Episode 21: Emily Garnett (Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer at 34)

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019 Dr. TeplinskyLeave a comment

“I was in so much pain — it was almost a terrible relief to have an answer” – Emily Garnett

Emily Garnett is a wife, mother, lawyer, an advocate and so much more. She was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 32, right as her son turned two years old. She started documenting her journey and experience with breast cancer and is now the blogger at Beyond the Pink Ribbon. She is also the host of the podcast, The Intersection of Cancer and Life. On today’s episode, we talk about her diagnosis of breast cancer and cancer treatment while raising a toddler, her experience with postpartum depression and anxiety, fertility and cancer, how and why she started writing and her incredible plans for the future.

(Photo reposted with permission by Emily Garnett)

What we discussed on today’s episode:

How Emily was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (4:04)

How her doctor discovered a breast lump (7:50)

Her experience with going for a second opinion (9:15)

Her diagnosis of metastatic disease (9:56)

Emily’s thoughts on how being a new mom/postpartum affected the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer (11:20)

Emily’s experience with postpartum depression and anxiety (12:05)

How her life looked while caring for a toddler and getting treatment for metastatic disease (15:00)

Fertility and cancer (20:35)

Emily’s reaction/response when someone asks her when she is having another baby (26:11)

Coping with postpartum depression and anxiety and seeking help with a mental health professional (29:29)

Importance of seeing a mental health professional during cancer treatment (32:52)

How and why Emily started blogging and writing (36:50)

Emily’s decision to start her podcast (42:38)

How people react when Emily tells them she has metastatic breast cancer (45:24)

The need for more research for metastatic breast cancer (47:00)

Emily’s plan to start the non profit organization, The Metastatic Parenthood Project (49:10)

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Related Episodes:

Episode 18: Julia Maues (Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer at 36)

Episode 10: Kate Crawford (Breast Cancer at 28)

Episode 4: Pari Berk (Colon Cancer at 43)

Support Interlude: Women’s Cancer Stories with Dr. Teplinsky. If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes). If you liked this episode, please share with your friends and family!

If you have any feedback or are interested in being a guest on the show, please e-mail me at interludecancerstories@gmail.com.

Episode 20: Brianna Wagner (Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer at 37)

July 5, 2019 Dr. TeplinskyLeave a comment

Brianna was diagnosed with low grade serous ovarian cancer (a very rare form of ovarian cancer) at the age of 37. She was treated with surgery, chemotherapy and is now on a maintenance therapy with a medication called letrozole. On today’s episode, Brianna talks about her treatment as well as the side effects that she experienced during treatment and is still dealing with today. She talks a lot about how significant events in her life — her son’s life and death, living with depression, and finding and meeting her birth parents — framed her cancer experience. She is an advocate for ovarian cancer and is doing some incredible work to spread the word about early detection.

-MG-3067 (Photo reposted with permission by Brianna Wagner)

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Follow Brianna: Instagram |Facebook

What we mentioned on this episode:

SurvivorNet

Elly Mayday

The Happy Turtle Foundation

Brianna’s Story on Cure Our Ovarian Cancer

First Descents

Mary’s Place By the Sea

Related Episodes:

Episode 3: Ingrid Kolstoe (Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer at 41)

Episode 5: Dr. Amy Smith-Morris (Ovarian Cancer at 30)

Episode 16: Jenn Durbal (Peritoneal Cancer at 44)

If you have any feedback or are interested in being a guest on the show, please e-mail me at interludecancerstories@gmail.com.

Episode 19: Lauren Chiarello (Hodgkin Lymphoma at 23)

June 21, 2019 Dr. TeplinskyLeave a comment

“This is a story of resilience.” – Lauren Chiarello

Lauren was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 23. She was initially treated with chemotherapy and was told she was in remission. However, the disease returned and she required more chemotherapy and subsequently, a stem cell transplant. She is now disease-free — 10 years later! Since that time, Lauren created NYC-based Chi Chi Life which blends her three passions of fitness, fundraising and events and cancer advocacy. On today’s episode, Lauren talks about the importance of movement (and provides some really helpful exercise advice!), how she is giving back to the cancer community through her work, and the challenges that adolescents and young adults with cancer face (fertility, family planning, relationships and so much more – Lauren’s resources for young adult cancer survivors is incredibly comprehensive and very helpful).

(Photo reposted with permission by Lauren Chiarello | Photo by Diana Davis Creative)

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Follow Lauren: Website | Facebook | Instagram |

Follow Dr. Teplinsky: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Related Episodes:

Episode 15: Samantha Harris (Breast Cancer at 40)

Episode 14: Sarah Schillaci (Hodgkin Lymphoma at 34)

Episode 12: Laura Revzin (Breast Cancer at 29)

If you have any feedback or are interested in being a guest on the show, please e-mail me at interludecancerstories@gmail.com.

Episode 18: Julia Maues (Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer at 36)

June 14, 2019June 15, 2019 Dr. TeplinskyLeave a comment

Julia Maues was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 while she was pregnant. She was 29 years old at that time. She received chemotherapy during pregnancy and then after her delivery of a healthy boy, she had tests performed that she could not have done while pregnant and it was found that the cancer had spread to her brain, liver, and bones. She is now 36 years old, living with metastatic breast cancer and making a direct impact in patients’ lives through her work as a breast cancer advocate. She focuses on bringing funding to research, highlighting the patient experiencing, challenging the current image of breast cancer, and collaborating with researchers and clinicians. A great program we discuss on this episode is Living Beyond Breast Cancer Hear My Voice.

Julia and I connected through Twitter and were able to meet up and record this episode at the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting. I learned so much from our conversation but one of the things she said really stood out –> when talking to someone going through cancer treatment, “Listen instead of sharing something.” I hope you enjoy our conversation!

View More: http://erinchristineportraiture.pass.us/mauesfamily

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Follow Julia: Twitter | Website & Blog

Follow Dr. Teplinsky: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Related Episodes:

Episode 17: Dr. Kelly Shanahan (Metastatic Breast Cancer at 58)

Episode 11: Dr. Tali Lando Aranoff (Breast Cancer at 36)

Episode 12: Laura Revzin (Breast Cancer at 29)

Episode 17: Dr. Kelly Shanahan (Metastatic Breast Cancer at 58)

June 7, 2019 Dr. TeplinskyLeave a comment

“The patient didn’t fail. The treatment failed.” – Dr. Kelly Shanahan

Dr. Kelly Shanahan is a mother and an OB-GYN. She was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 53, several years after a diagnosis of early stage breast cancer. She is now 58 years old and has been living with metastatic breast cancer for over 5 years. Since her diagnosis, she has become a patient advocate with the goal of incorporating the patient voice into science, clinical trials and clinical medicine. She works closely with several organizations, including METAvivor, an organization dedicated to the fight of women and men living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Dr. Shanahan and I connected through Twitter and were able to meet up and record this episode at the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting. She shared her story with me — I hope you listen and gain as much as I did from her unique perspective.

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Follow Dr. Shanahan: Twitter | Facebook

Follow Dr. Teplinsky: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Related Episodes:

Episode 2: Katie Kashmanian (Inflammatory Breast Cancer at 50)

Episode 10: Kate Crawford (Breast Cancer at 28)

Episode 4: Pari Berk (Colon Cancer at 43)

If you have any feedback or are interested in being a guest on the show, please e-mail me at interludecancerstories@gmail.com.

Episode 16: Jenn Durbal (Peritoneal Cancer at 44)

May 24, 2019May 24, 2019 Dr. TeplinskyLeave a comment

Jenn Durbal was diagnosed with primary peritoneal cancer at the age of 44. She initially presented with three months of symptoms which were initially thought to be viral or the flu. She went to the doctor multiple times and ultimately, was sent to the ER where she was found to have a collapsed lung and a build up of fluid around the lungs. Six days later, she was discharged home with a diagnosis of stage 4 primary peritoneal cancer. Jenn is a special education instructional assistant, a mom to three daughters and a grandmother to a three year old granddaughter. She is also a carrier of a BRCA1 genetic mutation. Today, she shares her story of receiving chemotherapy and subsequent treatment and how she is living life with a diagnosis of “terminal cancer.”

