Breast Cancer Life

Once I got my diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma, I was immensely scared of dying. I was shocked and sad about the diagnosis. I was sure I needed a double mastectomy, because I never wanted to get diagnosed with another breast cancer. My doctors did not recommend a double mastectomy. I only had the left mastectomy. I started tamoxifen a few weeks after surgery. Now, two years since the diagnosis, I am confident that I will not be diagnosed with a cancer in my remaining (right) breast. There are two strategies in place for me at this time that lower my fear of another breast cancer developing. First, I now have a breast cancer screening plan that was developed with my oncologist, to best screen my dense breast tissue. This involves MRI and contrast-enhanced mammography. Secondly, and equally as important, I am taking tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is prescribed as my anti-estrogen or hormonal therapy, to reduce the risk of that prior breast cancer showing up somewhere else in my body. At the same time, tamoxifen has an effect on the tissue in my right breast, to halt the development of cancer. The way tamoxifen benefits my breast tissue will provide reduced risk of cancer in that breast for several years.  If you'd like to be the first to receive updates and exclusive content from the upcoming Breast Cancer Life newsletter, please email me at connect@breastcancerlife.org. I'd love to have you on the list!   LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org  Follow us on Pinterest 

Because of breast cancer, fear of cancer recurrence is a permanent part of my life. I continue taking tamoxifen to reduce my risk of the cancer coming back. In this episode I share my thoughts on the good quality of life I have while taking tamoxifen. I value my strong body and theimited side-effects I have now. I also value a life with the lowest possible risk of breast cancer recurrence. I look forward to discussing what it might mean to switch to an aromatase inhibitor, in terms of further lowering the risk of recurrence and potentially experiencing more serious side-effects, with my oncologist  On more than one occasion, the oncologist has brought up endocrine therapy and the possibility of switching from tamoxifen to an aromatase inhibitor “in the future”.  Even my breast surgeon provided a quick plug for the lower risk of recurrence associated with taking aromatase inhibitors, compared to tamoxifen, without highlighting any of the aromatase inhibitor side-effects.  Determining what might be the best endocrine therapy for me to prevent recurrence is not going to be easy.  So far, neither doctor has done a deep dive into the different side-effects among the two drugs or what a change might do to overall health and quality of life.   Thank you for listening to my story! If you'd like to be the first to receive updates and exclusive content from the upcoming Breast Cancer Life newsletter, please email me at connect@breastcancerlife.org. I'd love to have you on the list! LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org  Follow us on Pinterest 

Preparing for breast cancer surgery was all-consuming once I found out I had an invasive ductal carcinoma in my left breast. I never stopped to think about what might be part of recovery from the nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomy until I was in the recovery room. Then I learned the skin on my left breast was potentially going to be at risk for impaired healing or tissue death. My plastic surgeon had a solution for mitigating this at-risk situation.  In this episode, I am sharing how I spent the hours and days after the mastectomy, leading up to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This is a series that goes through the process of this (aggressive) wound care approach to “save my flap”.  Spoiler alert: The skin healed mostly beautifully and and quickly, but not without a few side-effects I was not expecting.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host.  If you'd like to be the first to receive updates and exclusive content from the upcoming Breast Cancer Life newsletter, please email me at connect@breastcancerlife.org. I'd love to have you on the list! LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org  Follow us on Pinterest 

I had a choice in terms of what would be the best option to remove the invasive ductal carcinoma that I had just learned was in my left breast.  I had recently had a biopsy in a different part of my left breast. Given that there were 2 places that had the potential or were actually problematic, I opted for a mastectomy. I thought that if there were 2 problem areas, there were likely to be more problem areas in that breast. I did not want to take any chances on having more cancer. I also wanted to avoid needing radiation. By removing my left breast via a mastectomy, I was not likely to need radiation to the breast or chest.  In addition to being convinced that there was a storm brewing in my left breast and even possibly other places that could be cancer (there were not), I wanted to avoid any radiation effects on the heart and lung tissues, which were situated nearby the left breast.   I share my personal assessment of the situation and why I chose to have a mastectomy in this episode. I also talk about my experience of looking back and wondering if the mastectomy was the right decision, nearly 2 years later and given the more in-deptch screening that I know have, knowing my risk for developing breast cancer. .   The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host.  If you'd like to be the first to receive updates and exclusive content from the upcoming Breast Cancer Lifenewsletter, please email me at connect@breastcancerlife.org . I'd love to have you on the list! LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org  Follow us on Pinterest 

In 2023, when I had my cancer surgery, there was a non-cancerous spot on the right that was recommended for a biopsy. At the time, I did not ask any questions about why take out =NORMAL! breast tissue? Hindsight is 2020. On screening MRIs for the right breast in 2024, the same “non-mass enhancement” that was seen in 2023 (before any breast surgery) keeps showing up in the imaging report.   The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns. This podcast contains the opinions of the host. If you'd like to be the first to receive updates and exclusive content from the upcoming Breast Cancer Life newsletter, please email me at connect@breastcancerlife.org . I'd love to have you on the list! LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org  Find me on Pinterest  

My swimming workout is my ultimate treat each week.  I consider it a great escape because it takes me to an alternate place. In the water, my body is horizontal. I glide through the water and work all the muscles in my body, from head to toe.  I am on a different plane and weightless in the water. This roughly 45 minute experience restores my mental and physical energy. It helps me to feel better in my skin. When I finish, I take a long (and usually warm) shower. I head right home to finish drying my hair and am ready to start my day.   I walk out of the locker room feeling both energized and relaxed. I could conquer anything in the day or I could take a nap (which I never do).  I know that I crave the effects swimming has on my body.   This swimming experience is a routine and a ritual. I have become so in need of the feeling that this moderate-intensity swim workout gives me that I cannot go without it. I have really come to rely on this swimming ritual to eliminate the feeling of stress that has lingered in me for a lot of days over the past 2 years, since my breast cancer journey started. I know that the best way to get rid of the butterflies fluttering around in my stomach at 2 or 3 am is to swim them away.   Without any doubt, there is a much physiological benefit from time in the water, too.  Feeling the butterflies in my stomach signals the stress I am experiencing. Much of this is related to the fear that breast cancer creates in me. That stress cannot live in me. I must release it. I have found that the pool is the best way, although not the only exercise I use to lower or eliminate my stress.  I realize that this past year, swimming has become so important. There have been times when I was not able to swim. I did survive without the water, but now I know what is best for my mind and body. I am more in tune to my mind and body and I am more fearful of what will happen if I do not take care of it. Breast cancer is the biggest element of why I get to the pool each week. I did not always feel the effects of the water in such a deep way, although swimming has been part of my exercise for many years, even if more or less frequently than my current routine.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns. This podcast contains opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

I am at a point now where I have follow-up breast imaging. I suspect everything will be normal. I considered rescheduling the upcoming appointments related to my breast cancer until after the holiday season.  A few common thoughts that I bring up in this episode: Survivorship can be difficult, even when things are going well Everything has the potential to be something in the body after a history of breast cancer Testing (a breast MRI) in December has the potential to distract me from what is most important at this time of the year Going to doctor appointments is not how I want to spend my December Strategies to manage stress are essential Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

In this episode, I talk about being compelled to take on projects that are important to me. This includes a lot of “putting life in order” tasks that seem to be priorities for me now. The year of 2023 was consumed by my health care experience that was centered on the breast cancer screening, diagnosis, recovery and the start of survivorship.  Finally, after a year of learning to live as a survivor, I am feeling that I have space in my life to take on extra projects like creating photo albums to tell the story of my family life. Breast cancer brings up a lot of emotions and makes the future unclear.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host.  LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

I have talked often about living in the grey zone of survivorship. I know I am not alone in saying that this stage of breast cancer life is harder than the beginning when I was having additional testing and preparing for surgery. I had never discussed what it means to be a survivor with anyone when I was first diagnosed. No one sat down and talked about survivorship with me in the beginning, either. The focus was on getting all the information to formulate a treatment plan.  Then it hit me like a brick wall after I was at a point when all the surgical recovery was essentially complete. I remember the moment at about 3 months after surgery when I realized that is when it gets more difficult. I am facing my future, which is filled with uncertainty. That is nothing new but there is an added consideration to add to my “future life”: Breast cancer. I do not know when or if the breast cancer will return.  For my listeners, I want to share experiences that you might relate to. An episode of the Breast Cancer Conversations podcast that I listened to over the weekend really resonated with what I have been going through for the past 15 months. The Breast Cancer Conversations podcast has had a few episodes that made a huge impact on me in the earliest months of my survivorship. When I listened to the episode #192 (referenced below), with guest David P. Bullis PhD, I knew immediately I had to share it with my listeners.  In the episode, Dr Bullis talks about his work and experience, which comprises the content of his book, How to Get a Grip: Coping Strategies for Complicated Times. Dr Bullis says that the biggest enemy in cancer treatment is uncertainty. He really nailed it! Facing a future where the cancer might change my life goals or interfere with how I thought I would spend the rest of my life or my future years way down the road…… Cancer comes into my vision. I cannot put aside the “what ifs” of a breast cancer history (it is permanently part of my story/my life).  In the episode, Dr Bullis also touches on control and decision-making, pointing out that we are using the best of our abilities at the time when we are making decisions.  Once I read the book, I will share more. In the meantime, I encourage you to listen to the Breast Cancer Conversations episode and read Dr Bullis's book.  How to Get a Grip: Coping Strategies for Complicated Times by David P. Bullis, PhD https://www.breastcancerconversations.org/podcast Episode #192 (released March 26, 2023) I listened on Apple Podcasts. This link is to the podcast website.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org   

I recently met someone who said that they learned about my podcast from my LinkedIn profile. We were meeting regarding our work. She shared that she also had a recent diagnosis of breast cancer - at the same time that I did. She was new to survivorship just like me. It has been just over a year since the heaviness of survivorship really hit me. It forced me to leave my job because I happened to be working specifically with breast cancer clinical trials. I had to get outside of my head and find a way to get back to living life and not be obsessed with breast cancer and my fear of it limiting my life.  So my energy to keep sharing my story and providing anecdotes that help me to get on with my life has been boosted after that interaction last week with someone who knows what it feels like to be on this journey.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

Life has evolved since last year, when I was in my breast cancer screening and diagnosis journey. Not long after I recovered from the mastectomy and reconstruction, I learned how hard it is to be a breast cancer survivor. The psychological aspects of being a survivor, particularly the fear of cancer recurrence, prevailed after the incisions healed. To get a sense of control over survivorship, I realized I had to prioritize sleep, exercise, and nutrition to care for myself. Survivorship takes more energy (mentally for certain) than the screening, diagnosis or surgery ever did.  Early in survivorship, I spent time trying to care for myself. I sought out cancer support resources to get the help I needed to adjust to life as a survivor. Then, earlier this year, I reached a point where I felt like something was missing (not referring to my left breast, which was removed during the mastectomy). I decided it was time to go back to work as a nurse.   In this episode, I look back at three months on the job and talk about how I managed to keep myself from falling apart. I did not perfectly fit in exercise. I lost track of how close I was to the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week. I prioritized walking to the subway as a primary source of movement in the workdays. I found places in my work day to fit in “exercise snacks”, those small bursts of activity to exert myself and raise my heart rate. I even found places at work where I can stand and work at a computer.  I managed to accept disrupted sleep as part of my life and used some of those early morning moments for an early start at the gym. Some days I allowed myself to wake up a little later, even if it meant skipping the gym before work.  I tried to be kind to my body and take the cue that more sleep is needed.  I love food and found that although I had the best intentions of packing health snacks for work, I was not bringing enough to keep me from feeling low on energy and very hungry at the end of the day.  The silver lining I share in this episode is that, after 3 months in the job, I now have additional flexibility to work remotely some days and get an extra day off some weeks. So after three months of getting by and being gone every week day all day, I get some time back in my week to restore the balance in my self-care priorities.   Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns. This podcast contains opinions of the host.  LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

