The Big C
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In this deeply personal and emotionally resonant episode of *Ellis Ever After*, Kadeen and Deval Ellis share the harrowing yet hopeful journey of their father's battle with stage three oral cancer, which coincided with a stroke and severe heart failure at age 73. The episode unfolds as a raw, intimate story of family resilience, where the siblings—Kadeen, Deval, and their sister Sakari—rally around their father with unwavering love, medical advocacy, and lifestyle transformation. They detail the physical and emotional toll of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, a feeding tube, and the psychological weight of watching a once-vibrant man struggle. Central to the narrative is the father’s unyielding spirit, symbolized by his iconic line, "You can't keep a good man down," which becomes a mantra for the family. The episode also explores the power of community—faith, family, friends, and even unexpected allies like WWE star Bianca Belair and a supportive uncle—while emphasizing actionable health principles: cutting sugar, increasing movement, embracing sunlight, and prioritizing oxygen through lifestyle changes. The story culminates in a powerful message: prevention is possible, and living with intention today strengthens the body and soul for whatever tomorrow brings.
Cancer recovery is not just medical—it's deeply emotional, spiritual, and familial. Support systems and advocacy are critical.
Lifestyle changes—cutting sugar, increasing movement, sunlight exposure, and hydration—can significantly impact cancer prevention and recovery.
The father’s mindset—believing he could recover—was as vital as any treatment. Mental resilience is a form of medicine.
Family members must balance empathy with firmness; sometimes, love means not letting someone give up.
Divine timing and unexpected blessings (like a hyperbaric chamber bought years earlier) can be life-saving.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Diagnosis: A Father’s Triple Threat
“I thought pops was going to die.”
The Power of Mindset: From Stroke Survivor to Cancer Fighter
“The mentality. As soon as they got here. I'll never forget. This one lady, Myrtle. I told you a story about Myrtle. Older, older Italian woman, right? She comes in and she has the walker. And she's just like, hey, you know what I mean? My name is Myrtle or whatever. And I said to her, I said, Myrtle, in two weeks, you ain't going to need that walker. And Myrtle's old ass said to me, I don't need this bitch now. And do it.”
Family as a Healing Force: Advocacy, Discipline, and Love
“We have to start getting out and getting in the sun and you don't have to be in the sun for 13, 14 hours. Wake up in the morning, get you a little cup of tea and go sit on your lawn. For like 30 minutes. That's it, every day, just 30 minutes.”
Faith, Fun, and the Unexpected: How Joy Fought the Darkness
“Santa looked at him and he was just like, wow. He was like, that's really nice that you're using your Christmas wish to get your grandfather feeling better. And he's like, you know, I really believe that your grandfather is going to be okay.”
The Moment of Truth: Living with Intention
Kadeen delivers a powerful manifesto on preventive health: cut sugar, move daily, get sunlight, hydrate, and live with purpose. She frames this not as a post-diagnosis fix, but as a lifelong lifestyle to combat cancer and disease before they arise.
“The mentality. As soon as they got here. I'll never forget. This one lady, Myrtle. I told you a story about Myrtle. Older, older Italian woman, right? She comes in and she has the walker. And she's just like, hey, you know what I mean? My name is Myrtle or whatever. And I said to her, I said, Myrtle, in two weeks, you ain't going to need that walker. And Myrtle's old ass said to me, I don't need this bitch now. And do it.”
“I thought pops was going to die.”
“Santa looked at him and he was just like, wow. He was like, that's really nice that you're using your Christmas wish to get your grandfather feeling better. And he's like, you know, I really believe that your grandfather is going to be okay.”
Hosts
Guests
Kadeen Ellis
person
Deval Ellis
person
Matt Ellis
person
Sakari
person
Tribble
person
Cairo
person
Dakota
person
Bianca Belair
person
Uncle Grant Lee
person
Joshua Dwayne
person
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