This week, I interview Stephanie Cheng, MD, a physician in UCSF's Symptom Management Service. We talk about her holistic approach to palliative care as well as our shared goal of expanding access to this specialty to cancer patients of any age and any stage. I wrap up the episode with a recording of a friend who died earlier this year, Emily Garnett, speaking about the upside of having a bad day.

Chronic illness can erode its host's sense of control, normalcy, and identity. The courses these changes take are as varied as there are people. My guest this week, Leda Dederich, talks about how she learned to adapt to multiple cancer progressions and accompanying new treatments. It was a path that led her closer to her family, and ultimately meant the surrender of her body. And through it all, Leda embodied the healing power of openness and fierce love.