[00:00:08] Speaker A: My name is Nancy Farrow, also known as Mama Lou, and I'm the founder of Epic Experience.
Epic Experian's mission is to empower adult cancer survivors and thrivers to live beyond cancer.
I hope that as you listen to campfires of hope, living beyond cancer, you find hope, healing and empowerment. Through stories and education, we aim to guide those impacted by cancer and more importantly, offer love and support to anyone out there who needs it.
This is beyond cancer.
[00:01:09] Speaker B: Hello, everyone. This is Gail, aka Sunshine. Today we have Jordan and Mike Van Zant joining us around the campfire. Thank you both for joining us. I'm excited to have both of you here.
[00:01:23] Speaker C: Thank you for having us.
[00:01:25] Speaker B: So, Jordan is the camper. Mike is the spouse who has come alongside, I think. Jordan, your camp name is Ginger. And have we decided that Mike is Snap? Is this official?
[00:01:37] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:01:38] Speaker B: Great.
[00:01:38] Speaker C: Mister Snap, please.
[00:01:39] Speaker B: Mister Snap. I will remember that. So I want both of you, actually to tell us a little bit about yourself. And I always ask people to include one fun fact. So, snap. Excuse me, Mister Snapdez, why don't we start with you?
[00:01:53] Speaker C: Well, I'm six two, medium build.
I enjoy long walks on the beach and reading.
Just kidding. Just another guy married to the love of my life.
Two beautiful children. 15 year old daughter, 16 year old son.
Great kids. Absolutely love them.
Fun fact, I did not know until last October, but I am an all star at a game called Splash Jam.
[00:02:23] Speaker B: Well, very good.
That is an amazing thing to learn at this stage of life.
[00:02:29] Speaker C: I agree. Every day we're learning something new.
[00:02:32] Speaker B: There you go.
Jordan. Ginger.
[00:02:36] Speaker D: All right, so my name is Jordan. I am a wife and mother of two, as Mike said, we live in Tipton, Michigan, just about ten minutes away from where both of us grew up. We graduated high school together.
Fun fact about our love story. Mike did circle my picture in our second grade yearbook with a heart and said love. So I've had him posed since second grade.
[00:03:11] Speaker B: Wow. It was truly meant to be. I love that. That is. That's awesome. I love it.
Okay, so the reason we're here is because, Jordan, you are a cancer survivor. So I'm wondering if you can tell us a little bit about your diagnosis story when, what surgery you had treatment, and all that kind of stuff.
[00:03:32] Speaker D: Okay. So in March of 2020, I actually felt a lump in my stomach, kind of right under my rib cage. That was kind of weird. It felt like I had a clementine in my belly. And I had Mike and my daughter feel it, and Mike encouraged me to get it looked at.
It was the very beginning of the COVID pandemic. So we were at home. I had a quick video visit with my physician assistant the next day, and she scheduled me to get an ultrasound.
I went into the hospital the next day for my ultrasound.
I feel like I could tell when they were doing it that something wasn't right because they're clicking and measuring and doing a lot of things. But I did come home afterwards. In about 45 minutes after I was home, the physician assistant called me and asked me to go immediately back to the hospital because I had a growth on my kidney that at that point, they thought was affecting the blood flow.
So we packed up really quickly and went back, and I was in the ER for a while, where I had a ct scan, and they found that I had a grapefruit size tumor on my right kidney.
Ironically, the surgeon that would perform surgery was in the ER that day.
I didn't actually get a chance to meet them, but they told me what the plan was, that I was going to go home, have a few days at home, and come back and have my kidney removed.
So I had a. Yeah, a quick video visit with the doctor the next day. I never actually met my surgeon in person until the day of the surgery.
[00:05:34] Speaker E: Oh, gosh.
[00:05:36] Speaker D: I had to be dropped off at the door. Nobody could come with me.
And I actually ended up. They ended up being able to save part of my kidney. I had 60% removed, was in the hospital for a few days, and got to come home afterwards. They felt, yeah, strongly that they got it all out.
And I found out a couple weeks later that it was cancerous. It was neuroendocrine cancer.
But at that point, I had a PET scan, and I was declared cancer free and no further treatment needed except a follow up scan in six months.
So at my follow up scan, I had a number of additional spots that had spread to my bones. So I was then moved to stage four. So I have stage four neuroendocrine cancer.
I've had multiple surgeries since then. I've had a couple liver resections.
I had my right ovary removed. I've had pancreas nucleation.
I've had a couple liver ablations. I've had radiation.
[00:06:59] Speaker B: Full bingo card.
[00:07:01] Speaker D: Yes. Yes.
[00:07:02] Speaker E: Wow.
[00:07:04] Speaker D: And I currently still have evidence of disease in my bones.
