Our Scars Speak

Our guest is Shirley Von Raesfeld,   2023 Faces of Hope Breast Cancer Survivor, Flattie, and Military Spouse. She is sharing her breast cancer journey as a military spouse and mom who was misdiagnosed and flat-denied while asking for no reconstruction of implants or flaps. Shirley explains that she chose to fight with all her might to live for herself and her children, and that is her reason for c...

Our guest is Jeanelle Adams, a Breast Cancer Thriver Diagnosed at 33 with Stage 3 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Advocate for Black and Brown Women. She explains having symptoms at the age of 30, but doctors were not providing her with testing to rule out breast cancer. Everyone continued to assure her that she was okay because she was too young to have breast cancer. Medical professionals did...

Our guest is Yvette Mercer, a God-fearing Breast Cancer Survivor, 2023 Calendar Ambassador for Here for The Girls, Inc., and a fierce Advocate for seeking Second Opinions. Yvette shared her journey of becoming vulnerable and receiving support from others as she underwent treatment. She explained how she sought a second opinion due to the advance of a trusted physician. After diagnosis, Yvette disc...

Our guest is Jacqueline Evans, Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor, Advocate, and Founder of the 501(c)(3) non-profit Organization Pink Is My Power Color African American Women Breast Cancer Organization. Jacqueline shared about being diagnosed in 2018 with Triple Negative Breast Cancer stage 2 and no evidence of disease until January 2023. In January of this year, she was diagnosed with Triple...

Our guest is Angela Washington, a Breast Cancer Survivor, 2023 Calendar Ambassador for November, and an Advocate on the Embrace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee with Here for the Girls, Inc. She shares being a caregiver for her mother and other family members as they were diagnosed with cancer. Those experiences helped Angela continue to keep her faith and fight. Angela is a tenac...

Our guest is Vanessa Spurlock, a Breast Cancer Warrior, Notary, Advocate, and Author. She shares how her breast cancer journey changed her from being the one to take care of everyone to allowing others to care for her. This continual growth through her relationship with God and her inner self caused her to become vulnerable and transparent. Through transparency, Vanessa birthed her first book enti...

Our guest is Jaclyn, a BRCA 1 Gene Carrier, Previvor, Flattie, and Patient Advocate. She shares her journey about choosing a double mastectomy and aesthetic flat closure as a previvor. Also, Jaclyn explains how being Jewish is linked to being at high risk for breast cancer. Throughout the interview, she elaborates on the need to include all people of various reconstructions, especially flatties an...

Our guest is Dr. Leslie Waltke, a Cancer Physical Therapy Specialist and Founder of The Recovery Room on Facebook and YouTube. She shared information about lymphedema and what patients should know about physical therapy after various breast cancer surgeries. Additionally, Dr. Waltke stresses the importance of physical exercise before, during, and after treatment. Contact Information for Dr. Leslie...

Our guest, Priti Shah, MD, Radiologist and Medical Director of Breast Imaging with VCU Health System, shared her passion for radiology, the latest information about breast imaging, and the meaning of specific terminology. Dr. Priti Shah further explained that patients have every right to advocate for themselves, and if they do not feel comfortable, they can seek a second opinion. Lastly, she stres...

Our guest is a Media Producer, Collaborator of Project MTFM (Medical Tattooing Following Mastectomy), and Independent Documentary Filmmaker of "Ink Therapy," Valheria Sanchez. She shares how her passion for photography began while living in her homeland, Venezuela. Valheria explains her transition to the United States, obtaining higher education, and starting Hazelnut Production Agency....

Our guests, René Bowditch and Mary Beth Gibson, Breast Cancer Survivors, Best Friends, Advocates, and The Founders of Here for the Girls, Inc., share their breast cancer journeys, how they became best friends, and what led them to form a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to meet the psychosocial needs of young women affected by breast cancer under the age of 51 from all diversities. Website: www.c...

Tara Council, Breast Cancer Survivor, Military Wife, Educator of 3rd Graders, Mom, Aspiring Author, and Surrogacy Advocate, shares her breast cancer journey and what led her to become a fierce surrogacy advocate. Tara explains that at the time of diagnosis, she was in her early thirties with a one-year-old daughter and married to an active-duty Navy Officer preparing for deployment. However, Tara...

Luan Lawrenson-Woods, DIEP Flap Recipient, Sydney, Australian Patient Advocate, and Podcaster of Rewritten Me, which is Australia's first podcast regarding reconstruction after mastectomy and Founder of BRA-va Art, shares her breast cancer journey and what led her to become a tenacious advocate. Luan explains that her unique breast cancer diagnosis and experience with certain medical professio...

Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, MD, Board Certified Breast and Gynecologic Medical Oncologist and Podcaster of Interlude, shares her story of becoming a physician and what her title means. She provides consultation tips, treatment options, clinical trials, and the latest oncology news. Additionally, Dr. Teplinsky stressed the importance of advocacy and being vulnerable to receiving assistance. Website: ww...

Tonja Ancrum shares her breast cancer story as a 3-time breast cancer survivor, Retired Army Soldier(Master Sergeant), Gulf War Veteran, Patient Advocate, Author, Child of God, and co-founder of the  Evelyn Ancrum Education Support Systems, Inc.  (aka EAESSI). Tonja shares how she was first diagnosed at the age of 29 while she was serving in the military, married to an Army Soldier, and taking car...

Vanessa Cook shares her breast cancer story as a flattie, advocate, and Owner of Joyful Clayccessories. Vanessa explains how she was misdiagnosed with having cysts after her first mammogram, which led to an ultrasound. Shortly after that appointment, she began to experience symptoms. Later, she was diagnosed with Stage 2b breast cancer. Now, she is a proud flattie who advocates alongside Stand Tal...

Kristin Sage shares her journey of being diagnosed at age 32 and having a misdiagnosis that gave her six months to live. Kristin is an advocate who stresses the importance of self-advocacy and seeking additional opinions if the person feels uncomfortable with their medical treatment. While undergoing testing and treatment, Kristin became the owner of Sage Counseling & Consulting. She is a lice...

Mimi Frazier shares her breast cancer story and advocacy work that led her to be the founder of Linkage Beauty Movement, LLC. Mimi was diagnosed with breast cancer at stage 3b at 33 years old. She is a proud flattie who contended with the disease and body image issues within her treatment process. After working on inner healing and embracing her new village of people, she allows herself to speak a...

Gina Lamanna, the founder of The Fondle Project and breast cancer thriver, shares her experience as an advocate for herself as she sought a second and third opinion after being told she did not have breast cancer. Also, she shares about deciding to have an explant after recognizing breast implant illness symptoms. Gina's life experiences sparked the vision for The Fondle Project to inspire wom...

April Stearns, the founder of Wildfire Magazine and breast cancer survivor, shares her experience of HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, including an ultrasound, biopsy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. Also, she shares the mental trauma she experienced through having breast cancer and how she utilized the power of journaling throughout her treatment plan. April launched Wil...

Breast cancer survivor Bret Miller shares his story about finding a lump at age 17 but not being diagnosed until his early twenties. Peggy Miller is Bret's mother and was his caregiver during his treatment process. She shares her experience with aiding him with ensuring adequate medical treatment. Later, Bret and his family started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Male Breast Cancer H...

Tattoo Artist and Owner of Empower Tattoo, Stacie Becker, shares her journey to becoming an artist and an advocate with the breast cancer community. She will also share information about her collaboration with Project Medical Tattooing Following Mastectomy, also known as Project MTFM, a research being conducted by the Health Psychology Laboratory at the University of Central Florida. Additionally,...

Dr. Corrine Ellsworth-Beaumont, MFA, PhD, shares her journey to becoming the Know Your Lemons Foundation founder. She explains how the deaths of loved ones with breast cancer caused her to educate herself more about the disease. This pursuit of expanding her knowledge about breast cancer allowed her to utilize her gift of art and creativity to develop educational tools to teach other people on a g...

Kimberly Bowles shares her breast cancer journey as a flattie and her advocacy work. She explains the journey to receiving aesthetic flat closure after being denied the first time. Kimberly shares how she founded the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Not Putting On A Shirt. Website: www.cminerllc.com Email Address: info@cminerllc.com Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributo...

Breast Cancer Survivor Angela Hayes shares her journey as a patient and caregiver to her dying mother while contending with the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela shares how she was able to mentally deal with various challenges that she was experiencing at once. Website: www.cminerllc.com Email Address: info@cminerllc.com Use At Your Own Risk Disclaimer: None of the authors, contributors, administrators, v...