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

This week, it's just me (Mike).

While we usually share this journey together, this episode is a little different. I'm opening up about where I am emotionally, right now: the fears, uncertainty, and exhaustion.

This is far from a polished episode. It's simply an honest snapshot of where my heart and mind are right now.

If you've ever found yourself trying to stay strong while carrying more than you know how to hold, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone - even if it feels like you are...

For an even more raw and unfiltered look at this episode, check out the video on YouTube: Her Cancer Our Story - YouTube

It's been a long week, and we know you're all excited to hear more from Claire! Before we get back to part 2 with Claire, Kaela and Mike provide some updates on recent (less than favorable) bloodwork results and a discussion with our oldest son about Kaela's breast cancer.

In part two of our conversation with Claire, we move beyond introductions and into the deeper realities of living with metastatic breast cancer while raising young children and building a life in the middle of uncertainty. We talk about navigating a new marriage after diagnosis, parenting through fear and hard conversations, and the complicated balance of trying to live fully while also thinking about the future.

We also reflect on what it means to leave a legacy through advocacy. From podcast episodes to blog posts, we discuss how sharing our stories has become more than awareness work - it’s also a way for our children to someday hear our voices, understand our strength, and know just how deeply they were loved through all of this.

This episode is honest, emotional, and full of the kind of conversations that remind us why telling these stories matters.

perkybits | Claire's Boobie Journey

https://rss.com/podcasts/perkybits/

Instagram

Episodes are now available in video format on YouTube: Nothing Scares Me Anymore: Claire's MBC Story - Part 2

In this episode, we welcome our first MBC guest (and new friend) to the podcast - the incredible Claire. Claire is a fellow stage 4 metastatic breast cancer survivor, podcaster, and an awesome advocate with several projects in the works, and someone who brings a refreshing “take it or leave it” authenticity to every conversation.

Over the first half of this 90-minute conversation, Claire shares her story from her initial early-stage breast cancer diagnosis through her metastatic recurrence years after finishing treatment. Along the way, we talk about the complicated emotions that come with survivorship, marriage and cancer, and the language we use around cancer (including our ongoing struggle to find a better word than “journey”), and what it means to live openly and honestly with MBC. As Clarie says "Everything Happens for a Reason", you'll get to hear how an unfair situation is being turned into an opportunity to help so many others.

This conversation is raw, funny, emotional, and deeply real, and we’re so grateful Claire was willing to share her experience with us. This is just part 1 of an amazing discussion. Part 2 will be out next week!

This episode is also available in a fun video format on YouTube. Now you can see the faces behind the podcast! Take It or Leave It: Claire's MBC Story - Part 1 - YouTube

After listening to this episode, don't wait to learn more about Claire through her blog and podcast:

perkybits | Claire's Boobie Journey

Perkybits: Riding the Waves of Life | Podcast on RSS.com