In this episode, I share 2 of the thoughts that have recently come up in my life as a breast cancer survivor.  There are currently not any healthcare appointments or other reminders of my cancer experience going on. So that is a nice break from times when there were several necessary things I had to do because of my breast cancer history. At this point in my survivorship, new thoughts have come to mind. These are generally positive thoughts and are helping me to normalize this whole experience. l talk about how I view the implant (my breast reconstruction) as such a normal thing. Secondly, I talk about how I hear myself saying in my head that exercise is my best medicine. It is a prescription for doing what I can to lower my risk of the cancer recurring and I do not need to wait for a doctor to tell me this.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

There are many facets to what makes us who we are in our own world. To fit in all that is necessary to live our life as we hope to, it takes work. I share strategies that have guided me in fitting everything together, and I hope they inspire and support you on your own path. Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns. This podcast contains opinions of the host. Book referenced in this episode: Tranquility by Tuesday - Author Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2022/08/tranquility-by-tuesday-the-9-rules/ LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org    

It has happened a lot: I come up with what I call surviving and thriving phrases. The phrases (perhaps vignette is a more beautiful word to use) have helped me to organize a lot of what has consumed so much of who I am and how I live my life since the screening and diagnosis began and now as a survivor. In this episode, I share more of these phrases.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns. This podcast contains opinions of the host.  Episodes mentioned: A Breast Cancer Screening Experience, Part 1 A Breast Cancer Screening Experience, Part 2 A Breast Cancer Screening Experience, Part 3 A Breast Cancer Screening Experience, Part 4 Breast Cancer Patient Experience: Tamoxifen and the End of Intimacy as I know it Breast Cancer Patient Experience: Surviving and Thriving Phrases that Characterize Breast Cancer Life Part 1 LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

It has happened a lot: I come up with what I call surviving and thriving phrases, that characterize my breast cancer experience. Since the screening and diagnosis journey began, these phrases have helped me to organize a lot of what has consumed so much of who I am and how I live my life. In this episode, I start to share these phrases that describe breast cancer life.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

The core principles of my self-care are adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.  I have a new job and am back to work after some time off. As I adjust to a new schedule of going to work, I am in transition with all aspects of what is really important to me in my efforts to control what I can in reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence. In this episode, I provide an update on a different week of trying to fit in self-care essentials.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host.  Episode mentioned: Learning to Row in a Community of Breast Cancer Survivors LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org   

After breast cancer, everything is something even if it is really nothing. Routine breast cancer screening continues for me because I have one remaining breast (the other side is an implant). I talk in this episode about when an MRI report raises the alarm bells. Then there is the additional monitoring because of possible gynecologic side effects from tamoxifen that landed a second (planned) healthcare appointment on my calendar for the week.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host.  LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org   

The core principles of my self-care are adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.  I have a new job and am back to work after some time off. As I adjust to a new schedule of going to work, I am in transition with all aspects of what is really important to me in my efforts to control what I can in reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence. This episode focuses on my realization that I am not getting enough sleep.I talk about figuring out how to get enough sleep when my body is waking up at 4am without an alarm.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host.  LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

In this episode, I share what I learned about my implant at the 12-month follow-up appointments with the breast surgeon and the plastic surgeon. Despite high satisfaction with the outcome of my 1 surgery, I was not without questions about how the reconstructed breast looks and how the incision healed. In my follow-up appointments, I heard from the doctors some information that would have been helpful to have before surgery or earlier in the recovery. Tune in for the details and see if you can identify the gaps that were closed at my 12-month follow-up appointments.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns. This podcast contains the opinions of the host.  LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

