Brainy Blonde Podcast

• Mom Brain: Laurie's Story of Surviving a Grade 4 Brain Cancer Diagnosis while 8 Months Pregnant

  As you know, in season 2 we are shining a light on survivors. And today’s guest is someone you will not forget! She is the most lovely, radiant human. And she exudes gratitude and hope. I just know she’s going to have the same effect on you that she did on me.First of all…I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve so often heard that it’s weird that I got glioblastoma because it’s “an old man’s disease.” Well, not only am I living proof that is not the case, I have met so many young women who’ve gotten diagnosed over the years - and many who are young mothers who get diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after giving birth. A little dive into the scientific research does not show that women get GBM as often as men or that pregnancy or hormones are related to the diagnosis, but this is an understudied disease and we all deserve better support. Today I’m excited to introduce you to the lovely Laurie Bing Lopez. Laurie is an extraordinary survivor. What she initially laughed off as “mom brain” during pregnancy turned out to be something quite different. She was hospitalized while 8 months pregnant when doctors discovered an orange sized tumor in her brain. She had brain surgery mere days after an emergency c-section. Laurie credits her survival to faith, family and a decision to support her body’s healing with healthy food, supplements and other wellness tools, some I haven’t even heard of!Here are some notes from Laurie:here is the link for “Joani” my chosen navigator 🤍https://healnavigator.com This is the link for Dr. Leupnitzhttps://www.n4hresearchinc.comhttps://cancercenterforhealing.comSupport the showI want to thank YOU for taking time of your day to listen. I don’t know if you’re here because you’ve gotten a tough diagnosis or someone you love has - or if you just want to learn more about how to feel empowered to change your story and find purpose in your life. But I’m glad you’re here. If I can beat a universally deadly cancer and live a better, happier life, truly grateful for my cancer wake up call, I know the tools I’ve learned will help you too. Your life is about to get so much better. Please share the Brainy Blonde Podcast with someone you love. See you soon!Love you, Rebeccahttps://www.instagram.com/thatbrainyblonde/https://www.instagram.com/brainyblondepodcast

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• Pedaling Through Adversity: Lou's 1000-Mile Journey to Celebrate Surviving 5 Years with Glioblastoma and to Raise Awareness for All of us on this Road

  Welcome to Season 2 of The Brainy Blonde Podcast. This season is all about YOU, the survivors. The warriors. You inspire me every single day.I created the Brainy Blonde Podcast to spread hope -  and to empower you with the tools I’ve been learning so that you too will be an outlier and beat the odds. In season 1 I connected you with experts on the future of not only medicine but true wellness. I shared my best secrets, some of my favorite humans. I connected you with research, new clinical trials, resources and experts to back it up.In season 2 I’m going to connect you with some incredible survivors. You’re going to be so inspired listening to these stories. The thing about Brain cancer is it not only tries to steal your health but who you are as a person in the process. I’m obsessed with being the main character in my own life story 0 even if that story looks nothing like I thought it would before getting cancer.  And I hope all of you feel the same way. You get to tell the story of your life, the way you want it told, whether or not someone already ruined the ending. None of us knows how long we get to be here, but we all want to live our fullest most authentic lives while we’re alive!Today we are going to talk to Lou Starzl. Five years ago Lou got an unexpected and unwelcome surprise for Christmas: doctors found a tumor in his brain. And, yes, it was glioblastoma. But Lou was able to process the grief and fear that came with that devastating diagnosis and use to steer him in a new direction, one that not only changed the course of his health, but his life. And now he is helping and inspiring others with cancer. Lou is pedaling 1000 miles to celebrate his strength and raise awareness for Glioblastoma. Follow along on social media and mark your calendars for September 14th when he hits his final mile. We’re all rooting for you, Lou!https://www.facebook.com/lou.starzlhttps://www.facebook.com/breakthroughPHLhttps://www.facebook.com/RAGBRAISupport the showI want to thank YOU for taking time of your day to listen. I don’t know if you’re here because you’ve gotten a tough diagnosis or someone you love has - or if you just want to learn more about how to feel empowered to change your story and find purpose in your life. But I’m glad you’re here. If I can beat a universally deadly cancer and live a better, happier life, truly grateful for my cancer wake up call, I know the tools I’ve learned will help you too. Your life is about to get so much better. Please share the Brainy Blonde Podcast with someone you love. See you soon!Love you, Rebeccahttps://www.instagram.com/thatbrainyblonde/https://www.instagram.com/brainyblondepodcast