I just, uh, started a new treatment about six months ago, but I'm going to be on treatment for life. Um, yeah, this is supposed to be a pretty, uh, manageable disease. More like a chronic long term illness.
[00:07:27] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:07:28] Speaker D: Um, so, yeah, so just doing me still every day.
[00:07:34] Speaker B: Wow. That must have been a shock. I mean, your kids were teens at the time, right? Early teens?
[00:07:42] Speaker D: No, they were actually eleven and twelve. Yeah.
So it was a shock. And mostly because I was only 39.
Most people with this type of cancer don't even find out till they're in their sixties or so.
[00:07:59] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:08:00] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:08:01] Speaker B: So somewhere in there you learned about epic experience. Was that through, uh, the treatment center or a doctor? How did you find out about it?
[00:08:10] Speaker D: So I was doing some, um, like, Google searches, so I never attended a support group. I was really pretty private with my whole journey. Um, but after I stopped working, I don't know, I just felt kind of isolated and maybe, like I needed someone to talk to. Not that Mister snap here isn't great, but it's hard sometimes when they don't relate to exactly what you're going through. So I applied. I found epic experience online and I applied for it and fortunately was accepted.
[00:08:46] Speaker B: So that's awesome.
And after you went, you participated in a fundraising event, with the prize being that you got a trip back to the seven w. And from what I hear, you blew it out of the water and were the top fundraiser. So congratulations on that. But I'm wondering if you could share a little bit about why you decided to go back and fundraise for the chance to go back to camp and just fundraising for epic in general.
[00:09:16] Speaker D: So I had just a remarkable experience at camp. I met some really phenomenal people that I still speak with daily.
[00:09:28] Speaker B: That's awesome.
[00:09:29] Speaker D: Yeah, I found kind of support that I really didn't even know I was looking for.
And seven w is such a magical place.
You know, part of the magic is the people, but part of it is this thing.
And the mountains in Colorado have just become very, very special to me. So I felt strongly about giving other people the opportunity to attend camp like I had been able to. And then also I felt really strongly about being able to take Mike back to the seven w with me and have him experience it as well.
[00:10:12] Speaker B: Yeah. And just to clarify, the. The prize for the top fundraiser was to be able to take someone with you. So that was kind of part of your motivation from the beginning, was to let him experience it. So how were you able to raise as much as you did?
How are you able to get that kind of support from people?
[00:10:31] Speaker D: So I kind of. When I first started, I leaned into a little bit of my experience from my previous job as far as, like, getting messages out quickly, concisely through text. I previously worked in staffing and we did a lot of recruiting through text, so I knew how to put a quick message together to get the point across, you know, with the link, kind of make it as easy as possible for people to do. I crafted one for Mike as well, that he threw a little thing in there about how he could get to come back with me if we raised enough.
[00:11:09] Speaker B: So perfect.
[00:11:11] Speaker D: Yeah. So he mass sent it out to everyone in his contacts. I did as well.
We were fortunate enough to have a family friend that is a member, a board member of a foundation that did a pretty generous donation in my honor as well as part of it, and then another family friend that was really, really generous, too. So we were able to get, I think, a little bit over $18,000.
[00:11:44] Speaker B: That's amazing.
[00:11:46] Speaker D: Between the two of us, I hope.
[00:11:49] Speaker F: You enjoy this episode of our campfires with Hope podcast. Here at Epic Experience, we make it our goal to serve the cancer community through our collective programs such as this podcast, our week long adventure camps, regional programs across the country, and thrive VR, a custom virtuality experience benefiting patients in cancer centers. If you would like to be a part of our community of supporters, please go to epicexperience.org and click donate.
Thank you for listening to campfires of stories of cancer with gratitude. Wingman, also known as Colin Farrow, executive director of EpiC Experience. Epic Experience is a registered 501 organization.
[00:12:34] Speaker B: Do you think, and I don't know if you've had feedback from people, but do you think they were touched by the fact that Mike had an opportunity to go with you? Do you think that was part of it?
[00:12:43] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, I do. I do.
And I think me sharing how, you know, special the time was for me there as well, helped out and the fact that I wanted to share it with him, but, yeah, I do think it helped.
[00:13:00] Speaker B: That was a big.
[00:13:02] Speaker C: Yeah, big push on my end.
The experience she had there, the seven west, you know, she went, she was super nervous, super scared.
She went and had the greatest time and just came back and to see the glow and to talk to her about, you know, everything and the experience she had totally motivated me as well to. Yeah, I. Let's get back to this. Absolutely.
It was a good deal.
[00:13:29] Speaker B: That was exactly what I was wondering is if you saw something in her that told you we need to do what we can to help others have this experience.
