Colleen is a 3-year retiree and a two-time breast cancer survivor. Living in rural Virginia with her four animals and husband, Bill Collins, of almost 48 years (who gets credit for being her rock through it all), Colleen recommends that you be there for your loved ones on cancer journeys. Saying "I'm here if you need anything" may not be enough, take a more active approach like grabbing ice cream with a group of friends.

In this episode, we discuss the financial burden of cancer care, the inspiration behind the podcast, unique gratitude of cancer patients, changes in cancer care over the years, and a shop called "Flourish Boutique" at UVA Cancer Center for cancer patients to find wigs, bras, and other supportive items! 

Featured Songs

Easy on Me by Adele 

Clair de Lune by DeBussy 

This episode is a little different. Instead of interviewing a cancer survivor, I read a chapter from my book, "Six Women." This chapter is a story about a beautiful woman named Michelle called "Coffee Shop Miracles." Welcome to Season 3. 

Featured Songs

Easy on Me by Adele 

Clair de Lune by DeBussy 

Deborah, Deb, or Debby—depending on who you are—is a 5year cancer survivor from triple negative breast cancer, s/p double mastectomy. An ER/ICU nurse by training, Deborah took the diagnosis seriously: time to figure it out, get treatment, and move on. She now volunteers with the UVA Cancer Peer Support Group, along with Margarita (featured in S2E3), and also teaches/coordinates at a nursing program. Word of advice from Deborah, go schedule that mammogram! You'll thank yourself later!

Songs: 

Easy on Me, by Adele

Clair de Lune, by Claude Debussy 

Margarita shares about self care, trusting your gut (and your research!), and being a two-time cancer survivor. Part of the UVA Cancer Peer Parter Support Group, Margarita helps other folks who are first starting their cancer journeys. 

Full of energy and youthfulness, LaTonya is a natural storyteller with the perspective and story to match. One of the best things about having breast cancer was the self realization of her tenacity (immediately after being diagnosed LaTonya drove to the grocery store to buy everything organic, sparking a radical lifestyle change) and the worst thing by far was her chemotherapy treatment. Yet to be mentioned in this podcast, the long-lasting impact of chemotherapy, including neuropathy in your hands and feet and random bouts of dizziness, has LaTonya constantly being reminded of her 2017 breast cancer treatment.

Brenda is a bit more soft spoken than past cancer survivors on this podcast, her journey a bit more private and her circle a bit more intimate. Nonetheless, Brenda had a challenging but ultimately triumphant journey battling breast cancer and looks forward to her five-year survivorship celebration this summer. Initially fearful and in disbelief, Brenda found support in her doctors, children, and God. 

Sheri is a 10-year breast cancer survivor. Sheri is also a quadriplegic after a diving incident at age 16.  Injury coupled with illness, Sheri's challenging journey ten years ago was wrought with disability accommodations, familiarity with recurrent appointments (she calls herself a “frequent flyer”), and theories about cancer onset. A frequent storyteller, herself, Sheri shares the story of her battles with health.

Jacqueline is your unconventional cancer survivor- true alone from the fact that throughout our conversation about her breast cancer diagnosis she sat across from me with a beaming smile, giggling between anecdotes. Losing her mother and grandmother to breast cancer and brain cancer, respectively, convinced Jacqueline to approach her own cancer diagnosis years later with positivity including love, laughter, and stories with happy endings, including her own happy ending: almost 18 years of being a survivor.