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Welcome to Someone Like Me – Your Cancer Community Podcast I’m your host, Vanessa Mooney, a breast cancer survivor who created this space after going through it all myself. Each week, I share real cancer stories — honest conversations with people affected by cancer and the family members who’ve walked beside them. These are raw, emotional, and uplifting stories about what cancer really feels like — the fear, the grief, the shock, the strength, and the unexpected moments that somehow get you ...
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In this December mini-episode, Vanessa talks about why this month can feel heavier, especially for those living with cancer, survivors, and anyone grieving someone they love. She reflects on her own Christmas Eve diagnosis, childhood memories, the ache of missing her mam, and that strange feeling when the world is buzzing with festive energy but yo…
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Breast Cancer: Four Women, One Shared Journey
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In this final episode of Season 1, I sit down with Karen Kruger, Avril Tierney, and Niamh Noonan to talk openly about life with breast cancer. We share the shock of diagnosis, the physical and emotional toll of treatment, and what it feels like to face life afterwards. We talk about fear of recurrence, body image, relationships, and the personal ch…
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Brain Surgery to Thyroid, Salivary & Neck Lymph Cancer: Demelza’s Story
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47:31
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Demelza shares her incredible journey, having brain surgery in 2017 and facing three cancer diagnoses — thyroid, salivary, and lymph node cancer of the neck. Despite everything she’s been through, she’s now helping others through her own business. Such an inspiring woman, full of strength, courage, and hope. 💚 Takeaways Demelza was diagnosed with g…
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Living with Stage 4: Brendan’s Bowel Cancer Journey
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I had a great chat with Breandán Ó Maoldúin, who opens up about his personal journey with bowel cancer (also known as colon cancer) and Lynch syndrome, a hereditary genetic condition that increases cancer risk. Diagnosed at the age of 35, Breandán shares the emotional and physical challenges he’s faced - from treatment and recovery to managing long…
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Losing Both Parents to Cancer: Caroline’s Story
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In this heartfelt episode of 'Someone Like Me', Caroline Corcoran shares her profound journey of loss, having lost both her parents to cancer. She recounts the struggles, the emotional toll, and the lessons learned through her experiences. The conversation delves into the impact of cancer on families, the challenges of caregiving, and the importanc…
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Prostate Cancer: Mental & Sexual Health – Martin’s Story
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Summary In this conversation, Martin Sweeney shares his personal journey with prostate cancer, detailing the initial signs, diagnosis, and the emotional impact it had on him. He emphasizes the importance of early detection, understanding treatment options, and the mental health challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Martin also discusses the…
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Olivia’s Breast Cancer Story & Her Dad’s Cancer Battle
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Summary In this episode of Someone Like Me, host Vanessa speaks with Olivia Carpenter, a breast cancer survivor who shares her inspiring journey of resilience and hope. Olivia opens up about being diagnosed at a young age while her dad was going through cancer at the same time. She reflects on the emotional challenges of supporting him while facing…
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Breast Surgeon Becomes Breast Cancer Patient: Dr. Liz O’Riordan
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Dr. Liz O’Riordan, a breast surgeon who faced breast cancer not once but three times, joins me for a powerful and deeply personal conversation. Liz shares her own journey through diagnosis, treatment, and multiple recurrences, offering a unique perspective as both doctor and patient. We talk about the emotional and mental challenges that come with …
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Vanessa’s Story: The Days Compassion Was Missing
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In this solo episode, Vanessa shares a deeply personal experience that shook her to the core. What started as a frightening health scare quickly turned into hours of fear, uncertainty and loneliness, made worse by a lack of compassion and clear communication from the medical team. Vanessa opens up about the emotions that ran through her mind, the w…
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Bowel Cancer Shock: From Appendix Pain to Diagnosis at 33 - Claire’s Story
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Summary What started as suspected appendicitis turned into a shocking diagnosis of Stage 4 bowel cancer. At just 33, Claire was preparing for her wedding when her world was turned upside down. In this powerful episode, Claire shares her journey from the misdiagnosis and emergency surgery, to the moment she heard the words “you have cancer,” and the…
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Stage 1 Melanoma to Terminal Cancer – Gill’s Story
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In this episode, Gill Costelloe opens up about her melanoma journey — from an early diagnosis in 2016 to the shocking moment it spread to six parts of her body. She shares the emotional toll of treatment, the impact on her mental health, and why support groups and sun safety are now central to her life. Gill’s story is one of resilience, hope, and …
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Only 13% of people survive Pancreatic Cancer. Pam is one of them.
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In this powerful episode, I sit down with Pamela Deasy to talk about the fight of her life and how persistence and self-advocacy saved her. Pam trusted her instincts, pushed for answers, and got the treatment that made all the difference. She shares the heartbreak of losing her mum to lung cancer, the pain of losing friends, and how her own diagnos…
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Cancer Hit Our Family Hard: A Chat with My Big Brother Paddy
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In this episode of Someone Like Me, I sit down with my big brother Paddy for a chat that means a lot to both of us. We talk about how cancer hit our family, our mum, our sister, and myself, and how it left its mark on all of us in different ways. It’s raw, honest, and full of the kind of stuff people don’t always say out loud. We talk memories, wha…
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Nine Weeks Into Mammy Life – Then Came Breast Cancer
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I sat down with Francesca, who was diagnosed with breast cancer just nine weeks after giving birth to her beautiful baby girl. This is a real, raw, honest conversation. Fran shares how she found the lump, going through chemo, having both her breasts removed, the fear, the anger, the ups and downs of it all—while navigating life as a brand new mam. …
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Scanxiety is real — and Vanessa’s talking about it.
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Vanessa opens up about scanxiety - the fear that creeps in before scan results. Five years cancer free, but the panic still hits. From chemo flashbacks to late-night overthinking, this honest mini-episode is for anyone who’s been stuck in the waiting. https://www.instagram.com/someonelikeme_cancerapp/…
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Summary In this episode of 'Someone Like Me', host Vanessa Mooney speaks with Natasha O Byrne, a young mother diagnosed with bowel cancer at 26. Natasha shares her roller coaster journey from the initial symptoms to her diagnosis, treatment, and the impact on her family. She emphasizes the importance of early detection, the role of support systems,…
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They Said Long Covid - It Was Lung Cancer: Samantha’s Story
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Vanessa sits down with Samantha to talk about her powerful lung cancer journey. Samantha was diagnosed in her 40s, and her story is a reminder of the importance of listening to your body and pushing for answers when something feels off. She opens up about the first symptoms she noticed, what it was like hearing the words “you have cancer,” and how …
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In this mini-podcast, Vanessa talks about what really happens after you hear those words — you have cancer. She chats about all the appointments, surgeries, oncology visits, chemo, and the mental side of it all… the fear, the confusion, and trying to figure everything out. Vanessa also shares a few little tips on how to not let the fear of recurren…
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Miriam shares her unexpected journey with melanoma, detailing her diagnosis, treatment, and the emotional rollercoaster that followed. She emphasizes the importance of community support, advocacy for better treatment access, and the need for patients to listen to their bodies. Miriam's story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of connection i…
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In this episode, I have a co-host Laura with me, and we talk about the mad sh#t people say when they hear you have cancer. It’s a short episode, just a bit of fun and humour - because if you didn’t laugh, you’d probably cry. DM me and let me know the craziest stuff people have said to you. I’d love to hear it! https://www.instagram.com/someonelikem…
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Love, Loss, and Three Cancer Diagnoses – Ray Tells Mary’s Story
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In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Ray Tobin a husband and father who shares the heartbreaking and inspiring story of his wife, Mary. Mary was first diagnosed with primary breast cancer and got the all clear. But soon after, she was diagnosed with two more separate primary cancers. It was one fight after another — scans, treatments, second opi…
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Veronica’s Lung Cancer Journey – My Chemo Sister
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In this powerful episode, I sit down with my sister Veronica, my chemo sister. We were both diagnosed with cancer just months apart, me with breast cancer and her with lung. What followed was a whirlwind of chemo, scans, surgeries and heartbreak. Veronica opens up about her own cancer journey, the emotional toll of treatment, and how her life was t…
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Facing Cancer at 29: Niamh’s Triple Positive Breast Cancer Story
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In this episode of Someone Like Me – Your Cancer Community, Vanessa speaks with Niamh Noonan, who was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer just before turning 30. Niamh talks about what it was like facing cancer at such a young age, starting a new relationship just months before she was diagnosed, and how she tries to stay positive — even o…
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Together Through It All: John’s Prostate Cancer Story, with Sharon by His Side
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In this heartfelt conversation, Vanessa Mooney speaks with Sharon and John Fitzmaurice about their journey through prostate cancer. They discuss the unexpected diagnosis, the emotional impact on both the patient and their loved ones, and the importance of open communication and support. The couple shares insights on how nutrition played a crucial r…
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Why I Created Someone Like Me: My Breast Cancer Journey
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In this very first episode, I’m sharing my own story — the one that started it all. From being diagnosed with breast cancer at 40 to going through treatment, dealing with the physical and emotional rollercoaster, and figuring out who I was afterwards… this is my honest, unfiltered journey. I talk about the grief, the fear, the laughs (yes, there we…
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