Breast Cancer Conversations SurvivingBreastCancer.org

In today's episode, we tackle a highly requested topic: navigating work while living with MBC. We explore the complexities of managing a career, discussing when to work, when to consider disability, and how to maintain health insurance and benefits amidst a metastatic diagnosis.
Our guest, Abigail Johnston, leads our MBC webinar series and has assembled an incredible panel of women who share their firsthand experiences of working with MBC

Our panelists include:
Holly, from Portland, who was diagnosed de novo metastatic and continues to work a physically demanding job at the Humane Society.Lisa Hahn, from Alexandria, Virginia, who works for Pew Charitable Trust and has been living with MBC since 2019.Dawn McDaniel, a psychologist who founded Mystical Energies and was diagnosed with MBC in April 2023.Wendy Casper, a psychologist and professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, who has been researching work-life balance and cancer diagnosis communication.The panelists share their unique stories, from disclosing their diagnosis to requesting reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. They also discuss the importance of self-care and the challenges of balancing work with treatment schedules.
We highlight resources like cancerandcareers.org and triagecancer.org, which provide invaluable guidance for those navigating cancer in the workplace. These organizations offer state-specific resources and federal protections under the ADA.
Each journey is unique.  No one is alone in this experience. We encourage our listeners to reach out with topics or to share their stories on our show.

Attend a free virtual SurvivingBreastCancer.org event:
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

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SurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/
Breast Cancer Conversations: https://www.instagram.com/breastcancerconversations/
About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health, and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.
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Awareness and resources for safety are crucial when it comes to addressing issues of domestic violence, especially in the context of breast cancer.  In today's episode we share personal experiences, warning signs, and resources for those who may be facing this difficult situation.
Lourdes Heras, a breast cancer survivor, shares her experience of dealing with both a health issue and a violent intimate partner. She highlighted the importance of recognizing and addressing domestic violence, especially within the Hispanic community where discussions about such topics may be considered taboo or embarrassing. 

We are joined by Cami inforzato who is the Women's Program Coordinator for the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs.  The discussion highlights the parallels between the private nature of breast cancer and domestic violence, both of which may not be immediately visible to others. It is essential to create a safe and supportive environment where survivors feel empowered to seek help and access resources for their safety.

Topics Covered:

00:07:02 - The Power and Control Wheel Explained
00:10:25 - The Impact of Domestic Violence on Women and Children
00:13:30 - Lourdes's Journey to Seeking Help
00:18:49 - The Importance of Women Supporting Each Other
00:19:33 - The Equality Wheel: Signs of a Healthy Relationship
00:21:37 - Lourdes Reflects on Her Growth and Empowerment


Resources:
Hotline: 800.799. SAFE (7233).
Power and Control Wheel: https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/power-and-control/

Attend a free virtual SurvivingBreastCancer.org event:
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

Follow us on Instagram
Laura and Will: https://www.instagram.com/laura_and_will/
SurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/
Breast Cancer Conversations: https://www.instagram.com/breastcancerconversations/
About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health, and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.
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Lauren shared her story, starting from the unsettling discovery of a lump during a routine yoga practice to her diagnosis of stage 3, triple-positive breast cancer at the young age of 29. She recounted the initial disbelief, the urgency of starting treatment, and the life-altering decisions she faced, including fertility preservation through IVF before commencing chemotherapy.

00:03:59 - Lauren's Breast Cancer Diagnosis Story
00:08:48 - Family History and Genetic Testing
00:11:12 - Sharing Diagnosis with Family and Friends
00:14:21 - Treatment and Fertility Decisions
00:19:48 - Journey to Motherhood
00:25:08 - Children and Surrogacy Experience
00:33:44 - Starting Liv and Let and the Giv Shoppe

Resources mentioned in this episode:
https://www.livandlet.com/
https://www.givshoppe.com/

Attend a free virtual SurvivingBreastCancer.org event:
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

Follow us on Instagram
Laura and Will: https://www.instagram.com/laura_and_will/
SurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/
Breast Cancer Conversations: https://www.instagram.com/breastcancerconversations/
About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health, and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.
Support the show

Tune in to this episode of Breast Cancer Conversations as Shannon and Erin share their personal experiences with the Signatara test. Shannon, living with oligometastatic breast cancer, takes a holistic approach to her treatment plan, while Erin, with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, offers insights from a different perspective.

Personalized blood tests for cancer, such as the Signatera are revolutionizing the way we monitor and treat cancer. These tests offer a non-invasive and more accurate way to detect circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream, allowing for early detection of cancer recurrence or progression.
The Signatera test, developed by Natera, uses a combination of blood samples and tissue samples to create a specialized test that can detect circulating tumor cells that may not be detectable through traditional testing methods. By analyzing the levels of these circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream, the test can provide valuable information about the presence of residual cancer cells and the risk of recurrence or progression.
Discover how Signatara is used to determine treatment plans and explore a variety of perspectives on managing breast cancer.


