In this episode of Shellie Turner speaks with guest Paris Smith, a survivor of both multiple sclerosis and triple negative breast cancer. Paris shares her formidable journey through diagnosis, treatment, and the personal growth and advocacy that ensued. From waking up with severe vision loss leading to her MS diagnosis to the discovery and aggressive treatment of her breast cancer, Paris's story is one of faith, resilience, and self-advocacy.

She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's body, the power of education, and the need to advocate for oneself within the healthcare system. Despite the challenges, including treatment failures and surgery, Paris remains positive, attributing her strength and survival to her faith in God. The conversation underscores the disparities in healthcare and the unique battles individuals face, advocating for greater awareness and support for those enduring similar challenges.

Connect with Paris: @beautifulwithms

00:00 Welcome to Our Journey: Understanding Breast Cancer

01:37 Paris's Story: Surviving Multiple Sclerosis and Breast Cancer

04:44 The Diagnosis Journey: From MS to Breast Cancer

14:07 Navigating Healthcare: The Importance of Being Informed and Advocated

25:08 Understanding Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Paris's Treatment and Insights

27:38 A Journey Through Cancer Treatment

28:33 The Power of Self-Education and Advocacy

28:55 Exploring Alternative Perspectives on Treatment

29:32 Addressing Racism in Oncology

30:04 Personal Stories of Cancer and Resilience

33:39 The Impact of Cancer on Identity and Body Image

38:00 Finding Strength and Advocacy Through Faith

38:47 Sharing Stories and Empowering Others

44:16 The Challenges of Reconstruction and Moving Forward

46:59 Building a Supportive Community and Looking Ahead

In this podcast episode, our guest Cheryl Brown shares her battle with breast cancer as well as mother's and her own diagnoses. Cheryl details their differing treatments, diagnoses stages, and the emotional and physical challenges they faced. Shellie and Cheryl also delve into the broader issues of healthcare, insurance, the variability of cancer treatment experiences, and the importance of self-advocacy and support systems. Together, they emphasize living beyond a breast cancer diagnosis, shedding light on the significant impact it has on individuals' lives while also highlighting the power of storytelling and community support in navigating the journey of diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Host

00:41 The Journey to Having Cheryl on the Show

01:35 Cheryl's Personal Battle with Breast Cancer

09:09 The Varied Experiences of Breast Cancer Treatment

18:48 The Importance of Advocacy and Sharing Stories

25:08 Navigating Life Post-Diagnosis and Finding Strength

27:16 The Emotional Rollercoaster of a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

27:24 Navigating Healthcare and Insurance Challenges

27:42 Personal Stories of Struggle and Resilience

29:29 The Importance of Support and Advocacy

33:12 Fashion, Identity, and Empowerment Post-Diagnosis

37:44 The Ongoing Journey of Healing and Advocacy

51:00 Closing Thoughts: Empowerment and Hope

Host Shellie Turner engages in a heartfelt conversation with breast cancer veteran Asha Miller. They explore the often untalked-about complexities and long-term impacts of living with the disease. Asha opens up about her divorce following her diagnosis, the intricate relationship dynamics that evolved, and the supportive co-parenting setup with her ex-husband for the well-being of their children. Delving deeper into the conversation around breast reconstruction following mastectomy, Asha shares that she plans to undergo a 'deep flap surgery'. She also reveals her engagement with the breast cancer community, including her involvement in the upcoming 'Camp Breasties'. Asha discusses the importance of these communities in creating a network of support, empowering individuals, and disseminating crucial information.

Connect with Asha: https://www.instagram.com/dearcancer_itsme/

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast

00:41 Guest Introduction: Asha's Fight Against Cancer

01:45 Discussing Asha's Divorce Amidst Cancer Battle

04:08 Coping Mechanisms: Watching TV Shows

05:04 Navigating Relationships Post-Divorce

10:06 Asha's Upcoming Surgery and Body Acceptance

17:27 The Impact of Cancer on Family Dynamics

19:54 Empowering the Next Generation

20:16 The Importance of Genetic Testing and Awareness

26:30 Living and Thriving Post-Cancer

27:46 Upcoming Events: Camp Breasties

27:52 Making Camp Free for Breasties

28:12 The Excitement of Attending Camp

28:34 The Concept of Breastable

29:19 The Breasties App and Community

30:05 The Importance of Community in Breast Cancer Journey

30:12 The Struggles of Early Breast Cancer Communities

31:40 The Evolution of Breast Cancer Communities

32:47 The Mental Health Aspect of Breast Cancer

33:02 The Concept of Being a Breast Cancer Veteran

33:58 The Challenges of Living Post Breast Cancer

36:48 The Impact of Breast Cancer on Family

42:44 The Victoria's Secret Campaign Experience

49:03 The Upcoming Surgery and Reflections

51:41 Closing Thoughts and Appreciation

The podcast 'We Do Have a Voice', hosted by Shellie Turner, is a platform for discussing and raising awareness about breast cancer where voices of those touched by the disease are amplified. Our guest, Kellie, an advocate for the BRCA genetic test and a carrier of the gene who underwent preventative mastectomy and hysterectomy, shares her journey and mission promoting genetic testing. Shellie and Kellie discuss the challenges women face when diagnosed and the importance of educating oneself, community involvement and self-advocacy. They express their determination in preventing cancer from being the dominant voice in their lives and encourage other women to do the same.

Connect with Kellie: https://www.instagram.com/browngirlandbrcaplus/

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast

00:41 Guest Introduction and Sharing Personal Stories

01:45 Importance of BRCA Testing and Personal Experiences

04:45 Guest's Military Background and Family's Cancer History

05:29 Guest's Preventative Measures and Advocacy Work

10:23 Discussion on the Importance of Self-Advocacy

14:50 Continued Conversation on Self-Advocacy and Empowerment

17:20 The Importance of Genetic Testing

18:23 Ignoring the Warning Signs

18:57 The Second Chance

21:23 The Struggles of Reconstruction

23:37 Finding Strength in the Journey

25:15 The Power of Community: Camp Bressie

28:17 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

In this episode of "C We Do Have A Voice," host Shellie Turner brings a different perspective on breast cancer by inviting her brother as a guest. Together, they discuss the impact of breast cancer on their family, having lost three sisters to the disease. Shellie shares her own experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer three times, while also highlighting the importance of advocating for oneself as a survivor. The conversation sheds light on how breast cancer not only affects individuals, but also the entire family. Tune in to gain insights into the family dynamics surrounding breast cancer and the challenges faced by loved ones.

In this episode of C We Do Have A Voice, host Shellie Turner is joined by Ananda Lewis, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Ananda shares her experience with a non-traditional, expensive chemo treatment and discusses her decision to use cold cap treatment to preserve her hair. The conversation highlights the importance of personalized approaches to cancer treatment and challenges the generalized narratives surrounding cancer. The episode also explores different perspectives on quality of life and the acceptance of death. Join Shellie and Ananda as they dive into a candid discussion about finding one's own story and understanding in the face of breast cancer.

Follow Ananda: https://www.instagram.com/imanandalewis/

In this episode of "C We Do Have A Voice," host Shellie Turner is joined by Arnedra Jordan, the Project Manager for Black Women for Wellness. While Arnedra is not a breast cancer survivor herself, she advocates for those who are newly diagnosed, teaching them how to navigate their diagnosis and become advocates for themselves. Black Women for Wellness is an organization that focuses on reproductive justice, with different components including diabetes and breast health. This episode highlights the importance of finding your story, making informed decisions, and understanding breast cancer, regardless of where you live or who you are. Tune in to hear Arnedra's heartfelt insights and learn about the work being done in the African-American community for women's health.

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast
00:00:42 - Introducing Guest Arnedra Jordan
00:01:55 - About Black Women for Wellness
00:03:16 - Discussing Diet and Cancer
00:05:13 - The Role of Prescriptions and Alternative Medicine
00:06:01 - Cancer as an Equal Opportunity Employer
00:07:46 - Importance of Green Vegetables
00:08:28 - Cancer Doesn't Discriminate
00:09:09 - Advocacy and Policy for Black Women's Health
00:10:13 - Navigating Health Insurance and Treatment Access
00:11:08 - Clinical Trials and the Black Community
00:12:25 - The Importance of Clinical Trial Diversity
00:13:08 - Clinical Trials and Future Generations
00:14:23 - The Pathfinder Clinical Trial
00:15:06 - Caregiving and Self-Care
00:16:00 - The Pathfinder Program and Lung Health
00:17:25 - The Importance of Advocacy and Education
00:18:46 - Creating Comfortable Environments for Discussion
00:19:53 - The Impact of Racism in Healthcare
00:20:13 - The Taking Stock Program
00:21:25 - The Link Between Chemicals and Cancer
00:22:49 - Environmental Factors and Cancer
00:23:57 - The Possibility of a Cancer Vaccine
00:25:05 - The Importance of Participating in Clinical Trials
00:26:31 - The Future of Cancer Vaccines
00:27:43 - Finding Reliable Information on Medications
00:28:55 - Sharing Knowledge and Resources
00:30:00 - Living Beyond Cancer
00:31:14 - Resources for Cancer Survivors
00:32:33 - Embracing Life After Cancer
00:33:40 - Advocating for Self-Care
00:35:07 - Spreading Awareness and Resources
00:36:06 - Finding and Sharing Resources
00:37:53 - The Role of Community in Spreading Information
00:39:43 - Enjoying Life in Moderation
00:41:10 - Focusing on Thriving, Not Just Surviving
00:42:54 - Changing the Narrative for Black Women's Health
00:44:06 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information

In this episode Shellie interviews Jackie, who used to be an ambassador for Susan G. Komen. They discuss breast cancer and the journey of survivors after the initial diagnosis. Jackie shares her personal experience of being diagnosed with stage one breast cancer, and the fear and uncertainty she faced. She highlights the need for better communication and information for patients, as well as the importance of support and empowered advocacy. Jackie also talks about her role in uplifting other patients undergoing treatment and the power of sharing stories for healing.

05:27 Breast cancer requires self-advocacy.
10:09 Early detection can prevent chemotherapy.
13:04 Advocate for your health.
18:37 Breast cancer education is crucial.
20:51 Racial disparities in breast cancer.
29:33 Empower yourself with knowledge.
34:31 Support and care for cancer patients.
35:14 Gratitude for heartfelt healing.