But You Don’t Look Sick

Breast Cancer is not one diagnosis, it's not all the same. Just like every human is different, so is a cancer diagnosis. It's specific to you, your body. You may have the same staging as someone else, the same treatments, but there are still so many differences. Today's guest is Kelly Thomas, a Stage 3C Triple Negative Breast Cancer THRIVER! She has turned her diagnosis and fight into advocacy for a community of triple negative warriors with her Instagram account @tnbc_thrivers. She shares her journey on Instagram with honesty, heart, and compassion. I am happy to have her on the podcast to share her story in her own words. 

This episode I am talking with mom, blogger, and Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor, Marjorie. We first connected on Instagram through a cancer hashtag, my my how the world has changed. Although we were not diagnosed with the same cancer, both of us going through chemo and having young kids at home allowed us to share in some of the same experiences. Marjorie has shared her story on social media with such honesty, grace, and humor. I am happy to have her on this episode to share her fight with lymphoma, but more importantly her positive mindset. 

You can find her @apinchofhealthy on Instagram! 

What are you doing for your overall health? Do you have a plan? In the episode I talk with Dr. Jenn Simmons who is a breast cancer surgeon turned functional medicine doctor. Dr. Simmons was one of the leaders in breast surgery and cancer care in Philadelphia for 16 years. Passionate about the idea of pursuing health rather than treating illness, she has immersed herself in the study of functional medicine and aims to provide a roadmap to those who want to know real health with her practice, Real Health MD. We talk about her personal health experiences that led her to look at medicine differently. There is so much to takeaway from this episode, I know you will enjoy it!

After taking a little break from podcasting, I am ready to jump back into a new season, with a little bit of a new direction. Connecting with so many of you has been an honor, thank you for sharing your stories with me as well. Season 2 will still continue with my journey of life after a cancer diagnosis, but also expand on the phrase "but you don't look sick". I hope you enjoy and are able to connect with the stories being told, for inspiration, kindness, strength, and just to know that you are not alone no matter what you're going through in life. 

In the beginning of your diagnosis you may feel like you see your doctor's more than you see your family! Being able to have open communication with them, all of them, is so important. In this episode I talk about how to create a relationship with your team of doctors that allows you to have your needs met above all else. Your mental clarity about the situation is just as important as your overall physical health! 

January 8th will always be a day to celebrate from now on in my life. It is the day that I finished my 6th round of TCHP. The day I finished chemo and got to ring that bell. But no one really tells you how to live life after treatment. How to manage the anxiety that comes with not being monitored by your doctor's on a weekly basis. This is how I feel one year later.