The Reconstruction Journey with Ivy Choe-Branstetter

01/17/23 • 45 min

Ivy was diagnosed as Stage 3B IBC in November 2021. After 5 months of Doxorubicin+AC and Taksol, Double Mastectomy (have gene mutation called PALB2), and 30 radiation sessions, she is NED since August 2022. Professionally, Ivy is a chemist providing consulting in the chemistry and biology field to the U.S. Government. She lives in Maryland with her husband and 7 year old twin girls.

Previous Episode

Robin Matrai discusses SISU and Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Description of Discussion

SISU- A Finnish concept of strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage.

How has Robin applied sisu through the course of her IBC treatment from 2016 to recent developments of brain metastatic activity and stepping into whole brain radiation while still living with inflammatory breast cancer with quality of life and hope.

Bio

Meet Robin Matrai, from Calgary, Alberta Canada, whose YES attitude may inspire you, cause you to scratch your head or call you to action. Her perspective of living a life with joy, grit and sisu, despite a double diagnosis of Lupus (1996) and Metastatic Inflammatory Breast Cancer (2016) has not stopped her from successfully parenting, operating her own company, painting, travelling, mentoring, speaking, writing, competing in fitness competitions and so much more.