Too Young For This Shit | AYA Breast Cancer Podcast

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Shauna had a double mastectomy, while Rosalina had a unilateral mastectomy in 2021. Both had to wait six months post-radiation to get their “final” reconstruction surgery. For Shauna, this was the last thing on her list that she needed to check off. She was ecstatic, overjoyed, and looking forward to getting new foobs. Rosalina felt the opposite. She was frazzled and mentally drained from all her research and meeting with her plastic surgeon four or five times to ask more questions and devise a final plan.

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Resources

• https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types

• https://notputtingonashirt.org/whatisflatclosure/

• https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/living-beyond-breast-cancer/your-body/decorative-tattoos-after-breast-cancer-surgery

• https://www.cancer.org/treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment/health-insurance-laws/womens-health-and-cancer-rights-act.html

• Hybrid reconstruction: https://www.breastcenter.com/breast-reconstruction-procedures/hybrid-breast-reconstruction/

• **Important Info About DIEP Flap Reconstruction: In 2019, CMS decided to combine all flap breast reconstruction procedures together under one code and to phase out the unique codes for individual flap procedures by December 31, 2024. Although the coding changes don’t go into effect until next year, some health insurers have already stopped covering DIEP flap surgery.

  • https://www.breastcancer.org/news/diep-flap-surgery-cms-code-change

Meet Justine. She is a 10-year breast cancer survivor, a psychology professor, and a certified yoga teacher. She runs the Instagram account @yogawithjus, where she shares about her survivorship, flattie fashion and holds weekly meditation for the breast cancer community. In this episode, Justine shares with us what it was like being diagnosed at just 23 years old such as navigating college full-time while undergoing treatment and the lack of resources for young women with breast cancer. Now in her early 30s, she shares the difficult decision to remove her breast implants and opt to go flat.

Justine's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogawithjus/

Email List for Breast Cancer Meditation Group/Other Yoga Offerings: http://eepurl.com/hVRzar

Resources mentioned:

• Pride Retreat: https://www.instagram.com/pride_retreat/?hl=en

• Not Putting on a Shirt: https://notputtingonashirt.org/

If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends. Help us reach more women by subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube.

You can follow us on Instagram @TYFTSpodcast and email us at [email protected].

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Since finishing breast cancer treatment, Shauna and Rosalina have been proactive in taking control of their health and wellness. In this episode, they discuss exercise, nutrition, managing stress, and what they are doing to improve their mental health.

[00:05:14] Lack of joy after cancer.

[00:09:03] Struggling to be yourself.

[00:11:31] Comparing yourself to others.

[00:14:38] Work-life balance.

[00:18:02] Body image and weight loss.

[00:20:53] Gut health and cancer.

[00:24:29] Overperforming in work.

[00:27:39] Shifting Negative Thoughts.

[00:32:12] Nutritional education and holistic health.

[00:35:49] Oral health tips.

[00:39:11] Low toxic lifestyle.

Some resources we mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4

• https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-to-improve-your-gut-health.h00-159538956.html

• https://www.glucosegoddess.com/science

• https://www.instagram.com/organic_olivia/?hl=en

• https://www.instagram.com/doctor.gonzalez/?hl=en

• https://thetoxicologymama.com/

If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends. Help us reach more women by subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube.

You can follow us on Instagram @TYFTSpodcast and email us at [email protected]

Visit our website, and check out our resources: https://tyftspodcast.com/

Meet Elly Blackhart. She was a 2x cancer survivor living in Ontario, Canada. After finishing her cancer treatments in 2019, she found post-cancer difficult with increased pain, brain fog, and difficulty in daily activities. Her cancer came back in 2021, and she was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. In this episode, Elly shares her cancer journey and the helpful practices that she feels have contributed to her being in remission.

We recently found that Elly passed away in September 2022. We are airing this episode in remembrance of her and to share her story. Rest in Power Elly.

In honor of her memory, her friends and family would like donations to be made to the Ottawa Hospital Breast Cancer Centre or to the Red Cross to help the people of Ukraine, which are linked below.