[00:13:39] Speaker C: Definitely. Yep. With what's going on in the, like she said, I mean, I can only smile and nod and be supportive so much.
[00:13:46] Speaker B: Right.
[00:13:46] Speaker C: But when you speak with people that understand and are going through similar things.
It was a great thing for her, and it was very plain to see, so I was excited. I'm like, oh, this is, this is happening. That's what she told me. She's like, we're going to Colorado. What do you mean, we're going to Colorado? She's like, we're going to win this.
Okay, let's do it.
[00:14:08] Speaker B: I know Jordan's not competitive at all, so I'm sure that, so you won. You earned the trip. Jordan, what was it like? So you get there, you were there in fall, which I haven't even been there in fall, but I've heard it is magical. I mean, I've heard it's just amazing. So what was it like to return to camp and have Mike with you?
[00:14:35] Speaker D: It was. It was magical to be able to see one. I was there in winter before, so to see a different side of the seven w was magical in its own. To be there with the aspens or turning colors, to have Mike be able to just experience the different things that were there, to be with other people that had also shared in fundraising and to have some additional caregivers there, to have Mike have kind of an experience with that was pretty cool. And the fact that we got to extend our visit through Colorado for another week was neat also.
[00:15:26] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:15:27] Speaker B: So there were others there who had raised money and then also brought someone like, you brought Mike. So, Mike, what was that like, being able to talk to both survivors who were there, but then other caregivers? I hadn't even thought about that angle. That's an interesting.
[00:15:43] Speaker C: It was great. Correct? It is great. You know, we do. We do us, you know, and everything. You can't predict what happens tomorrow or how you, how you deal with it and move through life, you know, so there's a lot to be learned there. But, you know, I was very nervous to go myself because I'm new place, new people. Like, what am I getting into now, you know? But right away from, you know, when we met Mama Lou and fuzzy right out of the gates, it was like, okay, these are good people. And, you know, there, it just snowballed, you know, and got up to camp. And the Mantleys, they were another couple that were there, Cindy and Brian, great people. Very thankful to meet them as well.
And, yeah, we got to converse and talk, and it's. It's good to just sit by the campfire and talk, you know, exactly. A lot gets accomplished, you know.
[00:16:38] Speaker B: That's true.
[00:16:40] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:16:41] Speaker B: And I think the campfires, that's something where it's casual in one sense. Right, but you just said it, Mike. So much happens there. It's those deep conversations.
What have you learned about this through this cancer journey together? What have you learned about life, about each other?
Parenting? I mean, that adds a whole nother aspect of it. And I'll let both of you answer, so feel free to jump in.
[00:17:12] Speaker D: Yeah, so I've learned to slow down and to really think about whether or not shit matters. Like, is this really going to matter in the long, long run? I think I used to be really high strung, and now I'm a lot more. Go with the flow, you know, I hope that I've become a better mom and a better wife, but, yeah, I mean, I just. Things that aren't important anymore that are. Things that used to be important just aren't anymore. Yeah, the little things are what are important to me now.
I, you know, I learned that Mike was really in it with me, told dutch duo's part.
And I learned that our kids are really tough, resilient, and that we've done a good job raising them. I mean, they're really self sufficient, and it's been wonderful to share truly everything that I'm going through with them and have them, you know, understand. I've never wanted to hide anything from them. So.
[00:18:33] Speaker E: Yeah. Thank you, Mike.
[00:18:36] Speaker C: It is, you know, you don't wish for it, want it, ask for it. But it has been a blessing in many ways as far as life goes. Yes. With family, friends, people, outlook on life, ways you can make things better, not only for you, but other people.
It's been life changing, that is for sure.
And certainly has strengthened our bond in this house, you know, wife, kids, friends as well. And we'll continue to do that with new people we meet. You know, it's been a good, welcoming outlook on life.
[00:19:20] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:19:21] Speaker C: Enjoy every moment.
[00:19:23] Speaker B: Yeah, for sure.
Did you guys find that you needed time separately to process as well as together during this time? And if so, did you, like, what are some of the ways that you did that? Or was it kind of like we're in this together the whole time? Obviously, except for when Jordan went to camp.
[00:19:45] Speaker C: She left me.
[00:19:46] Speaker B: She left you.
[00:19:49] Speaker C: That was great. On my end. You know, I think for both of us, it was obviously way more beneficial for her at camp. But, you know, another instance, too, that I was fortunate. I feel fortunate to be able to do it. I had volunteered at camp last winter.
[00:20:05] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:20:06] Speaker C: As did Ginger. So there was separation there, and I thought that was great thing for me to experience camp without her and you know, her to go back on a volunteering end and experience, you know, without me being there, too, I'm sure was a great thing.
[00:20:27] Speaker D: But I think we've been through most of this together. Oh, absolutely.
