Combating Cancer

Join Gwen Kelly, Host and Founder of Combating Cancer, a podcast focused on strength, resilience, and hope. Creating a space where people can share their personal cancer journeys—whether that involves navigating treatment, celebrating remission, or honoring the memory of a loved one.

Combating Cancer is a education podcast hosted by Gwen Kelly, with 72 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Gwen Kelly hosts Combating Cancer, a education show with 72 episodes published.

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  Episode #73

  Who Are You Outside of Cancer?

  Sep 30, 20268 minS1

  Episode 73- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly introduces Combating Cancer and reflects on being diagnosed with stage three astrocytoma brain cancer at 19 and nearly five years out, exploring how cancer can shrink life into appointments and survival. She argues that while getting through treatment can be enough, people eventually need purpose—small reasons that make tomorrow matter—and should keep "pouring into" what brings joy without forcing productivity. Gwen shares what helped her feel like herself: her dog Bruce, journaling and poetry, staying in college and seeing friends, working out when able, and developing a personal faith during treatment. She emphasizes that no single person, hobby, job, or relationship can be an entire support system, encourages listeners (patients, caregivers, or anyone in a hard in-between season) to start small, and explains that continuing her passions prevented her identity from being replaced by cancer. Discussed in this episode: What Gets You Up Cancer Takes Over Survival to Purpose Fill Your Cup Joy Anchors More Than One Thing Start Small Again After Treatment Ends Meaning Beyond Milestones Final Questions Closing and Share More from Gwen: Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community: Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

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  Episode #72

  Cancer, Keto & The Pressure to Do Everything Right

  Sep 23, 20268 minS1

  Episode 72- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly shares her experience navigating diet advice during cancer treatment, clarifying the episode isn't a claim that keto cured cancer or that diet doesn't matter, but a personal account. Diagnosed at 19 with stage three astrocytoma brain cancer, she tried a ketogenic diet during 30 days of proton radiation after her radiation oncologist mentioned some patients felt they tolerated treatment better. With help from a dietitian friend and strong support from her mom, she followed a simple food list, noticed hidden sugars, and formed strong associations with certain foods. She gradually stopped keto before pill-form chemotherapy and didn't notice a meaningful difference in how she felt between radiation on keto and chemo without it. She reflects that dietary changes often provide a sense of control amid uncertainty, advises consulting an oncology team or registered dietitian before major changes, and cautions against believing there is one perfect cancer diet. Discussed in this episode: Cancer Diet Noise Keto Suggested Making Keto Work Radiation Routine Stopping After Radiation Did It Help Control Through Food Advice And Caution Closing Thoughts More from Gwen: Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community: Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

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  Episode #71

  The People Who Weren't There

  Sep 16, 20269 minS1

  Episode 71- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly reflects on how answering "What do you do?" often leads to disclosing her stage three astrocytoma brain cancer diagnosis at nineteen and watching people's perception shift into pity, shock, and questions. She describes cancer unexpectedly surfacing in ordinary moments like a routine physical and coaching tennis, even though she no longer looks like she's in treatment. Gwen explores relationships with people who met her after treatment, including her fiancé Jake, who knows her story but didn't live it with her, and notes that even those who were present couldn't fully feel what she felt. She concludes that she doesn't need others to completely understand, but to listen, believe the ongoing weight of survivorship, and love her without making cancer the center of who she is. Discussed in this episode: The What Do You Do Question Meet Gwen And The Podcast When People See You Differently Cancer In Ordinary Moments Loved Without Knowing Cancer Gwen Jake And The Parts He Missed Understanding Versus Acceptance Believe Me Love Me Still Peace With Who Was There Closing More from Gwen: Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community: Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

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  Episode #70

  What Does Cancer Actually Feel Like?

  Sep 9, 20268 minS1

  Episode 70- Show Notes: Host Gwen Kelly explores the assumption that cancer must "feel" like something, sharing that she had Stage 3 astrocytoma brain cancer at 19 while feeling completely normal. She recounts years of chronic back pain starting at 15, multiple spine MRIs that showed nothing, and the exhaustion of having real pain without an explanation. On March 6, 2022, she had a grand mal seizure in front of trusted people, leading to the discovery of the tumor; she notes she never had headaches, vision problems, or prior seizures. After tumor removal, her back pain largely improved, though doctors can't confirm any connection or how long the tumor existed. Gwen emphasizes there is no universal cancer feeling, and symptoms often come from treatment or may be absent, telling listeners they may have had nothing to notice or miss. Discussed in this episode: Can You Feel Cancer Meet Gwen And The Question Years Of Back Pain The Seizure That Changed Everything No Classic Brain Tumor Signs Back Pain After Tumor Removal What Cancer Feels Like No Warning And Final Takeaway Closing And Invitation More from Gwen: Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community: Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

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  Episode #69

  The Future I Never Planned For

  Sep 2, 202615 minS1

  Episode 69- Show Notes: Gwen Kelly, host of "Combating Cancer," reflects on how surviving stage three astrocytoma brain cancer diagnosed at nineteen changed her relationship with time and planning. After treatment, she lived independently, paid bills, and made only minimum loan payments while largely avoiding long-term planning because she didn't know if cancer would return, even as those years brought deep community and meeting her fiancé, Jake. She contrasts living in the moment from freedom versus fear and describes the post-treatment shift when the medical "map" disappears and survivors must build a life without a template while also grieving and rebuilding identity. Now at twenty-four, facing ordinary stresses like mortgages, down payments, and wedding costs, she has moved back in with her parents to pay off loans, wrestles with shame, and reframes future planning as an act of compassion and a form of healing. Discussed in this episode: Welcome to Combating Cancer Mortgage Math Wakeup Life After Treatment Time Feels Different Full Life Fear No Roadmap After Normal Problems Whiplash Moving Back Home Learning Financial Survival Sacrifices For Later Planning As Healing Comfort Imagining Life Closing And Invitation More from Gwen: Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com Follow and join the community: Website: https://www.combatingcancer.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatingCancer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combating-cancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwfwuJT81/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatingcancer_?igsh=azNjM3RlcmJwcWxn

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