - Before Kristine's diagnosis
- (02:57) - Kristine's health background
- (04:41) - Beginning tests and scan
- (05:36) - Colonoscopy
- (06:59) - Stage 4 cancer - don't always start with surgery
- (08:36) - What seemed impossible
- (10:14) - Meeting with the oncologist
- (12:05) - Formulating the plan
- (13:32) - NCCN Guidelines
- (15:02) - Tumor board
- (15:41) - Goal: Liver surgery
- (17:16) - Difficult stats
- (19:39) - Why telling this story is important
Creators and Guests
Host
Elsa Lankford
I'm the host of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC, a patient advocate for colorectal cancer, and a care partner to my incredible wife Kristine. I am an artist, composer, educator, and podcaster. I'm a professor in the Electronic Media and Film Department at Towson University.
Guest
Annie Delores
For the last six-1/2 years, Ann has become an experienced patient advocate especially in the areas of clinical trial assistance for colorectal cancer patients (including knowledge of relevant biomarkers such as MSI, BRAF, KRAS and NRAS). Ann shares information on (almost) a daily basis with a number of online colorectal cancer groups – from small specific biomarker driven groups (BRAF CRC, KRAS mutated NRAS group) to very large online communities e.g. Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer FB and the Immunotherapy Support groups. She volunteers for KRAS Kickers and Fight CRC's Research Advocates Training program which includes attending oncology and cancer conferences and workshops. She is a fierce advocate for CRC patients and carepartners.
