MediHelpz Live w/Sandra L Washington
This podcast dives deep into the heart of healthcare through the eyes of patients.
Each episode, we explore the multifaceted experiences of individuals navigating the medical system.
Expert guests will include doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals.
The information shared on this podcast does not replace medical infomation provide by your clincian.
MediHelpz Live w/Sandra L Washington
The Cancer Warrior's Journey: Coach Pat on Clinical Trials
What does it truly mean to fight for your life while helping others find their path forward? Coach Patricia Pearson, known affectionately as "Coach Pat," brings us into her world as a business success coach, publishing mentor, and most remarkably, a stage four lung cancer warrior who has been battling for nearly five years.
This conversation unveils the often misunderstood world of clinical trials through the eyes of someone living the experience. Coach Pat dispels common misconceptions—particularly the fear that participants might receive placebos instead of treatment. "For life-threatening diseases like mine," she explains, "you'll either receive the standard care they'd normally give you or the trial drug." This crucial distinction has empowered her to participate in two different clinical trials when standard treatments began affecting her other organs.
The power of support systems shines throughout Coach Pat's journey. From her healthcare advocate Sandra Washington to her church family at Abundant Life Family Worship Church and her medical team, these relationships provide the foundation for her remarkable resilience. She shares wisdom about selecting doctors who truly listen and communicate effectively, noting the stark difference between her physician who provides detailed explanations and another who barely spends ten minutes with her.
Perhaps most moving is Coach Pat's perspective on purpose. Despite nearly five years battling stage four cancer while maintaining both her coaching business and a full-time job, she remains steadfast in her belief that "God has not kept me here for four years plus for no reason." She compares resilience to a tree in winter storms—it may sway and lose leaves, but its roots grow deeper into the ground, making it stronger.
For anyone facing health challenges or supporting someone who is, this episode offers practical insights about clinical trials, finding the right medical support, and maintaining faith through difficult times. Listen now to discover how being proactive about your health demonstrates the love you proclaim for yourself and others.
Good afternoon everyone. So I am going to go ahead because you're probably like Sandra we need to see both of you, so I'm going to go ahead and pull up both of us.
Speaker 1:What I am going to do is take the time today to thank our very lovely guests, ms Patricia Pearson we all officially call her Coach Pat, because she has coached every one of us that know her in some way in a positive aspect and so, without further ado because we've actually already been delayed I'm going to go ahead and get the conversation started today. Once again, thank you so much for joining the Patient Experience Podcast. Speaking with Sandra L, my first question to you and actually Coach Pat, before I ask a question, I'm going to let you introduce yourself, because you know better than anybody else what it is that you do.
Speaker 2:Hello everybody, welcome, welcome family. I am, as Ms Sandra has stated, Coach Pat Pearson, affectionately known, and I am a business success coach as well as a publishing coach, and in addition to that, I am a since 19,. Since 2020, I am a cancer warrior For four years and 10 months.
Speaker 1:A cancer warrior for four years and ten months a cancer warrior, and I'll tell you a little bit more about that later on as we get into Sandra's questions but, go ahead what I'm going to ask you to do is sit back, because you're actually facing forward, so they can't see your beautiful face, and they don't want everybody to see your beautiful face you're. They don't want everybody to see your beautiful face. You're good, just like that. Okay, but you was going to finish telling us about yourself, so please continue.
Speaker 2:Oh, as I said, I'm a business success coach and a publishing coach. So, in addition to those responsibilities, I still do those responsibilities. Even though I'm going through this situation, I've never stopped my business. I am also a full-time employee in addition to having my own business.
