Joy and Isaac: The bond between a mother and son facing cancer at 23

Man Up to Cancer

I'm joined on today's show by Joy and Isaac Moel, a mother and son from Iowa City, Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!).

Isaac was just 23 years old in April 2019 when he was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. He was otherwise healthy and had no family history or other red flags.

Just when Isaac was gaining independence as an adult, he was forced into the role of patient, depending on his mother to be his primary caregiver as he faced mutliple surgeries and grueling chemotherapy, radiation, and more.

The shocking diagnosis was a difficult blow for this tightknit family, yet they have fought this disease together with incredible courage, intelligence, grace, and heart.

In this episode, we discuss

• Isaac's engagement and upcoming wedding!
• The physical and emotional burdens of managing metastatic cancer over a period of years
• What it was like for mother and son to have him become dependent on her again, just as he was gaining independence
• Advice for other young men facing a cancer diagnosis
• Our mutual love for Iowa City, home to my alma mater, the University of Iowa
• The best pizza in the midwest (In my humble opinion)