How do you prepare to have a part of your body removed forever? What snacks do you bring to a double mastectomy? For Kristen, the list starts with a good pillowcase, her Anna Ono robe, her softest Kyte Baby jammies, slippers, her YETI cup, and shirts with places for drains. As her surgery date approaches, it’s not the loss of her breasts that makes her fall apart sobbing, it’s imagining herself unable to pick up the baby she nannies for the next 2 months.Now enjoy a haiku in memoriam of Kristen’s original boobs:Kristen battles her fearIn the deepest of trenchesCan’t stifle the sassSubscribe to our newsletter here: https://breastcancerstories.substack.com/subscribe Longhorn YETI mug (https://amzn.to/3dSgyGw)Ana Ono soft post-surgery bras & other items (https://www.anaono.com/) made just for those affected by breast cancer, breast surgeries or discomfortKyte bamboo pajamas (https://kytebaby.com/collections/sets)Meet Kristen’s doctors: surgical oncologist Dr. Louis Rivera (https://www.scripps.org/physicians/31924-louis-rivera?tab=overview), hematologist and oncologist Dr. Sonia Ali (https://www.scripps.org/physicians/8669-dr-sonia-ali?tab=overview), plastic surgeon Dr. Salvatore Pacella (https://www.drpacella.com/), and radiation oncologists Dr. Anuradha Koka (https://www.scripps.org/physicians/4516-anuradha-koka-md?tab=overview) and Dr. Kenneth T. Shimizu. (https://www.scripps.org/physicians/5313-kenneth-shimizu)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.Support the show by sharing online, writing a review, or donating at https://www.breastcancerstoriespodcast.com/p/donate/Host and Executive Producer: Eva Sheie Co-Host: Kristen Vengler Editor and Audio Engineer: Daniel CroeserTheme Music: Them Highs and Lows, Bird of Figment Story Editor: Mary Ellen ClarksonAssistant Producer: Hannah BurkhartCover Art Designer: Shawn Hiatt Breast Cancer Stories is a production of The Axis.PROUDLY MADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS