In this episode, we continue the conversation around neurodiversity and navigating a cancer diagnosis. 

My beautiful friend, Alissa Harris, joins me to talk about being part of the lost generation. We’re a group of people who went undiagnosed with ADHD (and often autism) until adulthood.

It’s not only ADHD we have in common, Alissa is a cancer survivor after going through treatment for thyroid cancer 15-years-ago. 

Alissa’s story will resonate with people who were diagnosed with ADHD as an adult! She was always drawn to high-pace, dopermine-inducing industries but found herself in a continual cycle of burn-out. 

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Alissa found herself at home with to-do lists but never got anything done. After decades of being busy, the slowness of lockdown uncovered a hidden part of herself. 

We talk about: 

• adult diagnosis of ADHD
• how ADHD impacts our executive function 
• making sense of your life when you're diagnosed with ADHD as an adult
• how cancer impacts the way we experience life. 

And more! 

Alissa is an LA-based ADHD coach who works with people to develop tools to thrive in life. 

Alissa’s links: 

https://www.alissa-harris.com/

Helen's links:

Newsletter sign up

Goodpods

Facebook

Instagram

Website

The C-Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.

In today's episode, you'll be meeting one of my online friends, Denise Carter-Bennett (Ngāpuhi; Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei; Ngāti Hine), who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was eleven. 

Denise is autistic and has ADHD and has faced a lot of medical issues in the past few decades! Her cancer diagnosis at such a young age had a big impact on her, now in her 30s she still grapples with side effects. 

Denise shares how she has learned to advocate for herself with doctors and how she has learned to appreciate her body for all it has been through.

In this episode, we talked about:

• How to deal with medical information that contains a complex health history
• What is it like going through surgery, being diagnosed with cancer, having autism, and ADHD as a teenager
• The mental and physical trauma of pregnancy after cancer treatment
• Why it is important to have self and body appreciation after cancer; and

And more!

June is my cancerversary, my diagnosis with ADHD as an adult has been one of the most significant aspects of my post-treatment life! Over two episodes in June I'm talking to other people who have been through cancer diagnosis and are neurodivergent like I am. 

Helen's links:

Goodpods

Facebook

Instagram

Website

The C-Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.

• How differing cancer types, treatments, and experiences can be a learning moment for everyone.
• How sharing your cancer experience can help someone else
• How to move forward to be the best version of yourself and be confident in the decisions you are making

April’s Links:

Website

Email

Group

Helen's links:

Newsletter sign up

Goodpods

Facebook

Instagram

Website

The C-Word Radio is a podcast that asks WTF does young cancer survivorship mean. If you got cancer and all you got was a darker sense of humor and PTSD join host, Helen King, and regular guests, for raw and at times inappropriate conversations about life after a cancer diagnosis.