Six weeks after the (evil) expanders are out and new 700cc “porn-star-sized” breast implants are in, Kristen shares what it feels like to be on the other side of the painfully long process of stretching her skin to make room for the permanent replacements. After falling into the bushes while climbing the path to her beloved apartment near the beach, she faces the harsh realization that her body is not going to be back to “normal” anytime soon. Because hormone blockers cause brittle bones, Kristen can’t risk even the slightest injury and the challenges with the uphill driveway and steep steps to her apartment mean it’s time to a new home for the 10th time in less than 4 years. Facing this unpleasant reality, she gratefully acknowledges that this apartment with its multi-million dollar view and serene surroundings was the right place to heal but not a long-term solution. For now, and hopefully forever, the breast cancer part of Kristen’s story is nearly finished. One final reconstructive surgery with Dr. Pacella remains to complete the finishing touches on her reconstructed breasts.

STAY TUNED FOR SEASON 2 BEGINNING AUGUST 2022
Join us for Natasha’s story on the 2nd season of Breast Cancer Stories: Nurse Becomes Patient. Listen to the trailer: https://www.breastcancerstoriespodcast.com/season-2-trailer-natasha

Support the Breast Cancer Stories podcast: https://www.breastcancerstoriespodcast.com/p/donate/

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Meet Kristen’s doctors: surgical oncologist Dr. Louis Rivera (https://www.scripps.org/physicians/31924-louis-rivera?tab=overview), hematologist and oncologist Dr. Sonia Ali (https://www.scripps.org/physicians/8669-dr-sonia-ali?tab=overview), plastic surgeon Dr. Salvatore Pacella (https://www.drpacella.com/), and radiation oncologists Dr. Anuradha Koka (https://www.scripps.org/physicians/4516-anuradha-koka-md?tab=overview) and Dr. Kenneth T. Shimizu. (https://www.scripps.org/physicians/5313-kenneth-shimizu)

About Breast Cancer Stories
Breast Cancer Stories follows Kristen Vengler, a 56 year old single empty nester in San Diego, from her diagnosis of hormone positive breast cancer through chemotherapy, mastectomy & breast reconstruction, radiation, and whatever happens after that. In 2020, Kristen moved from Austin to San Diego to be near family and start her life over after a life-shattering workplace trauma. A few months later she had that terrifying moment in the shower we all hope we never have. From her breast cancer diagnosis, through chemotherapy, breast reconstruction, and radiation, we experience each new milestone as it happens.

This podcast is about what happens when you have breast cancer, told in real time.

Host and Executive Producer: Eva Sheie
Co-Host: Kristen Vengler
Editor and Audio Engineer: Daniel Croeser
Theme Music: Them Highs and Lows, Bird of Figment
Story Editor: Mary Ellen Clarkson
Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart
Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt

Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.
PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS