We Saved You a Seat

Breastfeeding and NICU...

"NICU Moms are my Heroes" - Quote from Cheryl Coleman as we discuss breastfeeding and pumping while in the NICU.

 

Today you will hear a beautiful and candid conversation with a Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates Board Member and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) Cheryl Coleman on the tough topic of breastfeeding our baby while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

 

Cheryl is a retired lactation consultant. She has been a registered nurse for over 45 years and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for 10 years.  She served as the lead for Hillcrest Medical Center's Baby-Friendly designation.

Prior to working at Hillcrest, Cheryl worked as an Education Specialist and Clinical Nurse Manager at Oklahoma State University Medical Center. She has served as a board member with the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) for 14 years in various capacities, including Director of Public Relations, Secretary, President-Elect and President. She was on the faculty for ICEA Basic Teacher Training and Postnatal Educator Workshops for many years.

Cheryl lives in Verdigris, Oklahoma with husband, Bob. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Cheryl is passionate about Sooner sports, the Chicago Cubs, Oklahoma City Thunder, breastfeeding families, and doing the Happy Breastmilk Dance.

 

 

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month - Kids Joining Eternity (KJE)

Sixteen years ago today (10/7/2005) JB and Melanie Edwards endured a loss no young family ever thinks will happen to them.  Their sweet girl, K.J., (born still), would help them create the organization we know and love, Kids Joining Eternity.  

 

Today, you'll hear Melanie share her story and the reason they pour their heart and soul into supporting families across the state who have lost a child to pregnancy and infant loss.

 

Kids Joining Eternity (KJE) partners with many wonderful organizations to help hurting or grieving families know they are not alone and there are ways to move forward with their baby, their experience, and the grief they now carry.  KJE also provides wonderful peer-to-peer opportunities ranging from coffee shop gatherings, dinner groups, family gatherings, and ceremonies to help kick off Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

 

Listen in today, as Melanie and JB celebrate and honor the life of their first born, Kendal Janae on what is her sweet 16 and discover how they help impact the lives of precious families, not only during the month of October, for pregnancy and infant loss awareness, but throughout the year.

 

 

#PregnancyAndInfantLossAwareness #KidsJoiningEternity #SweetSixteen #Stillborn #BornStill #BornSleeping #Miscarriage #InfantLoss #1in4 

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Episode 08 - Tracy Whitaker (ALL) - Part Two

Today, We Saved You A Seat beside Tracy Whitaker for the second half of our conversation.

 

While Tracy has previously worked in education and is a certified Occupational Therapist, she currently works at the Toby Keith Foundation as the Guest Relations and Volunteer Coordinator for the OK Kids Korral.  Her work supporting families experiencing a Childhood Cancer diagnosis is impactful and meaningful to those she meets.

 

In today's (part two) episode you'll hear how she continues to work with families through many organizations, partnerships, and programs raising funds and support for those in the community.

 

Her son, Mitchell, continues to have a lasting impact on those who knew him and his family, as well as, those who hear his story and their journey as a family!

 

We are all thankful for the impact the Whitaker family has had on the community and those around them!  Thank you Tracy for sharing Mitchell, your vision, and bringing awareness, conversation, education, and support to Childhood Cancer.

 

#ChilhoodCancerAwareness #ChildhoodCancer #AcuteLymphoblasticLeukemia #ALL #Leukemia #SiblingEngagement #JEC #JimmyEverestCenter #14YearsAgo #GoGold #GoMitchGo #KeepFighting #TobyKeithFoundation #OKKidsKorral #OklahomaFamilyNetwork #BeTheMatch

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Episode 07 - Tracy Whitaker (ALL) - Part One

Fourteen years ago today, (September 27th) a 10 year old little boy left this world and went to be with Jesus, because of Childhood Cancer.  Today you will hear Mitchell's story, through his Mom, Tracy Whitaker.

 

This month our podcast series has focused on childhood cancer awareness and we released three incredible family stories, each with  a different diagnosis and each with some really incredible outcomes.

 

I want to prepare our listeners today that our family story will shine a light on a piece of childhood cancer we really do not enjoy talking about, but is a conversation we want to have for several reasons. Childhood cancer sometimes has a devastating end. The child is not always cured and does not always go home after their treatment plan has ended. We want to talk about the hard, and the hardest.

 

This family story is a story of great strength, faith, fight, determination, never giving up, always bringing awareness, and provides each of us with information on how to live day to day when the hard turns to the hardest.  

 

I had the incredible privilege to interview Tracy Whitaker, Mitchell’s mom, for our podcast today and I know her words will touch your heart. I want to thank you for listening today and hearing Mitchell’s story. I want to thank you for allowing Mitchell’s name to be said over and over as Tracy shares their journey through childhood cancer and the toll it took on their family!

 

Many hugs and much love to the Whitaker Family today as they celebrate Mitchell's life, legacy, contributions to Childhood Cancer treatment and support for others!

 

#ChilhoodCancerAwareness #ChildhoodCancer #AcuteLymphoblasticLeukemia #ALL #Leukemia #SiblingEngagement #JEC #JimmyEverestCenter #14YearsAgo #GoGold #GoMitchGo #KeepFighting

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Episode 06 - Michelle Gamble (AML) - Part Two

Relapse... Her AML is back... now what? 

 

In part two of Michelle's podcast release today, you will hear what steps they had to take when Abby's AML returned.  You will hear today how they balanced life and responsibilities and found the right resources at the right time.

 

The Gamble family works hard to celebrate and bring awareness to the important topic of childhood cancer and today you'll hear her heart and passion as she describes how they try to impact and support the community with their knowledge and experiences.

 

#AcuteMyeloidLeukemia #AML #AplasticAnemia #BellsPalsy #StevensJohnsonSyndrome #10thFloor #PediatricICU #JimmyEverestCenter #JEC #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth #GoGold #Relapse #CavettKids #TobyKeithFoundation #KidsKorral #KidsKorralTobyKeithFoundation #BeTheMatch 

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Episode 05 - Michelle Gamble (AML) - Part One

Today, through the podcast, you will meet Michelle Gamble and her incredible family who walked together through a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Michelle shares with us the step by step process they experienced to try and find answers for their daughter's (Abby) health concerns.

 

Abby's health concerns began in 2013 and they worked hard to find the answers. Their answers came in 2014 when they heard the words Acute Myeloid Leukemia for the first time.

 

Today, you'll hear an emotional story of diagnosis, challenges, faith, strength, and survival. You'll hear how a diagnosis from seven years ago is still very real and raw and full of blessings.

 

Thank you Gamble Family for sharing your Childhood Cancer Awareness Story!!

 

#AcuteMyeloidLeukemia #AML #AplasticAnemia #BellsPalsy #StevensJohnsonSyndrome #10thFloor #PediatricICU #JimmyEverestCenter #JEC #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth #GoGold #Relapse

 

 

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Episode 04 - Neil Lloyd (ALL) - Part Two

We continue our Go Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month podcast series, and You will not want to miss part two of Neil's family story and experience with his son's diagnosis of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, at just three years old.

 

Today you'll learn how Neil and Conner got involved with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and how Conner and Neil continue their fight against Childhood Cancer and what the lifelong process of being a cancer survivor looks like.

 

If you missed part one of Neil's family story, here is the link:  https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-xnufy-10d4b15

 

#ChilhoodCancerAwareness #ChildhoodCancer #ALL #Leukemia #ERVisits #BeTheMatch #BloodDoner #Chemo #HellWeek #Steroirds #RingTheBell #EmergencyFlightFunds #MeicalBills #Supports #EndOfTreatmentParty #LeukemiaLymphomaSociety #BoyOfTheYear #ChildLife #SiblingEngagement #JEC #JimmyEverestCenter #3YearOldWithCancer #TakeCareOfYourself #Therapy

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Episode 03 - Neil Lloyd (ALL) - Part One

We are excited to introduce Neil Lloyd and his precious family!  Today, Neil shares with us how he was thrown into a world he knew nothing about, Childhood Cancer!!  

 

Neil shares about his son, Conner, and their journey with him through and with the diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, at just three years old. Neil speaks to the impact it had on his family, the need for supports, and how he started giving back to the Childhood Cancer Community in unique ways.

 

Thankful for families like the Lloyds who share their stories to help bring awareness, conversation, education and supports for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!  

 

#ChilhoodCancerAwareness #ChildhoodCancer #AcuteLymphoblasticLeukemia #ALL #Leukemia #Port #794DaysOfTreatment #58RoundsOfChemo #ChildLife #SiblingEngagement #JEC #JimmyEverestCenter #3YearOldWithCancer #TakeCareOfYourself #Therapy #HairLoss 

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Episode 2 - Jared and Tammy Cox (Wilms Tumor)

Meet Jared and Tammy Cox.  They are the parents to three amazing boys and today you will hear why Childhood Cancer Awareness Month has such a special place in their hearts!

 

Jared and Tammy sat down and shared their family's journey through diagnosis, supports, resources, and perspective.  Their desire to bring conversation and awareness to the hard topic of Childhood Cancer is a mission they hold close to their heart and truly have a desire to help others find a network of support and resources, as they walk a new or difficult path.

 

Jared and Tammy help facilitate a group called, Cultivating Connections, which brings together those who might want or need tips, ideas, or information from a parent/family perspective. 

 

As you listen in today, you will hear not only their story, but also their strength and heart!  You will hear their overwhelming gratefulness to those who loved them well and supported them in unique ways as they walked a hard and unknown path.

 

 

#WilmsTumor #Nephroblastoma #CultivatingConnections #PediatricOncologySupportGroup #JEC #JimmyEverestCenter #CavettKids #CavettKidsFoundation #RingTheBell #KClubKindness #TogetherWeLighthouse

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Episode 1 - Dr. Pokala

Today we kick off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by welcoming Dr. Pokala to the podcast.

 

You will walk away from this podcast with a better understanding of pediatric cancer and hear how Dr. Pokala personally serves families in Oklahoma with children who are experiencing pediatric cancer!!

 

Thankful for Dr. Pokala and so many other physicians and team members who serve families who are walking a difficult path of pediatric oncology.