January 17, 2024 • 46 mins
When life throws you a curveball, hitting it out of the park takes on a whole new meaning. That's exactly what Jamie Vaughn and I tackle in our latest heart-to-heart. From our personal battles with breast cancer to finding new purpose, we lay bare the transformative journeys that reshaped our lives. Jamie, the vibrant voice behind "Test Those Breasts," joins me to share her powerful shift from school teacher to unwavering health advocate, revealing the raw emotions and the undeniable strength that comes with facing our mortality.
This conversation isn't just about the scars we bear; it's about the incredible tapestry of support and understanding we weave together. Jamie and I delve into the emotional rollercoaster of treatments, the complexities of managing a barrage of well-meaning but often misguided advice, and the profound connections built within the cancer community. We highlight how even a simple "I'm here for you" can carry someone through their darkest days and how educating ourselves and others can be a beacon for early detection.
Our episode reaches beyond the personal stories, extending an open hand to listeners who've walked this path or know someone who has. We trumpet the call for stories of triumph, struggle, and everything in between, knowing that each voice adds to the chorus that uplifts and emboldens others facing similar battles. Join us in this celebration of resilience and in charting a course through the often turbulent but ultimately empowering seas of life after a breast cancer diagnosis.
Jamie is helping me Change The World, One S.M.I.L.E. At A Time by reminding people on the importance of your annual screeenings to prevent the diagnosis.
➡️If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on our podcast, please email SMILE@shannonburrows.com
➡️If you have any real estate needs anywhere in the world, please email shannonburrowsrealtor@gmail.com
Reach Out to Jamie Vaughn:
● Test Those Breasts Email: Testthosebreasts@gmail.com
● Test Those Breasts Instagram Page: Test Those Breasts
Follow us at:
● Personal Instagram: @shannonmburrows
● Podcast Instagram Page: @bustinoutofbreastcancer
● Personal Facebook: Shannon M Burrows
● Podcast Facebook Page: Bustin' Out of Breast Cancer Podcast
Don’t forget to Follow, Subscribe and Share this podcast so you can help us Change The World, One S.M.I.L.E. At A Time!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey there, friends, and welcome to Bustin' Out of
Breast Cancer, the podcast wherewe spotlight stories of
resilience, triumph, tenacityand growth beyond breast cancer.
I'm your host, shannon Brosenot just a realtor, but a living
example of breaking through thechains of breast cancer and
emerging on as a more vibrant,empowered version of myself, as
the driving force behind Bustin'Out of Breast Cancer will go
beyond the expected narratives.
(00:20):
This isn't just a podcast.
It's a testament to thestrength within each of us.
Throughout our episodes, we'llnot only explore the incredible
stories of survivors, caregiversand healthcare champions, but
also delve into how I personallybusted out of breast cancer,
showcasing the keys that led tonot just survival but true
thriving, shaping a betterversion of myself In the realm
of real estate.
I've understood the value oflocation and the journey of
resilience.
(00:41):
I've discovered the power ofdetermination.
Together, we'll navigate thelandscape, providing not just
tales but tangible ways to riseabove adversity.
This is more than overcoming.
It's about transformation.
As we peel back the layers ofthese narratives, we'll uncover
the blueprint for breaking freefrom the constraints of breast
cancer and blossoming intoresilient, thriving experience.
So, whether you're a warrior inthe battle, a supporter on the
sidelines or someone seeking afresh perspective and become a
(01:03):
better version of yourself,bustin' Out of Breast Cancer is
for you.
This podcast isn't just atestament to survival.
It's a celebration of growth,where we explore how breaking
free can lead to a life that'snot just lived but truly
embraced.
I'm Shannon Brose, your guidethrough this journey of strength
and resilience.
This is Bustin' Out of BreastCancer.
Are you ready to thrive beyondbreast cancer?
Break barriers, build bridgesand become the best version of
yourself?
All right, I'm super excited.
(01:27):
We have Jamie Vaughn here withus today, and she is the podcast
host of Test those Breasts.
So, as we are jumping into 2024, we have a lot of awesome
guests, and I'm truly excited tohave Jamie with us today.
For those of you that don'tknow, we met on Instagram.
Yes, that's how we meet peoplethese days, and we're both
(01:48):
podcast hosts, so we thought itwould be great to interview each
other.
So here we are.
We actually had the pleasure ofchatting over the holidays and
we were like this is going to befun.
So, those of you that arelistening, if it sounds
different, if it looks differentbecause we are on video now.
We've been playing with thistogether and so we're going to
jump in on this together.
So welcome Jamie.
I'm so excited for you to shareyour story and all the amazing
(02:08):
things that you are doing togive back to Thrivers as well.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Well, thank you, shannon, for having me on your
show.
This is so much fun and Ireally truly have had so much
fun talking with you over theholidays and kicking around
ideas, playing with microphonesand video and all of the things,
and so thank you so much forhaving me on your Bustin' Out of
Camp, out of your podcast,because this is awesome.
(02:34):
I've been watching you for along time, just so you know that
.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Aw, thank you.
So it's really fun to finallyget to meet other breast cancer
survivors that you've beenfollowing each other and vice
versa, and being that we're bothpodcast hosts, it's always like
I wonder what they're doing, Iwonder what they're doing what
they're using, so on and soforth, and at the end of the day
, we all put our pants on thesame way, right, one leg at a
time.
So if we can help each other togrow and thrive and just become
(02:59):
better versions of ourselvesand help others, like, hey,
that's what we're here to do.
So let's get started.
Let's have everybody hear yourstory and what you're all about
and where you are, and justshare all your awesomeness with
us.
Please, let's start with yourdiagnosis.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Yeah, so yeah, share all the things.
I was diagnosed on June 11,2022, at 3.30 in the afternoon
to be exact.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
And you're the first one to ever tell me a time.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Well, I just know this because I remember I had my
biopsy the day before and theradiologist who did the biopsy
actually said do you want tohear within 24 hours or do you
want me to wait until Monday?
And I said, no, I want to hearin 24 hours.
So I remember being in theregetting my biopsy at 3.30 in the
afternoon.
So we were out camping and hecalled me to let me know that it
(03:51):
in fact was breast cancer.
But I was diagnosed with hertwo positive, estrogen and
progesterone negative.
It was stage two, fivecentimeter tumor.
And, yeah, I had just retiredfrom the school district here in
Reno, nevada.
I'd been working as a schoolteacher for middle school and
(04:13):
high school students for 20years and was incredibly busy,
just always busy with a you knowanother job and always had a
business on the side.
I had, you know, I've got threestepkids who are grown now,
dogs, a husband, I mean.
I mean I was, I've always beenvery social, so just a busy,
(04:35):
busy person.
And so for me to have my bigretirement party on June 4th I
mean it was.
We had it at our house, hugeparty.
I was so excited I came slidinginto home base and literally
three days later it was June.
I want to say seven that I wentin to have my mammogram and the
(04:59):
radiologist you know how you can, so for me I always get my
mammograms.
I always know when there'ssomething that is, you know,
questionable or whatever,because the look on the
ultrasound nurses face, yeah.
So she said hey, you know, theradiologist wants to see you.
And this was not my tip mynormal radiologist that I go to.
(05:22):
I had to go to another locationbecause they had to move my
mammogram up by three weeks.
Because the backstory is beforemy retirement party, I got a
little ping on my phone sayinghey, it's time for your
mammogram and you need to callus up and make an appointment.
And so I did, and my husbandand I were sitting out front
(05:45):
having a beer.
I was so excited that just in afew days I was going to have
this big party and I called themup and made the appointment.
They said hey, do you feelanything different?
And I said no, no, you know.
And so I had to wait threeweeks to get my mammogram
because it hadn't quite been ayear since my last mammogram.
So they always make you waitfor a year plus one day.
(06:08):
And so it was scheduled for theend of June and I hung up the
phone and my husband said that'snot true, you do feel a lump.
And I felt that lump and I'mlike, oh yeah, and he says and
you do, and you have feltsensations in your breasts.
So and I said You're right.
So I picked the phone back upand I said you know, that's not
(06:32):
true that I don't feel something.
I actually do feel a lump thatfeels different than other lumps
that I have felt, and I alsohave had these burning
sensations and kind of somestinging sensations that just
are real quick and they're likeoh okay, well, let's see if we
can get you in earlier.
So they totally moved it up anentire three weeks and I was
(06:57):
good, I know, and I was like oh,okay.
So I said Okay, so Tuesdayafter my retirement party, great
, great, let's all do that.
So I went in and did it andthat's when they, the nurse,
said the radiologist wants tosee you.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
And I'm like yeah, so I don't I won't.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
I won't say the actual word I said.
But so I went back there andsat down in this cute little
radiologist man, dr McDonald.
He had these huge screens upand I was sitting behind him.
He's like you see, I, we havethese calcifications over here
(07:34):
and when they're groupings ofcalcifications and then you have
this associated mass, we getreally concerned when you know
calcifications are pretty normal, but when there's groupings we
get real concerned.
I'm like, oh, okay.
And he says I'm gonna have youget a biopsy.
So at that time I had told themI didn't want to share my
results with anyone, becausethey always ask you Do you want
(07:56):
to share these with anyone?
And at that time I was like,yeah, I changed my mind.
I would like to share them withDr Bruce Kaplan, who happens to
be a radiologist that workswhere I normally go and he's a
personal friend of ours.
He was just at my retirementparty a few days prior.
So I called him up and I saidyou should be getting access to
(08:20):
my mammogram results.
They are concerned Because Iwill look at them and I will
call you at 6 30 tonight and Isaid Okay.
So that night we were at aconcert and we were.
Just we hadn't gone into theconcert yet and we were standing
in line and he called me and Iwent out to the grassy area and
(08:41):
he told me.
He says there's what we'reseeing.
He said I want to tell you thatthis, and I don't want to scare
you, but it is a 95% chance ormore that it is breast cancer.
And I'm like, oh, man.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
So that actually wasn't what you said.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
That is not what I said.
I mean, it was really, really,and, and so then I had a biopsy
that was scheduled for thefollowing week.
He got it moved up to thatFriday, he, yeah, and so I went
(09:20):
in on Friday and I don't know ifyou have ever had a, I don't
know what kind of biopsy you'vehad as far as what, how they did
it, but it was an incrediblypainful biopsy and anyone who
says, oh, don't worry, you'regonna be fine, it's not that bad
, yeah, my boob was so bruisedup, I have to tell you.
(09:41):
But anyway, so I go in, and itwas really strange.
I'll have to talk about how myhusband reacted in just a little
bit.
But got the biopsy and that'swhen he said do you want me to
call you in 24 hours?
And we went camping with somefriends and we were sitting at
the campsite at 3 30 in theafternoon.
That's when it came in.
So, yeah, so my retirement,shannon, was exactly different.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
It was not as planned .
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Not as planned because we were so excited to do
all these things and travel andall the things you know and and
it just turned out a little bitdifferent.
So, yeah, that's my story.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
But it's not a death sentence, it just it made you
pivot.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Yeah, it made me pivot big time.
I had to go through all thethings, all the emotions and,
when I'm talking, anger,confusion, downright terrified.
And then I would say it wasprobably I mean literally my
surgeon hat that that put myport in before I got chemo, had
(10:51):
to talk me off the ledge becausewhat had happened was I'm a
pretty open person, so I put itout there.
I people know my story Like Iam not.
I do not, I'm the good, the bad, the ugly.
Um, they just know me andthat's just how, who I am,
that's how I process, that'swhat, what my life is like.
And so when I put it out there,you know I got a lot of
(11:14):
comments, and I'm sure you'veheard a lot of comments too that
are kind of not helpful.
So, um, I remember having acouple of people the night
before I got my port in in lateJune.
Um, say, some send me a messageon Facebook messenger at 1030
at night.
Two people sent me somethingthat was not helpful at all.
(11:40):
And so, when I was getting myport in and I remember going
first, I had to get a PET scanthat next day.
So I get up, my husband takes meto the PET scan and I had a
full blown, total meltdown,panic attack, meltdown in the
parking lot and I rememberlooking up at the building and
(12:03):
it said city of hope.
And I was like what the heck,you know, I mean, it just hit me
that, oh my God, my life isappointment, it's going to be
appointment after appointmentafter appointment, blood draws,
chemo, all the things for awhile and I was really, really
(12:26):
scared and angry and I had afriend of mine have to talk me
off the ledge when I was waitingto get the PET scan, cause you
know how they put the, the uhdie or whatever in you.
And then my husband came and I,literally he had to pick me up
off of the you know off of thepavement and pick my water
(12:47):
bottle up that totally shattered, take me into my appointment.
And I was just blubbering likea child, like like I had lost my
ice cream cone.
Yeah, it was terrible, it wasterrible.
And so, uh, he picked me upafter the PET scan, brought me
all the way across town to thehospital to get my port in, and
(13:08):
my surgeon came in and I was,she could just tell that I was
not okay.
Yes, so she, she pushed off thesurgery for about 20 minutes
and said here's the thing,here's the thing, when you put,
when you put yourself out there,you know, like on social media,
and you let everybody knowwhat's going on, um, you kind of
open yourself up to a lot ofcomments and everyone else's
(13:31):
opinions.
Oh yeah, and people have tolearn, you know, like people in
my position have to learn how tosort of filter that, and some
people kind of go into monk modewhere they just kind of just
get through it or whatever, andsome people are out there and
let it, you know, saying all thethings.
So that really did help, but itwasn't until about, I would say
(13:53):
, a week later I was in bed inthe middle of the night just
with the darkness and the mebeing terrified in this dark
hole, and I was like I got to dosomething about this.
I can't, I cannot stay here,I'm have, I have to go through
all this stuff and if and if Idon't get out of this dark hole,
(14:16):
I'm not going to make it LikeI'm not going to make it.
And so I started searchingaround on Facebook and I found
this guy named Eddie Enever andhe is from Australia and he's a
three-time cancer survivor and Istarted watching his videos and
how he was able to overcomecancer and you know what he
learned along the way, why hekept getting cancer again and
(14:38):
all the things.
So I reached out to him and he'sin Australia, and I reached out
to him and I said hi, eddie,you know my name is Jamie Vaughn
, I was just diagnosed withbreast cancer and I told him the
story about how I'm in thishole, like I don't know how to
get out of it.
I need help and I'm hoping thatyour program, some what,
something that you do might helpme.
He got back to me right awayand he worked with me on how to
(15:05):
you know kind of how my withnutrition mind, what to do with
breathing and your mind and allthis stuff.
He helped me so much andliterally he took his proverbial
hand and just pulled me out ofthat hole and and I'm still in
touch with Eddie today.
In fact, I emailed him on mypodcast.
(15:26):
So it was.
It was there that was theturning point, not to say that
everything was la la, la great,but it was there that there was
the turning point that I foundthat strength to move forward
and go through my treatments offive out of the six
chemotherapies, losing my hair,using that opportunity to shave
(15:51):
my, have my husband shave myhead and all the things.
And so, yeah, it was it's been.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Our cancer community is like there's so many of us
that are just willing to reachout and help one another, like I
weekly get people that willreach out and be like my friend
was just diagnosed, do you mindif you know they contact?
I was like, absolutely, andthat goes to anybody that's
listening my Facebook messenger,instagram messenger, my phone
number, my email, whatever giveit out.
I'm happy to help anyone, and Iknow you are too, jamie,
(16:19):
because we've talked about that.
But that is like you know.
It's like the club you neverwant to be a part of but has the
best members oh my gosh, it'sthe sisterhood of all
sisterhoods.
I hear yeah, and I never hadsisters.
I never wanted any of them, butI do love them.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
I don't have any sisters either, but now I've got
a ton of sisters.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Yeah right, yeah, it's just the community, go
ahead if you don't mind, whatwas something that was said in
your Facebook messenger, becauseI think a lot of people do
experience that same thing oflike people saying anything.
I'm like one of the mostridiculous things that you know
I hear.
So, oh, at least you're gettinga free boob job.
I'm like, if you like, are youkidding me?
(16:57):
Like no, it's not a free boobjob, it's called a freaking
amputation.
And I didn't ask for this.
I wanted a boob job.
I would have gotten one, but I'm45 years of my life without a
boob job.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
I actually did have a couple of people say that to me
and I set them straight very,very quickly and they're like
yes, yeah, okay, oops, and Iunderstand why people say it.
If you don't have that kind ofexperience like if you're not,
if you haven't experienced thatit's, it just seems like
something good to say.
(17:25):
It's like, well, at leastanything with at least you at
you know.
Oh.
So somebody reached out to meand said so prior, a couple
years prior, I had lost about 33pounds on it on a program
called Optavia and it workedreally well for me and I still
(17:46):
eat their fuelings.
I love the company.
It's.
It's done wonders for me andI've been able to maintain my
weight all the way throughcancer and everything but, and I
and I'm a health coach, so Ihelp people do this as well.
So I she reached out to me andsaid hey, she, I have a friend
(18:11):
of a friend, or my sister mysister's cousin, brother's uncle
, whatever step, kid my sister'sbest friend did the Optavia
program, lost a bunch of weightand very shortly after she was
diagnosed with this veryaggressive breast cancer that
(18:32):
stuff has a lot of soy in it.
Just wanted to tell you oh mygod, that's all she said, and
that's all she said to me.
And I was like what the hellare you saying this to me right
now?
Do you have any understandingwhat kind of mindset I'm in
right now?
And so I got back to her and Isaid you know, it's interesting
(18:53):
that you say that I actually didask my surgeon about that, who
happens to be really really upon nutrition, because I I
thought that at the same timeand I'll tell you where that
comes from in just a minute youprobably might know but I said
do you think that maybe soy hasanything to do with this?
(19:14):
And she's like she looked at meand she said no, she said soy
is the lowest of the lowestconcerns we even have when it
comes to breast cancer.
And I told this girl that.
I said, yeah, I actually askedmy surgeon about this and she
(19:35):
she told me that it was thelowest low concerns.
She never got back to me likeshe totally ghosted me not.
Oh good, I'm so glad.
La la, la, never, ever a word.
And I couldn't believe it.
And then the other person saidhey, I just wanted to tell, can
(19:55):
we pause this?
Speaker 1 (19:58):
um, I don't know why.
What's up?
Speaker 2 (20:01):
my dog can we?
edit this out.
I can't hear you, dog, okay,because my dog is just like he,
she's, he's knocking on the doorand he's not gonna stop.
But, um, anyway, she sent me amessage and said hey, jamie, I
just, you know, want to tell you.
She goes, I really really donot think you should do
chemotherapy.
And she says it's, it's, I mean, it's gonna ruin your body,
(20:28):
it's gonna do it.
And she was like putting allthis fear in me about
chemotherapy and and my husbandjust got so pissed off that she
did that.
My dad got pissed off and itwas just terrible, and so I told
the surgeon that the next dayand she just said you need to
(20:50):
filter those things out.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Yeah, now, are these friends of yours or just random
people that are following you onlike Facebook or Instagram?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Oh no, I know them.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Wow yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
Interesting yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
So since then I'm like okay, and I have people say
things to me sometimes stilltoday I'm like yeah, yeah,
whatever.
You know, so I'm able to brushthat off now.
But yeah, because people alwayswant to give you advice that
they think is helpful.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Right, yeah, there's like a whole another episode.
I'm like what not to say?
What not to say?
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
So I want to take a quick second so we can go ahead
and we can take a pause, so wecan represent our sponsor here
on this podcast.
So for Shannon Burroughs Group,we will be back in one.
Speaker 3 (21:40):
This podcast is sponsored by the Shannon
Burroughs Real Estate Group,where we are committed to
changing the world one smile ata time and giving back to breast
cancer in our communities.
Did you know that ShannonBurroughs, our founder and lead
realtor, is a breast cancersurvivor?
Shannon found her purpose atthe intersection of passion and
pain while navigating her ownjourney and wants to give back
(22:00):
and help others.
At the Shannon Burroughs RealEstate Group, we're dedicated to
providing exceptional serviceto our clients while also making
a positive impact in ourcommunity, where every home sold
, a portion of our commissiongoes towards supporting breast
cancer organizations to helpwomen on a local level and be a
resource through their journey.
(22:21):
We believe that everyonedeserves a safe, comfortable and
happy home, and we're here tohelp make that a reality.
Whether you're buying, sellingor investing in a real estate
will be with you every step ofthe way, and when you're working
with us, you will not only besupporting your own goals, but
also helping others throughtheir breast cancer.
So just the Shannon BurroughsReal Estate Group, where you can
(22:43):
trust that your dreams andvalues are in good hands, no
matter where you live.
We can help you.
Visit our website atshananburroughscom or give us a
call today at 561-494-6389 tolearn more.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
All right, welcome back.
We are here with Jamie Vaughanwith Test those Breasts Podcast,
and we're just talking aboutall the things not to say to
somebody who's been diagnosedwith cancer, especially if
you've never gone through it,and just have the honest
conversations of like I don'tknow what you're going through,
like I'm sorry that you're goingthrough this, just don't say
anything, you know.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Yeah, and sometimes people get really upset when
people don't say anything at all, like I've had people just
completely disappear and nevereven talk to me, and that also
can be very, very hurtful.
I don't blame them.
I have come to an understandingthat there are just some people
who can't, and that's okay.
(23:43):
Yeah, what I would say is thatfor those people who are
listening that know someone whohas been diagnosed and you care
about them and everything, andyou're just not sure what to say
, you know for me, at the veryleast, say, hey, I am so sorry
(24:03):
about what you're going through.
This must feel just awful and Ijust wanted to give you, let
you know how much I love you.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Yeah, just something simple that you don't have to
have the answers to everything.
It's like parenting as much aswe want to think we know
everything, or you know.
We want to let our kids knowthat we know everything you
don't.
And, like you said, just belike you know what.
I'm so sorry you're goingthrough this.
If there's anything you need,please let me know, because
sometimes just sitting withsomebody, especially at the
beginning, or just you knowgoing through treatment, just
sitting with somebody andwatching a movie, without even
(24:32):
having a conversation aboutcancer.
You know, yeah, and there's somepeople that I just think don't
know how to process somethinglike that.
And I will say, even from aspouse point of view because
I've talked about this on aprevious episode that you know I
don't really feel like myhusband responded the way that I
think I wanted him to.
But at the same time, I'm not avery like you don't need to
(24:53):
stroke my back.
Like I'm not, like oh my God,I'm so sorry, like I'm just like
just freaking, fix me, likelet's move on.
You know what I mean.
But I will be that like doting,like stroke your back to
somebody else, I just don't, Idon't know, it's weird, it's
very weird.
Like I'm super, like I got this, I got this, I got this, and
then sometimes I don't got this,but then I'll figure it out,
yeah, yeah, but it's hardbecause people don't know how to
(25:16):
process everything and theythink they do, and then they
don't want to say the wrongthing, but if they don't say
anything, then they're notsaying anything and then you're
still pissed off.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Yeah, well, you know, the thing is is that when I
started going through this andhearing all of those comments, I
started it because I lost mymom four years ago, a little
over four years ago, and Iremember people reaching out to
me and saying certain thingsthat are like you know, like
okay.
So that was like my first timereally really experiencing, you
(25:46):
know, something, trauma likethat, yeah, and you know how
people respond to that, and Iwas very open about that as well
.
But I remember, and I stillthink about this, before my mom
died and before cancer, I'm sureI said things that were
probably not okay or or may havesounded insensitive or things
(26:13):
like that.
I've learned so much and Ithink sometimes it's not until
we've experienced something, orif we have experienced that with
one of our best friends orfamily member, and we start
learning about some things thatare, you know, either best left
unsaid or just a different wayof saying it, and that's, you
(26:37):
know, I mean, I don't know.
I just it's just such a complextopic actually.
But, I think, education, because, you know, our podcasts aren't
just, you know, targeted tobreast cancer patients and
survivors.
These are also geared towardspeople who have never even been
(26:58):
diagnosed.
I mean, for me, my, my podcastis test those breasts, right?
Well, if we're on Instagram,where we are, where we met,
we're sort of preaching to thechoir, aren't we?
You know, because we have somany breast cancer patients out
there, survivors and thriversand all the things out there,
that we're preaching to thechoir.
(27:19):
What we really want to do, too,is to send the message to
people who have never beendiagnosed so, test those breasts
, test them, test them, testthem, early detection, early
detection.
And so, yeah, feel it on thefirst, of course, we know, I
like, we know that, right, butbut some people don't know that,
(27:39):
or people don't think.
Well, let's just put it this way, shannon, before I got breast
cancer, even though I knew a lotof people who had had breast
cancer, breast cancer was alwayssomething that or any kind of
cancer, for that matter thathappens to other people.
And then it didn't, and then Igot it, and so I was like, okay,
well, why am I so special?
(28:01):
You know, and you know why.
You know, of course, why itmakes sense that I have it.
You know, I mean, like I'm ahuman being, right, I've got
dense breast issues.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
Yeah, and to that point, there's so many younger
people that are gettingdiagnosed and they don't know,
like that's not part of their,their regimen, like they
wouldn't think to do you know,feel it on the first, or like do
your monthly checks, or in evenbecause they don't recommend
them getting mammograms at ayounger age, which, in my
opinion, pisses me off, becauseI really feel like if you're, if
you're old enough to do yourwoman's wellness exam and get a
(28:33):
pap, you should incorporatehaving a mammogram.
That's just my opinion and Ifeel like you could just save so
many more lives.
But that's another soapbox thatI'll get on another day.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
Yeah Well, I mean, I've talked to so many young
survivors, you know, those whohave been diagnosed in their
late twenties, early thirties,late thirties and even into
their forties.
But we'll, we'll, you know,focusing on those younger ones.
You know, if you feel something, you should be able to walk
into your doctor and say, hey, Ifeel a lump, hey, my breast
(29:05):
looks different, my breast feelsdifferent.
You should be able to get atest to find out what it might
be.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Correct Without worrying about you know, is
insurance going to cover this ornot?
No, it's your body, it's yourhealth.
Like hello, fix me.
That's your job as a doctor.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Yep, yep, it's crazy.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
So what are?
We doing now with uh, with insurvivor mode, near two years
out now and counting down thedays of your five year mark,
which is super exciting.
So let's talk about what you'redoing now.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Yeah, so I'm uh.
So I was cancer officiallycancer free December 13th of two
thousand twenty-two when I wentinto New Orleans and got my
deep flap surgery.
I had the autologous surgery uh, where they take the tissue
from your abdomen and I had thedouble mastectomy reconstruction
.
Um, and then I literally justhad my second phase in December
(30:03):
and, um, just three weeks ago,and I'm doing great, uh, you
know, all the way through uhchemo, we continued to keep some
of our normal things that wewould do, like go camping.
So we went camping every threeweeks and usually the third week
when I felt better.
These are things that we woulddo every single year.
Um, this year we have traveled.
(30:28):
Once I became cancer free.
Well, what happened was, as alast February, almost almost a
year ago, I was incrediblydepressed.
I was cancer free, but I wasincredibly depressed.
I had a really rough time and Icouldn't figure out why my
connection with my husband wasreally bad.
We started going to therapy and, um, it occurred to me that all
(30:50):
of a sudden, I didn't feel anysignificance.
I didn't feel like I had anypurpose whatsoever.
I had retired, dealt with uhcancer, and so I got a lot of
attention, of course, withcancer, and I had a lot that I
was doing because of cancer, butthen all of a sudden I had
(31:10):
nothing, like literally nothing,and so, um it, uh, eventually
it became clear to me I need toget.
I need to get into the breastcancer community, I need to help
people because there are somany things that I did not know
before cancer and and and I knewa lot.
It's not that I didn't knowstuff, I did know a lot of stuff
(31:32):
, but there were so many thingsI didn't know and it was so
overwhelming the informationcoming flying at you and things
that you know in differentopinions and you know, uh, no
options for second, you knowthings that I didn't wasn't
really presented with optionsand things like that.
So I really really got thisfire in my belly to be part of
(31:56):
the community that educatedother people, especially before
they get cancer, and so I waslike, how am I going to do that?
Everybody's like you shouldwrite a book, you should write a
book.
I'm like, oh, I don't know howto write a book and I'm like,
how about a podcast?
Cause I had a podcast before I,before I retired.
(32:18):
It was for education and I wasgoing to support pre-service and
struggling teachers and I had11 episodes.
It was called be that teacher.
It's still out there, but I waslike, how about a podcast?
Yeah, so my husband and I werein the hot tub one night and
thinking about different namesand he's the one that came up
(32:38):
with test those breasts.
Perfect, yeah, I said you knowwhat.
That's exactly right, becausewhen it all comes down to it,
early detection is where it's at, where it's at where it's at
where it's at.
I will never, never, never, sayanything other than early
detection, because if you cantouch it that early, it's not
(33:00):
that it's going to be easy, it'sjust that it's going to be a
different road than if you waittoo long.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
Exactly yes, so I never even had the lump.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Yeah, well, I mean, and I never had a lump when I
got my lumpctomies.
I mean, I had the lump but Ididn't feel the lump.
They saw the lump and so I hadtwo lumpectomies in the last 10
years and they were benign.
Wow.
So, yeah, I mean, there arethings that you're never going
to know.
But you got to go in every yearand get your mammograms and
(33:36):
feel and know your own body,listen to your intuition not
that you want to be ahypochondriac or anything like
that, but you want to listen toyour own body and you want to
honor that.
I should have immediately whenI felt that lump, I mean and
you're talking about somebodywho pays attention to her body a
(33:56):
lot and I should haveimmediately called the doctor
and asked them about that lump.
And when I started feelingthose burning sensations, I
should have.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
Well, I find that interesting, that number one you
didn't do that.
But number two when you werescheduling your mammogram you
totally forgot and didn't evenmention that and your husband
had to remind you.
Like that's so bizarre.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
Well, it's not that I forgot, shannon, what it was
was.
I was like, well, you know, I'mgoing in in three weeks.
They'll, if they find something, they find something.
And so that was my thoughtprocess.
Really, I was more thinkingabout the beer I was drinking
and how excited.
I was to retire Right, I wasexcited.
And so I'm an IPA girl.
Okay, yeah, I have to find agood one that's gluten free,
(34:41):
because I can't eat glutenanymore, but I know there's good
ones out there.