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• Is (Methylene) Blue the New Black? Today's Expert is Patrice Surley, Integrative Oncology Nutritionist, Patient Advocate with over 25 Years of Experience Helping Patients Navigate their Path to Healing Glioblastoma, Cancer and Autoimmune Conditions

  If you're here, you're likely worried about cancer, how not to get it, how to heal from it or how to save someone you love. I believe we can all beat cancer. Your genes are not your destiny. Your prognosis is not your fate. You do have the power to change your story. What you do does matter.So, now you want to know exactly what to do. And this conversation is going to help you figure that out. How knowing the specifics, not just about your cancer or cancer risk, but about how your body’s functioning right now, will tell you exactly what you need to support it.Today’s guest is someone who has profoundly changed my life and helped guide me towards the right way to continue to prevent cancer recurrence. Patrice Surley is a functional nutritionist with over 25 years of clinical experience. Many of my GBM warriors know Patrice because she meets with patients who’ve gotten the toughest diagnoses. And it never scares her. Like a detective, she’s determined to find the secrets of your body, what’s getting in the way of your body’s ability to fight cancer, and how to decode the mystery, remove the obstacles, so your immune system can do it’s job. She’s also part of your medical team, advocating for YOU as an individual, and appreciates that success is highest when nutrition, supplementation and medicine are used appropriately according to your personal needs.Have you worried about cell phones and technology causing cancer, chemicals in your home or environment? Today we’re going to ease those worries a bit. Our bodies are stronger than we think.If you have cancer, have you wondered if there are secret drugs your medical team isn’t sharing with you that could be the answer to your prayers? Things like Ivermectin, Metformin, Methylene Blue? THC? Nicotine? These are all being thrown around on social media and the Cure for cancer that your doctor’s not telling you. Is it real? Is it dangerous? We’re going to talk about all of these topics today.  I’m going to ask something of you. What’s the most important question you have about how to treat cancer beyond what your doctors are telling you? Or preventing it? Diet, supplement, repurposed drug…I want to know your questions. We’re going to do a follow up with mini deep dive sessions into each topic so you can hear the science, the research, and how to know if this is right for you. Also please let me know if you’d like to do an Instagram Live. I’m here to help YOU!Please follow us on Social media, follow and subscribe to this podcast and share with someone you love. I want to keep connecting you with all of the experts who have helped me become an outlier so you too can beat the odds. But I need your support to keep creating this free content.Patrice Surley, Integrative Oncology Nutritionist, Patient Advocatehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-surley-43a5a15ahttps://www.patricesurley.com/aboutI want to thank YOU for taking time of your day to listen. I don’t know if you’re here because you’ve gotten a tough diagnosis or someone you love has - or if you just want to learn more about how to feel empowered to change your story and find purpose in your life. But I’m glad you’re here. If I can beat a universally deadly cancer and live a better, happier life, truly grateful for my cancer wake up call, I know the tools I’ve learned will help you too. Your life is about to get so much better. Please share the Brainy Blonde Podcast with someone you love. See you soon!Love you, Rebeccahttps://www.instagram.com/thatbrainyblonde/https://www.instagram.com/brainyblondepodcast

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• Genes are Not One Size Fits All: Our Expert Natalie Samson is a Genetic Counselor Here to Explain why We shouldn't be Afraid of Our Genes, Why it's Empowering to get Genetic Testing and What the Heck is Nutrigenomics

