Living La Vida Loca: Navigating Cancer with Heart

What does hope look like when a young mother hears the word cancer for the first time? Darcie Wells welcomes Marissa Henley, cancer survivor, author, speaker, and mother of three, to share her story of faith, fear, and long term healing after a rare cancer diagnosis. At age 34, Marissa was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, an aggressive and uncommon cancer, just one day before her birthday. With three small children at home, her world shifted instantly as she faced treatment decisions, uncertainty, and the weight of not knowing how much time she might have. Marissa shares the moment she discovered a lump, the shock of hearing a diagnosis she had never heard of, and the prayer that carried her through those early days. Her treatment led her to MD Anderson Cancer Center, where an unexpected clinical trial made continued chemotherapy possible. Through months of travel, separation from home, and intense care, she experienced both deep grief and unexpected peace. Now more than fifteen years cancer free, Marissa reflects on how her journey shaped her faith, motherhood, and calling to support others. Through writing and speaking, she offers honest encouragement for survivors, caregivers, and anyone walking through suffering. Her story is a reminder that while cancer changes everything, hope can still grow in the middle of it. Highlights: How Marissa navigated a rare cancer diagnosis while parenting three very young children What survivorship really feels like after treatment ends and the support fades Why specific help matters more than good intentions when loving someone with cancer How faith, grief, and joy can exist together during a cancer journey What it means to build a life after cancer without minimizing the loss that came before Shape Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org Book – www.cancare.org/hopebook Marissa Henley – www.marissahenley.com/ About the Guest: Marissa Henley is a cancer survivor, author, speaker, and spiritual leader. Diagnosed in 2010 with a rare cancer called angiosarcoma while raising three young children, her journey deepened her faith and shaped her passion for supporting others through difficult seasons. She is the author of Loving Your Friend Through Cancer and After Cancer: Thriving with Hope. Through her writing, speaking, and leadership in women’s ministries, Marissa offers honest reflections on grief, fear, and faith, helping women find hope and meaning beyond a cancer diagnosis.

What happens when the person shaping future nurses suddenly becomes the patient? Dr. Lorraine Frazier, Dean of the Columbia University School of Nursing and a nationally respected nursing leader, joins Darcie Wells to share how a 2022 breast cancer diagnosis transformed her life and leadership. With decades of experience in nursing education, research, and evidence-based practice, Dr. Frazier brings a rare perspective shaped by both professional expertise and lived experience as a survivor. Her journey into nursing began at age eleven while caring for a chronically ill father. That early exposure taught her how deeply families experience illness and how much compassionate communication matters. Years later, cancer placed her on the other side of care, revealing how easily patients can feel unseen during moments that are anything but routine. Dr. Frazier reflects on the power of human connection, presence, and being truly heard. She shares how small gestures can change everything for someone facing treatment. She also explains how lifestyle changes, movement, nutrition, faith, and stress management became essential tools in her healing. Today, she feels healthier than ever and more grounded in what matters most. Her story reminds listeners that healthcare is not only about science. It is about humanity. Hope grows when people walk alongside one another, especially in the moments that feel most uncertain. Highlights: • Why a patient’s “first day” is never routine, even when it feels ordinary to providers • How evidence-based care and human connection must work together • What breast cancer taught a nursing leader about presence and touch • How small daily choices can support healing and long-term health • Why sharing your story can become a lifeline for someone else Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org Book – www.cancare.org/hopebook About the Guest: Dr. Lorraine Frazier is the Dean of the Columbia University School of Nursing, a nationally respected healthcare leader, and a breast cancer survivor. Since 2018, she has led one of the nation’s premier nursing programs with a vision rooted in equity and compassion. In 2022, her work became deeply personal when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her journey through treatment strengthened her commitment to patient-centered care and advocacy. She now brings both leadership and lived experience to her role on the CanCare Board of Directors, supporting others on a path she knows firsthand.