Ditch The Lump Podcast

Welcome to Episode 1 of Ditch the Lump! In this deeply moving and uplifting conversation, host Jessica Hare sits down with three incredible women; Megan Britz, Stéphanie Bastien, and Robyn Funnell, who all survived the breast cancer journey together and came out the other side stronger, closer, and full of hard-won wisdom.  They share their individual diagnoses, from feeling unexpected lumps to receiving shocking post-surgery results. These four survivors unpack the realities of chemotherapy, radiation, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it all. The group reflects on the power of community, the importance of mental strength, the challenges faced by partners and caregivers, and the often-overlooked difficulty of life after treatment ends.   This episode is packed with personal stories, hard truths, and an infectious sense of hope. Whether you or someone you love is navigating a cancer diagnosis, or you simply want to be reminded of the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit, there is something deeply valuable here for everyone.    ⏱ Timestamped Overview  00:12 – Introductions and Diagnosis Stories  03:27 – Jess's Diagnosis Journey  04:36 – The Mental Battle of Cancer  05:28 – Coping Mechanisms and Chemo Routines  07:31 – The "Red Devil" Chemo Experience  10:08 – Varying Reactions to Chemotherapy  13:49 – Different Cancers, Different Treatments  16:52 – The Support System in the Chemo Room  18:21 – Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy  20:34 – The Power of Friendship During Treatment  24:11 – Life After Active Treatment  27:45 – The Challenge of Unexpected Extra Treatment  31:15 – The Emotional Toll and Vulnerability  36:00 – The Need for Control and Unexpected Setbacks  42:41 – The Impact on Caregivers and Partners  47:50 – Processing Trauma and Finding a New Normal  52:36 – The Importance of Your Oncologist  59:08 – The Role of the Medical Team  01:02:46 – Radiation and Its Side Effects  01:09:13 – Telling Family Overseas  01:15:45 – Finding Humanity in the Chemo Room  01:18:43 – The Power of a Shared Journey  01:22:36 – A Final Poem from Jessica Hare      💬 Quote of the Episode  "What a horrific experience with sprinkles of incredible people. How bright indeed the light shines in the darkness.” – Jessica Hare        👣 Relevant Links & Mentions    Jessica Hare’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-hare-0767047b/  Jessica Hare’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica.wolf.hare/   Jessica Hare’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.bezuidenhout.79/    Stéphanie Bastien’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-bastien-88163274/    Stéphanie Bastien’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steph_in_durban/    Stéphanie Bastien’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.bastien.00    Robyn Funnell’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-funnell-7328a63a0/    Robyn Funnell’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynfunnell100/    Robyn Funnell’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russell.funnell.5    Megan Britz’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-floyd-britz-445721122/    Megan Britz’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megbritz/    Megan Britz’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megan.floyd.3998          🌐 Connect with Ditch the Lump  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ditch.the.lump/