Episode 29: My Brother Saved Me From Cancer (Now I Have His DNA)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:20 — 33.4MB)

Subscribe or Follow Apple Podcasts | Podchaser | Podcast Index | RSS

Brad Buchanan survived an incurable lymphoma, but the treatment—a stem cell transplant from his brother—almost killed him. His new immune system attacked his body so violently that doctors gave him a 10% survival chance. He went blind for 18 months. His esophagus stopped working. And the paradox? That same immune system is why he's cancer-free today.

As a former English professor, Brad uses writing and poetry to process what medical science did to his DNA. Now he runs workshops helping other cancer patients—especially men—put their experiences into words.

This episode covers what nobody tells you about life after transplant: the warning signs of graft versus host disease, why you have to educate yourself when doctors dismiss symptoms, where to find actual GVHD experts, and how writing became Brad's way to reclaim his story.

If you're considering a stem cell transplant or supporting someone through one, Brad shares the unglamorous truth about what comes after—and how he's building a life with his brother's DNA.

Learn more: kcapodcast.com

Leading your team through an AI rollout?

See how the coaching works

Joelle K

I'm a 54 year old former CMO/CRO and generational breast cancer survivor. My early cancer experiences shaped my personal and professional philosophy to continuously cultivate an approach that adjusts to whatever curveball shows up. And we know, curveballs are constant, especially in midlife with aging parents, maturing kids (if you have kids), and opportunities to focus on new goals for our next 50 years. I have a book being released in January - Crushing the Cancer Curveball, A Veteran's Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. While no one wants cancer, 1 in 2 Americans and 1 in 4 people worldwide will face cancer in their lifetimes. There's an alternative narrative to the terror, anger and fear that accompanies a diagnosis - a narrative that spawns compassion, confidence, and even joy. I'd love to talk about it with you and your audience.

More about Joelle K