Breast Cancer Stories

4.9 (33)
MEDICINE
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Breast Cancer Stories is about what happens when you have breast cancer, told in real time. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with breast cancer or love someone who has, this podcast is here to help you through the shock of diagnosis and treatment. After her mother died, Dr. Tita Gray found a lump and called her doctor at UCLA, but the earliest appointments were two months out. She frantically called around for a doctor who could get her in ASAP for a biopsy. Luckily, St. Mary's in Long Beach got Tita in right away, but the news wasn't good. When Tita later saw her oncologist at UCLA, they found more cancer than expected and recommended immediate aggressive chemo. In season 3 of Breast Cancer Stories, Tita shares her story in real time as she navigates a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis, undergoes aggressive chemo and immunotherapy, and ultimately chooses to go flat following a double mastectomy. Season 2 The second season follows Natasha Curry, a palliative care nurse practitioner at San Francisco General Hospital. Natasha was in Malawi on a Doctors Without Borders mission in 2021 when her husband of 25 years announced in a text message that he was leaving. A few months later when she discovered an almond-sized lump in her armpit, she did everything she tells her patients not to do and dismissed it, or wrote it off as a “fat lump." One painful biopsy later, Natasha found out she had cancer; in one life-changing moment, the nurse became the patient. Season 1 The first season of Breast Cancer Stories follows Kristen Vengler, a 56 year old single empty nester in San Diego, from her diagnosis of hormone positive breast cancer through chemotherapy, double mastectomy & breast reconstruction, radiation, and whatever happens after that. In 2020, Kristen moved from Austin to San Diego to start her life over after a life-shattering workplace trauma. A few months later she had that terrifying moment in the shower we all hope we never have. Connect with us Breast Cancer Stories is an all-time Top 10 Medicine podcast on Goodpods. Connect with us and learn more about the show at breastcancerstoriespodcast.com Follow Breast Cancer Stories on Instagram @breastcancerstoriespodcast Support the Breast Cancer Stories podcast by subscribing to our Substack or click to donate any amount via PayPal. Sponsorship opportunities available. For our media kit or to contact us visit breastcancerstoriespodcast.com.

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TRAILER

Natasha’s Story: Nurse Becomes Patient [Season 2 Trailer]

Natasha Curry is not your everyday average nurse. As a palliative care nurse practitioner at San Francisco General Hospital, she cares for the poorest and most vulnerable at what is often the most challenging time of their lives. Many patients are homeless and also struggling with substance abuse and mental illness, in addition to cancer and other life-limiting diseases. It’s tough and heart-breaking work. Last year, while leading a Doctors Without Borders cervical cancer mission in Malawi, Natasha’s husband of 25 years announced in a text message that he was leaving. She returned home, fell into bed for a few weeks, and eventually with the help of her friends she pulled herself together and went back to work. A few months later when she discovered an almond-sized lump in her armpit, she did everything she tells her patients not to do and dismissed it, or wrote it off as a “fat lump." Months went by before she finally got a mammogram, but radiology saw nothing in either breast. It was the armpit lump that caught their attention. Next step was an ultrasound, where the lump was clearly visible. One painful biopsy later, Natasha found out she had cancer; in one life-changing moment, the nurse became the patient. This is Natasha’s breast cancer story, told in real time. Other Links Support the Breast Cancer Stories podcast: https://www.breastcancerstoriespodcast.com/p/donate/ Win your own Kyte bamboo pajamas when you SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER! Sign up here: https://breastcancerstories.substack.com/subscribe About Breast Cancer Stories From breast cancer diagnosis, through chemotherapy, breast reconstruction, and radiation, we experience each new milestone as it happens. This podcast is about what happens when you have breast cancer, told in real time. Host and Executive Producer: Eva Sheie Co-Host: Kristen Vengler Editor and Audio Engineer: Daniel Croeser Theme Music: Them Highs and Lows, Bird of Figment Story Editor: Mary Ellen Clarkson Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis. PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

S2

•

6 min

4.9

out of 5

33 Ratings

Very helpful in understanding Lymphedema

08/06/2024

#KickingCancerWithJoy

I’ve been battling breast cancer for year and a half and have heard about and read about lymphedema but never really understood what it is until the episode on May 27, 2022 on Beating Lymphedema. I haven’t listened to other episodes yet, but this one was great!!
My hero

04/08/2022

italia757

I’ve been so incredibly inspired my Kristen’s story. I currently have breast cancer and this was the first podcast I had listened to after I found out and it’s helped me in SO MANY WAYS. Thank you for doing this podcast. I am forever her biggest fan.
Best out there…

02/04/2022

Sasha-SF

A treasure trove of thoughtful and insightful information, for those of us going through this, partners, caregivers, friends…blended with stories from two delightful women who feel like friends within just a few episodes. Highly recommended.
Beautifully Open and Honest

01/25/2022

loveandlight333

Anytime you need to talk, we are listening Kristen! Thank you for letting us follow your journey!

Breast Cancer Stories is about what happens when you have breast cancer, told in real time. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with breast cancer or love someone who has, this podcast is here to help you through the shock of diagnosis and treatment. After her mother died, Dr. Tita Gray found a lump and called her doctor at UCLA, but the earliest appointments were two months out. She frantically called around for a doctor who could get her in ASAP for a biopsy. Luckily, St. Mary's in Long Beach got Tita in right away, but the news wasn't good. When Tita later saw her oncologist at UCLA, they found more cancer than expected and recommended immediate aggressive chemo. In season 3 of Breast Cancer Stories, Tita shares her story in real time as she navigates a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis, undergoes aggressive chemo and immunotherapy, and ultimately chooses to go flat following a double mastectomy. Season 2 The second season follows Natasha Curry, a palliative care nurse practitioner at San Francisco General Hospital. Natasha was in Malawi on a Doctors Without Borders mission in 2021 when her husband of 25 years announced in a text message that he was leaving. A few months later when she discovered an almond-sized lump in her armpit, she did everything she tells her patients not to do and dismissed it, or wrote it off as a “fat lump." One painful biopsy later, Natasha found out she had cancer; in one life-changing moment, the nurse became the patient. Season 1 The first season of Breast Cancer Stories follows Kristen Vengler, a 56 year old single empty nester in San Diego, from her diagnosis of hormone positive breast cancer through chemotherapy, double mastectomy & breast reconstruction, radiation, and whatever happens after that. In 2020, Kristen moved from Austin to San Diego to start her life over after a life-shattering workplace trauma. A few months later she had that terrifying moment in the shower we all hope we never have. Connect with us Breast Cancer Stories is an all-time Top 10 Medicine podcast on Goodpods. Connect with us and learn more about the show at breastcancerstoriespodcast.com Follow Breast Cancer Stories on Instagram @breastcancerstoriespodcast Support the Breast Cancer Stories podcast by subscribing to our Substack or click to donate any amount via PayPal. Sponsorship opportunities available. For our media kit or to contact us visit breastcancerstoriespodcast.com.