• https://secure3.convio.net/otthf/site/Donation2?df_id=1541&1541.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&s_locale=en_CA

• https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ua/donate/~my-donation

Resources:

• https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2014/10/stage-4-metastatic-misunderstood-breast-cancer.html

• https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/types-of-cancer/breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/metastatic-breast-cancer

• https://www.metavivor.org/ (100% of every donation and 100% of proceeds goes into research grants.)

• https://medical.rossu.edu/about/blog/us-vs-canadian-healthcare

• https://cancer.ca/en/get-involved/advocacy/what-we-are-doing/health-system-funding

• Canadian Breast Cancer Network - https://cbcn.ca/en/what-is-breast-cancer

• Breast Cancer Canada - https://breastcancerprogress.ca/

• Rethink Breast Cancer - a Canadian charity - https://rethinkbreastcancer.com/

If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends. Help us reach more women by subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube.

You can follow us on Instagram @TYFTSpodcast and email us at [email protected]

Visit our website, and check out our resources: https://tyftspodcast.com/

The anticipation is here. We discuss the dreading topic of endocrine therapy to help slow and stop cancer cell growth for the next 5-10 years. From early menopause w/ovarian suppression (which can be reversible) to the not-so-great side effects, we talk about it all in this episode. Rosalina and Shauna have two completely different plans, which makes it interesting to learn more about their approach post-cancer treatment.

Resources:

HormoneTherapy: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal-therapy

CDK 4/6 inhibitor (Verzenio - FDA approved to be used for early-stage breast cancer) - https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/verzenio-approved-to-treat-early-hr-pos-bc-with-high-risk-of-recurrence

Zometa infusion (to strengthen bones): https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/early-efficacy-observed-with-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-pertuzumab-for-her2-metastatic-breast-cancer

If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends. Help us reach more women by subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube.

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Stephanie Villavicencio is a half-Ecuadorian yogi, surfer, snowboarder, and founder of Tits Deep For Breast Cancer. Although Stephanie did not personally have breast cancer, this disease has deeply impacted her life. In this episode, we discuss Stephanie’s family history of breast cancer, the loss of her mother and best friend, the importance of breast screenings, and her organization that raises awareness for women under 40 and provides funding for breast cancer treatments.

Tits Deep For Breast Cancer:

https://www.titsdeepforbreastcancer.com/

https://www.instagram.com/titsdeepforbreastcancer/

If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends. Help us reach more women by subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube.

You can follow us on Instagram @TYFTSpodcast and email us at [email protected]

Visit our website, and check out our resources: https://tyftspodcast.com/

What is Toxic Positivity? Toxic Positivity is the belief that people should maintain a positive mindset no matter how dire or difficult a situation is. While this is easier said than done, people don't realize how harmful this can be to one's mental health. In this episode, Shauna and Rosalina discuss unhelpful phrases they've heard from friends, families, and strangers. They share tips on alternative ways to be supportive of someone who’s dealing with cancer.

If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends. Help us reach more women by subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube.

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As the oldest of four, Shauna has always been a second mom to her siblings. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Shauna waited until she had the proper diagnosis and treatment information before telling her brothers and sister. In this episode, we interview Scooter and Lenny and discuss how they handled the news, the COVID difficulties throughout Shauna’s diagnosis, and how they kept their sense of humor throughout it all.

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George and Roberto Carlos have been protective of their little sister since she was young; however, no one knew they would hear the devastating news that their sister has breast cancer. Listen to how this has affected them emotionally, the separation & difficulty of living on opposite coasts, why cancer isn't talked about in their Latin culture, the support they provided for Rosalina, and how their bond as siblings grew after her diagnosis.

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Shauna provides an update on how survivorship is treating her. We will hear how things have not been easy, from debilitating side-effects related to hormone blockers, to an unexpected infection that almost cost her a tissue expander. Shauna shares the reality that immediately followed her post treatment, and how truly hard it is to find her new “normal.”

If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends. Help us reach more women by subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube.

You can follow us on Instagram @TYFTSpodcast and email us at [email protected]

Visit our website, and check out our resources: https://tyftspodcast.com/