Our Scars Speak

Our guest is Angela Washington, a Breast Cancer Survivor, 2023 Calendar Ambassador for November, and an Advocate on the Embrace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee with Here for the Girls, Inc. She shares being a caregiver for her mother and other family members as they were diagnosed with cancer. Those experiences helped Angela continue to keep her faith and fight. Angela is a tenacious advocate with Here for The Girls, Inc. as a 2023 Calendar Ambassador and on the DEI Committee because she understands the need to be treated fairly without judgment due to race, gender, ethnicity, or social class, especially when a person is contending with a severe illness. Angela continues to use her faith to move through each second of the day as she advocates for all people. 

Contact Information for Angela Washington: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.washington.7315

Email: [email protected]

Podcast Host Christina Miner's Contact Information:

Website: www.cminerllc.com 

Email Address: [email protected] 

Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, vandals, or anyone else connected with Our Scars Speak and Christina Miner Enterprises, LLC, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from/to this podcast. No shared information is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition or treatment and before undertraining a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional mental or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received on this podcast.

Our guest is Vanessa Spurlock, a Breast Cancer Warrior, Notary, Advocate, and Author. She shares how her breast cancer journey changed her from being the one to take care of everyone to allowing others to care for her. This continual growth through her relationship with God and her inner self caused her to become vulnerable and transparent. Through transparency, Vanessa birthed her first book entitled "You Have Breast Cancer...So What Now?" which consisted of journal entries over the course of her healing journey. Vanessa continues to use her voice to advocate and encourage other breast cancer survivors/thrivers and caregivers. 

Contact Information for Vanessa Spurlock: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.spurlock

Email:  [email protected]

Podcast Host Christina Miner's Contact Information:

Website: www.cminerllc.com 

Email Address: [email protected] 

Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, vandals, or anyone else connected with Our Scars Speak and Christina Miner Enterprises, LLC, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from/to this podcast. No shared information is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition or treatment and before undertraining a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional mental or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received on this podcast.

Our guest is Jaclyn, a BRCA 1 Gene Carrier, Previvor, Flattie, and Patient Advocate. She shares her journey about choosing a double mastectomy and aesthetic flat closure as a previvor. Also, Jaclyn explains how being Jewish is linked to being at high risk for breast cancer. Throughout the interview, she elaborates on the need to include all people of various reconstructions, especially flatties and men with breast cancer scars, in the media because the power of representation throughout society is essential. 

Contact Information for Jaclyn: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronicnotcured/?next=%2Fnicolasmartides%2Ffeed%2F&hl=ja&img_index=1

Podcast Host Christina Miner's Contact Information:

Website: www.cminerllc.com 

Email Address: [email protected] 

Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, vandals, or anyone else connected with Our Scars Speak and Christina Miner Enterprises, LLC, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from/to this podcast. No shared information is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition or treatment and before undertraining a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional mental or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received on this podcast.

Our guest is Dr. Leslie Waltke, a Cancer Physical Therapy Specialist and Founder of The Recovery Room on Facebook and YouTube. She shared information about lymphedema and what patients should know about physical therapy after various breast cancer surgeries. Additionally, Dr. Waltke stresses the importance of physical exercise before, during, and after treatment.

Contact Information for Dr. Leslie Waltke:

The Recovery Room:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesliewaltkept/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@therecoveryroom2198/featured

Contact Information for Our Scars Speak:

Website: www.cminerllc.com

Email Address: [email protected]

Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, vandals, or anyone else connected with Our Scars Speak and Christina Miner Enterprises, LLC, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from/to this podcast. No shared information is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition or treatment and before undertraining a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional mental or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received on this podcast.

Our guest, Priti Shah, MD, Radiologist and Medical Director of Breast Imaging with VCU Health System, shared her passion for radiology, the latest information about breast imaging, and the meaning of specific terminology. Dr. Priti Shah further explained that patients have every right to advocate for themselves, and if they do not feel comfortable, they can seek a second opinion. Lastly, she stresses her belief in cultivating the patient and doctor relationship, especially when explaining information to ensure clarity.

Contact Information for Dr. Priti Shah:

Massey Cancer Center: https://www.masseycancercenter.org/

VCU Health Breast Imaging Department: https://www.vcuhealth.org/services/breast-imaging

Website: www.cminerllc.com

Email Address: [email protected]

Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, vandals, or anyone else connected with Our Scars Speak and Christina Miner Enterprises, LLC, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from/to this podcast. No shared information is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition or treatment and before undertraining a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional mental or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received on this podcast.