But anyway, my husband luckilyhe was sitting there, you know,
and he said something to me.
I'm like, oh yeah, I shouldhave said something.
I should have just saidsomething, but yeah, and so I
just.
It's just something that I youknow and I will tell you.
(35:04):
Shannon, there's two things Iwant to tell you.
Number one I get people who whomessage me all the time, who
say, hey, you know, I ran acrossyour podcast, I live in blah
blah, blah.
I mean, I, I, I'm my podcast.
Right now, the stats say thatit's in 25 countries and, um,
you know, all over the UnitedStates.
(35:24):
But anyway, I get.
I get people either here in mylocal area or other places say,
hey, I ran a progression podcast.
It's been very helpful and Iwant to let you know that I, I
went in and got my firstmammogram because of you.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
Doesn't that feel so good?
Yeah, it feels amazing.
You're like yes, my purpose, mypurpose is working.
Speaker 2 (35:42):
Yes, like I have a purpose now, okay, and, um, who
knew it was going to be allabout breast cancer?
But, um, but anyway.
Um, when I was, uh, looking atstarting the podcast, I remember
looking around all over to seewhat other podcasts were out
there about breast cancer and Iran across you and I was like
that girl looks fun.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
Captain over here, captain, and here we are.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
So like and.
I remember thinking to myself Igot to reach out to that girl,
um, and here we are, right, yeah, and my podcast was launched
June 11, 2023, exactly one yearfrom the diagnosis of my breast
cancer.
So it's been about eight months, ish, um, and I'm just, I'm,
(36:29):
I'm really getting so much outof it.
Every time I have an interviewwith somebody, I, you know, when
I hit, uh, you know, stop onthe record thing.
I'm like, oh, my God, that wasawesome, yeah, and that is going
to bring so much, um, awarenessand valuable information to
people.
Speaker 1 (36:48):
Wow, I want to piggyback on that for those that
are listening, whether you aregoing through breast cancer, um,
you're somebody that's acaregiver for that.
Whatever it is.
Aside from breast cancer, ifthere is something that you are
super duper passionate about andyou really just want to get the
message out there, start africking podcast.
(37:09):
I am so mad at myself that Iwaited so long because I am a
recovering perfectionist, let'sjust say that, and on my screen
saver it says in perfectlyperfect, but working on it.
I waited so long because Ireally, I mean, I I shared my
story about my breast cancerjourney, like on social media
and everything, everything good,bad ugly, like you did, um, but
(37:30):
I never even thought about apot.
Well, I thought about a podcast, but I was like I don't even
know what to do, I don't knowwhere to start.
And then, during COVID, I justripped off the fricking bandit
and I was like I found theresources and I just jumped in.
I, you know, watch videos.
I, you know, ask the people inour groups and I was like why
did I not do this before?
And then I have to dial it backand I'm like okay, shannon,
(37:50):
like you, it was for a reason.
It wasn't your time to do that,and so now I just learn as I go
.
And.
But if you have something thatyou're really passionate about,
that you want to share with theworld, start a podcast.
And if you don't know how,reach out to Jamie or myself.
You're happy to, you know, giveyou tidbits or whatever.
But it's super, super importantthat this is your platform,
this is your world.
Write your story.
(38:11):
You know, this is like sodifferent than growing up, like
we never had any of these things.
And now it's like start yourown TV show on pot, you know, on
YouTube, like, do whatever,live your best fricking life man
.
Speaker 2 (38:23):
Yeah, yeah, exactly, and, and and to add to what you
just said, I actually wentthrough a whole coaching program
when I started the educationone and it was pretty expensive
and I have learned since thenthat it doesn't have to be that
expensive.
I there are a couple of peoplewho that were in that group that
(38:45):
created their own you know likelittle, you know training and
things like that super lessexpensive, and they took all the
morsels that they got fromthere that helped them most and
created their own little company.
That is amazing.
And I'm actually going throughsome coaching right now with a
(39:07):
gal, stephanie Thompson, inAustralia, and she is super
inexpensive but incrediblyvaluable.
And so I'm learning how tomonetize.
I haven't monetized my podcastyet, and, but I know how.
Speaker 1 (39:22):
I just haven't done it.
Here we go, let's do it, let'sdo it.
We are going to monetize thispodcast.
You're going to have busted outof breast kids or swag, all the
things.
Speaker 2 (39:31):
Well, yeah, and it's not that I want to make a ton of
money on this or anything,because this is really actually
my passion project and I nomatter what if I make money on
it or not.
I want to be out thereeducating people.
But it would be nice to be ableto pay for some of the things
that I pay for.
You know, like the platformsthat we pay for out of our own
(39:51):
pocket.
So I started a buy me coffee.
You know, a website that peoplehave donated towards which
really helps for like editingand social media stuff and just
the platforms that we have topay for.
So, but yeah, totally, ifanybody wants to reach out and
talk about podcasting, I wecould have a whole session about
(40:12):
it, shannon we should do that.
Speaker 1 (40:14):
We'll do another one, we'll do another one, just the
podcasting, let's just.
Let's leave you a little nuggethere and leave them with.
Okay, we're starting this newpodcast on video.
I've never done the video partof it, so doing that for 2024,
we'll have everything up onYouTube at some point eventually
in my spare time.
But we are doing video andlet's talk about our mics.
You just got a new mic and I amusing this beautiful gold cause
(40:38):
it's shiny and gold and I likethat, but mine is called a Yeti.
It's a blue Yeti mic and younow have a sure mic, sure
something or other, right?
Speaker 2 (40:47):
Yeah, so I had a blue Yeti before and I just got this
one here, sure, and it washighly recommended from one of
the groups that I'm in In thebedroom and I swear I just I
just plugged, I plugged it inand it worked.
I couldn't believe it.
It was like such so easy and Ijust, you know, I mean, but I
(41:07):
and the nice thing is is that Ihave a wish list on my buy me
coffee and my dad contributed toit, so I was able to buy it.
Speaker 1 (41:16):
That's awesome.
So yeah, I would love ifanybody would like to write in
text me or DM me on Twitter, onFacebook or Instagram or
something.
Let me know how the sound is onthis, on this podcast with
Jamie.
So she has a sure mic.
I have a blue Yeti mic.
I'm not used to filming likethis, but I would love to hear
feedback, just out of curiosity.
No offense taken by any means,but anyway, we can tweak it.
(41:38):
I'd love to hear.
Speaker 2 (41:40):
Yeah, I mean, I'd love that.
Speaker 1 (41:43):
You just reminded me that I started my buy me coffee
thing and I need to go back toit.
I start a lot of things andthen squirrel out.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
I know I do too.
Speaker 1 (41:50):
Focus, focus, focus focus, focus.
Speaker 2 (41:51):
That is my main goal in 2024 is move forward.
My motto is action bringsclarity, and so every, every
step you take, it becomesreality, exactly.
Speaker 1 (42:08):
Hey.
So it's been amazing havingthis conversation with you.
I think it's brought so muchvalue to our listeners.
And, if you don't mind, I'mgoing to do something brand new
and I'm probably just going toblind side you and you can tell
me no, and that's okay.
Would you mind doing a quicklittle rapid fire session here,
just for something fun to do?
I don't know, I was thinkingabout today on my walk and I was
like I want to do something fun, like at the end of like
totally spur of the moment.
You have no idea what I'm aboutto ask you.
(42:29):
If you don't want to answer,okay, ready, all right, this is
going to be fun, okay.
Favorite book.
Speaker 2 (42:38):
Well, currently it's.
It's a survival guide that Igot from Phil, the male breast
cancer survivor.
He is in the UK and it's thesurvival guide and he's got a
bunch of stories from differentpeople and it's really cool.
But also, amy Benassi isbearing it all my cancer.
(42:59):
He's just one of my favoritepeople as it is Inspecting my.
Can I say a curse word on here?
Is it explicit?
Oh, good, okay, because I havemindset for explicit.
It's called bearing it all mycancer, fuckery instead of
journey.
She has journey written out andthen it says fuckery instead
yeah.
So those are two of myfavorites right now.
Speaker 1 (43:19):
Okay, Favorite food.
Speaker 2 (43:22):
Oh sushi, what kind.
Well, we just went the otherday.
I like salmon and tuna andupside down shrimp and
yellowtail and all kinds ofthings.
Speaker 3 (43:40):
I mean, I'm just a love sushi, let's see we have.
Speaker 2 (43:44):
Well, this is not a chain, but we have a restaurant
here called Big Horn and it'scalled the Big Horn Tavern.
It's a neighborhood,neighborhood bar and grill that
we love, love, love.
Speaker 1 (43:56):
Favorite vacation spot.
Speaker 2 (43:58):
Well, Costa Rica is my number one right now.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (44:01):
Yeah, we went for the first time in November and it
was wonderful.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
Favorite beverage Adulteran.
Speaker 2 (44:09):
Um.
I love coffee.
Speaker 1 (44:11):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (44:13):
I also love wine, last but not least, what is your
?
Speaker 1 (44:15):
I love my wine too.
Everyone knows I love my wineand I am.
I will go with either one whiteor red I'm good or bubbles.
Next question what is your onepiece of advice that you would
leave for a caregiver that islistening?
Speaker 2 (44:32):
Listen.
Speaker 1 (44:35):
Oh, I love it One more, that's it Mic drop.
Speaker 2 (44:40):
And we're out, and we're out.
Peace out, sauerkraut, awesomeyeah.
Speaker 1 (44:48):
Well, thank you so much, Jamie, for being here.
You can find Jamie Vaughn overat Test those Breasts on
Instagram and head on over andlisten to her podcast as well.
Speaker 2 (44:57):
Yes, and remember to test those breasts, just so you
know everybody that's listening.
Thank you, Shannon.
You're amazing.
I'm so glad that we'reconnected.
I feel like you're.
You're on the other side of thecountry for me and I'm just
really happy to know you.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (45:11):
Thank you so much.
If anyone knew what it took forus to figure out our time zones
, you would laugh, but anyway,thank you so much.
Thank you, my resilient friends, for joining us on another
empowering episode of Bustin outof Breast Cancer.
We trust that our journeythrough stories of triumph,
resilience and growth has leftyou informed, uplifted and
inspired.
Remember, you are not alone inthe fight against breast cancer.
(45:31):
If you or someone you knowneeds support, reach out to a
healthcare professional, abreast cancer support
organization or me.
I'm always here to listen, chatand offer support.
Early detection is the key, soplease prioritize your regular
cancer screenings and if you'rein the market for a new home,
looking to sell or ready toinvest, don't hesitate to
contact me, your favorite fun,resilient Realtor and podcast
host.
Together we can make our realestate dreams a reality while
(45:52):
making a difference in theongoing fight against breast
cancer.
If you or someone you knowwould like to share their
journey as a guest on ourpodcast, reach out to us at
smile at ShannonBroscom.
Your stories matter and theyhave the power to inspire
countless others.
Thank you again for lending usyour ears and for being a part
of this community.
We look forward to reconnectingwith you next week on another
episode of Bustin out of BreastCancer, where together we'll
(46:13):
continue to bust out of breastcancer and thrive.
Until then, stay resilient,stay inspired and keep thriving.
I'm Shannon Bro, your guide toresilience and strength.
This is Bustin out of BreastCancer.
See you next week.
Hey there, friends, and welcome to Bustin' Out of
Breast Cancer, the podcast wherewe spotlight stories of
resilience, triumph, tenacityand growth beyond breast cancer.
I'm your host, shannon Brosenot just a realtor, but a living
example of breaking through thechains of breast cancer and
emerging on as a more vibrant,empowered version of myself, as
the driving force behind Bustin'Out of Breast Cancer will go
beyond the expected narratives.
(00:20):
This isn't just a podcast.
It's a testament to thestrength within each of us.
Throughout our episodes, we'llnot only explore the incredible
stories of survivors, caregiversand healthcare champions, but
also delve into how I personallybusted out of breast cancer,
showcasing the keys that led tonot just survival but true
thriving, shaping a betterversion of myself In the realm
of real estate.
I've understood the value oflocation and the journey of
resilience.
(00:41):
I've discovered the power ofdetermination.
Together, we'll navigate thelandscape, providing not just
tales but tangible ways to riseabove adversity.
This is more than overcoming.
It's about transformation.
As we peel back the layers ofthese narratives, we'll uncover
the blueprint for breaking freefrom the constraints of breast
cancer and blossoming intoresilient, thriving experience.
So, whether you're a warrior inthe battle, a supporter on the
sidelines or someone seeking afresh perspective and become a
(01:03):
better version of yourself,bustin' Out of Breast Cancer is
for you.
This podcast isn't just atestament to survival.
It's a celebration of growth,where we explore how breaking
free can lead to a life that'snot just lived but truly
embraced.
I'm Shannon Brose, your guidethrough this journey of strength
and resilience.
This is Bustin' Out of BreastCancer.
Are you ready to thrive beyondbreast cancer?
Break barriers, build bridgesand become the best version of
yourself?
All right, I'm super excited.
(01:27):
We have Jamie Vaughn here withus today, and she is the podcast
host of Test those Breasts.
So, as we are jumping into 2024, we have a lot of awesome
guests, and I'm truly excited tohave Jamie with us today.
For those of you that don'tknow, we met on Instagram.
Yes, that's how we meet peoplethese days, and we're both
(01:48):
podcast hosts, so we thought itwould be great to interview each
other.
So here we are.
We actually had the pleasure ofchatting over the holidays and
we were like this is going to befun.
So, those of you that arelistening, if it sounds
different, if it looks differentbecause we are on video now.
We've been playing with thistogether and so we're going to
jump in on this together.
So welcome Jamie.
I'm so excited for you to shareyour story and all the amazing
(02:08):
things that you are doing togive back to Thrivers as well.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Well, thank you, shannon, for having me on your
show.
This is so much fun and Ireally truly have had so much
fun talking with you over theholidays and kicking around
ideas, playing with microphonesand video and all of the things,
and so thank you so much forhaving me on your Bustin' Out of
Camp, out of your podcast,because this is awesome.
(02:34):
I've been watching you for along time, just so you know that
.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Aw, thank you.
So it's really fun to finallyget to meet other breast cancer
survivors that you've beenfollowing each other and vice
versa, and being that we're bothpodcast hosts, it's always like
I wonder what they're doing, Iwonder what they're doing what
they're using, so on and soforth, and at the end of the day
, we all put our pants on thesame way, right, one leg at a
time.
So if we can help each other togrow and thrive and just become
(02:59):
better versions of ourselvesand help others, like, hey,
that's what we're here to do.
So let's get started.
Let's have everybody hear yourstory and what you're all about
and where you are, and justshare all your awesomeness with
us.
Please, let's start with yourdiagnosis.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Yeah, so yeah, share all the things.
I was diagnosed on June 11,2022, at 3.30 in the afternoon
to be exact.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
And you're the first one to ever tell me a time.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Well, I just know this because I remember I had my
biopsy the day before and theradiologist who did the biopsy
actually said do you want tohear within 24 hours or do you
want me to wait until Monday?
And I said, no, I want to hearin 24 hours.
So I remember being in theregetting my biopsy at 3.30 in the
afternoon.
So we were out camping and hecalled me to let me know that it
(03:51):
in fact was breast cancer.
But I was diagnosed with hertwo positive, estrogen and
progesterone negative.
It was stage two, fivecentimeter tumor.
And, yeah, I had just retiredfrom the school district here in
Reno, nevada.
I'd been working as a schoolteacher for middle school and
(04:13):
high school students for 20years and was incredibly busy,
just always busy with a you knowanother job and always had a
business on the side.
I had, you know, I've got threestepkids who are grown now,
dogs, a husband, I mean.
I mean I was, I've always beenvery social, so just a busy,
(04:35):
busy person.
And so for me to have my bigretirement party on June 4th I
mean it was.
We had it at our house, hugeparty.
I was so excited I came slidinginto home base and literally
three days later it was June.
I want to say seven that I wentin to have my mammogram and the
(04:59):
radiologist you know how you can, so for me I always get my
mammograms.
I always know when there'ssomething that is, you know,
questionable or whatever,because the look on the
ultrasound nurses face, yeah.
So she said hey, you know, theradiologist wants to see you.
And this was not my tip mynormal radiologist that I go to.
(05:22):
I had to go to another locationbecause they had to move my
mammogram up by three weeks.
Because the backstory is beforemy retirement party, I got a
little ping on my phone sayinghey, it's time for your
mammogram and you need to callus up and make an appointment.
And so I did, and my husbandand I were sitting out front
(05:45):
having a beer.
I was so excited that just in afew days I was going to have
this big party and I called themup and made the appointment.
They said hey, do you feelanything different?
And I said no, no, you know.
And so I had to wait threeweeks to get my mammogram
because it hadn't quite been ayear since my last mammogram.
So they always make you waitfor a year plus one day.
(06:08):
And so it was scheduled for theend of June and I hung up the
phone and my husband said that'snot true, you do feel a lump.
And I felt that lump and I'mlike, oh yeah, and he says and
you do, and you have feltsensations in your breasts.
So and I said You're right.
So I picked the phone back upand I said you know, that's not
(06:32):
true that I don't feel something.
I actually do feel a lump thatfeels different than other lumps
that I have felt, and I alsohave had these burning
sensations and kind of somestinging sensations that just
are real quick and they're likeoh okay, well, let's see if we
can get you in earlier.
So they totally moved it up anentire three weeks and I was
(06:57):
good, I know, and I was like oh,okay.
So I said Okay, so Tuesdayafter my retirement party, great
, great, let's all do that.
So I went in and did it andthat's when they, the nurse,
said the radiologist wants tosee you.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
And I'm like yeah, so I don't I won't.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
I won't say the actual word I said.
But so I went back there andsat down in this cute little
radiologist man, dr McDonald.
He had these huge screens upand I was sitting behind him.
He's like you see, I, we havethese calcifications over here
(07:34):
and when they're groupings ofcalcifications and then you have
this associated mass, we getreally concerned when you know
calcifications are pretty normal, but when there's groupings we
get real concerned.
I'm like, oh, okay.
And he says I'm gonna have youget a biopsy.
So at that time I had told themI didn't want to share my
results with anyone, becausethey always ask you Do you want
(07:56):
to share these with anyone?
And at that time I was like,yeah, I changed my mind.
I would like to share them withDr Bruce Kaplan, who happens to
be a radiologist that workswhere I normally go and he's a
personal friend of ours.
He was just at my retirementparty a few days prior.
So I called him up and I saidyou should be getting access to
(08:20):
my mammogram results.
They are concerned Because Iwill look at them and I will
call you at 6 30 tonight and Isaid Okay.
So that night we were at aconcert and we were.
Just we hadn't gone into theconcert yet and we were standing
in line and he called me and Iwent out to the grassy area and
(08:41):
he told me.
He says there's what we'reseeing.
He said I want to tell you thatthis, and I don't want to scare
you, but it is a 95% chance ormore that it is breast cancer.
And I'm like, oh, man.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
So that actually wasn't what you said.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
That is not what I said.
I mean, it was really, really,and, and so then I had a biopsy
that was scheduled for thefollowing week.
He got it moved up to thatFriday, he, yeah, and so I went
(09:20):
in on Friday and I don't know ifyou have ever had a, I don't
know what kind of biopsy you'vehad as far as what, how they did
it, but it was an incrediblypainful biopsy and anyone who
says, oh, don't worry, you'regonna be fine, it's not that bad
, yeah, my boob was so bruisedup, I have to tell you.
(09:41):
But anyway, so I go in, and itwas really strange.
I'll have to talk about how myhusband reacted in just a little
bit.
But got the biopsy and that'swhen he said do you want me to
call you in 24 hours?
And we went camping with somefriends and we were sitting at
the campsite at 3 30 in theafternoon.
That's when it came in.
So, yeah, so my retirement,shannon, was exactly different.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
It was not as planned .
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Not as planned because we were so excited to do
all these things and travel andall the things you know and and
it just turned out a little bitdifferent.
So, yeah, that's my story.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
But it's not a death sentence, it just it made you
pivot.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Yeah, it made me pivot big time.
I had to go through all thethings, all the emotions and,
when I'm talking, anger,confusion, downright terrified.
And then I would say it wasprobably I mean literally my
surgeon hat that that put myport in before I got chemo, had
(10:51):
to talk me off the ledge becausewhat had happened was I'm a
pretty open person, so I put itout there.
