Breast Cancer Stories By cover art

Breast Cancer Stories

By: Kristen Vengler & Eva Sheie
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  • Summary

  • Breast Cancer Stories is about what happens when you have breast cancer, told in real time. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with breast cancer or love someone who has, this podcast is here to help you through the shock of diagnosis and treatment.

    The first season of Breast Cancer Stories follows Kristen Vengler, a 56 year old single empty nester in San Diego, from her diagnosis of hormone positive breast cancer through chemotherapy, double mastectomy & breast reconstruction, radiation, and whatever happens after that. In 2020, Kristen moved from Austin to San Diego to start her life over after a life-shattering workplace trauma. A few months later she had that terrifying moment in the shower we all hope we never have.

    The second season follows Natasha Curry, a palliative care nurse practitioner at San Francisco General Hospital, throughout her experience of going from being a nurse to a patient after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Like Kristen, Natasha was working to overcome a massively traumatic event at the time of her diagnosis. Natasha was in Malawi on a Doctors Without Borders mission in 2021 when her husband of 25 years announced in a text message that he was leaving. She returned home, fell into bed for a few weeks, and eventually with the help of her friends she pulled herself together and went back to work.

    A few months later when she discovered an almond-sized lump in her armpit, she did everything she tells her patients not to do and dismissed it, or wrote it off as a “fat lump." Months went by before Natasha finally got a mammogram, but radiology saw nothing in either breast. It was the armpit lump that caught their attention. Next step was an ultrasound, where the lump was clearly visible. One painful biopsy later, Natasha found out she had cancer; in one life-changing moment, the nurse became the patient.
    The Axis 2023
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Episodes
  • Shouldn’t I Be in the Hospital?

    Shouldn’t I Be in the Hospital?
    May 29 2024
    After a fiasco in Escondido involving multiplying rodents and toxic air quality, Kristen’s on the move again.

    The pulmonologist found ground glass lungs and an enlarged heart, then Dr. Ali found an enlarged lymph node between her liver and stomach and asked for a PET scan.

    With recurrence always lurking, we play the old, familiar waiting game.

    ====

    Season 3 is coming soon and we need your help!
    Tita Gray’s story is different, but the same. Listen for a preview of what’s to come in June 2024.

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    This podcast is about what happens when you have breast cancer, told in real time.

    Host and Executive Producer: Eva Sheie
    Co-Host: Kristen Vengler
    Editor and Audio Engineer: Daniel Croeser
    Theme Music: Them Highs and Lows, Bird of Figment
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
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    30 mins
  • Recurrence: Natasha’s Nonstop Obsession

    Recurrence: Natasha’s Nonstop Obsession
    Nov 7 2023
    About to turn 60, Natasha is in a dark place thinking of other things that can go wrong with her health if she’ll have to go it alone. Even though a routine MRI is clear, she obsesses about cancer spreading to other areas that aren’t being checked.

    Following her mother’s recent lung cancer diagnosis, Natasha worries more for her than she did for herself. Staying close to her, she plans to visit and help her navigate the impossible decisions that come with having cancer.

    Support the Breast Cancer Stories podcast


    Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://breastcancerstories.substack.com/subscribe

    About Breast Cancer Stories

    Breast Cancer Stories follows Natasha Curry, a palliative care nurse practitioner at San Francisco General Hospital, through her experience of going from being a nurse to a patient after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

    Natasha was in Malawi on a Doctors Without Borders mission in 2021 when her husband of 25 years announced in a text message that he was leaving. She returned home, fell into bed for a few weeks, and eventually pulled herself together and went back to work. A few months later when she discovered an almond-sized lump in her armpit, she did everything she tells her patients not to do and dismissed it, or wrote it off as a “fat lump."

    Months went by before Natasha finally got a mammogram, but radiology saw nothing in either breast. It was the armpit lump that caught their attention. Next step was an ultrasound, where the lump was clearly visible. One painful biopsy later, Natasha found out she had cancer; in one life-changing moment, the nurse became the patient.

    This podcast is about what happens when you have breast cancer, told in real time.

    Host and Executive Producer: Eva Sheie
    Co-Host: Kristen Vengler
    Editor and Audio Engineer: Daniel Croeser
    Theme Music: Them Highs and Lows, Bird of Figment
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • Alicia’s DIEP Flap Reconstruction [Part 2 - After Surgery]

    Alicia’s DIEP Flap Reconstruction [Part 2 - After Surgery]
    Oct 23 2023
    5 months after her DIEP flap reconstruction surgery, Alicia returns with an update. Although the original plan was to do a DIEP flap on both sides, it didn’t turn out that way and she still has an expander on the other side.

    Still unsure what to do next, Alicia is taking her time to decide. If she had known things would go the way they did, she believes she would’ve just stayed flat.

    Support the Breast Cancer Stories podcast


    Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://breastcancerstories.substack.com/subscribe

    About Breast Cancer Stories

    This podcast is about what happens when you have breast cancer, told in real time.

    Host and Executive Producer: Eva Sheie
    Co-Host: Kristen Vengler
    Editor and Audio Engineer: Daniel Croeser
    Theme Music: Them Highs and Lows, Bird of Figment
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
Physical Illness & Disease Hygiene & Healthy Living
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Profile Image for Melanie

Thank you for sharing your journey

I am 50 and also in this process. I am also almost an empty nester and I related to so many things. You have kept me company while I’m preparing mentally and physically for my own double mastectomy.
I don’t have my date yet, and sometimes it’s the waiting that is just so lonely…even when I have family support. Thank you for sharing your journey and helping me keep the “cup half full” attitude even while getting ready to have empty bra cups.
Sincerely
Melanie
melanie_kell@hotmail.com

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Profile Image for DEBRA WALTERS

The most relatable stories I've listened to.

I am about a third of the way into my journey. Thank you for providing this wonderful podcast. It validates so much for me and inspires me to persevere. You all speak my language so to speak. Again,, thank you!

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