Her Cancer Our Story

In this episode, Kaela and Mike catch you up on what’s been happening in our world, from medication changes and Kaela’s recent appointment at Johns Hopkins to where things stand with her current treatment plan. We talk about the uncertainties and what it looks like to keep moving forward when the plan doesn’t always go as expected.

Kaela also shares a recap of the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) Wellness Summit, an update on her hip issues, and some honest thoughts on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including pinkwashing and what awareness really means to those living with metastatic breast cancer.

October brings a lot of emotions, conversations, and reminders of why awareness, advocacy, and research matter. We’re sharing where we’re at, how we’re feeling, and what we hope people take away from this month.

As always, thanks for being here, listening, and being part of our story.

Donate to Metavivor here

Watch #LightUpMBC2026 here

Watch this episode on YouTube here

As October approaches, we know we’re about to hear a lot about breast cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But for people living with breast cancer, awareness isn’t something that should only happen in October. It matters all year long.

So this month, we wanted to shine a spotlight on someone right here in our local community who is doing incredible work to support women and men affected by breast cancer every single day.

In this episode of Her Cancer Our Story, we sit down with Stacy Horst, Executive Director of Breast Cancer Awareness, Inc. (BCA). Stacy shares what first brought her to BCA (hint: there’s a very personal family connection to breast cancer), the many resources BCA provides throughout our tri-state community, and her hopes and dreams for the organization’s future.

But this conversation goes far beyond Stacy’s role at BCA. We also get to know the woman behind the title: her own wellness journey, how connecting with people impacted by breast cancer every day has changed her perspective, and how Kaela has had the honor of not only meeting Stacy through this work, but now calling her a dear friend.

And one part of this conversation really excites us: Stacy’s commitment to helping BCA take meaningful steps toward supporting the metastatic breast cancer community.

Whether you’re living with breast cancer at any stage, looking for ways to support an incredible organization, or simply wondering what it looks like when a community comes together to support people affected by breast cancer, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Because breast cancer awareness shouldn’t end when October does.

Watch on YouTube to see our MBC light setup

Please visit BCA here to learn more.

Instagram: @breast_cancer_awareness_inc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/90539225891?ref=PROFILE_EDIT_xav_ig_profile_page_web

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for those of us living with metastatic breast cancer, it’s also a reminder that awareness alone isn’t enough.

We need research. We need funding. We need treatments that work longer and better.

Because metastatic breast cancer is the only breast cancer that kills.

In this episode of Her Cancer Our Story, we’re joined by Tami Eagle Bowling, the campaign director behind #LightUpMBC. Tami is a metastatic breast cancer patient, advocate, and one of the driving forces behind an incredible movement that literally lights up landmarks around the world every October 13th to shine a light on metastatic breast cancer.

Tami takes us behind the story of #LightUpMBC…how it started, why October 13th matters, and what those glowing landmarks mean to the people living with this disease.

We talk about the connection between #LightUpMBC and METAvivor, why funding metastatic breast cancer research is so critical, and the incredible impact of raising more than $2 million for MBC research.

But this conversation goes beyond the lights.

Tami talks honestly about what it means to be a patient while also advocating for an entire community, what she hopes people take away when they see these landmarks lit up, and why visibility matters so much for people living with stage 4 breast cancer.

We also talk about this year’s #LightUpMBC Live event on October 13th and a very special surprise involving Kaela!

Whether you’re living with metastatic breast cancer, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand why MBC research and funding matter so much, we hope this conversation leaves you feeling a little more connected…and ready to help us shine a much bigger light on stage 4.

Listen, share, and help us make sure metastatic breast cancer isn’t forgotten this October.

GET INVOLVED

Follow Tami Eagle Bowling on Instagram: @eaglemethod

Learn more about #LightUpMBC:

LightUpMBC.org

Watch #LightUpMBC Live — October 13, 8–9:30 PM ET:

https://www.lightupmbc.org/lightupmbc-live

Find a participating landmark near you:

https://www.lightupmbc.org/participating-landmarks

Learn more about METAvivor and metastatic breast cancer research:

https://metavivor.org/

Support metastatic breast cancer research through Kaela’s fundraising site:

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/lightupmbc/account/2434718/

In this episode of Her Cancer, Our Story, we talk about the strange reality of living with metastatic breast cancer: the way a summer can hold some of your happiest memories and some of your hardest conversations at the exact same time.

We start with the good stuff: our end-of-summer activities and a family trip to the Outer Banks, where we got to experience the 4x4 beaches and absolutely loved every minute of it. But when we get home, reality catches back up with us as Kaela started back to work and blood work results were waiting for us.

Kaela’s liver numbers have jumped again after vacation and after starting her new aromatase inhibitor. What we hoped would be a step forward has instead left us facing more disappointment, more questions, and a lot of uncertainty about what her treatment plan will look like moving forward. We're now seeking a second opinion from an academic hospital as we try to figure out the best path ahead.

