Road Trip | CancerRoadTrip

Traumatic Brain Injury and Re-Learning How To Learn

Barbara Bentree: Film, Corona and A Bit of Jazz

Dante Prada

Cynthia Toussaint on Life, Healing and Helping Others

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What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory!

Follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and at Anti-Cancer Club. Connect with me! I may need a place or two to stay along the way!

Cynthia Toussaint on Life, Healing and Helping Others

by Pat Wetzel | Aug 10, 2020 | Bump In The Road, Podcast, Road Trip, The Story

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Cynthia Toussaint is an inspiration. She is an author, health advocate and founder of ForGrace.org a not for profit that deals in issues related to chronic pain, gender bias in the medical system and the need to find health.

Our wide ranging discussion touches on diverse topics ranging from present moment awareness; positivity versus authenticity, particularly when dealing with illness; meditation and gratitude; NDE’s (Near Death Experiences); and taking charge of one’s health.

Cynthia Toussaint’s book, Battle for Grace

Cynthia Toussaint’s story, as detailed in her book, Battle for Grace, A Memoir of Pain, Redemption and Impossible Love, starts off with a twenty one year old Cynthia, a ballerina and performer, who has just landed a role on TV’s hit series Fame. Everything in this aspiring actress’ life is coming together. It’s what she’s wanted to do her entire life: perform.

But it doesn’t come together as planned, and what should have been an innocuous injury–a hamstring tear– turned into Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) which translated into decades of pain and isolation, navigating a medical system that discounted her experience at nearly every turn.

Cynthia with her husband, John Garrett

From this backdrop, Cynthia Toussaint talks about her life, lessons learned and her desire to live. The latter became so important when she was recently diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, a fairy grim diagnosis. Cynthia calls the diagnosis a wake up call. Listen to this fascinating woman tell a story of pain, redemption and impossible love.

Cynthia swam every day through 18 grueling rounds of chemo

Cynthia Toussaint on Bump In The Road

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Traumatic Brain Injury and Re-Learning How To Learn

Barbara Bentree: Film, Corona and A Bit of Jazz

Dante Prada

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What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory!

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Barbara Bentree: Film, Corona and a Bit of Jazz

by Pat Wetzel | Aug 3, 2020 | Bump In The Road, Podcast, Road Trip, The Story

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Barbara Bentree is a recording artist, teacher, film director and producer and generally amazing person. I am honored to have her on Bump in the Road,

Her passion is to create projects that use film and music to change the world for women, animals and the environment.

And her passion for music and jazz led her to direct and produce a widely acclaimed documentary “Not Enough Time” on legendary jazz musician, Dave Grusin, which has been seen by over 5 million people. And that number is growing as the film continues to receive acclaim.

“We want to change the face of documentaries about musicians…especially jazz musicians. Dave Grusin is one of the most hardworking and accomplished musicians of the past century. A film tribute to his incredible body of work and a documentation of Grusin’s massive contribution to the film and music industries is way overdue.”

The film has won 10 awards to date (before Covid-19 shut down the film festival circuit), is being entered in the Grammy Awards and an Oscar campaign starts shortly.

Barbara’s film about the legendary Dave Grusin is winning awards and delighting audiences around the globe.

“God left his hands on Dave’s shoulders a little longer than other people. He’s got that God given gift.” Qunicy Jones

Grusin, for anyone not in the know, has written the music and composed the theme songs for over twenty network television shows; been nominated for eight Academy Awards; and won one Oscar for “The Milagro Beanfield War“. His jazz label, GRP Records, was nominated for eighty Grammy Awards.

Dave has also individually won 10 of 38 Grammy nominations, has scored more than 60 feature films and been involved as a producer, composer and pianist on over one hundred record albums.

Dave Grusin at the piano

Barbara and I talk about the film industry and how Covid 19 is a major bump in the road for independent film companies such as Barbara’s company JindoJazz. With the film festival circuit closed, production on hold, and the industry in a state of uncertainty, what lies ahead?

Barbara and a night of jazz at the Santa Fe Cooking School, February 2020

Barbara’s creativity and energy addresses these and other issues as she crafts her art as a storyteller and film maker. As always, where there is a bump in the road, there is (often unexpected) opportunity. This week on Bump In The Road please welcome Barbara Bentree:

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Traumatic Brain Injury and Re-Learning How To Learn

Dante Prada

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What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory!

Follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and at Anti-Cancer Club. Connect with me! I may need a place or two to stay along the way!

Dante Prada

by Pat Wetzel | Jul 27, 2020 | Bump In The Road, Podcast, Road Trip, The Story

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Dante Prada, Lighthouse Houston

Dante Prada was a successful businessman in Peru. He had a wonderful life and his young family was happy.

