39. Breast Cancer Patient Experience: Surviving and Thriving Phrases that Characterize Breast Cancer Life Part 1
Release Date: 08/02/2024
62. Breast Biopsy Results
Breast Cancer Life
I finally got the results of my breast biopsy and I talk about it in this episode. I waited almost 2 weeks, and at times it was very difficult. At some point before getting the results, I experienced a deep sense of acceptance, in terms of how I would cope with the results. At the moment when my stress dissipated, I felt a full acceptance of this entire breast cancer experience and I realized I can get through whatever it is that’s going to be happening, just like I did when first diagnosed, 2 1/2 years ago. I also talk about the importance of me doing the work now to make a decision...
info_outline
61. Natalie D’itri on Living With Uncertainty After an Abnormal MRI
Breast Cancer Life
It’s something I never thought would happen although I was aware that I wanted to prevent it didn’t hit me that it would be reality that I needed another biopsy because something showed up abnormal on my mammogram. This episode is about my shock and disbelief about the potential of another cancer haven’t really ever thought of myself as a two-time cancer survivor, but it is a possibility so I share my thoughts and feelings in this episode. The content of this podcast is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare...
info_outline
60. Reflecting on the Time of Diagnosis
Breast Cancer Life
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 . I’d love to have you on the list! LET'S CONNECT:
info_outline
59. How Breast Cancer Robs me of my Future
Breast Cancer Life
After having a history of breast cancer, it makes you think about future dates differently. It may be that before I had cancer I thought about the next year‘s Christmas or birthday and hoped that everything would be the same as it is now. Definitely after the breast cancer diagnosis, when a holiday or in my case, planning a trip for next summer, comes to mind, I think to myself, and sometimes out loud to my family, “ I hope everything’s OK and the cancer is never back at that tome.”. I also think about how I better just get things done that I really want to do because...
info_outline
58. Natalie Ditri Breast Cancer Survivor: Uncovering Fun in the Everyday Grind
Breast Cancer Life
Checking in after 2 years since I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer to share that recovery from the trauma of a diagnosis is possible. In the last episode I talked about inner strength that I use in managing my mindset as a survivor. The outlook of knowing I will be ok and controlling the things I am allowed to control does not restrict me from looking back at my recovery. This podcast is about sharing my story and advocating. The milestones of recovery from what makes up a diagnosis are important to reflect on, in my opinion. Since it is summer, I am going to my pool...
info_outline
57. Natalie D'Itri Embracing Inner Strength Unveiled: Navigating Mindset and Hope After Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Life
The title says it all in this episode. It is really necessary to navigate my mindset on a regularl basis. Most days are busy with what needs to be done in the now or present (work, exercise, the daily tasks that fill our time). There is still always an opportunity for doubt or fear or loss of hope to creep into the forefront of my thoughts. I share what is helpful to stay on the positive track in this episode. I also talk about my awareness of what is not helpful and how I steer clear of the unhelpful thoughts. At first, when the MRI showed non-mass enhancements, prior to...
info_outline
56. Natalie Ditri's Reflection on Limb Restrictions After Breast Cancer Surgery
Breast Cancer Life
There are new realizations all the time in this breast cancer life experience. I recently realized I need to preserve the veins in my arm not affected by breast cancer surgery. I have been mindful about not getting any injections, blood draws or bug bites on my left arm since I had my mastectomy and sentinel lymph node dissection 2 years ago. Recently I realized that preserving the veins in my right arm is something to be mindful about. I have had a few blood draws over the past year. These are generally drawn from the same place in my right arm, at the bend of the elbow. The...
info_outline
55. The Breast Cancer Battle: Two Years After Mastectomy with the Plastic Surgeon
Breast Cancer Life
It has been 2 years since my mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with an implant. I am about to go to my annual plastic surgery follow up appointment right after recording this episode. I always say that the plastic surgeon put me back together after the breast surgeon took me apart to remove the cancer (and the left breast in my case). So you will hear me say that the plastic surgery appointment is easy compared to the medical oncology or breast surgery follow up appointments. The plastic surgeon did her work and I recovered. It is essentially a “well-visit” and she does...
info_outline
54. A Day of Breast Cancer Life
Breast Cancer Life
Two things happened on the day I am recording this episode that make me think about how my life is different because of breast cancer. I was doing so well not thinking about breast cancer today that I forgot to implement the usual precautions for avoiding any bug bites on my left arm. I was bitten by an ant on my left hand at the end of my walk today. Tiny ants biting seems like no big deal, but the general strategy for lymphedema prevention is to avoid impairing the integrity of the skin on the side where a lymph node dissection has been done. This includes avoiding bug bites! I know...
info_outline
53. Natalie Ditri: No fear of a cancer in my other breast
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...
info_outlineIt 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: