BRCA & Beyond is where real talk meets real life with a gene mutation. I’m Marisa, a BRCA2 previvor, colon cancer survivor, wife, and mom of two, and I know firsthand how overwhelming, emotional, and downright confusing this journey can be. But here’s the truth — your gene mutation does not define you. Your choices do. And there is a full, beautiful life waiting beyond this diagnosis.
Here, we’ll talk about the decisions no one ever expects to face, the emotions that come with them, and the messy, beautiful, complicated life that happens in between. You’ll hear honest stories (mine and others’), practical tips, and guides that make the path a little clearer. We’ll welcome guests who share their own journeys and expertise, offering fresh perspectives, hope, and encouragement. We’ll laugh when we can, cry when we need to, and remind each other that joy still exists, even in the chaos.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, deep into decision-making, or simply searching for connection, this is a space to feel understood, supported, and never alone. Pull up a seat, friend. We’re in this together.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
BRCA & Beyond is where real talk meets real life with a gene mutation. I’m Marisa, a BRCA2 previvor, colon cancer survivor, wife, and mom of two, and I know firsthand how overwhelming, emotional, and downright confusing this journey can be. But here’s the truth — your gene mutation does not define you. Your choices do. And there is a full, beautiful life waiting beyond this diagnosis.
Here, we’ll talk about the decisions no one ever expects to face, the emotions that come with them, and the messy, beautiful, complicated life that happens in between. You’ll hear honest stories (mine and others’), practical tips, and guides that make the path a little clearer. We’ll welcome guests who share their own journeys and expertise, offering fresh perspectives, hope, and encouragement. We’ll laugh when we can, cry when we need to, and remind each other that joy still exists, even in the chaos.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, deep into decision-making, or simply searching for connection, this is a space to feel understood, supported, and never alone. Pull up a seat, friend. We’re in this together.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this raw and honest episode, I share what happened after my nipple-sparing double mastectomy, the days of drains, the strange world of tissue expanders, and the mix of fear and faith that followed. From the relief of having my drains finally removed, to the panic attack I had during my first fill in the Holland Tunnel, this episode pulls back the curtain on what recovery really feels like.
You’ll hear the truth about expanders, the tightness, the tingling, the emotional toll of living in a body that doesn’t yet feel like your own, and the small, quiet moments of progress that begin to rebuild you from the inside out.
This isn’t just about surgery. It’s about learning to trust your body again, finding peace through faith, and realizing that healing isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal.
If you’re navigating your own BRCA journey, facing surgery, or supporting someone who is, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone in the fear, the discomfort, or the slow rediscovery of who you are becoming.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.