At the end of the day following Kristen’s 2nd chemo treatment, she recalls her dream the previous night and describes how her hair hurts. Between the first and second chemo treatments, several surprise infections appeared along with disappointment over how quickly her formerly iron-clad immune system failed. While adjusting to all these strange happenings within her body, she decides to cut her hair before it has a chance to fall out, resulting in the comical realization that with short hair she looks like her son and a surprise boost of self-confidence. When a deeply meaningful gift from a dear friend (and two-time breast cancer survivor) arrives in the mail, the pink ribbon logo takes on a new and different meaning. Settling into the treatment routine, Kristen shifts her focus to the future by buying a beautiful new wall-sized garden calendar from Etsy to chronicle the journey that’s about to unfold.

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San Diego hair stylist and short hair specialist Lael AnnMarie (https://www.instagram.com/laelannmarie/)

Angio Dynamics Smart Port (https://www.angiodynamics.com/product/smart-port-ct-injectable-port/)

Garden Planner Wall Calenda (https://www.etsy.com/listing/240697826/garden-planner-planting-calendar-sowing)

Removable Transparent Mark It Dots (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003M6VQNY/)

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

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

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

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