Triple Negative, Double Tricky! with Guest Marquita Bass
Release Date: 07/07/2024
Breast Surgeons, Flat Denial and BRCA2
A Breast Cancer Diary
The topic of breast surgery and skin conserving surgery has been a real trigger for me in the past since my first plastic surgeon kept refusing to take the extra skin off of my chest as I requested. The fact that I could talk to Lisa about this without getting emotionally worked up was one good sign--and then I had two other chances to talk publicly about my flat denial story in the past month as well. When it rains it pours! Transcript: Happy New Year and welcome to season two of A Breast Cancer Diary podcast. Last week, I aired my first episode of season two with Lisa Sylvester,...
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STILL Ourselves after Mastectomy
A Breast Cancer Diary
My instagram friend, Lisa, had a vision less than a year ago for a visual way to show the how the flat community has become a healing movement for women who don't want the usual reconstruction options post-mastectomy, and this week it is coming out into the breast cancer space as a work of art! I love that I can share the story of a vision come true and share it on the day before the end result comes into the world! Find Lisa's project on her website here: https://project-still.me/ Transcript: Kathleen: My guest today is Lisa Sylvester. She lives in Richmond,...
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Just Checking in with a Resource
A Breast Cancer Diary
I'm jumping in here with a quick holiday tip in between seasons. I highly recommend "After Breast Cancer Diagnosis" if you're in need of a mentor... or if you're feeling ready to offer a mentoring ear to a newer patient. Find them at . Transcript: I'm checking in today in between seasons because it is the holidays, and the holidays can be a pretty stressful time of year on a normal year, and this being an election year, it's extra stressful for some of us. And I wanted to share a resource. I am not affiliated with this resource except for the fact that I found my mentor through...
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Reflecting on Metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer
A Breast Cancer Diary
Last week's interview with my fellow advocate Leslie brought up a few things that make Metastatic Breast Cancer Unique. In today's episode I'll reflect on things like "lines of treatment," "progression" and "dormancy" when it comes to mets and I'll also talk about some of the ways that science is progressing for metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer patients. Don't forget to rate and review the show and if you want to enter for a prize for doing so, email a screenshot of your review to me at Listen and Subscribe on: - - Or watch on YouTube: Support my work by making a...
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Thriving with Metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer: Leslie Pifer-Pien
A Breast Cancer Diary
My friend and fellow lobular breast cancer awareness advocate, Leslie Pifer-Pien joined me on the podcast this week to talk about her first seven years as a metastatic invasive lobular breast cancer patient. Leslie was diagnosed de-novo, which means, she didn't start with the mild kind of cancer but went straight to stage four, or "metastatic" cancer. She's taken it in stride, but finding the right oncologist isn't easy with Lobular Carcinoma. Lisen in as we chat about all that she's learned. Transcript: K: My guest today is my friend and local advocate, Leslie Pifer-Pien, who...
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Reflecting on Pinktober 2024
A Breast Cancer Diary
Today I'm just reflecting on how Breast Cancer Awareness month has gone for me personally this year. I hope it's been a good one for you! Email me a screenshot of your rating or review of my podcast to be entered in a fun giveaway! is the place to send it! Listen and Subscribe on: - - Or watch on YouTube: Support my work by making a donation here: Transcript: Today's the last episode in breast cancer awareness month, 2024. And so I just wanted to do a special episode reflecting on my personal experience this year in October, Pinktober. I don't feel like I...
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Marinia Blackford: Mom and Cancer Coach
A Breast Cancer Diary
In this episode I got to interview a fellow youtube/breast cancer recovery coach and influencer, Marina Blackford! I'm so honored that Marina has been willing to spend this time with me. We talk about her story of lumpectomy AFTER mastectomy, her desire to run the NYC Marathon, and her insights into the spiritual side of healing from this disease. I'm so excited to share this interview, both here and on the official podcast youtube channel, @abreastcancerdiary - Links: Marina's fundraising page for YSC and the NYC Marathon: Marina's web site: https://marinablackford.com/ ...
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Reflecting on Keytruda: Risks and Benefits
A Breast Cancer Diary
Watch on YouTube: Support my work by making a donation here: Links from today's episode: Meryl's Instagram Accounts: @merymeryl; @thestoryofcaptaincharlotte; and @rompandrollick Meryl's business email address for parent coaching: This episode doesn't have a transcript.
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When Triple Negative Feels Toxic
A Breast Cancer Diary
In earlier episodes with stories like Marquita's we've seen ways that Triple Negative Breast Cancer can be "not so bad" but in younger patients it's often the reverse. Meryl Opsal is my guest today, and she's got a harder story to tell about the effects of her immunotherapy. Meryl is a powerful woman, and if there ever was a cancer fighter she is my image of one. She and her family have been through so much, and they are still going through it, but they are managing well together. Stay tuned for a follow up episode in which we will talk more about the new immunotherapy drug called Keytruda...
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Reflecting on Breast Implant Illness and Going Flat after Explant
A Breast Cancer Diary
Today I'm reflecting on last week's interview with Anna Hopkins, who spoke of Breast Implant Illness and the experience of going flat after 18 years with implants. Support my work by making a donation here: Watch this episode on YouTube here: Links from today's episode: Breast Implant Illness Articles and Resources: Anna's YouTube Channel: Anna's Instagram account: Transcript: Today, I want to reflect on last week's interview with Anna Hopkins, if you're watching this podcast on YouTube this week, you will notice that I have a lot of my stand tall...
info_outlineThis episode gets into some murky medical territory so it's important to note that your doctor is the only expert on whether chemo is for you. Personalized cancer treatment is still being tested in clinical trials at this time, but Marquita is one example among triple negative (TNBC) early stage breast cancer patients who might have taken chemo and is still apparently cancer free 12 years later and has no regrets. Being an early stage survivor means that her choice to decline chemo was a less risky one than it would be for a later stage patient, but she has a lot to say about possible regrets with chemo in the context of TNBC.
This episode covers:
Marquita's initial diagnosis of stage one TNBC and her discovery that TNBC has subtypes
Marquita's family history of TNBC and experience with family and friends who had it
Marquita's discovery of Robin Roberts' post-chemo diagnosis with MDS
Marquita's oncologist search, and a "regret matrix"
Marquita's lifestyle efforts to avoid recurrence
Marquita's book, Orange is the New Black
Marquita's advocacy on behalf of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act
For more about the new era of personalized medicine, here are some great YouTube videos to check out:
https://youtu.be/vn1AHrCfrAE?si=qr1-cv5kGN7SmW4l Brief and simple summary of genomic testing
https://youtu.be/QS-1HZr-trg?si=xMr99Jg7DijLQrDf A new trial in Australia testing a less chemo and radiation heavy approach in breast cancer patients
https://youtu.be/lxDuw4qQ6iA?si=chx1-BS1GII1P7_2 Dana Farber’s Genomic Testing Program
https://youtu.be/It1DQkNbofg?si=Pjl8TCCMVTcPCHtd Metastatic Breast Cancer and Personalized Med