Speaker 1:So you know what? What makes that so awesome about it is that and we'll get into the conversation but what makes that so awesome about it is that many of us that our patients, myself included what we find helps us through our patient experience is the fact that we keep going. You know, we get a diagnosis and we don't flip that diagnosis over and say, okay, well, that's it for me, there's nothing else in life that I have to do. And so we don't do that diagnosis over and say, okay, well, that's it for me, there's nothing else in life that I have to do. And so we don't do it. And we sit mindlessly waiting for things to happen. And a lot of times those things don't happen. And they don't happen because, as I say every week, I love my medical professionals, but I realized that they're not God and they can't tell me when my day is coming. I know it's coming, but they can't tell me when my day is coming. So if you give me a diagnosis, I'm going to do all I can to fight through that diagnosis and to deal with that diagnosis in its proper place.
Speaker 1:And Coach Pat is one of those patients that you know. She was given a diagnosis and she said, uh-uh, nope, you showed up at the wrong body and you'll hear it in today's conversation just what type of person and just what type of patient Coach Pat is. So, if you're in the clinical field, if you're, you know, a trial researcher, if you have anything to do with clinical research, this shout and this discussion goes out to you because we know and Coach Pat has a personal and a lived experience with it we know that, yes, clinical trials are scary if the patient doesn't know what they should know to avoid them being scary. But we also know, at the end of the day, a lot of times, being a clinical patient. So, coach Pat, I'm going to go ahead and ask you my first question what motivated you to participate in a clinical trial and how did that purpose evolve throughout your journey?
Speaker 2:in a clinical trial, and how did that purpose evolve throughout your journey? I think the first of all I didn't know much about clinical trials when it was presented to me. I think number one, what motivated me was my doctor, because I have a great medical team and throughout my illness they've always been very informative, always kept me abreast of what's going on. So when he suggested the clinical trial, I really felt that I had to look into it. But not only that. Before suggesting the clinical trial, we had went through a lot of the standard medical medicines that were available for the type of disease I have. No, I take that back. I don't have it.
Speaker 2:I was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and we had went through many of the treatments. So a lot of times, what happened with the treatments? The treatments may or may not work. Some of the treatments that I went through worked. However, it affected some of my other organs. So instead of staying on that treatment, then we switch off to something different, and that's where the clinical trial came about, and he suggested the clinical trial for me at that time.
Speaker 1:And so I'm glad he, he, I'm glad to know that there was a provider out there and that there are providers out there that truly want the best for their patients. So when something comes their way, they're like a lot of times bring it up and discuss it. And I'm certainly glad and thankful to your doctor that he mentioned clinical trials. I do remember I want to say maybe about two years ago, was it? I do remember, I want to say maybe about two years ago, was it? We did Chomp's Many Helps Foundation did a. We did a discussion, video discussion on clinical trials and you were listening and you know your doctor had told you but you were able to get so much more information from actually listening to that clinical trial. And he was like you know what, sandra, I heard about clinical trials, but it wasn't until I actually listened to your discussion. And that's what we want you to do Listen to your discussion so that you know you do have options and you know this is how this works and the truth was laid out.
Speaker 1:And to me, I want to take the time to say thank you so much to Genesis Medical Research for actually taking part in that video session where you actually spoke to. Not only did you speak to Coach Pat, but you actually spoke to me and you actually spoke to our patients who were listening that day and gave them hope by laying out exactly what a clinical trial is, how it works, what the steps are. Because a lot of times we're told about clinical trials and like no, no, no, and especially if we are being told this information from someone that we don't trust, we just shy away from it because, yeah, no, y'all fooled us before. But if you have someone that actually went through it and actually is teaching it and showing it and it's from our community, a lot of times they listen. Our patients listen much more so. So a big thank you to Gayna and Barry, who took the time to actually come on our video and actually explain what a clinical trial is.
Speaker 1:So I thank you so much and because of them and because of their discussion and encourage coaches, now she's like okay, and I got two experts and plus I got my doctor on my side, so what's in it for me? Like, why wouldn't I try this? I love my family and I want to continue to be here for them, so why wouldn't I try this? So I thank you so much for that. Now, there were moments during your trial that you felt like turning points. You were like you know what I'm going to ask you were there moments where you felt like turning points, where you was like uh, you know, I think I'm going to stop. No, this is too much. And how did you get past those?
