Too Young For This Shit | AYA Breast Cancer Podcast

In this two-part journey, Shauna and Rosalina detail the mental, emotional, financial, and physical struggle of hormone therapy through — and following — treatment. At points, Shauna felt like she was one continuous experiment, fighting fire with fire and piling on medications that put her in a dark place for the better part of a year. Rosalina and Shauna are on their five-year medication regimen,...

There has been a continuation of appointments, scans, and findings for Shauna and Rosalina. Shortly after Season 2 wrapped, Shauna underwent a CAT scan of her abdomen due to gut upset from cancer treatment, and she shares the emotions that came from finding a mass on her liver. Rosalina went for her annual check-ups but found a suspicious mass from the ultrasound results. She describes the feeling...

The wait is over. Catch a glimpse of what's in store for this season. Mark your calendars for the first episode's premiere on Thursday, September 7th.

We need your feedback! Please take 5 minutes of your day to complete our end of Season 2 survey. Your feedback is important and will allow us to improve future podcast episodes for our listeners. Survey link: bit.ly/tyftssurvey Shauna and Rosalina have finally had their exchange surgeries! In this episode, the ladies share their feelings and experiences on surgery day. They discuss how they are he...

We need your feedback! Please take 5 minutes of your day to complete our end of Season 2 survey. Your feedback is important and will allow us to improve future podcast episodes for our listeners. Survey link: bit.ly/tyftssurvey Shauna had a double mastectomy, while Rosalina had a unilateral mastectomy in 2021. Both had to wait six months post-radiation to get their “final” reconstruction surgery....

Meet Justine. She is a 10-year breast cancer survivor, a psychology professor, and a certified yoga teacher. She runs the Instagram account @yogawithjus, where she shares about her survivorship, flattie fashion and holds weekly meditation for the breast cancer community. In this episode, Justine shares with us what it was like being diagnosed at just 23 years old such as navigating college full-ti...

Since finishing breast cancer treatment, Shauna and Rosalina have been proactive in taking control of their health and wellness. In this episode, they discuss exercise, nutrition, managing stress, and what they are doing to improve their mental health. [00:05:14] Lack of joy after cancer. [00:09:03] Struggling to be yourself. [00:11:31] Comparing yourself to others. [00:14:38] Work-life balance. [...

Meet Elly Blackhart. She was a 2x cancer survivor living in Ontario, Canada. After finishing her cancer treatments in 2019, she found post-cancer difficult with increased pain, brain fog, and difficulty in daily activities. Her cancer came back in 2021, and she was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. In this episode, Elly shares her cancer journey and the helpful practices that she feels have c...

The anticipation is here. We discuss the dreading topic of endocrine therapy to help slow and stop cancer cell growth for the next 5-10 years. From early menopause w/ovarian suppression (which can be reversible) to the not-so-great side effects, we talk about it all in this episode. Rosalina and Shauna have two completely different plans, which makes it interesting to learn more about their approa...

Stephanie Villavicencio is a half-Ecuadorian yogi, surfer, snowboarder, and founder of Tits Deep For Breast Cancer. Although Stephanie did not personally have breast cancer, this disease has deeply impacted her life. In this episode, we discuss Stephanie’s family history of breast cancer, the loss of her mother and best friend, the importance of breast screenings, and her organization that raises...

What is Toxic Positivity? Toxic Positivity is the belief that people should maintain a positive mindset no matter how dire or difficult a situation is. While this is easier said than done, people don't realize how harmful this can be to one's mental health. In this episode, Shauna and Rosalina discuss unhelpful phrases they've heard from friends, families, and strangers. They share tips on alterna...

As the oldest of four, Shauna has always been a second mom to her siblings. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Shauna waited until she had the proper diagnosis and treatment information before telling her brothers and sister. In this episode, we interview Scooter and Lenny and discuss how they handled the news, the COVID difficulties throughout Shauna’s diagnosis, and how they kept their s...

