Baddie 2 Baddie: Episode 8 Navigating Treatment as a Latina

Being Latina isn't a one-size fits all category - here at FTBOU we have voices that represent Columbia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, to name a few. On this episode, you'll hear how some of the Latina's in our community viewed their culture as it affected (or didn't affect) them navigating breast cancer treatment.

HOSTS

Miranda Gonzales

At age 39, Miranda found a lump in her breast and was told it was nothing, which lead to a new lump 6 months later and a diagnosis of Stage 3 hormone positive IDC. What followed was a year that included chemotherapy, a double mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction, and radiation.  Being a young Hispanic woman, she often felt out of place among the mostly older non-Hispanic patients. Most support groups she encountered were populated with women who were mostly affluent, had retired or had adult children. A year after finishing active treatment, she began to volunteer at Houston Methodist Hospital on the infusion floor as a CanCare.org volunteer, visiting with patients while they go through chemotherapy infusions.  She also began to lead the HMH local support group, in conjunction with Reconstruction of a Survivor. She is a volunteer turned employee with Wig Out.org, which offers free wig kits to uninsured and underinsured women, out of Smith Clinic and LBJ Hospital, part of Harris Health Systems in Harris County. These three activities allowed her to meet women at the beginning of their diagnosis, helping her to seek out young Hispanic women that needed the support she did not have. She has attended Project Lead, is e a YSC RISE Advocate, as well as an Ambassador with For the Breast of Us, an online community dedicated to supporting women of color diagnosed with breast cancer. She now sits on their Community Partnership Board. Lastly, she’s recently accepted a position with SHARE Cancer Support, working with the “Our MBC Life” podcast, which is dedicated to amplifying the voices and sharing the realities of those living with metastatic breast cancer. 

You can find her on IG @MirLorDehGon

GUESTS

Araceli Cortez

My name is Araceli Cortes and I am 36 years old. My husband and I recently celebrated our tenth year anniversary and we have one child, Leonardo, who is 3 years old. My husband and I own a small business under the name of Tejas Insurance Agency and specialize in providing our customers with different types of insurance policies.

In the middle of a pandemic in 2020, I felt a bump on my left breast and decided to schedule a second mammogram that same year. After more testing, I was told that I had breast cancer. I was given my diagnosis: Invasive ductal carcinoma, high nuclear grade 3, Her2+. Not knowing what my journey would look like ahead, I decided to focus on gathering information and researching more about the type of cancer I had. The more I learned and researched, the more confident I felt with my decisions along the way. I have completed my chemotherapy, had nipple-sparing mastectomy surgery, 30 rounds of radiation sessions, 14 cycles of targeted therapy, and am currently on Endocrine Therapy (hormonal therapy) waiting for my Reconstruction surgery in mid July 2022.

I thank God for my family and friends, cancer support groups, and team of doctors every day as they all continue to support and cheer me on. This feels like it is far from over, but I take it one day at a time and just focus on making happy memories with those I love as tomorrow is never promised.

You can find her at @chely048

Deb Ontiveros

Deb Ontiveros is originally from Los Angeles but resides in Southern Utah. She is a Spanish/English Interpreter & Translator. Deb was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in April 2018. She spends her extra time advocating for breast cancer and mental health issues.  You can find her on IG, FB & Twitter: @deb4peace247 

 

Vanessa Chapoy

Vanessa ‘Baby Baddie’ Chapoy was diagnosed with Stage 2A Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma at the age of 24. She is a LatinX baddie who is passionate about early detection and is an advocate for young women of color. She is currently going through advocacy training with The Tigerlily Foundation as well as Latinas Contra Cancer. Vanessa is excited to apply what she learns into action.

 

Natascha Vega

Natascha Vega is a Group Business Director at an advertising agency in NYC. She loves the creativity that comes with what she does and the opportunity to impact different markets and consumer needs around the globe.  Natascha is the proud “fur mom” of an amazing 17-year-old pup who has been her right hand and best companion a gal could ask for.  When she isn’t deep into her work, you can find her running the streets of Manhattan, logging some miles as she loves to stay active.   On September 11, 2020, in the midst of an already chaotic year, Natascha got a call that changed her life forever after detecting a lump the month prior on her right breast: "Ms. Vega, you have  triple positive stage 2 breast cancer." Natascha underwent 5 months of chemotherapy, a failed attempt at the cold cap treatment to preserve her hair, 15 rounds of radiation and a lumpectomy surgery.  She just finished immunotherapy and is currently taking the proper medications to prevent this from happening again.   IG:  @gitana0930  www.nomelimites.net

Make sure to follow us on social media:

IG: forthebreastofus

Twitter: thebreastofus

Facebook: For the Breast of Us

Private Facebook Group: Breast Cancer Baddies

Breastofus.com 

Baddie Behavior and Baddie 2 Baddie original theme music, podcast production, and mixing by Sincere529 (www.sincere529.com)