Chemo Stories : One woman’s search for strength, grace and trust

Prior to her diagnosis, Tina was literally seeing signs to get checked for breast cancer. She saw a slew of “get your mammogram” signs plastered all over the NYC subway on her morning commute. After dropping her son off at camp she saw another sign, this time on the back of an old phone booth. “Get your mammogram.”

In this episode, Tina recounts the weeks leading up to her diagnosis and living in a self-described “freakout mode,” when she would soon find out that the possibility of having cancer brings a tidal wave of fear. But once the wave recedes, it may leave behind a strange kind of freedom. 

Resources:

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

In part 2 of episode 1, Tina processes the dreaded call from her doctor. The lump in her breast was cancer. Early stage, but still cancer. Now what?

Tina explores the struggle of telling family and friends, and the flood of responses that come with sharing this kind of news, some of which were well-intentioned, and some a little tone-deaf and oblivious. What is the right thing to say to someone with cancer?

Resources/References:

N/A

Tina openly ruminates on her biggest fear: Am I strong enough for this?

She begins to examine everything about herself,  things she didn't even know existed. What does it mean to be strong? She doesn’t feel strong. But why? Tina digs into her childhood, remembering all of the mixed messages she received as a woman. Do these messages early on affect us as adult women?

How do you even begin to prepare for Chemotherapy? How do you keep your mind and body as healthy and trauma free as possible during the process?

Tina gives tips on some of the more practical and natural alternatives that have been making the process of preparing for Chemotherapy smoother, including “microblading” her eyebrows, creating a “hair halo,” and trying medical marijuana.

Resources:

Evertrue Microblading Salon

http://www.evertruesalon.com 

Med Men

https://www.medmen.com/stores/nyc-fifth-avenue-bryant-park

With one week left to go until her Chemotherapy begins, Tina continues to dive deep into alternative, holistic ways to prepare, including medical qigong and acupuncture.

In this episode, Tina hilariously retells the story of participating in a unique exercise class, which tests the benefits of exercise on women going through Chemo. Let’s just say it involves wearing a mask with a tube on your head and walking on a steeply-inclined treadmill, all while people watch and cheer you on in lab coats.

Resources:

Paul Fraser Qigong | Medical Qi Gong Teacher & Healer

http://www.paulfraserqigong.net 

MSKCC Integrative Medicine: Exercise & Mind-Body Classes

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/therapies/classes 

Dr. Mao - MSKCC

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/jun-mao

The day finally came. Chemotherapy. Round 1.

For those wondering what the first day is like, Tina gives a play-by-play: What is the process? How long does it last? What exactly do the doctors and nurses do? What can you do to stay calm?

https://www.mskcc.org

Sandy Ames Hypnotherapy

https://sandyameshypnotherapy.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsv7BRCmARIsANu-CQeoFx416QNX_P_jQpqNCZUxtK2NDXKks_fzcKeEEZvsdT17_y5PqHgaAkn6EALw_wcB

Chemotherapy can wreak havoc on your body, but what does it do to your mind? If you’re someone who naturally craves control, what happens when you’re suddenly placed in a situation where you have absolutely no control?

In episode 6, Tina reflects on the mental impact of Chemo and breast cancer, openly discussing her “inner demons.”

In episode 7, Tina shares the best advice she received from another survivor and how it prompted her to dig deeply into herself.  She also continues her quest for alternative medicine with a visit to a “medical intuitive,” who opened Tina’s eyes to the struggles of the women in her lineage, as well as the power of her own voice.

In this episode, Tina discusses how she balanced her career with the challenges of breast cancer, and “coming out” publicly with her diagnosis.

In this episode, Tina tells an edge-of-your-seat story about a “bad reaction” to a particular drug and what to look out for when taking a medicine known as Taxol.