I think you've probably processed things more than I have. I mean, I just go with it. I mean, okay, so I got a shitty end of the stick this scan around, you know, where I'm just like, all right, let's go. What do we got to do? And then I think you slow me down, where I'm just like, okay, have to do this.
I'm always just like, we'll push through it. Let's go. And you stop and kind of slow down a little bit on things.
[00:21:02] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:21:04] Speaker B: You also mentioned how this strengthened your relationship with your kids.
Did they? You said you were upfront with them from the beginning.
I'm guessing you have had an open relationship with them all along. That's kind of my guess. So did they feel comfortable coming to you and ask questions about a scan or how you're feeling or what's next or any of those things? Did they. Were they able to kind of work through their own fears that I'm sure came up?
[00:21:34] Speaker D: Yeah. So I try to have pretty open conversations with them often about what's going on, what other things that they're worried about.
I think that our daughter is really in tune to it and is really open. Our son's a little bit more reserved, and maybe he talks to you more about it than me, but they'll talk, and they have people that talk to, even if it's not us, which is perfectly fine.
But, I mean, we're always open pretty quickly after we get news of anything, like, this is what's happening. And I just like to make sure we know kind of what's next when we're talking to them. So they.
So I always have that for them. And it's not lingering, but I think they get the scan anxiety that I get. Like, I have a scan coming up in a couple weeks right after vacation, so I have a little going, but. And I'm sure they do. I'm sure Mike does. But, you know.
[00:22:36] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:22:37] Speaker C: All part of the ride.
[00:22:38] Speaker D: It is.
[00:22:39] Speaker B: Well, and you're all on it together, which I think is amazing, definitely. Oh, yeah, for sure. Is there anything, and I want to ask this, both of you, is there anything that you would want to share with a couple who is listening going through what you're going through?
[00:23:00] Speaker D: I think the kind of, I feel like what's been helpful for us is to both talk about what we think is the right approach. Even though it's my body, my choice, whatever I do think it, I rely pretty heavily on what Mike thinks as well and take into account what his thoughts and feelings are. But also, I think the best thing would be just to try to make light of any part of the situation. So we have to travel from Michigan to Iowa for doctor's appointments several times a year instead of just being so gloomy, like, oh, crap, I have to go see my oncologist 7 hours away. Those are our little date times or our little, you know, getaways or even if we have an appointment here locally. It's like, oh, we have, you know, a little doctor's visit date. Just, you know, to find some sort of time that you have and, you know, not. Don't let petty things, you know, bog down your life anymore.
[00:24:12] Speaker C: It doesn't seem like it, but there always is a silver lining and you can find it. Just keep looking. It's, it's there. But as far as a couple and, you know, diagnosis and things going on, but there's a lot going on there and you have to tread lightly, you know, probably both sides. You know, I'm not going to push her to do something she doesn't want to do. And, you know, she's the same way, but it's just finding a happy medium of where are we at? How are we going to make it through this? You know, we're going to come out on top one way or the other. How's that going to work? And making a plan and talking it out and going forward with it.
[00:24:52] Speaker D: So being there for the good days and the bad days, they're all together. My good day happens to be one of Mike's bad days. Just, you know, be there.
[00:25:01] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:25:03] Speaker B: I love the idea of turning those cancer trips that you have to take into an adventure or a date or.
[00:25:10] Speaker C: Plan things to do because out in Iowa, so we go to different places while we're out there and, yeah, you make. Make good of what we got going on.
[00:25:19] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:25:20] Speaker B: That's awesome. Well, very important question to end this time. Marshmallows over a campfire. Slow and steady or flame and crispy? Mike.
[00:25:31] Speaker C: Low and steady.
[00:25:34] Speaker D: Jordan and mine would be flaming crispy if Mike didn't do them for me.
[00:25:41] Speaker B: I see. He is the, the marshmallow czar. And.
[00:25:45] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:25:46] Speaker B: Got it.
Well, thank you both so much. This I loved hearing about Mike. Your perspective as, you know, as the spouse going back and experiencing it and the importance of, of fundraising. So that other people can have this experience. I really appreciate both of you.
[00:26:08] Speaker C: Thank you for having me on that. It was a good time.
[00:26:12] Speaker B: Well, thank you everyone who's listening. Until the next time we gather around the campfire, keep living beyond cancer.
[00:26:25] Speaker D: Thank.
[00:26:25] Speaker G: You for listening to this episode of Campfires of Hope. Living beyond cancer. For more information about epic experience and our programs or to donate, please visit our
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[00:26:53] Speaker H: Five at times through the night we can go someday nervous mind police still on our side the family man's bright we will rise once again.
[00:27:11] Speaker B: Close.
