Latch On: Does COVID-19 change the guidance on breastfeeding?

“Beating incurable," produced by Gina DiPietro, follows a cancer patient through treatment. The inspiring podcast series covers Tim's journey in just an hour, where we learn how he finds the strength to keep moving forward, and how others can as well.
 
While he’s a glass-half-full philosopher by nature, Tim also makes clear that there are plenty of tough days. And that’s OK. They are also survivable. As time goes on, Tim lays out some big decisions about how the experience has changed him. He’s not glad he had cancer, but the experience, he believes, may be taking him to a better place.

In this episode, we introduce you to Tim and explain how his journey as a Novant Health patient began. Highlights include: 

• 3:11 - Tim relies on faith to see him through. 
• 4:34 - He's found strength watching his mother battle the same incurable disease. 
• 5:33 - Struggling with a loss of independence. 
• 6:28 - An admirable determination. 
• 8:00 - Tim's journey began with neck and back pain. How that led to a cancer diagnosis. 

We’ll also hear from oncologist Dr. Patricia Kropf and neurosurgeon Dr. John Berry-Candelario on Tim’s care and the approach they bring to all their patients at Novant Health. 

Helpful links:

Leave Tim a note of encouragement: Join the discussion at the end of this article.
Listen to the next episode.

“Beating incurable," produced by Gina DiPietro, follows a cancer patient through treatment. The inspiring 5-part podcast series covers his journey in just an hour, where we learn how Tim finds the strength to keep moving forward, and how others can as well. While he’s a glass-half-full philosopher by nature, Tim also makes clear that there are plenty of tough days. And that’s OK. They are also survivable.

Listen to Episode 1 of Beating Incurable.

In the second episode of Beating Incurable, we dive deeper into the pain he'd been experiencing and how a visit with a specialist led to a stunning cancer diagnosis. Highlights include: 

1:23 - How a fracture in Tim's neck led to a cancer diagnosis.
2:10 - Something he never saw coming. 

3:20 - Myeloma bone disease, a side effect of Tim's cancer, put him at risk of paralysis from the neck down. 
4:33 - Helping patients take on a life-changing diagnosis. 
7:05 - How doctors would treat Tim's multiple myeloma.
9:22 - Explaining how he came to be featured in this story.
10:09 - Tim's first revelation on how cancer has changed him. 

Helpful links:

Leave Tim a note of encouragement. Join the discussion at the end of this article.
Listen to the next episode here. 

“Beating incurable," produced by Gina DiPietro, follows a cancer patient from diagnosis through treatment. This inspiring 5-part series covers his journey in just an hour, where Tim shares what he's learned about himself, how he finds the strength to keep moving forward, and how you can, too.
 
Listen to Episode 1 of Beating Incurable.
Listen to Episode 2 of Beating Incurable.

In the third episode of Beating Incurable, Tim Cooper has a stem cell transplant, an advanced treatment that could help push his cancer into remission. Highlights include: 

 
2:28 - Previewing how a stem cell transplant works. 
4:01 - Being in remission with myeloma is not the same as being cured of myeloma.
4:43 - Stem cell collection day.
5:54 - Tim packs for his "two-week" vacation at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte.
6:52 - Day of transplant. His "new birthday."
9:55 - Tim shares a tough day in the hospital.
11:00 - Better days would follow...

Helpful links:
 
Leave Tim a note of encouragement: Join the discussion at this end of this article.
Listen to the next episode here.

“Beating incurable," produced by Gina DiPietro, follows a cancer patient through treatment. The inspiring 5-part podcast series covers his journey in just an hour. Tim’s not glad he had cancer, but the experience, he believes, may be taking him to a better place. And he begins to share what's next for him. And changes he never saw coming.
 
Listen to Episode 1 of Beating Incurable.
Listen to Episode 2 of Beating Incurable.
Listen to Episode 3 of Beating Incurable.

In the fourth episode of Beating Incurable, Tim Cooper struggles with loneliness and another set back in his health care journey. He also learns the results of his stem cell transplant. Highlights include:

1:46 - Living with cancer can be lonely.
2:32 - Coping with cancer. Tim shares what has helped him. 
4:04 - Tim shares a milestone: He was cleared to drive!
5:36 - Making strides towards regaining his independence.
7:29 - The results of Tim's stem cell transplant.
8:01 - How Tim felt about the news.
9:09 - Tim's low mood was only made worse by another issue he'd been dealing with.
10:00 - How doctors would address his worsening leg pain.

Helpful links:

Leave Tim a note of encouragement: Join the discussion at this end of this article. 
The fifth and final episode will be available soon.

We share why the "light at the end of the tunnel" we've heard Tim Cooper mention feels closer than ever. Tim also opens up about how this experience has changed him, and why it's prompted a self-reflection of the traits he likes about himself and the ones that no longer serve him. 

Prefer to read the story? Click here.

"The one thing we hear consistently from Black women is that they don't feel seen and heard. They feel their issues are pushed to the side," said Dr. Pam Oliver, an ob-gyn who grew up in rural North Carolina. Listen as Dr. Oliver explains why she's advocating for change as a Novant Health executive vice president and president of Novant Health Physician Network.

Learn how you can support pregnant people in your life to reduce factors that contribute to pregnancy-related complications and deaths. It's also important to know the urgent maternal warning signs and when to seek care. 

From support in the hospital to in-person classes and even virtual support, Novant Health offers a wealth of resources for breastfeeding mothers. Keep in mind, this article focuses on what's available in Charlotte, but lactation resources are offered across the Novant Health footprint. Find more information here.