What happens when a 33-year-old mother, PhD, and wife, who has meticulously planned her life, is suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer? This episode of Before Our Visit Ends features the powerful story of Kayoll Gyan, a nurse scientist who shares her deeply personal breast cancer journey and faith. Kayoll opens up about the shock of finding a lump during a routine physical, the agonizing wait for a delayed diagnosis, and the moment her world stopped in a Lowe's parking lot. She offers a raw, unfiltered look at the brutal realities of treatment and the surprising discovery that life after the emergency is over can be even more challenging.
In this detailed conversation, Kayoll walks us through every step of her experience. From the initial physical exam that revealed a lump to the three-month waiting period that allowed the tumor to grow, she highlights the critical importance of self-advocacy and getting a second opinion. We explore her difficult decision to forgo freezing her eggs to begin treatment immediately, and the physical and emotional toll of coping with chemo side effects from ACT therapy, also known as "the red devil." Kayoll shares the practical tips that helped her manage severe nausea and pain, and the vital role her friends, family, and a meal train played in her support system.
The discussion also sheds light on the unique challenges faced by young Black women with breast cancer, a topic that has now become the focus of Kayoll's research. She speaks candidly about her life after cancer treatment, navigating the cognitive effects of "chemo brain" that have altered her ability to work as she once did, and the process of accepting her "new normal." A central theme throughout is Kayoll’s unwavering faith, which served as her anchor. She explains how journaling, prayer, and "protecting her peace" by avoiding Dr. Google were essential for managing the fear of cancer recurrence. This is an intimate and honest account of resilience, the power of spirituality in healing, and finding a new purpose in the wake of a life-altering diagnosis.
About Our Guest:
Kayoll Gyan, PhD, is a nurse scientist, mother of two, and wife. After being diagnosed with stage two breast cancer at age 33 with no family history, she navigated an arduous journey through chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and radiation. This experience profoundly reshaped her life and career, inspiring her to shift her research focus to the role of spirituality in the treatment experience of young Black cancer patients. She now shares information and hope through her platform, "Anchored with Dr. K."
Timestamps / Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction to Kayoll Gyan
(05:03) Kayoll’s Background: Faith, Family, and Jamaican Roots
(08:44) The Shocking Diagnosis: A Delayed Discovery at 33
(13:43) Navigating the Next Steps: Switching Hospitals and Making a Plan
(16:21) A Hard Decision: Choosing Between Fertility and Immediate Treatment
(17:31) The Reality of Chemotherapy: "The Red Devil" and Its Side Effects
(20:09) The Journey Through Surgery (Mastectomy) and Radiation
(22:07) Finding Strength: The Role of Faith, Journaling, and Community
(27:12) The "New Normal": Why Life After Cancer Treatment Can Be Harder
(32:48) Managing Fear of Cancer Recurrence Through Faith
(41:00) A New Purpose: Giving Back Through Research and Advocacy
(43:55) Kayoll's Final Advice for Anyone Facing a Struggle
Episode Resources:
At 33, Sense was a busy SLP, a single mother of two, and had just closed on her new house. The last thing she expected to find during a routine shower was a lump. This is her powerful young adult breast cancer journey, a story that confronts the shocking reality of a diagnosis when you least expect it. In this episode, Sense shares the unfiltered truth of finding a golf-ball-sized tumor, her immediate self-diagnosis due to her known BRCA1 gene mutation, and the whirlwind of fear, appointments, and difficult decisions that followed. How do you navigate a life-altering illness while juggling a career and young children, especially as a single person?