Then, at just 38 years old, Dante was diagnosed with cancer.

Except that he was misdiagnosed.

Not having an accurate diagnosis led to nine months of grueling treatment to no avail. A trip to Houston for a second opinion led to a proper diagnosis. Weakened by months of chemo, Dante’s only remaining option was a “Rescue” chemotherapy called R-ICE followed by a high-dose BEAM chemotherapy and an autologous bone marrow transplant.The transplant gave him a remission and a second chance at life.

Dante Prada gets life saving treatment in Houston

The experience made Dante and his family aware of the difficult logistics of navigating a foreign culture, with very different expectations and ways of doing things. In his native Peru, Dante’s social standing would guarantee him access to medical care. Here in the States, simply getting an appointment was a monumental task. Then came the medical records and admission forms; the family co-ordination; housing; travel.

How does one navigate all this, plus relocating to a foreign land while undergoing life risking (and hopefully life saving) cancer treatments?

Dante Prada and friend

The experience left a deep imprint on Dante Prada and his family. And Dante started Lighthouse Houston.

Lighthouse Houston is an amazing service, offering a way to navigate the Houston medical scene for people from South America seeking treatment. And Houston may be only the beginning. Dante’s extensive South American network, his bilingual and business abilities and his deep experience with the American medical system is a skill set he plans to share, to help others.

Please welcome Dante Prada on this week’s Bump In The Road.

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Dante Prada and a Legacy of Care

Dante’s passion is helping many. You can check out www.LighthouseHouston.com for more information.

Coming to the US for medical treatment is overwhelming for many. Dante, and Lighthouse Houston, make it possible.

Dante’s efforts touch families far and wide.

Thumbs up!

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Special thanks to CVS Health for supporting for Bump In The Road

Past Posts on Bump In The Road

Traumatic Brain Injury and Re-Learning How To Learn

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What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory!

Follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and at Anti-Cancer Club. Connect with me! I may need a place or two to stay along the way!

Bump In The Road: Bernie Siegel, MD (Part II)

by Pat Wetzel | Jul 20, 2020 | Bump In The Road, Podcast, Road Trip, The Story

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Bernie Siegel, MD

Bernie (he prefers to be called by his first name) was born in Brooklyn, NY. He attended Colgate University and Cornell University Medical College and did his surgical training at Yale New Haven Hospital where he later became an assistant clinical professor of surgery of general and pediatric surgery.

In 1978, he originated Exceptional Cancer Patients (ECaP), a specific form of individual and group therapy that employed patients drawings, dreams, images and feelings to heal. Bernie realized that everyone was capable of exception healing using our inherent physical, spiritual and psychological insights and strengths.

Part One of my interview with Bernie Siegel includes some anecdotes from my own connection with him over the years. I hope you’ll read it here.

Here is the second half of my talk with Bernie:

Bump In The Road: Bernie Siegel, MD Part II

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Books By Bernie Siegel

Bernie Siegel Quotes (Part II)

Compliments are the helium that fills everyone’s balloon; they elevate the person receiving them so he or she can fly over life’s troubles and land safely on the other side. It’s not about curing the disease, but healing the life; then the physical benefits come.

Love is giving with no expectations…Love cures, heals, and rewards two people: the lover and the beloved.

When you embrace the mystery and open yourself to it, a new life is created, resistant to the old problems. You will notice at times that the new life isn’t what you asked for. But asking for specific items or for particular events to occur isn’t how I define prayer. I cannot guarantee that the orders you place with God will always be filled. Prayer is not a test of God, but a call for help to find your inner strength and talent.

To paraphrase something the anthropologist Ashley Montagu once said, the way I change my life is to act as if I’m the person I want to be.

When you wake up and act like a loving person, you realize not only that you are altered, but that the people around you are also transformed, because everybody is changed by the reception of this love.

I love how Mother Theresa said she wouldn’t attend an anti-war rally but if there was a peace rally to call her. So I realized it’s not about waging a war against everybody’s disease and diagnosis but rather about helping them live.

People have taught me what most doctors don’t learn, in other words, when somebody does better than expected, the doctor will tell them they’re doing very well and to keep it up. I learned to say, “You didn’t die when you were supposed to so what’s going on?”, and they always had a story to tell me.

Do not be afraid to love. Remember dear old Don Quixote, viewing the world with love. He saw many beautiful things no one else saw. Try being dear Don Quixote for a day. You’ll see that love improves your vision and allows you to see more than your eye has ever seen before. But be forewarned: Those who look on the world with love will need a handkerchief, not to use as a blindfold, but to blow their nose and dry their tears.

Bobby and I were married in 1954 and by now we know that anger does not mean “I don’t love you” or “I want a divorce.” It means, “I am wounded and in need of love, and I feel safe telling you about it because you are my family.” Sometimes our behavior with each other is no different from the cry of an unattended baby.