  If cancer runs in your family should you get tested? Do you want to? Why would you even want to know? What about other inherited diseases?Today, I'm interviewing genetic expert Natalie Samson. You may have seen her on social media as the founder of Golden Genetics. And she is bringing all the good feels to the field of genetic testing and counseling.We talk about what types of inherited mutations you can test for, from Alzheimers and dementia to cancer and autism. We differentiate somatic gene testing (testing of tumor tissue) from germline testing (inherited genes). We talk about how knowing your genetic makeup can inform everything from early detection to what treatments might be more effective based on your biology. Also, Natalie is an expert in nutrigenomics which inform lifestyle choices like nutrition, supplements and movement. We dive into the ketogenic diet for cancer and when it's not a good choice. And my favorite thing Natalie says is "there is no perfect genome." Indeed there is not. We are all unique and understanding our body's makeup will help us live better, healthier, longer lives.Natalie Samson is a dedicated Board-Certified Genetic Counselor devoted to transforming healthcare through personalized, integrative, and preventative approaches. She also obtained her Integrative Health Coach Certification and is completing her Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certification. She established her own practice, Golden Genetics to introduce an integrative approach to genetic counseling and testing, combining it with nutrition and nutrigenomics. She focuses on cancer, neurology and nutrigenomics and her aim is to provide unparalleled, personalized care in genetic counseling and testing.Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor (she/her) [email protected]│ Direct (858) 330-0317@goldengeneticshealth on instagramSupport the showI want to thank YOU for taking time of your day to listen. I don’t know if you’re here because you’ve gotten a tough diagnosis or someone you love has - or if you just want to learn more about how to feel empowered to change your story and find purpose in your life. But I’m glad you’re here. If I can beat a universally deadly cancer and live a better, happier life, truly grateful for my cancer wake up call, I know the tools I’ve learned will help you too. Your life is about to get so much better. Please share the Brainy Blonde Podcast with someone you love. See you soon!Love you, Rebeccahttps://www.instagram.com/thatbrainyblonde/https://www.instagram.com/brainyblondepodcast

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• 7 Year Anniversary Edition for all my Brainy friends: A Deep Dive into all your Pressing Questions about Glioblastoma with the Brilliant Neurooncologist Dr. Andrea Wasilewski

  Today marks the 7th anniversary of my incurable brain cancer diagnosis. To celebrate this milestone, I'm dedicating this special episode to all my brainy friends, the brain cancer thrivers and their caregivers. I'm thrilled to introduce you to the brilliant Dr. Andrea Wasilewski. In this episode we talk with Dr.  Wasilewski, a board-certified neurologist, neurooncologist, and director of the Givens Brain Tumor Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.I'm so grateful to have Dr. Wasilewski as my primary neurooncologist and I know she's part of the reason I'm an outlier, alive and well seven years after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Dr. Wasilewski will discuss the pillars of health she thinks are essential to battling brain cancer, from lifestyle to food and mindset. We'll also talk about off-label drugs, homeopathic treatments, the future of cancer treatment and clinical trials.If you are wondering if Glioblastoma is really as rare as they say or if the number of patients getting diagnosed each year is actually going up, we'll talk about that too. And the are two big takeaways here that you will not want to miss: should you get a 2nd opinion and how important is sleep.As always, I'm here for you! Let me know wha you think of this episode.Love you guys!ABOUT:Dr. Andrea WasilewskiDirector, Givens Brain Tumor CenterMinneapolis, MNAllina HealthBoard Certified Neurologist and Neurooncologst2024 Mpls. St. Paul Magazine Top Doctors: Rising StarsSupport the showI want to thank YOU for taking time of your day to listen. I don’t know if you’re here because you’ve gotten a tough diagnosis or someone you love has - or if you just want to learn more about how to feel empowered to change your story and find purpose in your life. But I’m glad you’re here. If I can beat a universally deadly cancer and live a better, happier life, truly grateful for my cancer wake up call, I know the tools I’ve learned will help you too. Your life is about to get so much better. Please share the Brainy Blonde Podcast with someone you love. See you soon!Love you, Rebeccahttps://www.instagram.com/thatbrainyblonde/https://www.instagram.com/brainyblondepodcast

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