Speaker 2:points. Well, actually I'm on my second clinical trial. Um, my first clinical trial seemed to be working. However, it was causing other issues which at that time, yeah, I was having second thoughts because it was affecting my eyes and my vision was going, and that was very, very scary there for a moment, in addition to some other areas. So I had to stop that clinical trial. And that's one of the things to know that when you start a clinical trial, you don't have to continue it. I mean, if it affects you in any way negatively, then you can stop at any time. Once you start, you don't have to attend you.
Speaker 2:Now my second clinical trial that I'm on now actually, I think I've been on it for, like I would say, maybe four months and initially, when I started that clinical trial, I was a little discouraged because I was in and out of the doctor's office at least twice a week and I had to drive an hour to get there. So that was a little discouraging. But as time went on, the amount of time that I had to go into the doctor's office decreased, so it was better. Thank God, so far the trial is working. So far the trial is working. It has so far kept me stable so that the disease is not spreading and I'm doing well on the trial. But, yes, there were times when that first trial that I was like, okay, no, this is not for me not for me.
Speaker 1:And you know what it is funny. I know you because you're actually one of Chum's MediHelp's board members, so I know you. So I was actually able to watch you go through that process and the day that I called you and I couldn't hear you cough in, I was like yes, it's working Right. I was like, thank you, jesus, it's working Right. I'm like, because I know what you went through.
Speaker 1:You know I know what you went through with the first trial. You was like, okay, I'm going to try this, but then I actually have to step back away from it because you started feeling those different side effects. But knowing that, okay, well, we're not going to kick you out of the program. You know, if you want to come back and we can find something else and you want to come back, then we're going to ask you to come back, you know. So you weren't kicked out. You weren't put to the side. Nothing happened. You were treated the same by your medical doctors. They still treated you with the care and compassion that they treated you with. And you knew in the back of your mind okay, well, maybe something else comes on, maybe I will try it. Now. It's not for everybody, but I tell people all the time when I'm doing the work that I do through the foundation. You say you love your husband. You say you love your children. You say you love your in-law, whoever it is. You say I love you. But then, when it comes to it is, you say I love you, but then, when it comes to your health, you don't want to do these things that possibly can't help you. Knowing that, okay, well, if I don't like this, I can step out of it. I don't have to do it, I get it. I do really get it.
Speaker 1:Henrietta Lacks we lost her due to a clinical trial issue, and there's so many others that we've lost because of clinical trial failures or because we weren't even told that this is what they was doing. They just did it. But on the other side of that fence, for those that actually do participate in clinical trials or like are interested in saying you know what, maybe I might try this right, knowing and having all the information that maybe I might try this, I thank them. And I thank you because you know what, when my grandkids or my nieces and nephews are born and they may have the same issue the drugs that you are trying, the clinical trials that you're going through it's giving them hope. Right, we don't have hope in our community because a lot of times we don't participate in those things that we have. You know that we do have access to for fear or you know what? Yeah, they did that before.
Speaker 1:I'm not going back to that without realizing that you're helping so many more people when you do consider being a clinical trial person. You know, patient, you're helping so many of us and so many of our you know our future. Even that aren't even born yet will actually benefit because you took a stand and you was like I'm going to try this and see how it works Right. So I thank you for that, and for any clinical trial patient that's listening and watching. I say thank you so much because, because of you, those who have not yet reached this side of earth will have some medication that they can take. That's good for them. It's not good, you know it could be good for other cultures, but we'll know it's good for them because we had people in our culture taking a part in these clinical trials. So thank you for that.
Speaker 2:My next question is this Before you get to your next question, one thing you mentioned about gathering information. That is so key because a lot of times, in fact recently, people will come to me and I'll tell them I'm on a clinical trial and they'll go clinical trial. What are you on? A placebo? How do you know? And that is a misconception.
