Today’s guest is Bryan Bishop, aka “Bald Bryan” who is best know for being part of the Adam Carrolla Radio Show. They now host one of the most-listened to Podcasts on the internet. At age 29. Bryan was diagnosed with a brain tumor and went on to write the New York Times best-seller book, “Shrinkage”. Vinnie and Bryan discuss the “cancer journey”, writing a book and getting published.
Meeting His Wife Christine
- Bryan and Christine met at a rehearsal dinner in Scottsdale, Arizona…only to discover that they had already met and had spent time together
- They were already engaged when Bryan got the diagnosis of Brainstem Glioma, a malignant tumor in his brainstem
- Was given 6 months to a year to live
- They never even considered canceling the wedding
Getting the Diagnosis
- They found out two months before the wedding
- There was a big disparity between doctors…the good and the not-so-good
- Have to remember that doctors are not God and it’s okay to get a second opinion
- You have to be your own advocate when dealing with doctors and hospitals
Treatment
- Bryan didn’t get the expected side effects from chemo…radiation was worse
- At one point Bryan was using a walker and a wheelchair just to get from the sofa to the bathroom
- Christine was his 24/7 caretaker
- At this point they had both lost their jobs and had no money
Parallel Between Vinnie’s and Bryan’s Cancer Experience
- Vinnie is a celebrity trainer and was diagnosed in 2007 with Leukemia
- Getting chemo was the first break he had ever taken…he was used to getting up at 4:30 in the morning
- Actually got the chance to watch “The Godfather” Part I and II, back-to-back
- Came back to work in the middle of the writer’s strike, which affected his clients and his business, and then had to deal with a bad economy
