The Cervivor Podcast: Season 1 Recap

In anticipation of the Season 2 release, we’re taking a look back on Season 1 of the Cervivor Podcast hosted by our very own Founder and Chief Visionary, Tamika Felder. It was a season where we laughed, cried, and learned from guests during Cervivor School 2017. We give honor and observance to those featured in these podcasts that are no longer with us. To be able to hear their voices, laughter and transparency is a special treat for us. We hope you think so, too.

If you haven’t listened to Season 1 yet, take a moment and do so now – currently available on Anchor.fm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, and Spotify.

Recap by Episode:

  1. Cervivor’s “Most Enthusiastic” awardee, shares all the things we wanted to know but didn’t want to ask in “Dry Panties, Depends, and Urine. What Does This Have to Do with Cervical Cancer?” Turn the volume all the way up and be proud as you listen to Holly Lawson talk about obstacles during diagnosis.
  2. “Everybody’s voice makes a difference,” says Erica Frazier Stum whose school-aged son knows his mother may be gone sooner than she should be. This podcast episode is a special treat hearing Erica’s voice posthumously who passed away in 2019.
  3. “Education 101: What is Lymphedema?” Heather Banks drops a few jewels around compression undergarments, drainage, swelling, and giving yourself grace when you just … can’t. 
  4. Balancing school, work, her grandmother’s dementia, and an unexpected stage 4 cervical cancer diagnosis, Teolita Rickenbacker says she found her calling amidst an overwhelming period. “It’s nothing wrong with having cervical cancer; it’s nothing wrong with having any kind of cancer. It’s just how you define it.” Listen to “The Will to Live: How Faith Got Her Through a Cancer Diagnosis.”
  5. In “Acceptance of Death: How She is Making Her Story Matter,” Lisa Moore shared her story of diagnosis, kidney failure, and coming to grips that once she passed, her 30-year-old husband would likely start a family with someone else. “I have accepted death. I’m done being stuck, I’m done being treated. I’m ready to just live my life … it’s a different kind of hope.”
  6. The aftermath of a car accident reveals Sierra Thetford has cancer, but despite a six-month prognosis to live, she sought solace in sharing her story and becoming a gym rat. Listen to “Wrecking into Cancer: How the Gym Became Her Refuge.”
  7. Lynn Tromp talks about cervivorship globally and being open to new experiences, “I trusted my medical doctor. He spoke to me with confidence. Even though it was a trial, he spoke to me with confidence,” said Lynn who lives in South Africa. Listen to “Cancer in another country: A Tell-all From South African.”
  8. In “Toxicity in Relationships: Coping with Cancer,” Dr. Ramani Durvasula talks with Tamika Felder about feminism, narcissistic relationships, and convoluted thoughts that we can experience during diagnosis and treatment. 

Season 2 of the Cervivor Podcast is moving past the archives. Join us on Friday, May 13, 2022 for the Season 2 Episode 1 release!

We’ll be welcoming our first guest, Joslyn Chaiprasert-Paguio. Joslyn was diagnosed with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at the age of 18 and with cervical cancer at the age of 24. She shares her story to encourage women and future generations, like her daughter, to advocate for themselves and make their health a priority. You’ll also hear what else you can expect on this Season of the Cervivor Podcast.

For more Cervivor-related content, check out our award-winning YouTube channel, CervivorTV. Follow Cervivor on all social media platforms and sign up for our newsletter. If you would like to be interviewed for upcoming Cervivor Podcast episodes or to request content or speakers for future episodes, fill out this form or contact us at [email protected].

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Teolita

In My Heart Always to Stay

Loved and Remembered Every Day …

Happy Birthday in Heaven

Teolita Schenese Rickenbacker

September 19, 1980 – August 24, 2019

You left this world long before I had planned for you to go,

Our time to say goodbye came way to soon.  

After being diagnosed with Stage 4 Cervical Cancer,

Teolita welcomed life with open arms and met all challenges head on.

Teolita had such drive, resilience, passion and determination.Nothing could stop her when she set her mind on something.

Our time to say goodbye came way to soon.

Teolita was relentless in her effort to become knowledgeable about cervical cancer, not just for herself, but to help raise awareness about this type of cancer and the importance of women’s health screenings. She became an Ambassador with Cervivor, a nonprofit organization that brings cervical cancer survivors together and helps to spread awareness, education, support and more. Whenever or wherever Teolita was given an opportunity to speak, she would use that time to raise awareness about cervical cancer – considered a silent killer! 

In her speeches, Teolita would say, “What I want all women to know is make sure you listen to your body and seek medical attention if something isn’t right. You must be your own Advocate. Make sure you are following the guidelines regarding cervical cancer screening because it is preventable. Always follow-up with your doctor, if advised to do so. Do not let stigmas, lack of knowledge, or shame, prevent you from taking care of yourself.”

To all cancer survivors or those fighting to recover from a cancer diagnosis, she would tell them “you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and twice as beautiful as you would ever imagine. Never give up, never give in. You had cancer; cancer didn’t have you.”

As days and weeks passed, Teolita and I started feeling all alone. Then she reminded me of the words of encouragement that she got from my mother and her grandmother all through her life. We took everything to God in prayer. In my listening role, I heard Teolita say she needed God more at that time in her life, than ever before. She was able to find hope and encouragement, knowing that she did not have to deal with the challenges alone.  Through prayer, meditation, and support from family, church family, friends, and an amazing medical team, she found the strength to fight for life. 

During Teolita’s cancer journey, I reflected on the many roles that Teolita said I had in her life. She said I showed her many things that only best friends showed. I was her doctor, teacher, preacher, chastiser but most all, I was her mother and best friend. Later during Teolita’s journey, I had to add the role of caregiver. I had to support and care for my daughter who was independent, brave, strong and ready to meet the challenges before her, but her physical health was waning!  

Now, I have taken on two more roles. My new roles are to facilitate the completion of the book Teoltia started to write and to keep Teolita’s mission going. Her mission was to raise awareness about HPV and cervical cancer. She was committed to helping others by speaking, educating and advocating for HPV and cervical cancer!

Teolita orchestrated the life she loved and lived. Teolita did it well!

Love Always and Missing You,  
“Mommy” (Nina Rickenbacker Edwards)

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Teolita to help other Cervivors attend Cervivor School, please click here.