
Empowering Your Mastectomy Journey: Erica's Inspiring Story of Choice and Resilience
10/22/24 • 58 min
Erica Newbert Campbell, a breast cancer survivor and author of "The Mastectomy I Always Wanted," joins us to share her powerful personal journey. Through her candid storytelling, Erica illuminates the difficult decisions she faced following her diagnosis, including the choice of undergoing breast reconstruction with implants. Her narrative does more than recount her journey; it opens a dialogue about the importance of normalizing conversations around breast cancer and the emotional complexities that accompany treatment options.
From the moment of receiving her diagnosis, Erica takes us through the emotional upheaval and practical challenges that follow. She reflects on the fear, anxiety, and the trust she placed in her medical team as she navigated through options between a lumpectomy and mastectomy. Erica also highlights the importance of feeling empowered by choice, especially when the path is fraught with daunting decisions concerning identity and beauty. Her inspiration draws connections to public figures like Angelina Jolie, emphasizing the transformative power of rewriting personal narratives.
Through stories of connection and hope, Erica shares the motivation behind her book, which started as an unexpected journey of solidarity and support. The unique cover design of her memoir symbolizes the deep genetic and personal connections shared with her mother and countless others on a similar journey. Erica's guiding principles—never give up, you are not alone, and trust the process—are glimmers of resilience. Join us for a conversation filled with humor, authenticity, and the powerful reminder that storytelling can inspire and empower us to face life's challenges with confidence and grace.
Links and resources:
- Get Erica’s book on Amazon: “The Mastectomy I Always Wanted”
- Check out Erica’s website: https://www.ericanewbertcampbell.com
- Connect with Erica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erica.n.campbell/
Please help us be heard and raise awareness:
- Subscribe to the show
- Rate and review
- Share with your friends
Let's connect!
Join the Empowered Explant Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredexplant
Connect with Darnah on Instagram: @darnahmercieca
Interviews and sponsorships email: [email protected]
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/ilya-kuznetsov/anticipation
Disclaimer: This podcast does not constitute medical or mental health advice. Darnah is not a medical practitioner. She shares from personal experience, research, and conversations with other people. If you are experiencing symptoms, pain, post-surgery complications, or mental health concerns, please seek care from your medical provider or surgeon.
Erica Newbert Campbell, a breast cancer survivor and author of "The Mastectomy I Always Wanted," joins us to share her powerful personal journey. Through her candid storytelling, Erica illuminates the difficult decisions she faced following her diagnosis, including the choice of undergoing breast reconstruction with implants. Her narrative does more than recount her journey; it opens a dialogue about the importance of normalizing conversations around breast cancer and the emotional complexities that accompany treatment options.
From the moment of receiving her diagnosis, Erica takes us through the emotional upheaval and practical challenges that follow. She reflects on the fear, anxiety, and the trust she placed in her medical team as she navigated through options between a lumpectomy and mastectomy. Erica also highlights the importance of feeling empowered by choice, especially when the path is fraught with daunting decisions concerning identity and beauty. Her inspiration draws connections to public figures like Angelina Jolie, emphasizing the transformative power of rewriting personal narratives.
Through stories of connection and hope, Erica shares the motivation behind her book, which started as an unexpected journey of solidarity and support. The unique cover design of her memoir symbolizes the deep genetic and personal connections shared with her mother and countless others on a similar journey. Erica's guiding principles—never give up, you are not alone, and trust the process—are glimmers of resilience. Join us for a conversation filled with humor, authenticity, and the powerful reminder that storytelling can inspire and empower us to face life's challenges with confidence and grace.
Links and resources:
- Get Erica’s book on Amazon: “The Mastectomy I Always Wanted”
- Check out Erica’s website: https://www.ericanewbertcampbell.com
- Connect with Erica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erica.n.campbell/
Please help us be heard and raise awareness:
- Subscribe to the show
- Rate and review
- Share with your friends
Let's connect!
