Breast Cancer Diagnosis at 33: Ivanna's Story of Perseverance
01/28/25 • 37 min
1 Listener
How do couples navigate the tumultuous journey of unexpected medical crises?
For Wayne and Ivanna, it began with Wayne's emergency retina surgery, quickly followed by Ivanna's shocking breast cancer diagnosis at age 33. They found solace and strength in each other, embracing health advocacy and community support. Through their ordeal, they transformed their challenges into a mission to inspire and educate others.
Key Questions Answered
1. What health advocacy steps does Ivanna recommend for women?
2. How did Ivanna and Wayne handle the emotional and mental health aspects of dealing with illness?
3. How did Ivanna's initial breast cancer diagnosis occur, and what was her reaction?
4. What was Wayne's role and response in supporting Ivanna during her health challenges?
5. How did Ivanna and Wayne's health challenges affect their family plans and vacations?
6. What critical health decision did Ivanna make regarding her cancer treatment, and what was the outcome?
7. What was the significance of self-advocacy as highlighted by both Ivanna and the host Dorothy Gibbons?
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Met beautiful woman while bartending one Sunday.
03:43 Date night mishap: fancy wine, no glassware.
08:17 Breast lump concerns repeatedly dismissed by doctors.
10:14 Got biopsy results earlier than expected.
13:10 Struggled with pregnancy and potential health issues.
16:29 Post-pregnancy breast changes important for diagnosis.
21:41 Seeking definitive guidance on radiation treatment necessity.
25:20 Concerned about children's fast-paced upbringing.
27:53 Vacation plan canceled due to emergency surgery.
29:49 Retinal detachment diagnosed; emergency surgery needed.
33:43 Not ready for breast cancer survivor group.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do couples navigate the tumultuous journey of unexpected medical crises?
For Wayne and Ivanna, it began with Wayne's emergency retina surgery, quickly followed by Ivanna's shocking breast cancer diagnosis at age 33. They found solace and strength in each other, embracing health advocacy and community support. Through their ordeal, they transformed their challenges into a mission to inspire and educate others.
Key Questions Answered
1. What health advocacy steps does Ivanna recommend for women?
2. How did Ivanna and Wayne handle the emotional and mental health aspects of dealing with illness?
3. How did Ivanna's initial breast cancer diagnosis occur, and what was her reaction?
4. What was Wayne's role and response in supporting Ivanna during her health challenges?
5. How did Ivanna and Wayne's health challenges affect their family plans and vacations?
6. What critical health decision did Ivanna make regarding her cancer treatment, and what was the outcome?
7. What was the significance of self-advocacy as highlighted by both Ivanna and the host Dorothy Gibbons?
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Met beautiful woman while bartending one Sunday.
03:43 Date night mishap: fancy wine, no glassware.
08:17 Breast lump concerns repeatedly dismissed by doctors.
10:14 Got biopsy results earlier than expected.
13:10 Struggled with pregnancy and potential health issues.
16:29 Post-pregnancy breast changes important for diagnosis.
21:41 Seeking definitive guidance on radiation treatment necessity.
25:20 Concerned about children's fast-paced upbringing.
27:53 Vacation plan canceled due to emergency surgery.
29:49 Retinal detachment diagnosed; emergency surgery needed.
33:43 Not ready for breast cancer survivor group.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Previous Episode
Effective Cold Capping for Chemo Patients
1 RecommendationsHow does one turn a personal battle into a mission for societal good?
Michelle Holland's experience with cancer has evolved into advocacy for early detection and patient support. As a cancer survivor working at Siemens Healthineers, she promotes advanced mammography for earlier diagnosis. Her story underscores the power of self-advocacy and resilience.
Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Key Questions Answered
1. What motivated Michelle Holland to share her personal story of battling cancer?
2. What is Michelle Holland's current profession, and how does it relate to her cancer journey?
3. Did Michelle Holland have any genetic markers for cancer?
4. How did Michelle Holland manage her time during chemotherapy?
5. What coping mechanism does Michelle Holland emphasize for those undergoing treatment?
6. How does Michelle Holland use her personal experience in her professional life?
7. What is cold capping, and why does Michelle Holland advocate for it?
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Cancer treatment journey with surgery, chemo, complications.
04:09 Cold cap preserves hair during chemotherapy treatment.
06:38 Pre-chemo preparation involved hair-wetting.
11:10 Surgery affirmed my strength; I hosted Thanksgiving.
13:07 Excited: selling revolutionary mammogram machine at Siemens.
17:12 Sharing my story promotes women's health prioritization.
19:37 Visit Paxman website; insurance might cover cost.
23:47 Fundraiser supports hidden costs of treatment.
28:44 Machine improves comfort and tech accessibility during mammograms.
29:39 Get early mammogram; everyone's cancer is unique.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Next Episode
What You Need to Know About Screening Guidelines
1 RecommendationsHow can breast cancer screening guidelines affect women's healthcare access?
Dorothy Gibbons discusses recent changes in breast cancer screening recommendations. JAMA confirmed that starting screenings at age 40 improves outcomes. Previously, the USPSTF advised screening starting at age 50, but now they recommend it for women aged 40 to 74, every other year. Dorothy advocates for annual screenings for more effective detection. She differentiates between routine and diagnostic mammograms, emphasizing their importance.
USPSTF’s stance on breast density informs whether further tests like MRIs or ultrasounds are necessary. Insurance coverage hinges on these recommendations. The Affordable Care Act mandates insurance to cover preventive services, but legal challenges could affect this provision. Dorothy recalls a case where a woman had to pay out of pocket for an ultrasound, which ultimately saved her life. She urges listeners to understand these issues and their potential impact on women's health.
Subscribe to Let's Talk About Your Breasts and consider supporting The Rose at therose.org.
Key Questions Answered
1. Why is it important to start breast cancer screening at age 40?
2. What are the differences between screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms?
3. What were the previous recommendations for the starting age of breast cancer screenings by the USPSTF?
4. What did the recent update from the USPSTF recommend regarding breast cancer screenings?
5. What is the importance of breast density information for women?
6. What does the USPSTF say about supplemental screening for women with dense breasts?
7. How does health insurance typically respond to the USPSTF recommendations?
8. What is the role of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in preventive services like mammograms?
Timestamped Overview
00:00 "Breast Cancer Screening: Start at 40"
03:16 Affordable Care Act: Legal Challenges
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/lets-talk-about-your-breasts-249206/breast-cancer-diagnosis-at-33-ivannas-story-of-perseverance-83123647"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to breast cancer diagnosis at 33: ivanna's story of perseverance on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy