Desi Maldonado was diagnosed at 44 with Stage III triple negative breast cancer.  She is an assistant director of procurement services, an artist, wife and grandmother.  In this episode Desi reads her essay “Lymphedema” from the 2023 “New Normal” issue of Wildfire.  Desi’s story is about living alongside secondary lymphedema - a topic not discussed enough in the cancer space.  April will explain what lymphedema is as she dives into Desi’s experience with it.  April and Desi will talk about what set off Desi’s lymphedema, how lymphedema awareness and preventive measures get lost in the chaos of a cancer diagnosis, and occupying the complicated space of survivor’s guilt blended with a lymphedema struggle. They will also discuss the importance of sharing truths to help shoulder the load of our stories and reveal hope.

Connect with Desi: https://www.instagram.com/bestofdesi/

Purchase the “New Normal” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/newnormal23

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Chiara Riga of Santa Cruz, CA returns to The Burn for a second time.  She is a marketing operations manager who was diagnosed at 27 with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer.  In this episode Chiara reads her essay “I Thought All Love Was Off the Table” from the 2023 “Love & Intimacy” issue of Wildfire.  Chiara’s story is about finding love after a breast cancer diagnosis, and putting hope back on the table.  April and Chiara will talk about what it was like shifting from living with her caregiver mom and moving in with her partner, how to manage a container for cancer in a relationship, and the challenge of explaining cancer to her future in-laws with language and cultural barriers.  They will also discuss planning life around cancer and share travel planning tips while living with MBC.

Connect with Chiara: https://www.instagram.com/chiaravscancer/

Purchase the “Love & Intimacy” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/love23

Listen to another episode of The Burn featuring Chiara:  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9ab23b08-72b2-4a54-8af9-451c54c76be4

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within, we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  

This episode features Rebecca Hall reading her essay “Hair.”  

Rebecca Hall.  Writer, Certified Yoga Instructor, MBC Advocate (when not busy surviving, which is most of the time!)  Diagnosed at 25.  IDC, Stage III, Triple Positive.  Diagnosed at 29, Stage IV.  Santa Cruz, CA.

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

More about Becky: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccahallwriter/

Hear Becky’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1a34adcc-dc65-439d-8c42-f6a9de3677dc

Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

Send your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

Follow Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Brittany Johnston was diagnosed at 33 with breast cancer just barely 2 years ago.  In this episode Brittany reads her essay “Reintroduction” from the 2023 “New Normal” issue of Wildfire. 

Brittany’s story is about navigating the new normal after a cancer diagnosis with it’s profound mental health components.  April and Brittany will talk about the intersection of cancer and depression, taking the positives of cancer while simultaneously realizing the negatives, and the mental health gaps in oncology care.  They will also discuss treating ourselves with compassion.  

Connect with Brittany: https://www.instagram.com/b_myself_n_i/

Purchase the “New Normal” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/newnormal23

Past episodes with similar topics you might like:

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4ee04976-476a-476a-a384-cd7323f37184

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7ab8f684-6a73-4125-9798-3fd6a2109476

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within, we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  

This episode features April Stearns reading AnnMarie’s essay “Just Hold Me.”  

AnnMarie Giannino.  Director of Communities at Lyfebulb.  Diagnosed at 40.  Stage I, IDC, ER+, PR+.  Upstate NY.  

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

More about AnnMarie:  https://www.instagram.com/stupiddumbbreastcancer/ 

Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

Send your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

Follow Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Deb Ontiveros is a Los Angeles native currently residing in Southern Utah.  She is an interpreter, community health worker, and social justice activist for over 20 years.  After being diagnosed with triple positive metastatic breast cancer at age 37, she has shifted her focus to breast cancer advocacy.  Deb reads her essay “We Can Do Hard Things ” from the 2023 “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue of Wildfire.  It’s a piece about what was learned living in the glare of uncertainty.  April and Deb will discuss the timing of and finding your place in the breast cancer community, living by the words “what doesn’t kill me, nourishes me”, and reflections on losing people within the breast cancer community.  They will also talk about feeling like an outsider when diagnosed young, and how Deb found found connections with and became an ambassador for people of color within the breast cancer community.

This episode includes explicit language, references to drugs and domestic violence.

More about Deb:  https://www.instagram.com/deb4peace247/

More about For the Breast of Us:  https://www.instagram.com/forthebreastofus/

Purchase the “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-mbc23

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within, we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  

This episode features April Stearn's reading Cathy's essay “Unbreakable Bonds: Lifelines for a Lifetime.”  

In memory of Cathy Parker.  Real Estate Developer and Investor.  Diagnosed at 35.  IBC, Stage III, Triple Positive.  Crewe, VA.

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

More about Cathy: https://www.instagram.com/irockmyscars/

Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

Send your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

Follow Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

This week we are sharing a favorite episode from the archives as we take a break from our regular podcast schedule for spring break.  Wildfire production assistant Monica Haro selected this episode from February 2023 to reshare.  Enjoy!

Holly Taylor was a sergeant in the US Army National Guard, and then became a kindergarten teacher. She was diagnosed at 37 with stage IV breast cancer after earlier breast health concerns were dismissed. She is now a stay-at-home mom. In this episode Holly reads her stirring piece “I Want” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “MBC: Legacy Stories” issue where she expresses all her wants that she desires for her young daughter. April and Holly will talk about what it was like for Holly to write and read this essay to her daughter, getting your wishes out of your body through writing, and how Holly keeps a memory legacy box for her daughter while living with metastatic disease. They will also discuss teaching breast health and self-advocacy to your children.

More about Holly: https://www.instagram.com/crazycurlyholly/

Purchase the “MBC: Legacy Stories” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mbc22

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within, we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  

This episode features Vesna Zic-Côté reading her essay “SOS.”  

Vesna Zic-Côté.  Registered Nurse (retired class).  Diagnosed at 38.  IDC, Stage II.  Diagnosed at 42.  Stage IV, ER+, PR+.  Ottowa, ON.

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

More about Vesna: https://www.instagram.com/vesna.mbc.lens/

Hear Vesna’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c1f13865-3266-4e45-a5f3-bf6fef4e489e

Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

Send your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

Follow Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Carrie Kreiswirth was diagnosed at 36 with triple negative breast cancer.  Carrie helps encourage and empower others who have been on a similar cancer journey to her own. In this episode Carrie reads her essay “Ready for Love” from the 2019 “Love & Intimacy” issue of Wildfire. Carrie’s story is not only about dating after cancer, but the sucker punches that come out of nowhere in long term survivorship.  April and Carrie will talk about what it was like for Carrie to revisit this piece written 5 years prior, the challenges of being vulnerable with intimacy, and advice for those feeling closed off. They will also discuss Carrie’s reflections on motherhood and fertility, and what is coming up for her emotionally around that now.  April and Carrie will share the why behind finding your place in the breast cancer community as a long term survivor.

Connect with Carrie:  https://www.instagram.com/ckreiswirth/

Purchase the “Love & Intimacy” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-love19

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions