Sickboy

Glioblastoma is a heavy word. The most common of the primary brain tumours but also the most fatal. Dana was only 24 when not only having to navigate the world during a global pandemic, but also finding out she had a fatal illness. Dana joins the fellas to discuss the hardships of terminal brain cancer treatments. Surgeries and radiation aren’t enough to keep her from living life in the most fulfilling way she possibly can while she’s around. Throw caution to the wind, say f*ck it, buy a puppy and get that tattoo you’ve always wanted. Live your life.

This week we take a look at a recent phenomenon hitting young girls in several countries across the world. The girls that are presenting with these uncommon physical tics all have one thing in common: TikTok. Specifically they are all following Tourette's TikTok Influencers. Also, England makes a big move by moving vapes into the prescription drug list for those looking to quit smoking. The queen would be turning in her grave. Wait.. not yet? We'll see. Finally, when it comes to oral sex, don't blow up your partner like a balloon animal. It might kill them. Seriously.

For thousands of years, people have searched for elixirs that could delay death and extend human life. Could new advances in medicine finally make this a reality? From madcap medicine to cutting-edge science, the quest to unlock the fountain of youth is teeming with dreamers, skeptics and charlatans alike. This week the fellas have another sit down with past guest Keith McArthur to talk about his newest podcasting adventure. The quest to find out whether or not the Fountain of Youth has a possible reality in our lifetime? Spoiler alert: monkey balls may (or may not) be the secret.

Phil has esophageal cancer. His prognosis is not good. Living with terminal cancer does a lot to a person and Phil eloquently walks the fellas through his process of facing death head on. From prepping family and friends, to making the most out of his day to day, to reminiscing on old adventures. For a man who was experiencing peak health at the ripe age of 66 only to end up on death's door a couple years later, Phil is taking everything in stride and in style. Why not buy a friggin' Harley?! Life's too short not to do what excites you.

No more tears this week. Except tears of laughter. The gang cover a ton on this episode of Feel Good Friday. A rare tropical disease killing people in very non-tropical states have led the CDC down a long investigative trail. Turns out essential oils are essentially the root cause. A massive leap in transplant innovation happened recently with the first (semi-successful) pig organ transplant in a man, led by a handsome and brilliant doctor in NYC. A woman almost had her noggin caved in by a meteorite. Boner pills are being sold in a Halifax convenience store and you really shouldn't buy them. Finally Jer shows the fellas a clip from his favourite horror movie in order to set up the content for WHAT THE HELLTH!? Spoiler alert: it leads to a conversation about Mike, who was decapitated and survived... somehow.

Sabrina Benaim is a writer, performance artist, and slam poet best known for her poem "Explaining My Depression To My Mother." This week she sits down with the fellas to talk all about mental health stigma, the universal struggles of isolation, grief and her process of writing. Check out her newest book I Love You, Call Me Back: Poems. It's all about finding joy, in unexpected places.

In 2018 a case of pneumonia almost took Angela's life. From lung and heart damage, to weighing only 82 pounds and losing all control of her bladder, this pneumonia was no joke. Somehow her doctors saved her life, but the road to recovery was long and hard. While navigating the struggles of post-medical trauma-induced depression, Angela's grandfather died. Her grampy's cat, Makenzie, needed a home and although this cat is a complete psychopath, there is also something about him that is pretty adorable. Not only did Angela think this, so did hundreds of thousands of other people on TikTok. This is the inspiration behind My Grandfather's Cat - a non-profit founded by Angela. Their sole purpose is to find forever homes for cat and dogs who's owners are either terminal, have died or are too elderly to take care of their pets. Be sure to check out https://mygrandfatherscat.ca/ to see the cute little critters looking for a home.

"Have your tissue boxes handy folks. This week we found out that Jer is finally going to be receiving Trikafta, and likely he'll be taking it before Christmas! Obviously this is an incredibly exciting time for many people affected by Cystic Fibrosis. Although there is one psychological side to it all that maybe you haven't considered. Jeremie tries his best to lead the fellas through the confusing and uncomfortable feelings that are coming up for him now that he's just around the corner from receiving this miracle drug. What happens when you've spent your entire life embracing/cultivating an identity, only to feel as though you now must grieve that side of yourself? Be sure to check out our Movember campaign as we ramp up for the month of November! Who's going to bust out the greatest stash of all time?! - http://sickboypodcast.com/movember To check out the amazing work our past guest and cycle phenom Alex Dowsett is up to in the world of hemophilia research head over to - https://www.littlebleeders.com/

Before speaking with Amelia, when we sat and thought about what an occupational therapist does, we would have said something like: "They help people get back to work after illness or injury". But boy oh boy did we learn that that barely scratches the surface of what they do. Join us for a fascinating conversation about how OT's support folks in the physical, psychological, neurological and social factors that influence health and wellbeing. After all, it is Occupational Therapy Month!

Montana was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 7. After three years of chemotherapy, she was declared cured, but began experiencing mental health challenges that grew until, at age 17, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. This week Montana chats with the fellas all about journey as a woman managing a sick body and how she uses her past experience in order to help others feel connected and whole, no matter what physical or mental challenges they may face, through coaching, yoga + meditation, wellness group facilitation and advocacy work. Check out Montana's work over at monstanaskurka.com