Join the Empowered Explant Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredexplant
Connect with Darnah on Instagram: @darnahmercieca
Interviews and sponsorships email: [email protected]
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/ilya-kuznetsov/anticipation
Disclaimer: This podcast does not constitute medical or mental health advice. Darnah is not a medical practitioner. She shares from personal experience, research, and conversations with other people. If you are experiencing symptoms, pain, post-surgery complications, or mental health concerns, please seek care from your medical provider or surgeon.
Previous Episode

“Do you miss your breast implants?”–Here’s my honest answer.
The question that brought tears to my eyes in my live Q&A. “Do you miss your breast implants?” It’s the first time I’ve talked about this in 3 years since my explant surgery. Here’s my honest answer.
Links and resources:
- Catch the live Q&A replay here: https://youtube.com/live/QmNEvvFapTc
- Listen to episode 57: The Best Way to Ease Anxiety & Mentally Prepare for Explant Surgery—In 10 Simple Steps!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2073651/episodes/15845904 - Join the Empowered Explant Facebook Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredexplant - Get coaching support from me:
www.empoweredexplant.com/support
Please help us be heard and raise awareness:
- Subscribe to the show
- Rate and review
- Share with your friends
Let's connect!
Join the Empowered Explant Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredexplant
Connect with Darnah on Instagram: @darnahmercieca
Interviews and sponsorships email: [email protected]
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/ilya-kuznetsov/anticipation
Disclaimer: This podcast does not constitute medical or mental health advice. Darnah is not a medical practitioner. She shares from personal experience, research, and conversations with other people. If you are experiencing symptoms, pain, post-surgery complications, or mental health concerns, please seek care from your medical provider or surgeon.
Next Episode

My Unexpected Standoff with a Plastic Surgeon at a Weekend BBQ: Breast Implant Risk vs Reward
Who needs a shrink when you could have a boob job? Join me in this conversation as I decompress after an unexpected encounter with a plastic surgeon at a weekend BBQ that unfolded into a spirited discussion about breast implants, explant surgery, and breast implant illness (BII). This episode explores the psychological motivations behind seeking plastic surgery and highlights the importance of awareness and transparency in surgical consultations.
Our dialogue peels back the layers of the emotional and physical journey many women face when deciding on breast implants. We confront the initial allure and confidence boost these procedures offer, juxtaposed with the troubling long-term health concerns that can arise. Despite differing views on risk vs reward, the conversation with the surgeon serves as a reminder of the importance of informed decision-making.
What do you think? I invite you to share your thoughts on this episode and your experiences speaking with surgeons about BII and implant risks. Shoot me a DM on IG or come chat in the Empowered Explant facebook group.
I also appreciate your advocacy! Share this episode so this message can reach more women who need to hear it!
Resources and Links
BII Information, FDA Recommendations + tons more, visit: https://www.empoweredexplant.com/resources
Please help us be heard and raise awareness:
- Subscribe to the show
- Rate and review
- Share with your friends
Let's connect!
Join the Empowered Explant Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredexplant
Connect with Darnah on Instagram: @darnahmercieca
Interviews and sponsorships email: [email protected]
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/ilya-kuznetsov/anticipation
Disclaimer: This podcast does not constitute medical or mental health advice. Darnah is not a medical practitioner. She shares from personal experience, research, and conversations with other people. If you are experiencing symptoms, pain, post-surgery complications, or mental health concerns, please seek care from your medical provider or surgeon.
Empowered Explant - Empowering Your Mastectomy Journey: Erica's Inspiring Story of Choice and Resilience
Transcript
This is Empowered Explant the podcast helping women ditch their breast implants with confidence . I'm Darnah Mercieca board certified health and wellness coach and explant warrior . Now , all women in our community are survivors survivors of the dangers of breast implants , survivors of breast implant illness but it's also important to remember that many in our community are survivo
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