What happens when you're given a terminal cancer diagnosis, but six years later, you're still here, still funny, and still figuring out how to live?

In Episode 11 of Big C Energy, actress, comedian, and author Annabelle Gurwitch joins Alison Haislip for an unapologetically honest conversation about living with stage 4 lung cancer, challenging the expectations of a terminal diagnosis, and finding humor in life's most unpredictable moments.

Diagnosed in 2020 after a routine COVID test led to an unexpected chest X-ray, Annabelle was blindsided by lung cancer despite never being a regular smoker. Six years later, she's continuing treatment with targeted therapy, navigating the uncertainty of an incurable disease, and refusing to let cancer define her personality.

Annabelle shares how precision medicine has given her more time, why she rejects the pressure to be a "cancer warrior," and how she's embraced being a self-proclaimed "cancer slacker." From confronting medical misinformation and financial challenges to touring Europe with a heavy metal band, she reveals how living with a terminal diagnosis has transformed her understanding of what makes life meaningful.

Drawing from her book, The End of My Life Is Killing Me, Annabelle reminds us that embracing life doesn't always mean chasing extraordinary experiences. Sometimes, it's simply enjoying a croissant, laughing with friends, or appreciating another ordinary day.

Topics discussed:

• How a routine COVID test unexpectedly led to a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis

• Living six years beyond the initial expectations of a terminal diagnosis

• Targeted therapy, precision medicine, and the realities of lifelong cancer treatment

• Why Annabelle calls herself a "cancer slacker" instead of a "cancer warrior"

• The emotional pressure to stay positive and appear inspiring

• Cancer misinformation, self-blame, and the importance of science-based care

• The financial realities of cancer treatment and navigating insurance challenges

• Finding humor, relationships, and everyday joy while living with uncertainty

• The importance of mentorship, community, and advocating for better cancer care

This episode is a reminder that you don't have to be inspirational every day to live a meaningful life. Sometimes, showing up exactly as you are is more than enough.

▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/PhCFvMFyIxg

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox, & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/

Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time.

Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown

Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story

#BigCEnergy #AnnabelleGurwitch #LungCancer #AlisonHaislip #BreastCancer #Stage4Cancer #CancerAwareness #CancerSurvivorship

Cara Jade Myers went in for her very first mammogram at 40. What followed was the last thing she expected: cancer was found in both breasts.

In Episode 10 of Big C Energy, actress and writer Cara Jade Myers joins Alison Haislip for a uniquely personal conversation during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cara is the first guest on the show who was diagnosed after Alison, and the two actually met because a mutual friend connected newly diagnosed Cara with Alison for support. Now, only months into her own cancer journey, Cara is sharing what that experience has really been like.

Cara opens up about being diagnosed with stage one, hormone-positive breast cancer, undergoing a double mastectomy just weeks later, reconstruction, and beginning years of hormone therapy. She and Alison compare everything from post-mastectomy drains, implants and numbness to brain fog, body changes, fertility decisions, work, and the emotional whiplash of suddenly going from constant doctor appointments to being told, “See you in six months.”

Cara also shares why she initially kept her diagnosis private, why she ultimately decided to speak publicly about it, and her hope of bringing greater access to mammograms to Indigenous communities, particularly rural reservations where screening and healthcare resources can be difficult to access. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month highlights the importance of early detection, regular screenings, and patient advocacy, Cara's experience is a powerful reminder of why knowing your body and prioritizing your health matters.

And because this is Big C Energy, there’s also weed-shopping confusion, boobs that throw off your balance, “jobbers,” unsolicited advice about going bigger, and the unexpected freedom of eventually saying goodbye to bras.

Topics discussed:

• Cara Jade Myers’ breast cancer diagnosis at 40

• Finding cancer in both breasts during her first mammogram

• Dense breast tissue, ultrasound and biopsies

• The importance of early detection and breast cancer awareness

• Undergoing a double mastectomy just weeks after diagnosis

• Breast reconstruction, implants and post-mastectomy recovery

• Choosing between reconstruction options and getting a second opinion

• Tamoxifen and long-term hormone therapy

• Brain fog, hormones and processing a cancer diagnosis

• Fertility decisions after breast cancer

• Losing work opportunities after a cancer diagnosis

• Why Cara initially kept her diagnosis private

• The importance of finding a cancer community and asking for help

• Cara’s goal of improving mammogram access for Indigenous communities

• Learning to live in a changed body after breast cancer

▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/QKfoul__xC4

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/

Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time.

Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown

Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story

#BigCEnergy #CaraJadeMyers #BreastCancer #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #BreastCancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #CancerSurvivor #AlisonHaislip #CancerPodcast

Toks Olagundoye didn’t just survive breast cancer. She became one of the people helping others figure out how the hell to survive the experience, too.

In Episode 9 of Big C Energy, actress Toks Olagundoye joins Alison Haislip for an especially personal conversation. A year before this episode, Toks was one of the first breast cancer survivors Alison spoke with after her own diagnosis, becoming an early mentor and showing her what life on the other side could look like.

Toks opens up about being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer after finally scheduling a mammogram she had planned to postpone. In just the two weeks surrounding her diagnosis, her cancer progressed from stage zero to stage one, reinforcing a lesson she now shares whenever she can: the earlier you know, the better. She also discusses multiple lumpectomies, chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and reconstruction, fertility, menopause, ADHD, mental health, and continuing to work through treatment.

Together, Toks and Alison get candid about everything from choosing doctors who actually listen to you and navigating breast reconstruction to losing nipple sensation, the healthcare system, insurance, and the very different realities patients face depending on the support and resources available to them. And because this is Big C Energy, somehow there is also a breast surgeon, a poodle, a Rottweiler, and a medical metaphor neither of them will ever forget.

Topics discussed:

• Toks Olagundoye’s triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis

• Why early detection matters

• Lumpectomies, chemotherapy and double mastectomy

• Fertility decisions during cancer treatment

• Menopause, ADHD and women’s health

• Mental health during and after cancer treatment

• Finding doctors who listen and make you feel seen

• Racial disparities and representation in healthcare

• Breast reconstruction and life after mastectomy

• The financial realities of cancer care

• Working on Fatal Attraction and Frasier during treatment

• Why Toks became a cancer advocate and mentor

• The importance of community and support during treatment

🏆 Big C Energy is a Signal Awards finalist! Vote at vote.signalaward.com

Voting ends October 15!

▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/nCGFzvdhjR0

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/

Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time.

Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown

Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story

#BigCEnergy #ToksOlagundoye #BreastCancer #TripleNegativeBreastCancer #CancerSurvivor #AlisonHaislip #CancerPodcast