Past Posts on Bump In The Road

Traumatic Brain Injury and Re-Learning How To Learn

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What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory!

Follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and at Anti-Cancer Club. Connect with me! I may need a place or two to stay along the way!

Bump In The Road: Bernie Siegel, MD (Part I)

by Pat Wetzel | Jul 13, 2020 | Bump In The Road, Podcast, Road Trip, The Story

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Bernie Siegel, MD

Bernie Siegel needs no introduction. For decades, his leadership in integrating mind/body medicine with patient care have been trailblazing.

I first became aware of Bernie many years ago at Yale. I was in an audience in a large lecture hall. Bernie was at the front of the room at the podium.

The audience consisted of surgeons. Within the medical community, surgeons are often seen as having less than stellar bedside manners. And Bernie was the antithesis of this model. He talked to his patients and most importantly he listened.

“People have taught me what most doctors don’t learn, in other words, when somebody does better than expected, the doctor will tell them they’re doing very well and to keep it up. I learned to say, “You didn’t die when you were supposed to so what’s going on?”, and they always had a story to tell me.”

–Bernie Siegel, MD

Bernie believed in his patients, in the power of thought and prayer and in the importance of a patient’s attitude. Their story mattered, in their lives and in their healing.

His audience on this day did not see things this way.

“Cold steel for a quick heal”, “Don’t let skin stand between you and the diagnosis”, and other surgical quips round their way through the audience, accompanied by laughter. Laughter at Bernie, and laughter at anyone who would dare to challenge their medical model of the surgeon as the supreme healer.

Well Bernie has had the last laugh as science has caught up to his vision of health. Using expressive methodologies such as art and drawing to help patients understand their world view and to heal it, Bernie and his exceptional patients continue to beat the odds. The impact of our thoughts and perceptions on our bodies is real. Bernie was just ahead of the curve.

“Thoughts are chemical. They can either kill us or cure us.”

–Bernie Siegel, MD

That day always stuck in my mind, and years later as I dealt with cancer, Bernie’s book and words accompanied me. And then one day, we had a conversation. It was about my other website, Anti-Cancer Club.

“You have the wrong name, you know,” Bernie told me.

“How so?” I asked.

And he told me a story.

Mother Teresa, he explained once said:

“I will never attend an anti-war rally; if you have a peace rally, invite me.”― Mother Teresa

And he left it at that.

It took me some years to fully absorb and understand his story. When it hit me, it was powerful. Life is about a positive flow of energy, not about being against something. What are you FOR? Where do you put your energy? For what or whom do you advocate?

Bernie is a wise soul and I’m honored to have him on Bump in the Road. Here is the first of my two part podcast with this iconoclastic surgeon:

Bump In The Road

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Books By Bernie Siegel

And you can learn more about Bernie on his website, www.BernieSiegelMD.com

Bernie Siegel Quotes (Part I)

I’ve assembled some of my favorite quotes from Bernie. Here is the first half. The others will be shared when the second half of this interview is published next week.

Thoughts are chemical. They can either kill us or cure us.

I am convinced that unconditional love is the most powerful stimulant of the immune system. If I told patients to raise their blood levels of immune globulins or killer T cells, no one would know how. But if I can teach them to love themselves and there fully, the same changes happen automatically. The truth is: love heals.

Diseases can be our spiritual flat tires–disruptions in our lives that seem to be disasters at the time but end by redirecting our lives in a meaningful way

Be grateful simply for being alive. When you are grateful for life, pure and simple, your life becomes one you can be grateful for. That may strike you as circular or even backward logic, but your attitude really does have an effect on how tings work out. When you can’t change your life any other way, you can still change your attitude. When you do, your life changes.

One’s attitude towards oneself is the single most important factor in healing.

You cannot fail at being yourself. A cat doesn’t try to be a tiger, and you shouldn’t try to be something you aren’t. You are a process, not a product. Your job is to discover what you are and create that creature. You still won’t be perfect, but success isn’t about perfection–it about authenticity.

You are a success if you are being your real, authentic self.

God wants us to know that life is a series of beginnings not endings. Just as graduations are not terminations but commencements. Creation is an ongoing process and when we create a perfect world where love and compassion are shared by all suffering will cease. Embrace each challenge in your life as an opportunity for self-transformation.

You can’t control the world, but when you control your thoughts, you bring order.

Refusal to hope is nothing more than a decision to die.

Being a survivor doesn’t mean being strong – it’s telling people when you need a meal or a ride, company, whatever. It’s paying attention to heart wisdom, feelings, not living a role, but having a unique, authentic life, having something to contribute, finding time to love and laugh. All these things are qualities of survivors.

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