Sense walks us through every step of her aggressive treatment for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, from the initial shock and the month-long wait for a diagnostic mammogram to the grueling realities of her BRCA1 breast cancer treatment. She details her experience with six months of weekly Carboplatin and Taxol chemotherapy, followed by the "terrible" AC chemo, also known as the "red devil." Sense talks candidly about losing her hair, the relief of her tumor disappearing during chemo, and the subsequent double mastectomy with nipple-sparing surgery. She also shares the difficult side effects of 30 rounds of radiation, which left her skin feeling "like a crocodile," and the challenges of recovering from multiple surgeries, including the placement of expanders and implants. Throughout her young adult breast cancer journey, her humor and resilience shine through, but she doesn't shy away from the emotional toll, especially the experience of navigating cancer as a single person. A crucial element of her survival was her incredible cancer support system; from the "soulmate" friend who dropped everything to be her note-taker at appointments to coworkers who created care packages and a cousin who drove her to every infusion. Her story highlights the immense difficulty of asking for help and the unexpected places support can be found. Perhaps most poignantly, Sense discusses the profound challenge of life after active cancer treatment, a phase she says "nobody prepares you for." She opens up about the fear of recurrence when routine scans stop and the psychological weight of transitioning from a structured treatment plan to the uncertainty of survivorship.
About Our Guest:
Sense is a School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), private practice owner, and single mother of two. Originally from Antigua, she shares her story of being diagnosed with Stage 3, BRCA1-positive invasive ductal carcinoma at age 33. Sense offers a raw and honest perspective on her diagnosis, treatment, and the often-undiscussed emotional reality of life after cancer.
Timestamps / Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction: A Young Mother's Diagnosis
(07:17) From Antigua to the US: A Foundation of Hard Work
(13:08) The Discovery: Finding a Lump and Facing a BRCA1 Diagnosis
(24:19) The Treatment Gauntlet: Navigating Chemo, Mastectomy, and Radiation
(33:12) The Power of a Support System: “I Did Cry a Lot”
(43:03) Life After Active Treatment: Why “Nobody Prepares You for the End”
(48:27) Future Preventative Care and the BRCA1 Gene
(53:37) Final Advice for Navigating a Cancer Journey
Episode Resources:
What happens when a routine health check-up reveals a shockingly high PSA of 51.9 with no symptoms? For 51-year-old Jason, a biohacking enthusiast dedicated to staving off chronic disease, this was the beginning of an unexpected and arduous journey into the world of high-risk prostate cancer. In this episode, Jason and his partner Natalie share their powerful story of navigating a terrifying diagnosis, battling a frustrating healthcare system, and becoming a prostate cancer patient advocate out of sheer necessity. This is a story about taking control when you feel powerless, the tough decisions that follow a diagnosis, and the profound impact it has on a relationship.
Jason’s experience is a masterclass in patient advocacy and resilience. After the initial shock of his diagnosis - which came shortly after Natalie’s father passed away from the same disease - Jason dove headfirst into research mode. He shares how he learned to speak the language of oncology, question doctors, and push for timely appointments and tests like MRIs and PSMA PET scans, effectively quarterbacking his own care. You'll hear the detailed thought process behind his prostate cancer treatment decisions, including why he opted for surgery over radiation, and how he processed the devastating news of a biochemical recurrence prostate cancer just months after his operation. This recurrence led to a new, grueling phase of treatment: Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) and daily radiation. Jason gives an incredibly honest account of the debilitating side effects of ADT, from the 40-50 daily hot flashes to the severe sleep disruption that left him exhausted. Throughout this journey, Natalie provides a raw and essential perspective on how to support a partner with cancer. She discusses balancing her own anxiety, the importance of being present at appointments to be a second set of ears, and the critical need for self-care to avoid burnout. Together, they offer invaluable, practical advice on everything from asking the right questions to your oncologist, understanding your Gleason score, and the emotional toll of living with a cancer diagnosis.
About Our Guests:
Jason is a 51-year-old health and wellness enthusiast who was unexpectedly diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. He shares his story of becoming a full-time researcher and advocate for his own health, navigating complex treatment paths including surgery, ADT (Orgovyx), and radiation therapy.
Natalie is Jason's partner of 12 years. Having lost her father to prostate cancer just a year prior to Jason's diagnosis, she provides a powerful perspective on being a caregiver, a support system, and a partner to someone fighting cancer, all while processing her own grief and fear.
Timestamps / Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:31) A Shocking Prostate Cancer Diagnosis at 51
(2:30) A Family History with Prostate Cancer
(5:14) How Jason and Natalie Met
(10:08) The Routine Check-Up That Changed Everything (PSA of 51.9)
(16:14) Becoming a Proactive Patient Advocate
(23:00) Why You Must Be The Quarterback of Your Own Care
(30:41) How to Speed Up Appointments and Get Answers Faster
(37:43) From Surgery to a Biochemical Recurrence
(43:18) The Brutal Real-Life Side Effects of ADT and Radiation
(50:29) The Power of a Support System: How Friends Can Help
(58:41) Final Advice for Patients and Partners on Their Cancer Journey
Episode Resources:
Diagnosed with breast cancer at 19 and then again at 24, Gianna's story is a powerful testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. This episode delves deep into the raw realities of navigating a young adult breast cancer recurrence while simultaneously raising a toddler. How do you find the strength to parent through debilitating chemotherapy? What questions should you be asking your doctors that no one tells you about? Gianna shares the invaluable lessons she learned about self-advocacy, support systems, and finding the right resources that made all the difference the second time around.
In this profoundly honest conversation, Gianna shares every detail of her journey. We explore the initial shock of a Stage 1, HER2-positive diagnosis at just 19 years old, the difficult decision-making process around egg preservation, and the miracle of her son’s birth. Gianna then walks us through the heartbreak of a recurrence five years later and the immense difficulties of going through chemo with a toddler. She offers a vulnerable look at how her support system evolved, from texts and flowers the first time to friends cooking meals and providing childcare during her second battle. A significant part of our discussion focuses on the difficult breast cancer surgery options she faced, candidly explaining her thought process in choosing a single mastectomy over reconstruction to align with her future family goals. Gianna also provides a roadmap for other patients by highlighting the integrative therapies for cancer and the critical financial and support resources for cancer - like social workers at MSK, non-profits like Cleaning for a Reason, and community retreats at Mary's Place by the Sea - that she didn't know how to access the first time. This episode is a must-listen for any young person facing a cancer diagnosis, their loved ones, and anyone looking for inspiration on how to navigate life's hardest moments with grace and strength.
About Our Guest:
Gianna is a two-time breast cancer survivor, esthetician, yoga teacher, and mother. First diagnosed at 19 and facing a recurrence at 24, she shares her story with incredible vulnerability and the wisdom of someone who has been forced to navigate the medical system at a young age. She speaks openly about the isolation of being a young adult with cancer, the unique challenges of parenting through treatment, and the importance of advocating for your own physical and emotional well-being.
Timestamps / Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(05:11) A Shocking Diagnosis: Breast Cancer at 19 (DCIS, HER2+)
(08:10) Navigating Fertility, Treatment, and a Miracle Pregnancy
(10:25) The Isolation of Cancer and Finding True Support
(12:10) Parenting Through Chemo: A Toddler's Intuitive Love
(17:09) Finding Community and Respite at Mary's Place by the Sea
(19:10) The Resources I Missed: Unlocking Integrative and Financial Help
(22:35) Making the Hardest Choice: Deciding on Breast Cancer Surgery
(27:08) Hopes for a Softer, Simpler Future After Treatment
(29:20) Gianna’s Final Advice: Trust Your Body & Advocate for Yourself
Learn More From Our Guest / Episode Resources:
Before Our Visit Ends is a podcast that honors and celebrates the extraordinary lives of people living with cancer - the stories that can’t fit into a medical chart. Hosted by Eunice, an Oncology Nurse Practitioner and Researcher, each episode offers honest, intimate conversations that help us see the whole person behind the diagnosis.
These stories help guide us - offering insight into the questions we should ask when we or someone we love is diagnosed with cancer, how we can stay connected to what matters most, and how to keep living fully in the midst of it all.