I was working up to this anniversary in a lot of ways. Largely, it was a major accomplishment (and healing) to get to the point of one year post diagnosis and surgery. When I was almost there, I felt so good and so recovered. I have shared in recent episodes:  One Year of Breast Cancer Survivorship: Facing Fears and Reaching Recovery When the actual date arrived this year, I looked at my watch at about 8:20pm and realized “it's June 14th and at this moment a year ago, I was in the recovery room”. This year, I was at a small venue with my husband and our friends for dinner and a show of a group that plays some of my very favorite music (Asleep at the Wheel).  I honestly feel that my full day and the fun event planned for the evening was exactly how I needed to mark this anniversary.   I will elaborate on how it feels to be one year out and highlight some of the action items that come along with this point in time.   Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host.  LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

Tamoxifen side-effects are often described by health care providers in broad terms. Natalie shares specific side-effects from taking Tamoxifen in this episode.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host.  LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org   

Recovery is possible after a breast cancer diagnosis! As I celebrate my first year of survivorship, I reflect on the biggest fear factors I had to overcome.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host.  LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

Natalie shares her experience at a special weekend event dedicated to teaching breast cancer survivors the sport of rowing. The learn-to-row weekend was hosted by We Can Row DC. Despite the heat and the threat of storms, the serenity on the water allowed no space for the unhelpful thoughts that can come up after a breast cancer diagnosis.  Search for a cancer survivor rowing program - Survivor Rowing Network  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare questions and concerns.  This podcast contains opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

This episode was recorded when recovery from breast cancer surgery was still the primary focus in my life. Post-op life was a little less hectic at this point in time. There certainly seemed to be fewer health care appointments than right after surgery or in the month right before surgery. Despite fewer appointments, life was anything but routine, because recovery from breast cancer surgery is not a routine thing. Listen as I describe the switch back to real clothes (and sleeker bras) and my efforts to get out and about on my own for the first few times after surgery.  The Cordaw brand supportive bra I purchased from Amazon  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

Natalie shares her reflection on what it was like one year ago, when she received the biopsy results confirming breast cancer. Listen to her story of what it felt like at that moment, filled with fear and unknowns, to now. Natalie shares where she is now, moving forward as a survivor.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org   

It has been almost 1 year since my breast cancer diagnosis and it has taken many months to get comfortable being a survivor. Now, I feel a good sense of how I go forward. In this episode, I share important realizations that have helped me to lessen my survivorship fears and allow me to focus on the amazing life I have been given. Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT connect@breastcancerlife.org 

A year ago things were about to get real serious. It will be a year on May 11th since the MRI guided biopsy that came back as invasive cancer. So now I have been reflecting on what I was doing a year ago on select dates in the past several weeks.   What I really want to share is about how I am moving on. That did not seem possible at all for most of the past year. Especially, when I realized how stuck I felt for quite a while between the recovery from surgery until just a few months ago. I am not free of unhelpful thoughts - they come and go. I am also getting important thoughts that come into my head. I shift my thoughts to the things I have control over. That leads me to my exercise. I do know that exercise is the best medicine (in addition to the hormonal therapy). So now, when I feel ok and not so scared that my cancer will return, I am faced with a new challenge that is throwing one of my biggest coping strategies out of balance.  I fell and broke my wrist 10 days ago. I ended up with a cast on my right lower arm and part of my hand.  How was I going to survive?  Exercise, including lifting weights, are part of how I have grown stronger over the past many months. It is part of my coping strategy, where I feel control over preventing any recurrence.  LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

This episode was recorded two weeks after surgery. The surgery was a nipple-sparing, skin-sparing left mastectomy. My reconstruction (placement of an implant) was done at the same time as the mastectomy. The treatment I had on the day of this recording was hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This therapy was needed to make sure there was good blood flow over the implant (in the skin and nipple area). I share what physical symptoms I have 2 weeks after the mastectomy and I touch briefly on emotions and the thought of going back to work.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

It was a mostly smooth process planning for my breast surgery. In this episode, I discuss the process of going between the breast surgeon and plastic surgeon in the time leading up to my mastectomy and right after.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.   The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns. This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org   

I am talking about how I shopped around for the best price on Tamoxifen in this episode. The drug is generic and should not cost much, if anything. The pharmacy prices, including the mail-delivery pharmacy from my insurance company, were all over the place.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