Speaker 2:With regards to clinical trials, yes, there are trials where they use a placebo, but they're not for life-threatening diseases. Anytime that you go into a clinical trial, for instance, I would say maybe something for a headache, they may use a placebo plus the actual trial drug for that. But for the disease that I have, the clinical trial that I was on it was either going to be a standard of care that they would normally give me anyway or the clinical trial, and that's where I think people need to start researching. When a clinical trial is brought to them, look into the details, and all of the details are available. When you go online or when you talk to your doctors, they'll let you know if it's a placebo or if it's a standard of care that you're going to be getting in addition to the clinical trial, and I just think that's very important because that's one reason why a lot of people do not participate in clinical trials because they think they're going to get the placebo.
Speaker 1:And I thank you so much for sharing that information. And you're right. I do put this disclaimer out here I am not a physician. I'm also not Dr Google or Mr Firefox. I'm also not Dr Google or Mr Firefox. So when we talk about let's look this up, and she said we can find this information out online, and where can we look this up or how can we look this up? The information is there. It's readily available.
Speaker 1:It's just that you need to know what you consider, what is considered a reliable source and what is considered somebody just putting a blog out there and saying I don't like that because of this, that and this turns into a complaint. Right, because complaints hurt our community, because we a lot of times don't know the difference between well, is this factual or is this a complaint? And so a lot of times we go to the internet. We have to make sure that we're looking at reliable sources and gathering that information from a reliable source. One of the best reliable sources there is is your physician. Start having those communication talks with your physician. Ask your physician.
Speaker 1:If the physician says, well, I'm busy and I don't have time, then go to a reliable source such as Genesis Medical Research Group. Go to them. Yes, I'm throwing them out there. Go to them, and there are plenty of others that they will be more than happy to tell you yeah, this is this and this is that, but stop listening to foolishness when you don't understand. What's really at stake is basically what Coach Pat is saying. It's like don't turn your nose up and don't ask if you don't know. If you don't know, just don't say anything.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Right, but if you're interested, ask and see how it all works so that you can find out, and there are reliable sources that you can find out. The other way for you to find out well, sandra, who is a reliable source? In 2026, tom Smetty Health Foundation will be releasing aid on a digital healthcare platform. There will be 14 courses within this digital healthcare platform that you will be able to take by either you subscribing on your own or seeing if maybe your doctor, your hospital, whoever you're seeking for medical treatment, will take out subscription so that patients can become more aware of what's going on. So, enough of toot my own horn, enough of that, and let's get back to you. Who is the subject? Is the guest, our lovely guest for the day Now. When you started looking into clinical trials, was there any perspective on healthcare that you had that changed Like, okay, they really don't care and there's no medicine out here for me to. Okay, well, maybe there is some hope for me. Did any of that change how you looked at healthcare?
Speaker 2:I can't say it really changed, because I didn't really have. I didn't really have a vision with health care because I've been healthy all my life, so I didn't really have any experiences to guide me either way. I had never really been hospitalized, or the most I've had is a cough or bronchitis, so I didn't really have any gauge to go by. As I started going through it and as I'm going through it today you mentioned it and I also mentioned it your medical team is definitely very important. That you trust and you have faith in your medical team, and not only that to have someone like yourself as a health advocate that I can go to and ask questions, that makes a big difference. Because I mean, even though you have like you may have a doctor, like I have, I actually have two doctors. I have one doctor that I know is going to give me detail for detail, every T crossed, every I dotted. Then I have another doctor. I'm lucky if I have a good 10-minute conversation with them.