I people know my story Like Iam not.
I do not, I'm the good, the bad, the ugly.
Um, they just know me andthat's just how, who I am,
that's how I process, that'swhat, what my life is like.
And so when I put it out there,you know I got a lot of
(11:14):
comments, and I'm sure you'veheard a lot of comments too that
are kind of not helpful.
So, um, I remember having acouple of people the night
before I got my port in in lateJune.
Um, say, some send me a messageon Facebook messenger at 1030
at night.
Two people sent me somethingthat was not helpful at all.
(11:40):
And so, when I was getting myport in and I remember going
first, I had to get a PET scanthat next day.
So I get up, my husband takes meto the PET scan and I had a
full blown, total meltdown,panic attack, meltdown in the
parking lot and I rememberlooking up at the building and
(12:03):
it said city of hope.
And I was like what the heck,you know, I mean, it just hit me
that, oh my God, my life isappointment, it's going to be
appointment after appointmentafter appointment, blood draws,
chemo, all the things for awhile and I was really, really
(12:26):
scared and angry and I had afriend of mine have to talk me
off the ledge when I was waitingto get the PET scan, cause you
know how they put the, the uhdie or whatever in you.
And then my husband came and I,literally he had to pick me up
off of the you know off of thepavement and pick my water
(12:47):
bottle up that totally shattered, take me into my appointment.
And I was just blubbering likea child, like like I had lost my
ice cream cone.
Yeah, it was terrible, it wasterrible.
And so, uh, he picked me upafter the PET scan, brought me
all the way across town to thehospital to get my port in, and
(13:08):
my surgeon came in and I was,she could just tell that I was
not okay.
Yes, so she, she pushed off thesurgery for about 20 minutes
and said here's the thing,here's the thing, when you put,
when you put yourself out there,you know, like on social media,
and you let everybody knowwhat's going on, um, you kind of
open yourself up to a lot ofcomments and everyone else's
(13:31):
opinions.
Oh yeah, and people have tolearn, you know, like people in
my position have to learn how tosort of filter that, and some
people kind of go into monk modewhere they just kind of just
get through it or whatever, andsome people are out there and
let it, you know, saying all thethings.
So that really did help, but itwasn't until about, I would say
(13:53):
, a week later I was in bed inthe middle of the night just
with the darkness and the mebeing terrified in this dark
hole, and I was like I got to dosomething about this.
I can't, I cannot stay here,I'm have, I have to go through
all this stuff and if and if Idon't get out of this dark hole,
(14:16):
I'm not going to make it LikeI'm not going to make it.
And so I started searchingaround on Facebook and I found
this guy named Eddie Enever andhe is from Australia and he's a
three-time cancer survivor and Istarted watching his videos and
how he was able to overcomecancer and you know what he
learned along the way, why hekept getting cancer again and
(14:38):
all the things.
So I reached out to him and he'sin Australia, and I reached out
to him and I said hi, eddie,you know my name is Jamie Vaughn
, I was just diagnosed withbreast cancer and I told him the
story about how I'm in thishole, like I don't know how to
get out of it.
I need help and I'm hoping thatyour program, some what,
something that you do might helpme.
He got back to me right awayand he worked with me on how to
(15:05):
you know kind of how my withnutrition mind, what to do with
breathing and your mind and allthis stuff.
He helped me so much andliterally he took his proverbial
hand and just pulled me out ofthat hole and and I'm still in
touch with Eddie today.
In fact, I emailed him on mypodcast.
(15:26):
So it was.
It was there that was theturning point, not to say that
everything was la la, la great,but it was there that there was
the turning point that I foundthat strength to move forward
and go through my treatments offive out of the six
chemotherapies, losing my hair,using that opportunity to shave
(15:51):
my, have my husband shave myhead and all the things.
And so, yeah, it was it's been.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Our cancer community is like there's so many of us
that are just willing to reachout and help one another, like I
weekly get people that willreach out and be like my friend
was just diagnosed, do you mindif you know they contact?
I was like, absolutely, andthat goes to anybody that's
listening my Facebook messenger,instagram messenger, my phone
number, my email, whatever giveit out.
I'm happy to help anyone, and Iknow you are too, jamie,
(16:19):
because we've talked about that.
But that is like you know.
It's like the club you neverwant to be a part of but has the
best members oh my gosh, it'sthe sisterhood of all
sisterhoods.
I hear yeah, and I never hadsisters.
I never wanted any of them, butI do love them.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
I don't have any sisters either, but now I've got
a ton of sisters.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Yeah right, yeah, it's just the community, go
ahead if you don't mind, whatwas something that was said in
your Facebook messenger, becauseI think a lot of people do
experience that same thing oflike people saying anything.
I'm like one of the mostridiculous things that you know
I hear.
So, oh, at least you're gettinga free boob job.
I'm like, if you like, are youkidding me?
(16:57):
Like no, it's not a free boobjob, it's called a freaking
amputation.
And I didn't ask for this.
I wanted a boob job.
I would have gotten one, but I'm45 years of my life without a
boob job.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
I actually did have a couple of people say that to me
and I set them straight very,very quickly and they're like
yes, yeah, okay, oops, and Iunderstand why people say it.
If you don't have that kind ofexperience like if you're not,
if you haven't experienced thatit's, it just seems like
something good to say.
(17:25):
It's like, well, at leastanything with at least you at
you know.
Oh.
So somebody reached out to meand said so prior, a couple
years prior, I had lost about 33pounds on it on a program
called Optavia and it workedreally well for me and I still
(17:46):
eat their fuelings.
I love the company.
It's.
It's done wonders for me andI've been able to maintain my
weight all the way throughcancer and everything but, and I
and I'm a health coach, so Ihelp people do this as well.
So I she reached out to me andsaid hey, she, I have a friend
(18:11):
of a friend, or my sister mysister's cousin, brother's uncle
, whatever step, kid my sister'sbest friend did the Optavia
program, lost a bunch of weightand very shortly after she was
diagnosed with this veryaggressive breast cancer that
(18:32):
stuff has a lot of soy in it.
Just wanted to tell you oh mygod, that's all she said, and
that's all she said to me.
And I was like what the hellare you saying this to me right
now?
Do you have any understandingwhat kind of mindset I'm in
right now?
And so I got back to her and Isaid you know, it's interesting
(18:53):
that you say that I actually didask my surgeon about that, who
happens to be really really upon nutrition, because I I
thought that at the same timeand I'll tell you where that
comes from in just a minute youprobably might know but I said
do you think that maybe soy hasanything to do with this?
(19:14):
And she's like she looked at meand she said no, she said soy
is the lowest of the lowestconcerns we even have when it
comes to breast cancer.
And I told this girl that.
I said, yeah, I actually askedmy surgeon about this and she
(19:35):
she told me that it was thelowest low concerns.
She never got back to me likeshe totally ghosted me not.
Oh good, I'm so glad.
La la, la, never, ever a word.
And I couldn't believe it.
And then the other person saidhey, I just wanted to tell, can
(19:55):
we pause this?
Speaker 1 (19:58):
um, I don't know why.
What's up?
Speaker 2 (20:01):
my dog can we?
edit this out.
I can't hear you, dog, okay,because my dog is just like he,
she's, he's knocking on the doorand he's not gonna stop.
But, um, anyway, she sent me amessage and said hey, jamie, I
just, you know, want to tell you.
She goes, I really really donot think you should do
chemotherapy.
And she says it's, it's, I mean, it's gonna ruin your body,
(20:28):
it's gonna do it.
And she was like putting allthis fear in me about
chemotherapy and and my husbandjust got so pissed off that she
did that.
My dad got pissed off and itwas just terrible, and so I told
the surgeon that the next dayand she just said you need to
(20:50):
filter those things out.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Yeah, now, are these friends of yours or just random
people that are following you onlike Facebook or Instagram?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Oh no, I know them.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Wow yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
Interesting yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
So since then I'm like okay, and I have people say
things to me sometimes stilltoday I'm like yeah, yeah,
whatever.
You know, so I'm able to brushthat off now.
But yeah, because people alwayswant to give you advice that
they think is helpful.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Right, yeah, there's like a whole another episode.
I'm like what not to say?
What not to say?
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
So I want to take a quick second so we can go ahead
and we can take a pause, so wecan represent our sponsor here
on this podcast.
So for Shannon Burroughs Group,we will be back in one.
Speaker 3 (21:40):
This podcast is sponsored by the Shannon
Burroughs Real Estate Group,where we are committed to
changing the world one smile ata time and giving back to breast
cancer in our communities.
Did you know that ShannonBurroughs, our founder and lead
realtor, is a breast cancersurvivor?
Shannon found her purpose atthe intersection of passion and
pain while navigating her ownjourney and wants to give back
(22:00):
and help others.
At the Shannon Burroughs RealEstate Group, we're dedicated to
providing exceptional serviceto our clients while also making
a positive impact in ourcommunity, where every home sold
, a portion of our commissiongoes towards supporting breast
cancer organizations to helpwomen on a local level and be a
resource through their journey.
(22:21):
We believe that everyonedeserves a safe, comfortable and
happy home, and we're here tohelp make that a reality.
Whether you're buying, sellingor investing in a real estate
will be with you every step ofthe way, and when you're working
with us, you will not only besupporting your own goals, but
also helping others throughtheir breast cancer.
So just the Shannon BurroughsReal Estate Group, where you can
(22:43):
trust that your dreams andvalues are in good hands, no
matter where you live.
We can help you.
Visit our website atshananburroughscom or give us a
call today at 561-494-6389 tolearn more.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
All right, welcome back.
We are here with Jamie Vaughanwith Test those Breasts Podcast,
and we're just talking aboutall the things not to say to
somebody who's been diagnosedwith cancer, especially if
you've never gone through it,and just have the honest
conversations of like I don'tknow what you're going through,
like I'm sorry that you're goingthrough this, just don't say
anything, you know.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Yeah, and sometimes people get really upset when
people don't say anything at all, like I've had people just
completely disappear and nevereven talk to me, and that also
can be very, very hurtful.
I don't blame them.
I have come to an understandingthat there are just some people
who can't, and that's okay.
(23:43):
Yeah, what I would say is thatfor those people who are
listening that know someone whohas been diagnosed and you care
about them and everything, andyou're just not sure what to say
, you know for me, at the veryleast, say, hey, I am so sorry
(24:03):
about what you're going through.
This must feel just awful and Ijust wanted to give you, let
you know how much I love you.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Yeah, just something simple that you don't have to
have the answers to everything.
It's like parenting as much aswe want to think we know
everything, or you know.
We want to let our kids knowthat we know everything you
don't.
And, like you said, just belike you know what.
I'm so sorry you're goingthrough this.
If there's anything you need,please let me know, because
sometimes just sitting withsomebody, especially at the
beginning, or just you knowgoing through treatment, just
sitting with somebody andwatching a movie, without even
(24:32):
having a conversation aboutcancer.
You know, yeah, and there's somepeople that I just think don't
know how to process somethinglike that.
And I will say, even from aspouse point of view because
I've talked about this on aprevious episode that you know I
don't really feel like myhusband responded the way that I
think I wanted him to.
But at the same time, I'm not avery like you don't need to
(24:53):
stroke my back.
Like I'm not, like oh my God,I'm so sorry, like I'm just like
just freaking, fix me, likelet's move on.
You know what I mean.
But I will be that like doting,like stroke your back to
somebody else, I just don't, Idon't know, it's weird, it's
very weird.
Like I'm super, like I got this, I got this, I got this, and
then sometimes I don't got this,but then I'll figure it out,
yeah, yeah, but it's hardbecause people don't know how to
(25:16):
process everything and theythink they do, and then they
don't want to say the wrongthing, but if they don't say
anything, then they're notsaying anything and then you're
still pissed off.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Yeah, well, you know, the thing is is that when I
started going through this andhearing all of those comments, I
started it because I lost mymom four years ago, a little
over four years ago, and Iremember people reaching out to
me and saying certain thingsthat are like you know, like
okay.
So that was like my first timereally really experiencing, you
(25:46):
know, something, trauma likethat, yeah, and you know how
people respond to that, and Iwas very open about that as well
.
But I remember, and I stillthink about this, before my mom
died and before cancer, I'm sureI said things that were
probably not okay or or may havesounded insensitive or things
(26:13):
like that.
I've learned so much and Ithink sometimes it's not until
we've experienced something, orif we have experienced that with
one of our best friends orfamily member, and we start
learning about some things thatare, you know, either best left
unsaid or just a different wayof saying it, and that's, you
(26:37):
know, I mean, I don't know.
I just it's just such a complextopic actually.
But, I think, education, because, you know, our podcasts aren't
just, you know, targeted tobreast cancer patients and
survivors.
These are also geared towardspeople who have never even been
(26:58):
diagnosed.
I mean, for me, my, my podcastis test those breasts, right?
Well, if we're on Instagram,where we are, where we met,
we're sort of preaching to thechoir, aren't we?
You know, because we have somany breast cancer patients out
there, survivors and thriversand all the things out there,
that we're preaching to thechoir.
(27:19):
What we really want to do, too,is to send the message to
people who have never beendiagnosed so, test those breasts
, test them, test them, testthem, early detection, early
detection.
And so, yeah, feel it on thefirst, of course, we know, I
like, we know that, right, butbut some people don't know that,
(27:39):
or people don't think.
Well, let's just put it this way, shannon, before I got breast
cancer, even though I knew a lotof people who had had breast
cancer, breast cancer was alwayssomething that or any kind of
cancer, for that matter thathappens to other people.
And then it didn't, and then Igot it, and so I was like, okay,
well, why am I so special?
(28:01):
You know, and you know why.
You know, of course, why itmakes sense that I have it.
You know, I mean, like I'm ahuman being, right, I've got
dense breast issues.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
Yeah, and to that point, there's so many younger
people that are gettingdiagnosed and they don't know,
like that's not part of their,their regimen, like they
wouldn't think to do you know,feel it on the first, or like do
your monthly checks, or in evenbecause they don't recommend
them getting mammograms at ayounger age, which, in my
opinion, pisses me off, becauseI really feel like if you're, if
you're old enough to do yourwoman's wellness exam and get a
(28:33):
pap, you should incorporatehaving a mammogram.
That's just my opinion and Ifeel like you could just save so
many more lives.
But that's another soapbox thatI'll get on another day.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
Yeah Well, I mean, I've talked to so many young
survivors, you know, those whohave been diagnosed in their
late twenties, early thirties,late thirties and even into
their forties.
But we'll, we'll, you know,focusing on those younger ones.
You know, if you feel something, you should be able to walk
into your doctor and say, hey, Ifeel a lump, hey, my breast
(29:05):
looks different, my breast feelsdifferent.
You should be able to get atest to find out what it might
be.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Correct Without worrying about you know, is
insurance going to cover this ornot?
No, it's your body, it's yourhealth.
Like hello, fix me.
That's your job as a doctor.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Yep, yep, it's crazy.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
So what are?
We doing now with uh, with insurvivor mode, near two years
out now and counting down thedays of your five year mark,
which is super exciting.
So let's talk about what you'redoing now.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Yeah, so I'm uh.
So I was cancer officiallycancer free December 13th of two
thousand twenty-two when I wentinto New Orleans and got my
deep flap surgery.
I had the autologous surgery uh, where they take the tissue
from your abdomen and I had thedouble mastectomy reconstruction
.
Um, and then I literally justhad my second phase in December
(30:03):
and, um, just three weeks ago,and I'm doing great, uh, you
know, all the way through uhchemo, we continued to keep some
of our normal things that wewould do, like go camping.
So we went camping every threeweeks and usually the third week
when I felt better.
These are things that we woulddo every single year.
Um, this year we have traveled.
(30:28):
Once I became cancer free.
Well, what happened was, as alast February, almost almost a
year ago, I was incrediblydepressed.
I was cancer free, but I wasincredibly depressed.
I had a really rough time and Icouldn't figure out why my
connection with my husband wasreally bad.
We started going to therapy and, um, it occurred to me that all
(30:50):
of a sudden, I didn't feel anysignificance.
I didn't feel like I had anypurpose whatsoever.
I had retired, dealt with uhcancer, and so I got a lot of
attention, of course, withcancer, and I had a lot that I
was doing because of cancer, butthen all of a sudden I had
(31:10):
nothing, like literally nothing,and so, um it, uh, eventually
it became clear to me I need toget.
I need to get into the breastcancer community, I need to help
people because there are somany things that I did not know
before cancer and and and I knewa lot.
It's not that I didn't knowstuff, I did know a lot of stuff
(31:32):
, but there were so many thingsI didn't know and it was so
overwhelming the informationcoming flying at you and things
that you know in differentopinions and you know, uh, no
options for second, you knowthings that I didn't wasn't
really presented with optionsand things like that.
So I really really got thisfire in my belly to be part of
(31:56):
the community that educatedother people, especially before
they get cancer, and so I waslike, how am I going to do that?
Everybody's like you shouldwrite a book, you should write a
book.
I'm like, oh, I don't know howto write a book and I'm like,
how about a podcast?
Cause I had a podcast before I,before I retired.
(32:18):
It was for education and I wasgoing to support pre-service and
struggling teachers and I had11 episodes.
It was called be that teacher.
It's still out there, but I waslike, how about a podcast?
Yeah, so my husband and I werein the hot tub one night and
thinking about different namesand he's the one that came up
(32:38):
with test those breasts.
Perfect, yeah, I said you knowwhat.
That's exactly right, becausewhen it all comes down to it,
early detection is where it's at, where it's at where it's at
where it's at.
I will never, never, never, sayanything other than early
detection, because if you cantouch it that early, it's not
(33:00):
that it's going to be easy, it'sjust that it's going to be a
different road than if you waittoo long.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
Exactly yes, so I never even had the lump.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Yeah, well, I mean, and I never had a lump when I
got my lumpctomies.
I mean, I had the lump but Ididn't feel the lump.
They saw the lump and so I hadtwo lumpectomies in the last 10
years and they were benign.
Wow.
So, yeah, I mean, there arethings that you're never going
to know.
But you got to go in every yearand get your mammograms and
(33:36):
feel and know your own body,listen to your intuition not
that you want to be ahypochondriac or anything like
that, but you want to listen toyour own body and you want to
honor that.
I should have immediately whenI felt that lump, I mean and
you're talking about somebodywho pays attention to her body a
(33:56):
lot and I should haveimmediately called the doctor
and asked them about that lump.
And when I started feelingthose burning sensations, I
should have.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
Well, I find that interesting, that number one you
didn't do that.
But number two when you werescheduling your mammogram you
totally forgot and didn't evenmention that and your husband
had to remind you.
Like that's so bizarre.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
Well, it's not that I forgot, shannon, what it was
was.
I was like, well, you know, I'mgoing in in three weeks.
They'll, if they find something, they find something.
And so that was my thoughtprocess.
Really, I was more thinkingabout the beer I was drinking
and how excited.
I was to retire Right, I wasexcited.
And so I'm an IPA girl.
Okay, yeah, I have to find agood one that's gluten free,
(34:41):
because I can't eat glutenanymore, but I know there's good
ones out there.
But anyway, my husband luckilyhe was sitting there, you know,
and he said something to me.
I'm like, oh yeah, I shouldhave said something.
I should have just saidsomething, but yeah, and so I
just.
It's just something that I youknow and I will tell you.
(35:04):
Shannon, there's two things Iwant to tell you.
Number one I get people who whomessage me all the time, who
say, hey, you know, I ran acrossyour podcast, I live in blah
blah, blah.
I mean, I, I, I'm my podcast.
Right now, the stats say thatit's in 25 countries and, um,
you know, all over the UnitedStates.
(35:24):
But anyway, I get.
I get people either here in mylocal area or other places say,
hey, I ran a progression podcast.
It's been very helpful and Iwant to let you know that I, I
went in and got my firstmammogram because of you.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
Doesn't that feel so good?
Yeah, it feels amazing.
You're like yes, my purpose, mypurpose is working.
Speaker 2 (35:42):
Yes, like I have a purpose now, okay, and, um, who
knew it was going to be allabout breast cancer?
But, um, but anyway.
Um, when I was, uh, looking atstarting the podcast, I remember
looking around all over to seewhat other podcasts were out
there about breast cancer and Iran across you and I was like
that girl looks fun.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
Captain over here, captain, and here we are.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
So like and.
I remember thinking to myself Igot to reach out to that girl,
um, and here we are, right, yeah, and my podcast was launched
June 11, 2023, exactly one yearfrom the diagnosis of my breast
cancer.
So it's been about eight months, ish, um, and I'm just, I'm,
(36:29):
I'm really getting so much outof it.
Every time I have an interviewwith somebody, I, you know, when
I hit, uh, you know, stop onthe record thing.
I'm like, oh, my God, that wasawesome, yeah, and that is going
to bring so much, um, awarenessand valuable information to
people.
Speaker 1 (36:48):
Wow, I want to piggyback on that for those that
are listening, whether you aregoing through breast cancer, um,
you're somebody that's acaregiver for that.
Whatever it is.
Aside from breast cancer, ifthere is something that you are
super duper passionate about andyou really just want to get the
message out there, start africking podcast.
(37:09):
I am so mad at myself that Iwaited so long because I am a
recovering perfectionist, let'sjust say that, and on my screen
saver it says in perfectlyperfect, but working on it.
I waited so long because Ireally, I mean, I I shared my
story about my breast cancerjourney, like on social media
and everything, everything good,bad ugly, like you did, um, but
(37:30):
I never even thought about apot.
Well, I thought about a podcast, but I was like I don't even
know what to do, I don't knowwhere to start.
And then, during COVID, I justripped off the fricking bandit
and I was like I found theresources and I just jumped in.
I, you know, watch videos.
I, you know, ask the people inour groups and I was like why
did I not do this before?
And then I have to dial it backand I'm like okay, shannon,
(37:50):
like you, it was for a reason.
It wasn't your time to do that,and so now I just learn as I go
.
And.
But if you have something thatyou're really passionate about,
that you want to share with theworld, start a podcast.
And if you don't know how,reach out to Jamie or myself.
You're happy to, you know, giveyou tidbits or whatever.
But it's super, super importantthat this is your platform,
this is your world.
Write your story.
(38:11):
You know, this is like sodifferent than growing up, like
we never had any of these things.
And now it's like start yourown TV show on pot, you know, on
YouTube, like, do whatever,live your best fricking life man
.
Speaker 2 (38:23):
Yeah, yeah, exactly, and, and and to add to what you
just said, I actually wentthrough a whole coaching program
when I started the educationone and it was pretty expensive
and I have learned since thenthat it doesn't have to be that
expensive.
I there are a couple of peoplewho that were in that group that
(38:45):
created their own you know likelittle, you know training and
things like that super lessexpensive, and they took all the
morsels that they got fromthere that helped them most and
created their own little company.
That is amazing.
And I'm actually going throughsome coaching right now with a
(39:07):
gal, stephanie Thompson, inAustralia, and she is super
inexpensive but incrediblyvaluable.
And so I'm learning how tomonetize.
I haven't monetized my podcastyet, and, but I know how.
Speaker 1 (39:22):
I just haven't done it.
Here we go, let's do it, let'sdo it.
We are going to monetize thispodcast.
You're going to have busted outof breast kids or swag, all the
things.
Speaker 2 (39:31):
Well, yeah, and it's not that I want to make a ton of
money on this or anything,because this is really actually
my passion project and I nomatter what if I make money on
it or not.
I want to be out thereeducating people.
But it would be nice to be ableto pay for some of the things
that I pay for.
You know, like the platformsthat we pay for out of our own
(39:51):
pocket.
So I started a buy me coffee.
You know, a website that peoplehave donated towards which
really helps for like editingand social media stuff and just
the platforms that we have topay for.
So, but yeah, totally, ifanybody wants to reach out and
talk about podcasting, I wecould have a whole session about
(40:12):
it, shannon we should do that.
Speaker 1 (40:14):
We'll do another one, we'll do another one, just the
podcasting, let's just.
Let's leave you a little nuggethere and leave them with.
Okay, we're starting this newpodcast on video.
I've never done the video partof it, so doing that for 2024,
we'll have everything up onYouTube at some point eventually
in my spare time.
But we are doing video andlet's talk about our mics.
You just got a new mic and I amusing this beautiful gold cause
(40:38):
it's shiny and gold and I likethat, but mine is called a Yeti.
It's a blue Yeti mic and younow have a sure mic, sure
something or other, right?
Speaker 2 (40:47):
Yeah, so I had a blue Yeti before and I just got this
one here, sure, and it washighly recommended from one of
the groups that I'm in In thebedroom and I swear I just I
just plugged, I plugged it inand it worked.
I couldn't believe it.
It was like such so easy and Ijust, you know, I mean, but I
(41:07):
and the nice thing is is that Ihave a wish list on my buy me
coffee and my dad contributed toit, so I was able to buy it.
Speaker 1 (41:16):
That's awesome.
So yeah, I would love ifanybody would like to write in
text me or DM me on Twitter, onFacebook or Instagram or
something.
Let me know how the sound is onthis, on this podcast with
Jamie.
So she has a sure mic.
I have a blue Yeti mic.
I'm not used to filming likethis, but I would love to hear
feedback, just out of curiosity.
No offense taken by any means,but anyway, we can tweak it.
(41:38):
I'd love to hear.
Speaker 2 (41:40):
Yeah, I mean, I'd love that.
Speaker 1 (41:43):
You just reminded me that I started my buy me coffee
thing and I need to go back toit.
I start a lot of things andthen squirrel out.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
I know I do too.
Speaker 1 (41:50):
Focus, focus, focus focus, focus.
Speaker 2 (41:51):
That is my main goal in 2024 is move forward.
My motto is action bringsclarity, and so every, every
step you take, it becomesreality, exactly.
Speaker 1 (42:08):
Hey.
So it's been amazing havingthis conversation with you.
I think it's brought so muchvalue to our listeners.
And, if you don't mind, I'mgoing to do something brand new
and I'm probably just going toblind side you and you can tell
me no, and that's okay.
Would you mind doing a quicklittle rapid fire session here,
just for something fun to do?
I don't know, I was thinkingabout today on my walk and I was
like I want to do something fun, like at the end of like
totally spur of the moment.
You have no idea what I'm aboutto ask you.
(42:29):
If you don't want to answer,okay, ready, all right, this is
going to be fun, okay.
Favorite book.
Speaker 2 (42:38):
Well, currently it's.
It's a survival guide that Igot from Phil, the male breast
cancer survivor.
He is in the UK and it's thesurvival guide and he's got a
bunch of stories from differentpeople and it's really cool.
But also, amy Benassi isbearing it all my cancer.
(42:59):
He's just one of my favoritepeople as it is Inspecting my.
Can I say a curse word on here?
Is it explicit?
Oh, good, okay, because I havemindset for explicit.
It's called bearing it all mycancer, fuckery instead of
journey.
She has journey written out andthen it says fuckery instead
yeah.
So those are two of myfavorites right now.
Speaker 1 (43:19):
Okay, Favorite food.
Speaker 2 (43:22):
Oh sushi, what kind.
Well, we just went the otherday.
I like salmon and tuna andupside down shrimp and
yellowtail and all kinds ofthings.
Speaker 3 (43:40):
I mean, I'm just a love sushi, let's see we have.
Speaker 2 (43:44):
Well, this is not a chain, but we have a restaurant
here called Big Horn and it'scalled the Big Horn Tavern.
It's a neighborhood,neighborhood bar and grill that
we love, love, love.
Speaker 1 (43:56):
Favorite vacation spot.
Speaker 2 (43:58):
Well, Costa Rica is my number one right now.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (44:01):
Yeah, we went for the first time in November and it
was wonderful.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
Favorite beverage Adulteran.
Speaker 2 (44:09):
Um.
I love coffee.
Speaker 1 (44:11):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (44:13):
I also love wine, last but not least, what is your
?
Speaker 1 (44:15):
I love my wine too.
Everyone knows I love my wineand I am.
I will go with either one whiteor red I'm good or bubbles.
Next question what is your onepiece of advice that you would
leave for a caregiver that islistening?
Speaker 2 (44:32):
Listen.
Speaker 1 (44:35):
Oh, I love it One more, that's it Mic drop.
Speaker 2 (44:40):
And we're out, and we're out.
Peace out, sauerkraut, awesomeyeah.
Speaker 1 (44:48):
Well, thank you so much, Jamie, for being here.
You can find Jamie Vaughn overat Test those Breasts on
Instagram and head on over andlisten to her podcast as well.
Speaker 2 (44:57):
Yes, and remember to test those breasts, just so you
know everybody that's listening.
Thank you, Shannon.
You're amazing.
I'm so glad that we'reconnected.
I feel like you're.
You're on the other side of thecountry for me and I'm just
really happy to know you.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (45:11):
Thank you so much.
If anyone knew what it took forus to figure out our time zones
, you would laugh, but anyway,thank you so much.
Thank you, my resilient friends, for joining us on another
empowering episode of Bustin outof Breast Cancer.
We trust that our journeythrough stories of triumph,
resilience and growth has leftyou informed, uplifted and
inspired.
Remember, you are not alone inthe fight against breast cancer.
(45:31):
If you or someone you knowneeds support, reach out to a
healthcare professional, abreast cancer support
organization or me.
I'm always here to listen, chatand offer support.
Early detection is the key, soplease prioritize your regular
cancer screenings and if you'rein the market for a new home,
looking to sell or ready toinvest, don't hesitate to
contact me, your favorite fun,resilient Realtor and podcast
host.
Together we can make our realestate dreams a reality while
(45:52):
making a difference in theongoing fight against breast
cancer.
If you or someone you knowwould like to share their
journey as a guest on ourpodcast, reach out to us at
smile at ShannonBroscom.
Your stories matter and theyhave the power to inspire
countless others.
Thank you again for lending usyour ears and for being a part
of this community.
We look forward to reconnectingwith you next week on another
episode of Bustin out of BreastCancer, where together we'll
(46:13):
continue to bust out of breastcancer and thrive.
Until then, stay resilient,stay inspired and keep thriving.
I'm Shannon Bro, your guide toresilience and strength.
This is Bustin out of BreastCancer.
See you next week.
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