When you hear the words “It’s malignant,” your world stops. Everything you thought you knew about control, safety, and your future suddenly disappears.

In this raw and hopeful conversation, bestselling author Cara Lockwood — known for her 35+ romance novels — shares how one moment changed everything: the phone call that shattered her world, and the sentence that helped her rebuild it — “Cancer doesn’t get to decide. You do.”

Host Joelle Kaufman and Cara dive deep into:

• The shock of diagnosis and the “white room” moment every patient knows
• What it really means to take back control of your treatment and your life
• How to use humor, honesty, and even your “cancer card” to stay in charge
• Why giving yourself permission to lead your care changes everything

If you’re newly diagnosed and feel like cancer is running the show, this episode will help you reclaim your power, your calm, and your voice — one decision at a time.

????️ Kicking Cancer’s Ass is your weekly dose of hope, humor, and hard-won wisdom — because even with cancer in the room, you’re still in charge.