Speaker 1:So having someone like yourself and a good medical team makes a big difference in your care. Thank you for what you just said. I want to bring up a point to people With Coach Pat. The patient experience is good for her because she has two doctors. She has one that she can go to and she could talk to and have a conversation with and he'll explain everything to her. Then she has another doctor. Well, if I spend 10 minutes with him, I'm doing good. Well, to have a patient experience that you want to have and that we want you to have. When you have those doctors that are only around for 10 minutes, you need to start looking for another doctor. Now, if you have another doctor already and they're good, then that's somebody that you can turn to.
Speaker 1:Because I was like that going through COVID, my primary doctor. I could never reach her. She wasn't around. She called the medications in, didn't tell me she was calling them in. I would get a call. You need to come pick this medication up. What's the medication for? I was never told.
Speaker 1:But I had a second doctor which is my endocrinologist, who's my diabetes educator and my diabetes doctor who stepped in and said okay, well, this is what's going on and explained stuff to me at during a time period just like what coach Pat is saying where we're already stressed, we're already going through things, we're already concerned, worried, we don't know what's going to happen from day one to day two. So if you have two doctors and you can count on one, then you're okay. You're okay. You're not great. You're okay Because if that other doctor becomes way too busy, you might feel like they're pushing you off or they're gaslighting you, but it's just that they're like okay, well, that's, the other doctor should be doing it Right. And so a lot of times, and now that they're tied to contracts, they don't have that voice where they can say okay, well, I could spend 40 extra 45 minutes with you because they're tied to a contract, so they can no longer do it.
Speaker 1:But if you so, if you have that one, look for some. Please go somewhere else where you feel like you're going to be trusted and heard and, in addition, make sure that the two of them doctors actually work well together. So it's not okay. Well, I'm going to listen to anything they said. I don't know why they told you that you don't need any of that. You're the patient. You're supposed to be getting better. So have a doctor, at least one that understands and listens to your concerns. So thank you so much for bringing that up, coach Pat. My next question is this what support systems like, what people were in your life that helped you through this process?
Speaker 2:Not that I'm trying to get paid or anything, but I have a healthcare advocate. Her name is Sandra Washington and he helps. Llc is one of my, one of my team members. I also have my church family, who is very supportive, as well as my husband, my husband he's just been, you know, I have no words. He's been there from beginning to end and he supports me in everything, whether it's good, bad or indifferent. He's there and he's very supportive. But, as we've also said, my medical staff, my medical team I have a very good medical team and with those, you know, with many helps my church family, my husband and my medical staff I'm I'm I'm feeling very loved and very cared for.
Speaker 1:And do you think that's a reason why you continue to like I'm going to fight through this? Like, did they help you to determine I'm definitely going to fight through this. I have something to fight for.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, absolutely. Because, first of all, I know God has me here for a reason. I have not went through stage four lung cancer Four years and 10 months for no reason. He has a mission for me. That mission may be having this conversation with you so that one person hears this conversation and moves forward in what's a clinical trial, or move forward in getting the right healthcare advocate. If that's my mission, that's what I'm here for. God has not kept me here for four years plus. I'm expecting to be four years plus more for no reason. So I'm here to do his will. Whatever he has for me to do, I intend to make sure that I do the best that I can.
Speaker 1:Well, I thank you for that. Once again, I thank you for continuing to do what you need to do to make sure that when you say love is not words, other words that you're just throwing out there, it's actually words that you live by and you show an action that you live on by continuing to take care of your health. I do want to ask you if you can please put out the name of your church so that if someone is listening to this and they're like, okay, well, that church family was strong and this isn't to bring in religion, but there are patients out here who need help, who need to go to a church that cares and that it's already been shown that they can stand there with the patient and help that patient through. So if you can please tell me the name of your church, as well as your church pastor and first lady, that would be awesome.
Speaker 2:My church is Abundant Life Family Worship Church in New Brunswick, new Jersey. Bishop George Seawright and Pastor Mary Seawright. We're at 259 George Street. If you decide to just stop by, ask for Pat Pearson, and someone there will probably know who I am and I will greet you as well as introduce you to the pastors. They're there. We're a family of love and we love sharing love.
