What is palliative care, and how is it different from hospice? Does receiving palliative care mean you're giving up on treatment? And how can these services help patients and families navigate a serious illness?

In honor of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, Megan welcomes Becky Gentry, a nurse practitioner, former palliative care provider, and ocular melanoma patient, to The Eye Believe Podcast for an important conversation about comfort, quality of life, and making informed healthcare decisions.

Becky brings a unique perspective to this discussion. Diagnosed with ocular melanoma 16 years ago, she has experienced the challenges of cancer firsthand while also spending her professional career helping patients and families navigate serious illness. She shares insights from her work on an inpatient palliative care team, as well as her personal experience caring for her mother through hospice.

Together, Megan and Becky explore the differences between hospice and palliative care, clear up common misconceptions, and discuss why understanding these services can empower patients to make decisions that reflect their own goals, values, and wishes.

In this episode, we discuss:

💙 What palliative care is and how it can support patients living with serious illness

🏥 The important differences between hospice and palliative care

🩺 How palliative care can work alongside treatments intended to manage or treat a disease

🤝 The role of interdisciplinary care teams in supporting patients and families

🏡 What hospice care at home can look like and how families and caregivers are involved

💬 Why conversations about goals of care and advance planning are so important

❤️ Becky's personal experience caring for her mother through hospice

💊 Symptom management, comfort, and quality of life

📋 Challenges surrounding access, referrals, and insurance coverage for palliative care

🌟 Why accepting supportive care does not mean giving up hope

One of Becky's most important messages is that neither hospice nor palliative care is about giving up. Both are centered on helping patients receive care that aligns with what matters most to them.

Whether you're an ocular melanoma patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, or simply interested in understanding these often-misunderstood services, this episode offers valuable information and a compassionate perspective.

💙 Helpful Resources

Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC): https://www.capc.org/

A Cure In Sight — Patient Resources, Support & Education: https://acureinsight.org/

Join Our Weekly Ocular Melanoma Support Group

Connect with others who understand your journey every Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern. Our free virtual support group is facilitated by volunteer patients.

🔗 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/780974096#success

Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors

We're grateful to the organizations that help make The Eye Believe Podcast possible:

Ideaya Biosciences Delcath Systems Aura Biosciences Castle Biosciences Immunocore Natera

This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice. Hospice and palliative care services, eligibility, and insurance coverage vary. Please speak with your healthcare team about the options available for your individual situation.

#EyeBelievePodcast #PalliativeCare #HospiceCare #HospiceAndPalliativeCareMonth #OcularMelanoma #UvealMelanoma #CancerSupport #QualityOfLife #ACureInSight

Eye Believe Dallas 2026 Wrap Up | The Eye Believe Podcast

What makes the Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar so special? Is it the education, the incredible doctors and researchers, or the friendships that last long after the weekend ends?

In this episode of The Eye Believe Podcast, Megan sits down with four ocular melanoma patients—Erin Madden, Allie Dashow, Kenna Baker, and Rachel—who attended the 2026 Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar in Dallas, Texas.

From first-time attendees to familiar faces who return year after year, these women share their favorite moments, meaningful connections, biggest takeaways, and why Eye Believe has become an experience they look forward to all year long.

In this episode, we talk about:

💙 The friendships and connections that make Eye Believe feel like family

🤝 What it's like attending for the first time versus returning year after year

🔬 Exciting research updates, clinical trials, and new treatment possibilities

👩‍⚕️ Opportunities to connect with physicians, researchers, and fellow patients outside the exam room

🧠 The importance of mental health, emotional support, and finding hope after diagnosis

🧪 Behind-the-scenes experiences, including the Harbour Lab tour and HEPZATO demonstration at UT Southwestern

🎉 The fun side of Eye Believe, from the gala and karaoke to unforgettable memories

❤️ Why caregivers and loved ones benefit from attending, too

✈️ What to know about attending, including free registration and potential travel assistance

One of the most powerful messages from this conversation is that Eye Believe is about so much more than cancer. It's about finding people who understand your experience, learning about the progress being made in ocular melanoma research, and leaving with renewed hope and friendships that continue throughout the year.

Whether you've attended every Eye Believe seminar or you're considering joining us for the first time, this episode offers a wonderful look at what makes this community so special.

🗽 Looking Ahead to Eye Believe 2027!

We're already looking forward to bringing the Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar to New York in 2027!

Interested in attending? The seminar is free for patients, caregivers, family members, and friends, thanks to our generous sponsors. Attendees are responsible for travel and lodging, but travel grant opportunities may be available.

Stay tuned for more information about next year's event!

Learn more about A Cure In Sight and upcoming events: https://acureinsight.org/education-events/

💙 Stay Connected Between Events

Can't attend Eye Believe in person? There are still plenty of ways to connect with the ocular melanoma community!

Join our weekly Tuesday support groups at 7 PM Eastern, explore the A Cure In Sight app, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest research, resources, and events.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/780974096#success

Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors

We're grateful to the organizations that make The Eye Believe Podcast possible:

Ideaya Biosciences Delcath Systems Aura Biosciences Castle Biosciences Immunocore Natera

This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team about your specific medical needs.

#EyeBelievePodcast #EyeBelieve2026 #OcularMelanoma #UvealMelanoma #CancerSurvivorship #PatientCommunity #ACureInSight

The ocular melanoma community may be small, but it's mighty! 💙 And while finding a community after a rare cancer diagnosis can be life-changing, even the most supportive spaces can come with challenges.

In Episode 18 of My 15 Years, Melody opens up about some of the pitfalls patients may encounter when seeking advice, information, and support from others in the ocular melanoma community.

From well-meaning but unsolicited medical advice to pressure about choosing certain doctors or treatments, Melody shares her experiences navigating the sometimes overwhelming world of cancer support groups.

She and Megan discuss why everyone's cancer journey is different, the importance of trusting your medical team, knowing when to seek a second opinion, and remembering that what works for one patient may not be right for another.

They also explore the role of Facebook support groups, how to recognize when a community is no longer serving you, and why it's perfectly okay to step away from groups that create more anxiety than comfort.

After 15 years of living with ocular melanoma and helping build a supportive patient community through A Cure in Sight, Melody offers valuable perspective on finding the right balance between connection, education, and protecting your peace.

The takeaway? Community should empower you, not pressure you.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, a longtime survivor, or a caregiver, this episode offers practical advice for navigating cancer support communities with confidence, compassion, and healthy boundaries.

💙 Looking for support?

Connect with A Cure in Sight, explore our physician finder, and learn more- https://acureinsight.org/

Join our Tuesday evening Zoom support group- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/780974096#success

🔔 Subscribe to follow the full My 15 Years series.

🤝 Support ocular melanoma research, education, and patient support: https://acureinsight.org/donate/

Rare Cancer. Resilient Hope. Revolutionary Research.

#OcularMelanoma #CancerSupport #ACureInSight #CancerSurvivorship #My15Years