I have been exercising regularly for many months. For several months, I have been aware of how much I crave a good sweat and an opportunity to get my heart rate up into the high 120s and a little beyond. I would not say I am strong but I do see evidence that I am becoming stronger. I keep showing up and telling myself this is my best medicine.  Recently, while searching for some information about exercise, I stumbled upon a website for a “We Can Row DC” and a special learn-to-row event in May.  I signed up for a special event for breast cancer survivors. It is a learn-to-row experience on a weekend in May. The group sponsoring the event is a rowing club specifically made up of breast cancer survivors.  We Can Row DC - https://www.wecanrowdc.com/ Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

In this episode, I share resources and strategies I implemented to get information as soon as possible. This meant using a few tools and advocating for myself at a time when the full extent of the cancer was not yet known. Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org   

It was my first screening mammogram since being diagnosed with breast cancer. This mammogram was being done on the breast that did not have cancer in it at the time of my initial diagnosis. After reading the report from this mammogram, I wandered off into the world of searching for more information online. It turned out to be counterproductive and I developed a strategy to direct all of my thoughts into a place where they can stay until I need them. I share the whole story in this episode.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT connect@breastcancerlife.org 

I have turned a corner in my life as a survivor. Perhaps this could be called “acceptance” of the life I am living now. Coincidentally, I am at the point in time where it has been a year since the journey of screening and diagnosing this cancer began. In this episode, I discuss my experience using the website “Predict Breast Cancer” to obtain survival statistics for my specific cancer diagnosis. The website provides statistics based on treatment with surgery alone and also provides predicted survival statistics when factoring in other treatments (such as hormonal therapy). Survival statistics are generated for 5, 10 and 15 years from surgery, based on what options I selected.  Note: This is data I am sharing about my own online research, as a patient. This is my personal experience and not healthcare advice.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns. This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT connect@breastcancerlife.org  REFERENCE MENTIONED (n.d.). Predict Breast Cancer. Predict Breast Cancer. Retrieved February 14, 2024, from https://breast.predict.nhs.uk/about/overview/overview

Being diagnosed with breast cancer has elevated my awareness of how much I must advocate to receive the highest standard of health care. I am a unique patient and one individual healthcare consumer. The “one size fits all” state of healthcare is not tailored to meet all the needs of individuals. As I continue on this Breast Cancer Life journey, I am reminded of the need to share experiences, in hopes that others will benefit as they navigate the system.  This episode includes my stories of navigating the health-care system and asking different providers about the best approaches to screening my remaining breast. I took things into my own hands and located a healthcare system that performs contrast-enhanced mammograms for this year's screening.   I reference this podcast in my episode:  https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/podcast/episode/774eb5a7/200-understanding-breast-cancer-screening-modalities-with-experts-dr-dibble-and-dr-rauch Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host.  LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast. 

I am sharing my experience at the medical oncologist (breast oncologist) that took place the other day. I talk about why I get emotional at each of these visits and how surreal it is to be the breast cancer patient. It is my hope that this information will highlight the importance of this visit as an opportunity to communicate what you are feeling and ask questions. This visit is the face-to-face time in the relationship with your doctor and captures just a small portion of what your doctor can do to support you.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org 

Now that I have had a few appointments with my medical oncologist, I have figured out the routine of how the appointment generally goes. I have developed a few helpful strategies I use to prepare for each visit. I share these with you in this episode because I want to provide information you can use to get the most out of these doctor visits.  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host. LET'S CONNECT: connect@breastcancerlife.org   

Since being diagnosed, having surgery, and learning to thrive in survivorship, I have come to realize that the healthcare team does not really know what it is like to be the patient. In this episode, I share 3 realities of how my providers view me, the patient. These observations are contrasted with my past work as a nurse and the experience I had as a chemotherapy infusion nurse. This experience with breast cancer has shed light on how different the patient perspective is, compared to being an empathetic caregiver sitting in front of a patient, doing a job.   Listen to the end to catch my “bonus love note” at the end of the episode: Advocate for yourself!  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  This podcast contains the opinions of the host.  LET'S CONNECT: Email Host Natalie D'Itri

