• What does Stage 4 GIST really look like from the operating room?
• This episode takes you inside the surgeries that changed Jodi’s life — through the eyes of her surgeon.
• When skill, science, and humanity meet: a conversation with the surgeon who never gave up.
• Behind every major cancer surgery is a doctor carrying enormous responsibility — and hope.
• It’s not just about medicine. It’s about partnership, perseverance, and the moments that stay with a surgeon long after the surgery ends.

• This episode honors the spouses who become caregivers, advocates, protectors, and quiet superheroes when cancer changes everything.
• A cancer diagnosis can feel like the loneliest place on earth. For Jodi, Steven makes sure she’s never there alone — not once.
• In the middle of fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion, Steven shows up again and again — proof that real love doesn’t run when things get hard.
• Jodi can’t imagine surviving Stage 4 GIST without Steven by her side — advocating, comforting, fighting, and loving her through every moment.

Stage IV Cancer doesn’t stop Jodi’s fight… but she doesn’t fight it alone.

While Cancer can be isolating, Jodi tells us that her meaningful friendships help restore her soul.

Her friendships are so meaningful and important that they become Jodi's lifeline.

A diagnosis can change everything; especially how much we need each other.

https://tinyurl.com/JodisJournal

In Episode 3 we discuss Jodi's constant, daily effort to stay on top of treatments, therapy and costs of fighting her disease

• It's a FULL TIME JOB to manage 24 pills a day; many of these pills are needed to help with (not pleasant) chemo side effects

• Immunization management is critical to her success
• Interesting to learn the costs and insurance coverage of treatments

We discuss Jodi's type of cancer and the differences between treatable vs curable

How do we navigate the various terms that come our way when we face health challenges

We will talk about the differences between palliative care and hospice care

www.liferaftgroup.org

How do you respond when the unexpected comes your way?

What would you do if you were diagnosed with Stage IV Cancer?

What do you do when everything seems to be going wrong?

Jodi's Journey - Living with Cancer Paperback Book on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/JODIS-JOURNEY-LIVING-JODI-BACHAND/dp/B09YDD13KS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IW3KZQ218RPL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zaTP5fMVHk4EoBDTQHdFSBCe7i3g0J5JLXrIl8K99SP456e-DhWjovuTbFM2h0vdtRQVN28Yq08355eVsc12hZYGCiU2IFka5IwBemEIYmvqeRBX4idcMplQ0gwcvOykWFIlo2EysF7Vcov9BKEII_hp4EZGtUaTLhSuxLxjPcKkRGFea5w-J1qKnhHGktGw2IKdcKmRvg6HI8bXsyAzmxJX0gS6YDKZICGFVZoeyrg.CAw_HwH8ZkLe0z0MQQsZ_G16QbOFkioJwBPsXILriFY&dib_tag=se&keywords=jodi%27s+journey+book&qid=1760445015&sprefix=jodi%27s+journey+book%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-1

University of Vermont Medical Hematology and Oncology

https://www.uvmhealth.org/medcenter/departments-and-programs/hematology-and-oncology