Episode 22: Marquina Iliev-Piselli (Stage 2 Breast Cancer at 36)

“When we go through a crisis, what makes us feel alive again?” https://interludecancerstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/episode-22-final-marquina-iliev-piselli-7_19_19-12.29-am.m4a Marquina Iliev-Piselli was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at age 36. While undergoing chemotherapy, she used her passion of air guitar to create a project (glam rock air guitar!) to help lift her spirits (as well as those around her) through treatment. This was featured in her TedX talk titled “The Unexpected Lifeline.” Since then, she has created Share Triumph to share both big and small cancer triumphs. She is hosting the upcoming Share Triumph Virtual Conference (starts on August 5th – sign up today!) and has curated an essay collection called TOUGH: Women Who Survived Cancer that will be released in September (Pre-order on Amazon NOW!). (Photo posted with permission by Marquina Iliev-Piselli) What We Discussed on Today’s Episode: Marquina’s experience with glam-rock chemo (2:00) How Marquina was diagnosed with breast cancer (7:12) What to do after getting the call that the initial biopsy is positive for cancer (8:53) Marquina’s meeting with her breast surgeon (10:54) Her experience with chemotherapy (11:57) Marquina’s recovery after surgery (13:23) Attending Project Koro, a camp for breast cancer survivors (14:54) How Marquina learned to rediscover herself and trust her body again (15:16) Marquina’s tips on how to recover from cancer treatment (16:03) SHARE Triumph and looking for the good (17:30) Pregnancy/Fertility and Cancer (19:54) TOUGH: Women Who Survived Cancer Book (22:11) Share Triumph Virtual Conference starting 8/5/19 (26:23) Marquina’s TedX Talk “The Unexpected Lifeline” (29:11) The best advice/worst advice/advice to Marquina’s former self (31:24) Follow Dr. Teplinsky: Twitter |  Instagram | Facebook Follow Marquina: Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | LinkedIn Related Episodes: Episode 19: Lauren Chiarello (Hodgkin Lymphoma at 23) Episode 1: Izabela Gardula (Breast Cancer at 33) Episode 13: Bridget Hopkins (Breast Cancer at 35) 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].