The first few weeks after surgery went rather quickly. This episode was recorded 16 days after surgery. I share the full story of what happened at the plastic surgeon's office. I also talk about how I feel and what is happening at this point in my recovery. This is my story of recovery from a nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction (which was the placement of an implant at the same time as the mastectomy surgery).  Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  Subscribe, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  LET'S CONNECT Email Host Natalie D'Itri

In this episode, I share my realization of what I was afraid of now that I had a breast cancer diagnosis. It was 4 weeks from the time of the biopsy results until I went to surgery. At that time, there still were a lot of unknowns that made coping essential. In this episode, I reveal my experience of figuring out what I was afraid of.   Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  Follow, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast. Share this podcast with others! Email Host Natalie

Yesterday marked six months since my breast cancer surgery, which included a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. In the initial two months post-surgery, I had frequent follow-ups to monitor the healing progress of the skin on my left breast and the implant. During the surgery, I opted for a nerve grafting procedure, an additional cost not covered by my insurance. Despite anticipating the insurance denial for the nerve grafting, I proceeded with the surgery. Fast forward to my six-month follow-up, and the doctor gently poked my left breast, asking if I felt anything. Unfortunately, I felt nothing in the breast area, confirming a likely permanent numbness. I knew that it was only a possibility that the sensation would come back to the skin over the breast and to the nipple, but I still had hope that over time (meaning after many months of recovery), some sensation would return. I can still have hope but the reality seems to be what I have become used to already. I know I will be okay - it is just another time to process information.  It takes time.   The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  CONNECT Email Host Natalie D'Itri

This point in time is a major milestone for me. It has been 6 months since I had a left mastectomy. A year ago I never knew this was how I would tell my life's story now. I recently went through a lengthy process of multiple screenings and biopsies before getting the cancer diagnosis and finally, having surgery to remove the cancer - the mastectomy.  Throughout this entire journey, there have been times when I needed to look beyond my health care providers to find information regarding treatment and future care options. This episode features my stories of advocating for myself.  Follow, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast. Share this podcast with others! Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience. This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person who knows someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. My hope is that you get a glimpse of what this life is like.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding your healthcare needs, questions, and concerns.  CONNECT Email Host Natalie D'Itri  

This episode features my day in the life after a mastectomy, recorded on post-op day 12. This is a time in the immediate recovery period when I had a lot of health care appointments, including the wound care to heal the skin on the side where I had a mastectomy. This was also a time when my treatment planning was still in process, as some test results were still pending. Follow, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast. Share this podcast with others! Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience (screening, diagnosis, and what happens next). This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person close to someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. That's why I'm sharing my experience. I hope this podcast gives you a glimpse of what this life is like.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. LET'S CONNECT breastcancerlifepodcast@gmail.com

Facing uncertainty is a certainty in life. Sometimes this is anticipated uncertainty, but often it is not and it may happen without any warning. Breast cancer life is filled with a great deal of uncertainty. Uncertainty during the screening and diagnosis journey is only part of the experience. There is more uncertainty that comes with survivorship. In this episode, I share my thoughts on uncertainty as a survivor. I also share how the diagnosis has affected my outlook on facing future uncertainty. Follow, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast. Share this podcast with others! Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience (screening, diagnosis, and what happens next). This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person close to someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. That's why I'm sharing my experience. I hope this podcast gives you a glimpse of what this life is like.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. CONNECT breastcancerlifepodcast@gmail.com  

It has been 5 months since I had a mastectomy. The physical recovery from surgery is now pretty much complete. The emotional recovery is still in progress. I am navigating the gray zone of breast cancer survivorship. I share what I encountered in the past few months that was mostly not anticipated.  Follow, rate, and review the Breast Cancer Life podcast. Share this podcast with others! Breast Cancer Life is a podcast about my breast cancer experience (screening, diagnosis, and what happens next). This is for you, the person who may be facing a diagnosis, and the person close to someone facing the reality or real possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience. That's why I'm sharing my experience. I hope this podcast gives you a glimpse of what this life is like.  The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. CONNECT breastcancerlifepodcast@gmail.com

