Cancer Twins

Welcome to the Cancer Twins channel where we discuss all things about living with and beating cancer from our own personal perspectives. This is about taking the good with the bad and discussing what it’s really like to both live with - and also have a close family living with - cancer treatment. We talk about what it’s like, both from a physical and emotion point of view. We hope talking about our own experiences is as helpful for others to hear as it is for us to discuss. Sharing is caring! We are siblings that find ourselves in the unusual situation of both having developed cancer at a young age. Gregory is a young adult that has beaten cancer. He was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma when he was a teenager, a rare and aggressive variety that usually effects young boys. Charlotte, now in her mid-thirties, had just got married when she recently discovered she has breast cancer - very unusual for a woman of her age. She now faces the tough journey that she had to live through with her brother. Now with their roles reversed, they discuss their journeys with a frank but positive outlook in the hope that talking about these tough subjects will make it easier for others to discuss, understand and accept. *Content warning. This channel deals with difficult and adult subject matters related to the reality of living with cancer and is not suitable for all audiences. It also includes the occasional swear word, so is not suitable for younger children or those that are offended by bad language. Although the subject matter can be upsetting, the outlooks of the participants remain entirely positive!

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Cancer Twins

Use Your Voice! Jill’s Story

November 01, 2022 • Charlotte & Greg • Season 2 • Episode 5

In this episode Charlotte & Greg talk to Jill, a laryngectomy patient who had cancer of the oesophagus and has had to have her larynx removed. She now speaks with the aid of an ectrolarynx.

This has been very difficult to adapt to. In a world where we often talk too much, communicating has become a challenge. It is also people’s reactions as is it is a result of her cancer journey that she can’t easily hide.

However, she may have lost her voice box but she certainly hasn’t lost her voice!

For a long time her cancer was dismissed as just a bad sore throat. Jill wants to share with others her journey and impress that you must use your voice and speak up when you think something is wrong. .

Jill also explains the other complications and major impacts the treatment has had on her life that you can’t see, both physically and emotionally. However, something she has realised is sharing with others is the most important thing to do to help you get through this.

Although her own journey is far from over, she has learnt most of all it really is good to talk!

Jill finds great outlet and expression in dancing. She taught Charlotte and her father their father of the bride dance for her wedding with partner Colin.

Contact ‘Could I Have This Dance’ www.couldihavethisdance.danceorg.uk for fantastic dance classes in north Surrey with Jill & Colin.

Jill would also recommend the Facebook ‘UK & Europe Laryngectomy Support Group’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021486454662402/?ref=share for others in her situation.

People on this episode

Charlotte

Host

Greg

Co-host