Speaker 1:So I thank you so much for that because, once again, I do know, and we both know, that there are patients that right now are lonely and don't have anyone to talk to. I'm going through difficult health care challenges and, no matter where you go and no matter what religion you are, it's a spiritual thing. You need to actually make sure that you're tied to some type of spiritual, you know spiritual religion. To actually make sure that you're tied to some type of spiritual, you know spiritual religion. Number of spiritual being is what you need to be making sure, because that does, in fact, help when you're going through trial periods. My next question to you is if you could share one message with others regarding clinical trials, regarding the you know them, keeping the faith and them continuing to move forward. What would that advice be?
Speaker 2:I would say a lot of it, I've said already is hold on to your faith. You really need faith. Hold on to your faith and trust God that he has a plan for you. Surround yourself with positivity, with positive people. There is a lot of voices out there, a lot of voices, and you cannot listen to all of those voices. It's very important that you surround yourself with the right people and faith and continue to stay positive. You know there's always a lot of negative out there, but continue to stay positive as you take this journey. There are some bumps in the road, you know.
Speaker 2:Resilience, I say, is like you have to have resilience to get through certain, any situation. And to me, resilience is like a tree in a winter storm. When the wind is blowing, that tree sways back and forth. It sways back and forth and then when the sun comes up and you look out the window and you look at that same tree, it's standing tall and it's standing straight up. Now it may have lost a few leaves throughout the storm, but its roots went deeper into the ground and it became sturdier. So stay resilient and keep the faith.
Speaker 1:I thank you so much for that. And what I do want to say as we close out, as I do every week be kind always. You never know when someone is going through something that's challenging to them. You never know what has happened. But be kind always, especially if it's someone that you know is generally nice and forthcoming and warm and everything is positive about them. We all have bad days, we won't know about it, but if we're being kind always, they'll actually feel it and even if they might not say it, they'll actually feel it and even if they might not say it, they'll take it with them throughout the course of that day, that week, that month, that year. So be kind always. It's free, there's no charge to being kind. It costs not a cent to be kind.
Speaker 1:And if you do not know what to say, when you're faced with someone or you're faced with a situation that you're not understanding, please don't say anything. I mean, I'm hearing week after week after week where people are saying you know what, but they have their noses turned up or they're saying something that they really shouldn't be saying. Please notice, it's better not to say anything at all. Keep your comments to yourself, because when we're hurting. We're hurting when we're going through. We're going through and you saying something or rolling up your eyes or turning up your nose or any of that. That doesn't help us. And so I'm here to say that all patient experiences should be ones that we have to be in it, but we need to make sure that we're good at being in it and it's a positive experience.
Speaker 1:Coach Pat, I thank you so much for taking the time today to actually speak with us and share that information for the world to hear. You said it a few minutes ago and I say it all the time when people ask me well, sandra, why do you continue to do what you're doing? And I say this I'm not trying to reach everybody. I would love to reach everybody, I would love to. It doesn't make sense for me not to, but I do understand that what my message is and what I'm trying to share with you is not going to be accepted by everybody, or, unfortunately, it's not going to be accepted until it's too late.
Speaker 1:So they're waiting. They're waiting, they're not proactive. And then, the minute something happens, they're on my phone or they send me a message saying Sandra, could you please help? I don't mind helping, but please try to be proactive. And that's what I tell them. And I ask everyone well, why come you wasn't proactive about this? Why are you now waiting? Because now it's in a rush to get you the help that you need? No, let's be proactive about our health. We said we love our family, we love our friends, we love ourselves. Let's be proactive by taking care of ourselves. With that being said, I am going to wish everyone a great day, a great evening, wherever you are. Thank you so much once again for tuning in to the Patient Experience Podcast. Speaking with Sandra L. Everyone have the rest of a beautiful, beautiful day.
Speaker 2:Bye-bye.