Episode 21: Emily Garnett (Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer at 34)

“I was in so much pain — it was almost a terrible relief to have an answer” – Emily Garnett https://interludecancerstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/episode-21-emily-garnett-final-7_11_19-11.42-pm.m4a   Emily Garnett is a wife, mother, lawyer, an advocate and so much more. She was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 32, right as her son turned two years old. She started documenting her journey and experience with breast cancer and is now the blogger at Beyond the Pink Ribbon. She is also the host of the podcast, The Intersection of Cancer and Life. On today’s episode, we talk about her diagnosis of breast cancer and cancer treatment while raising a toddler, her experience with postpartum depression and anxiety, fertility and cancer, how and why she started writing and her incredible plans for the future. (Photo reposted with permission by Emily Garnett) What we discussed on today’s episode: How Emily was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (4:04) How her doctor discovered a breast lump (7:50) Her experience with going for a second opinion (9:15) Her diagnosis of metastatic disease (9:56) Emily’s thoughts on how being a new mom/postpartum affected the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer (11:20) Emily’s experience with postpartum depression and anxiety (12:05) How her life looked while caring for a toddler and getting treatment for metastatic disease (15:00) Fertility and cancer (20:35) Emily’s reaction/response when someone asks her when she is having another baby (26:11) Coping with postpartum depression and anxiety and seeking help with a mental health professional (29:29) Importance of seeing a mental health professional during cancer treatment (32:52) How and why Emily started blogging and writing (36:50) Emily’s decision to start her podcast (42:38) How people react when Emily tells them she has metastatic breast cancer (45:24) The need for more research for metastatic breast cancer (47:00) Emily’s plan to start the non profit organization, The Metastatic Parenthood Project (49:10) Follow Dr. Teplinsky: Twitter |  Instagram | Facebook Follow Emily: Twitter | Instagram | Podcast on Instagram | Facebook | Blog | Podcast Related Episodes: Episode 18: Julia Maues (Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer at 36) Episode 10: Kate Crawford (Breast Cancer at 28) Episode 4: Pari Berk (Colon Cancer at 43) Support Interlude: Women’s Cancer Stories with Dr. Teplinsky. If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes). If you liked this episode, please share with your friends and family! If you have any feedback or are interested in being a guest on the show, please e-mail me at [email protected].