[00:07:12] Holistic cancer treatment approaches.
[00:14:06] Breast cancer treatment options.
[00:18:13] Pathology complete response.
[00:23:19] Circulating tumor cells detection.
[00:25:52] Genetic makeup of cancer cells.
[00:30:36] Exploring treatment options.
[00:37:31] Moments of advocacy and empowerment.
[00:44:33] Customizing Cancer Treatments.
[00:49:17] Early cancer detection methods.
[00:50:52] Misconceptions about cancer stages.

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Attend a free virtual SurvivingBreastCancer.org event:
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

Follow us on Instagram
Laura and Will: https://www.instagram.com/laura_and_will/
SurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/
Breast Cancer Conversations: https://www.instagram.com/breastcancerconversations/
About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health, and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.
Support the show

Dawn shares her journey from diagnosis to traveling the world doing cat sitting after caring for her mother. Their conversation touches on major milestones, personal experiences, and the impact of travel on Dawn's life post-treatment. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience and adventure.

00:02:08 - Travel Stories Post-Diagnosis
00:08:42 - Seeking a Second Opinion and Surgical Biopsy
00:12:34 - Dawn's Experience with Aromatase Inhibitors
00:19:02 - The Importance of Second Opinions and Patient Choice
00:21:24 - Dawn's Radiation Experience and Naturopathic Protocols
00:24:06 - The Importance of Self-Care and Lifestyle Adjustments
00:31:49 - The Three Stages of Recovery: Survive, Transform, Soar
00:34:41 - The Role of Self-Care in the Healing Process
00:40:12 - Embracing Travel as a Form of Emotional Release

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Attend a free virtual SurvivingBreastCancer.org event:
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

Follow us on Instagram
SurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/
Breast Cancer Conversations: https://www.instagram.com/breastcancerconversations/
Laura and Will: https://www.instagram.com/laura_and_will/

About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health, and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.
Support the show

In this episode, Emily Parks, a patient advocate and professional living with a chronic illness, shares her personal journey with medical PTSD, starting from her diagnosis at birth with a gene mutation affecting her GI system. She talks about the lack of mental health support in her medical treatment and how she learned to manage her condition and advocate for herself within the healthcare system.
We touch on the importance of recognizing medical PTSD, understanding its triggers, and learning how to communicate effectively with healthcare providers to ensure better care and support. Emily emphasizes the power of language in expressing our experiences and the need for literature that accurately reflects the trauma associated with chronic illness and medical treatment.
We cover practical tips for managing medical PTSD, such as setting boundaries with healthcare providers, seeking therapy, and finding coping mechanisms that work for you. We discuss the importance of building a respectful relationship with your medical team and how to advocate for your needs in a healthcare setting. Welcome to the Conversation! 
00:03:57 - Emily Parks' Personal Medical Journey
00:08:41 - Defining Medical PTSD
00:10:10 - Examples of Medical PTSD
00:14:28 - The Impact of Medical PTSD on Cancer Patients
00:18:12 - The Term "Non-Compliance" in Medical Notes
00:19:51 - Medical Gaslighting Explained
00:29:27 - Building a Trusting Relationship with Healthcare Providers
00:31:09 - The Importance of Language in Expressing Medical Trauma
00:33:06 - Practical Steps for Accessing Care with Medical PTSD
00:34:11 - Setting Boundaries with Healthcare Teams
00:37:10 - Coping Mechanisms and Self-Advocacy
00:44:55 - Resources and Articles on Medical PTSD
00:47:38 - The Importance of Patient-Centered Care
00:51:07 - The Power Dynamic Between Patients and Providers
00:52:31 - Strategies for Communicating with Healthcare Providers


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Attend a free virtual SurvivingBreastCancer.org event:
https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

Follow us on Instagram
SurvivingBreastCancer.org: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/
Breast Cancer Conversations: https://www.instagram.com/breastcancerconversations/
Laura: https://www.instagram.com/laura_and_will/
About SurvivingBreastCancer.org: SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Inc. (SBC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit virtual platform headquartered in Boston with a national and global reach. Through education, community, and resources, SurvivingBreastCancer.org supports women and men going through breast cancer. We provide a sanctuary of strength, compassion, and empowerment, where those diagnosed with cancer unite to share their stories, learn invaluable coping strategies to manage wellness and mental health and find solace in the unbreakable bond that fuels hope, resilience, and the courage to conquer adversity.
Support the show