Our guest is a Media Producer, Collaborator of Project MTFM (Medical Tattooing Following Mastectomy), and Independent Documentary Filmmaker of "Ink Therapy," Valheria Sanchez. She shares how her passion for photography began while living in her homeland, Venezuela. Valheria explains her transition to the United States, obtaining higher education, and starting Hazelnut Production Agency. Also, she describes how she collaborates with Project MTFM to ensure the stories of breast cancer survivors/thrivers/previvors are portrayed on film in an independent documentary entitled "Empower Ink." Valheria's passion for this project has increased her knowledge and advocacy for the breast cancer community.

All donations towards the postproduction of "Empower Ink" can be made at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/empower-ink-documentary-post-production#/

The deadline to donate is December 4, 2023.

Website: www.cminerllc.com

Email Address: [email protected]

Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, vandals, or anyone else connected with Our Scars Speak and Christina Miner Enterprises, LLC, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from/to this podcast. No shared information is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition or treatment and before undertraining a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional mental or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received on this podcast.

Our guests, René Bowditch and Mary Beth Gibson, Breast Cancer Survivors, Best Friends, Advocates, and The Founders of Here for the Girls, Inc., share their breast cancer journeys, how they became best friends, and what led them to form a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to meet the psychosocial needs of young women affected by breast cancer under the age of 51 from all diversities.

Website: www.cminerllc.com

Email Address: [email protected]

Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, vandals, or anyone else connected with Our Scars Speak and Christina Miner Enterprises, LLC, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from/to this podcast. No shared information is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition or treatment and before undertraining a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional mental or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received on this podcast.

Tara Council, Breast Cancer Survivor, Military Wife, Educator of 3rd Graders, Mom, Aspiring Author, and Surrogacy Advocate, shares her breast cancer journey and what led her to become a fierce surrogacy advocate. Tara explains that at the time of diagnosis, she was in her early thirties with a one-year-old daughter and married to an active-duty Navy Officer preparing for deployment. However, Tara expresses gratitude for her support system during and after her husband's deployment, which was a significant part of her healing journey. She underwent chemotherapy, surgeries, and menopause, which led her to surrogacy. Regardless of the battles Tara confronts, she continues to share her story with other survivors, thrivers, and metavivors as a Co-Facilitator of the Newly Diagnosis Group with Here for The Girls, Inc. and with anyone who needs more information about the surrogacy process.

Website: www.cminerllc.com

Email Address: [email protected]

Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, vandals, or anyone else connected with Our Scars Speak and Christina Miner Enterprises, LLC, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from/to this podcast. No shared information is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition or treatment and before undertraining a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional mental or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received on this podcast.

Luan Lawrenson-Woods, DIEP Flap Recipient, Sydney, Australian Patient Advocate, and Podcaster of Rewritten Me, which is Australia's first podcast regarding reconstruction after mastectomy and Founder of BRA-va Art, shares her breast cancer journey and what led her to become a tenacious advocate. Luan explains that her unique breast cancer diagnosis and experience with certain medical professionals led her to speak boldly in hopes of helping others. Lastly, she explains BRA-va Art and their upcoming project that includes a challenge with Foobs and Fitness that will consist of prizes from a well-known lingerie company within the breast cancer community.

Website: www.cminerllc.com

Email Address: [email protected]

Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, vandals, or anyone else connected with Our Scars Speak and Christina Miner Enterprises, LLC, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from/to this podcast. No shared information is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition or treatment and before undertraining a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional mental or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received on this podcast.

Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, MD, Board Certified Breast and Gynecologic Medical Oncologist and Podcaster of Interlude, shares her story of becoming a physician and what her title means. She provides consultation tips, treatment options, clinical trials, and the latest oncology news. Additionally, Dr. Teplinsky stressed the importance of advocacy and being vulnerable to receiving assistance.

Website: www.cminerllc.com

Email Address: [email protected]

Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, vandals, or anyone else connected with Our Scars Speak and Christina Miner Enterprises, LLC, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from/to this podcast. No shared information is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition or treatment and before undertraining a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional mental or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received on this podcast.