Week 1 Post Mastectomy - Pathology Results and Healing Activities There was a lot to share in the first week following surgery. I recorded short pieces of content to share what I was feeling and what activities were part of my immediate recovery period.   This episode is made up of 2 short episodes, from post-op day 2 (not even 48 hours after getting out of surgery) and post-op day 7, the day I received my pathology results in my online portal. Breast Cancer Life is a podcast where I share my breast cancer experience in the hope that you can use this information to help you, as the patient or friend or family member of someone living breast cancer life. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience - not a friend with cancer or a nurse or doctor. That's why I'm sharing my experience with you. I am Natalie, your host. Join me as I share my journey. The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. LET'S CONNECT connect@breastcancerlife.org  breastcancerlife.org

It was just over 12 hours after leaving the OR when I recorded this episode. I had a mastectomy the day before. I had a very short night of sleep and I was still wobbly when I got up in the morning. I had a pretty good memory of getting ready to be wheeled to the OR, being in recovery, and being awakened by the plastic surgeon before 7am on post op day 1.  It was a completely novel experience, as is the journey ahead, as I navigate breast cancer life.   Breast Cancer Life is a podcast where I share my breast cancer experience in the hope that you can use this information to help you, as the patient or friend or family member of someone living breast cancer life. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience - not a friend with cancer or a nurse or doctor. That's why I'm sharing my experience with you. I am Natalie, your host. Join me as I share my journey. The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.   CONNECT connect@breastcancerlife.org  breastcancerlife.org

It is the day of surgery. This episode describes my pre-operative experience. I arrived 3 hours before I was scheduled to go to surgery. There were several things I needed to do to be ready for the operating room. I refer to some of what I know from work as a nurse and describe much of the unfamiliarity that comes with being a patient and undergoing surgery for the very first time.   Breast Cancer Life is a podcast where I share my breast cancer experience in the hope that you can use this information to help you, as the patient or friend or family member of someone living breast cancer life. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience - not a friend with cancer or a nurse or doctor. That's why I'm sharing my experience with you. I am Natalie, your host. Join me as I share my journey. The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.   CONNECT connect@breastcancerlife.org  breastcancerlife.org

I did not put breast cancer screening (aside from a routine mammogram) on my 2023 to-do list. I did suddenly become well aware of what the process is over several months this year. The experience of screening and diagnosis continues in this episode. Learn about the activities leading up to surgery.   Breast Cancer Life is a podcast where I share my breast cancer experience in the hope that you can use this information to help you, as the patient or friend or family member of someone living breast cancer life. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience - not a friend with cancer or a nurse or doctor. That's why I'm sharing my experience with you. I am Natalie, your host. Join me as I share my journey. The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.   CONNECT connect@breastcancerlife.org  breastcancerlife.org

I did not put breast cancer screening (aside from a routine mammogram) on my 2023 to-do list. I did suddenly become well aware of what the process is over several months this year. The experience of screening and diagnosis continues in this episode.   Breast Cancer Life is a podcast where I share my breast cancer experience in the hope that you can use this information to help you, as the patient or friend or family member of someone living breast cancer life. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience - not a friend with cancer or a nurse or doctor. That's why I'm sharing my experience with you. I am Natalie, your host. Join me as I share my journey. The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.   CONNECT connect@breastcancerlife.org  breastcancerlife.org

I did not put breast cancer screening (aside from a routine mammogram) on my 2023 to-do list. I did suddenly become well aware of what the process is over several months this year. The experience of screening and diagnosis continues in this episode.   Breast Cancer Life is a podcast where I share my breast cancer experience in the hope that you can use this information to help you, as the patient or friend or family member of someone living breast cancer life. Nothing could have prepared me for this lived experience - not a friend with cancer or a nurse or doctor. That's why I'm sharing my experience with you. I am Natalie, your host. Join me as I share my journey. The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.   CONNECT connect@breastcancerlife.org  breastcancerlife.org