Subscribe & Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher

Follow Jenn: CaringBridge

Follow Dr. Teplinsky: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Related Episodes:

Episode 3: Ingrid Kolstoe (Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer at 41)

Episode 4: Pari Berk (Colon Cancer at 43)

Episode 10: Kate Crawford (Breast Cancer at 28)

If you are interested in being a guest on the show, please e-mail me at interludecancerstories@gmail.com.

Episode 15: Samantha Harris (Breast Cancer at 40)

May 17, 2019May 24, 2019 Dr. TeplinskyLeave a comment

Samantha is an Emmy winning TV host and journalist, an author, a certified personal trainer, nutrition advocate, and a promoter of healthy living. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2014. After her diagnosis, she sought out ways to improve her overall health, leading her to write Your Healthiest Healthy: 8 Easy Ways to Take Control, Help Prevent and Fight Cancer, and Live a Longer, Cleaner, Happier Life. On today’s episode, Samantha shares her personal journey with her breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment, and provides practical advice on how to eat better, reduce toxins, and optimize and maximize your health, energy and happiness.

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Follow Samantha: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Follow Dr. Teplinsky: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

What we discuss on this episode:

Think Dirty App

Environmental Working Group

Samantha’s Recipes for The Kitchen Sink Smoothie, Lentil Chopped Salad, and Black Bean Burger

Related Episodes:

Episode 11: Dr. Tali Lando Aranoff (Breast Cancer at 36)

Episode 4: Pari Berk (Colon Cancer at 43)

Episode 5: Dr. Amy Smith-Morris (Ovarian Cancer at 30)

If you are interested in being a guest on the show, please e-mail me at interludecancerstories@gmail.com.

Episode 14: Sarah Schillaci (Hodgkin Lymphoma at 34)

May 10, 2019May 10, 2019 Dr. TeplinskyLeave a comment

Sarah was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 34 right in the middle of training for the Boston Marathon. On today’s episode, she talks about her experience with fertility preservation before starting chemotherapy, the effect treatment had on her career (she is a high school English teacher!), her running and her identity, the incredible support she received during chemotherapy and finally, what life now looks like after completing treatment.

Subscribe and Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher

Follow Dr. Teplinsky: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Follow Sarah: Facebook | Instagram

Related Episodes:

If you are interested in being a guest on the show, please e-mail me at interludecancerstories@gmail.com.

Episode 13: Bridget Hopkins (Breast Cancer at 35)

May 3, 2019 Dr. TeplinskyLeave a comment

Bridget was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35 right in the middle of wedding planning. On today’s episode, she talks about her experience with mastectomy and reconstruction, what it was like finding out she was a BRCA2 mutation carrier, the implications of her diagnosis and genetics information on fertility plans, and what taking tamoxifen has been like for her.

Subscribe and Listen on Apple Podcasts |Spotify |Google Play |Stitcher

Follow Bridget: Facebook

Follow Dr. Teplinsky: Twitter | Instagram

Related Episodes:

If you are interested in being a guest on the show, please e-mail me at interludecancerstories@gmail.com.

Episode 12: Laura Revzin (Breast Cancer at 29)

April 26, 2019 Dr. TeplinskyLeave a comment

Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29 and she had a two year old son at the time. On today’s episode, she talks about what it was like to be diagnosed and go through treatment, which included chemotherapy and surgery. She speaks a lot about decisions she made about fertility, the effect of chemotherapy on body image, the importance of taking care of yourself, breast reconstruction and nipple tattooing and finally, what dating is like in the aftermath of this diagnosis and treatment.