George and Roberto Carlos have been protective of their little sister since she was young; however, no one knew they would hear the devastating news that their sister has breast cancer. Listen to how this has affected them emotionally, the separation & difficulty of living on opposite coasts, why cancer isn't talked about in their Latin culture, the support they provided for Rosalina, and how...

Shauna provides an update on how survivorship is treating her. We will hear how things have not been easy, from debilitating side-effects related to hormone blockers, to an unexpected infection that almost cost her a tissue expander. Shauna shares the reality that immediately followed her post treatment, and how truly hard it is to find her new “normal.” If you enjoy this episode, please share it...

Rosalina has big dreams, and one of those dreams is to perform and become a background dancer for an artist. Today, you'll hear about Rosalina's joy & excitement throughout the process, from dancing with fearless women to working with an amazing production team. She then talks about her first mammogram/ultrasound experience post-cancer, an acquaintance reaching out via DM, and why every young...

Yes, you certainly read the title correctly. Rosalina and Shauna went on the Kelly Clarkson show to spread their message about breast cancer in young women, being an advocate, and how their podcast has impacted their listeners. Listen to their reasoning as to why they accepted to be on the show, the emotions they were experiencing before and during the show's live taping, and Shauna mourning her d...

Shauna and Matt have shared their lives together for almost a decade. They have navigated their fair amounts of ups and downs throughout the years but nothing prepared them for a cancer diagnosis. In this episode, we discuss all the roles that Matt took on throughout Shauna’s cancer journey, their trip to the fertility clinic, and how cancer has affected their relationship. If you enjoy this episo...

Brian and Rosalina had only been dating for two years until Rosalina was hit by a bus with a cancer diagnosis. Listen in to hear how Brian took on the role of understanding the science behind Rosalina's diagnosis, asking the right questions to her doctors, how cancer has affected their relationship and his experience as a caregiver. Brian is an amazing partner who always stood by Rosalina's side,...

Yes, there are short-term side effects that many women experience while undergoing active treatment, but what about after? Are there long-term effects that no one talks about? Also, like many others with a cancer diagnosis, going through surgery, treatment, and visiting doctors frequently is EXHAUSTING. Rosalina and Shauna share mentally and physically how they are doing after completing treatment...

Let’s talk about radiation and how everyone, from your doctors to women in the support groups, says this treatment is “easier” than chemotherapy. Shauna felt she was being lied to, while Rosalina felt burned out from trying to get to the finishing line of completing treatment. At the beginning of the episode, we provide education on what radiation therapy is, why it was recommended for our treatme...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses depression and briefly mentions the ideation of suicide. Welcome to Season 2! We’re f**ing ecstatic to bring you another season of TYFTS. Rosalina and Shauna recorded this episode back in January 2021. They discussed so many different topics, from relationships with friends and families moments that they felt like giving up on treatment, pulling the cancer c...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses depression and briefly mentions ideation of suicide In this season finale, Rosalina and Shauna share raw voice clips of the challenging moments they are experiencing while undergoing chemotherapy treatment. They begin the voice clips at 24:11. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends. Help us reach more women by subscribing and rating us...

Rosalina and Shauna finished chemotherapy in September 2021! They discuss their long journey, struggles, and how the treatment made them feel mentally and physically. They also discuss their outlook on life since finishing a tremendous milestone! If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends. Help us reach more women by subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcast and Spotify. You can...

Rosalina and Shauna take you through the beginning stage of their chemotherapy treatments. This was recorded at the beginning of their chemotherapy journey of May/June 2021. They discuss conversations with their doctors about treatment plans and their struggle to cope with the reality of undergoing chemotherapy. They also explain their decisions and the reasons they chose to Cold Cap. Both Rosalin...

Shauna and Rosalina discuss their fertility preservation experiences and the extensive legal process they underwent. Hear about Shauna’s first bad interaction with her fertility doctor while Rosalina had to pull her cancer card to get an appointment with the fertility doctor. They also discuss where they stand in having children after breast cancer. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with...