Episodi

  • Kristen Update: I’m Moving to Australia

    Kristen Update: I’m Moving to Australia
    Sep 30 2025
    Between esophagitis (thanks, radiation) and a mysterious lump that turned out to be fat necrosis from reconstruction, the post-cancer medical drama continues.

    But instead of spiraling, Kristen went full “eat, pray, ground yourself”—ditching Prozac cold turkey after forgetting it on a trip, attending back-to-back retreats in India and Australia, and healing her body by standing barefoot in the dirt.

    An unusual treatment in Tasmania left her pain-free, and a spontaneous visit to Australia turned into a wild change of plans.

    Consider supporting the podcast by becoming a paid subscriber to our Substack newsletter (it’s $4/month)

    Reach out to bcs@theaxis.io for more info about sponsorship.

    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: Victoria Cheng
    Theme Music: Them Highs and Lows, Bird of Figment
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
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    38 min
  • Day 326: It’s a Reminder I’m Alive [Dr. Tita Gray]

    Day 326: It’s a Reminder I’m Alive [Dr. Tita Gray]
    Sep 17 2024
    Returning to life cancer-free hasn’t been easy, but Tita stays positive and isn’t letting anything take her spirit down.

    Her chest is healing, and she doesn’t feel like any less of a woman without breasts. Rather, it reminds her that she's alive and kicking.

    She continues with regular immunotherapy, and it's doing wonders. Feeling more like herself, she’s working out without any joint pain, and her hair is growing back.

    About Season 3

    After her mom's death and some family issues, Dr. Tita Gray found a lump in her breast, leading to a biopsy that confirmed breast cancer. In season 3 of Breast Cancer Stories, Tita shares her journey through a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, aggressive chemo and immunotherapy, and choosing to go flat after a double mastectomy.

    Consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter (it’s $4/month)

    Reach out to bcs@theaxis.io if you want talk about sponsoring this season, which will include ALL episodes (this is called run-of-show in podcast ads lingo)

    Make a one time donation in any amount via PayPal

    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
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
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    27 min
  • Day 233: ​​I'm the Most Happy & the Least Happy [Dr. Tita Gray]

    Day 233: ​​I'm the Most Happy & the Least Happy [Dr. Tita Gray]
    Aug 27 2024
    When she first looked down after her double mastectomy, Tita didn’t panic. But adjusting to life without a bra has been strange.

    Nothing could prepare her for the emotions of losing a part of her body. But her tumor is gone, and no cancer was found before it was removed.

    Tita reflects that while chemo saves your life, it takes a piece of your life with it. She finds peace by focusing on her spiritual side to heal.

    About Season 3

    After her mom's death and some family issues, Dr. Tita Gray found a lump in her breast, leading to a biopsy that confirmed breast cancer. In season 3 of Breast Cancer Stories, Tita shares her journey through a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, aggressive chemo and immunotherapy, and choosing to go flat after a double mastectomy.

    Consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter (it’s $4/month)

    Reach out to bcs@theaxis.io if you want talk about sponsoring this season, which will include ALL episodes (this is called run-of-show in podcast ads lingo)

    Make a one time donation in any amount via PayPal

    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
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    28 min
  • Day 220: The Pizza and Pasta Phase [Dr. Tita Gray]

    Day 220: The Pizza and Pasta Phase [Dr. Tita Gray]
    Aug 20 2024
    Tita's finally starting to feel like herself again after six grueling months of chemo. With no more nausea, she can actually enjoy pizza and pasta without feeling sick.

    Her mastectomy is coming up soon, and her oncologist is calling for radiation. She's not exactly thrilled about it, but she’s determined to never have to deal with this cancer again.

    About Season 3

    After her mom's death and some family issues, Dr. Tita Gray found a lump in her breast, leading to a biopsy that confirmed breast cancer. In season 3 of Breast Cancer Stories, Tita shares her journey through a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, aggressive chemo and immunotherapy, and choosing to go flat after a double mastectomy.

    Consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter (it’s $4/month)

    Reach out to bcs@theaxis.io if you want talk about sponsoring this season, which will include ALL episodes (this is called run-of-show in podcast ads lingo)

    Make a one time donation in any amount via PayPal

    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
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    22 min
  • Day 178: I’ll Be Replacing My Breasts With Tattoos [Dr. Tita Gray]

    Day 178: I’ll Be Replacing My Breasts With Tattoos [Dr. Tita Gray]
    Aug 13 2024
    Tita's latest MRI shows her tumor is shrinking. She's planning a butterfly tattoo after her double mastectomy to symbolize her metamorphosis.