And then the conversation gets more personal.

Kaela has talked before about feeling like she is letting people down when her test results aren't good. This time, we dig deeper into that feeling, and it gets emotional. Because when everyone is hoping for good news, it can be hard not to feel like you're somehow responsible when the news isn't what anyone wanted.

But here's the truth: nobody asked for this. Kaela didn't ask for cancer. We didn't ask for the uncertainty, the bad numbers, the treatment changes, or the fear that comes with every test result. And none of us should have to carry the guilt of feeling like we're disappointing the people we love simply because cancer doesn't always cooperate.

This episode is also available on YouTube for a more personal experience. You'll also be able to see the video of our puddle excursion: Nobody Chose This | Episode 25

We've all heard it before, especially in this space: "Your Story Matters". There are the obvious reasons why it's important to share your story, but what if it's not just about you? What if you're able to help someone just by simply telling your story? This week Kaela and Mike dive into this a little as Kaela provides some updates with her ongoing liver numbers (spoiler: they're dropping!!!!). We also discuss our goals and the future for Her Cancer Our Story, why we started this podcast and where we want it to go. This episode starts a little slow in the energy department as we are both deep into busy weeks of work/parenting and preparing for an upcoming vacation, but we get things rolling and this episode is worth a listen!

Don't forget about the video format over at YouTube as well Your Story Matters

Today we're joined by Elizabeth Laberge. Elizabeth is a wife, mom of two, music teacher, dancer, and advocate living in New York City. She was diagnosed de novo with ER-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer after finding a lump while breastfeeding her youngest child. Over the past three and a half years, she's navigated treatment, progression, uncertainty, and has found community through places like Camp Breastie and Onco Ballet.

Today we're talking about what it really means to live with metastatic breast cancer, finding joy in the midst of uncertainty, and continuing to show up for yourself and the people you love.

As always, you can also watch this episode on YouTube

Summer brought us a chance to slow down and make memories with family over the Fourth of July on the shores of Lake Erie, but life with metastatic breast cancer never stays on pause for long.

This week, we share a few updates from the past couple of weeks before diving into the latest challenge: persistently elevated liver numbers and the questions they're raising about Kaela's current treatment. We talk openly about the uncertainty that comes with waiting for answers, how treatment decisions are made, and what it's like when the plan you've grown comfortable with suddenly feels less certain.

That conversation naturally leads us into something many couples facing cancer can relate to: how, when, and even if every test result should be communicated. We share our different expectations, why those differences exist, and how we're continuing to navigate them together.

As always, this episode is an honest look at life beyond the diagnosis: the moments of joy, the setbacks, and the conversations that help us face both.

You can find us wherever you get your podcasts.

Please check us out on YouTube as well for a more immersive experience. https://youtu.be/iJliZxpmolw

Today’s episode is one that really sits with you. We’re talking with Candace who was in the middle of her second pregnancy and early postpartum life when she noticed something didn’t feel right in her body. What followed was a series of appointments, scans, and eventually a diagnosis of Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. This is a story about motherhood, intuition, grief, and advocacy. But also about how easily women, especially postpartum women, are told to wait, watch or reassure themselves when their body is actually signaling something much more serious. Candace’s story is deeply personal, but it is also one that so many women will recognize in pieces of their own experiences, especially that quiet moment of “something doesn’t feel right”.

Episodes also available on YouTube: Her Cancer Our Story - YouTube

In the first episode of our bi-weekly summer series, we provide some updates on some of the exciting things we're doing this summer so far. We discuss Kaela's recent bloodwork results and how that's impacting her treatment. Later in the episode Kaela shares a little bit about her struggles dealing with a summer full of fun and family time, while also wanting time to slow down enough to savor every moment with the kids. We also throw in a mix of Mike's tattoo story, our evening at the BCA Survivor's dinner, Kaela's plans to attend a wellness summit, and some upcoming legislative news into the discussion as well.

This week, we share some incredible news: Kaela's latest PET/CT scan showed significant regression of disease, and we're taking time to celebrate this hard-earned victory together.

In this episode, we talk openly about the emotions that surrounded scan day, from the anxiety and anticipation leading up to the appointment, to the overwhelming relief and gratitude we felt when the results finally came in. We discuss what these results mean, how we're processing them, and what life looks like moving forward while continuing to navigate metastatic breast cancer.

We also revisit Mike's solo episode from last week, where he shared some of the emotions and challenges that caregivers often carry behind the scenes. Kaela reflects on why she wasn't able to listen to it just yet, but shares how proud she is of his vulnerability, and discusses the impact that kind of honesty can have on others walking a similar path.

This episode is a celebration of good news, a reminder to appreciate the victories when they come, and a conversation about the hope, love, and resilience that continue to shape Her Cancer, Our Story.

Of course, you can watch the full video on YouTube: Her Cancer Our Story - YouTube