    She shares what keeps her strong and optimistic: a job focused on helping others and a supportive circle of friends and family. She believes the key to staying positive is surrounding yourself with people who lift you up and share laughter.

    About Season 3

    After her mom's death and some family issues, Dr. Tita Gray found a lump in her breast, leading to a biopsy that confirmed breast cancer.

    In season 3 of Breast Cancer Stories, Tita shares her journey through a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, aggressive chemo and immunotherapy, and choosing to go flat after a double mastectomy.

    Consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter (it’s $4/month)

    Reach out to bcs@theaxis.io if you want talk about sponsoring this season, which will include ALL episodes (this is called run-of-show in podcast ads lingo)

    Make a one time donation in any amount via PayPal

    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
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    33 min
  • Day 117: It Is What It Is [Dr. Tita Gray]

    Day 117: It Is What It Is [Dr. Tita Gray]
    Aug 6 2024
    Tita’s white blood count drops so low she has to reduce her chemo infusions to every other week. Zarxio injections and immunotherapy help keep it in a healthy range.

    The new schedule extends her treatments through May, leaving her mentally drained. Always perceived as strong and optimistic, it’s tough to be in tears. Empathy from her doctor is a huge help.

    Although the lump is shrinking, it's still cancerous, so a double mastectomy is the plan. Tita remains positive, grateful for her support system, faith, and otherwise great life.

    Learn more about Invitae genetic testing

    Check out Pink Lotus Breast Center

    About Season 3

    After her mom's death and some family issues, Dr. Tita Gray found a lump in her breast, leading to a biopsy that confirmed breast cancer. In season 3 of Breast Cancer Stories, Tita shares her journey through a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, aggressive chemo and immunotherapy, and choosing to go flat after a double mastectomy.

    Consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter (it’s $4/month)

    Reach out to bcs@theaxis.io if you want talk about sponsoring this season, which will include ALL episodes (this is called run-of-show in podcast ads lingo)

    Make a one time donation in any amount via PayPal

    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
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    29 min
  • Day 73: One of Those Mondays [Dr. Tita Gray]

    Day 73: One of Those Mondays [Dr. Tita Gray]
    Jul 30 2024
    Feeling worse than usual and suspecting her chemo dosage might be too high, Tita asks her doctor for another mammogram and ultrasound to check visually for signs of cancer.

    Dismayed to find out she needs two more months of chemo than expected, she schedules an appointment with a surgeon to discuss whether a double mastectomy can remove any remaining cancer.

    About Season 3

    After her mom's death and some family issues, Dr. Tita Gray found a lump in her breast, leading to a biopsy that confirmed breast cancer. In season 3 of Breast Cancer Stories, Tita shares her journey through a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, aggressive chemo and immunotherapy, and choosing to go flat after a double mastectomy.

    Consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter (it’s $4/month)

    Reach out to bcs@theaxis.io if you want talk about sponsoring this season, which will include ALL episodes (this is called run-of-show in podcast ads lingo)

    Make a one time donation in any amount via PayPal
    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
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    23 min
  • Day 45: It’s Too Much [Dr. Tita Gray]

    Day 45: It’s Too Much [Dr. Tita Gray]
    Jul 23 2024
    After her second triple infusion of chemo, Tita is feeling worse than ever—no appetite, headaches, achy joints, the whole side effect shebang.

    The silver lining is that her oncologist can no longer find the lump. She checks herself regularly, hoping it stays gone.

    Emotionally drained, she cuts all her hair off herself and thinks through her reasoning for wanting a double mastectomy when the time comes.

    After her mom's death and some family issues, Dr. Tita Gray found a lump in her breast, leading to a biopsy that confirmed breast cancer. In season 3 of Breast Cancer Stories, Tita shares her journey through a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, aggressive chemo and immunotherapy, and choosing to go flat after a double mastectomy.

    Consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter (it’s $4/month)

    Reach out to bcs@theaxis.io if you want talk about sponsoring this season, which will include ALL episodes (this is called run-of-show in podcast ads lingo)

    Make a one time donation in any amount via PayPal

    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
    Production Assistant: Mary Ellen Clarkson
    Cover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt
    Assistant Producer: Hannah Burkhart

    Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.

    PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    23 min