Your Breast Friend with Edie Tolbert

Denise Rhames, Physician Liaison for Northeastern Oklahoma Cancer Institute is responsible for community outreach and marketing of the center, and connects patients and physicians with the services they need. Prior to joining Northeastern Oklahoma Cancer Institute, Denise worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative for over 25 years in the Tulsa and surrounding areas. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University in Business Administration/Marketing.

My name is Amy Bomar and I wear many hats, I get to be a mom to three beautiful inspiring young ladies, I am a wife to a hardworking man, and I work from home for my family business. I have been a youth pastor and a teacher, which I look forward to getting back to after this journey I am on now.  All of these that I have mentioned I feel so blessed that God chose me to be a part of pour into my family and the lives of others. In this journey, or season, I am always looking for an opportunity to be a blessing to those around me. When you are looking for opportunities to be a blessing to others, you don’t give your mind time to be sad. I hope that this turns into more opportunities for me to share my story. I truly love helping people and lifting people up and I want everyone to know the goodness of God! This journey will not just be growth in me and my family but growth to be shared far and wide. Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Kristen is the owner and founder of Connect and Restore, a private counseling and neurofeedback practice where she and her team of 18 therapists are blessed to provide integrated and collaborative care for hundreds of children and adults each week. She was a guest on episode 16 and is joining us again to talk specifically about neurofeedback for cancer patients. 

Jerina Edwards is a 40 year old wife, mother, and respiratory therapist. She is also an 8 year breast cancer warrior! Originally diagnosed in 2016 with stage 3 IDC, she achieved remission before being diagnosed with metastic breast cancer in 2021. She was honored to serve as a Portrait of Hope for the American Cancer Society in 2017 and continues to work to support & encourage others dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Liz Hyde MBA, RTT, CTR has been with Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute for 16 years.  She is the Director of Radiation, Imaging, and Special Support Services. She received her bachelor's degree from The University of Oklahoma in Radiologic Technology – Radiation Therapy in 1991 and is a registered Radiation Therapist (ARRT).  She received her initial Master Degree in Science from Cameron University in 1996.  She went on to earn her second Master Degree in Business Administration – Healthcare Administration focus- from Southern Nazarene University in 2018.

Kacie is a certified Radiation Therapist and she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Weber State University. She has been working in the medical field and serving oncology patients for more than 10 years.  She loves helping patients and their families feel relaxed and she is glad to be a part of the team at Northeastern Oklahoma Cancer Institute, Claremore.

Lisa Bain is the founder of Lisa Bain Ministries, a nonprofit organization that delivers hope and support to those who are facing illness, a special need, or a crisis situation.  She holds a degree in social work and has over 25 years in non profit work. Lisa Bain Ministries is currently rated as a Top Non Profit 2024 organization by Great Nonprofits, and Lisa was chosen as one of the women to be represented in the campaign “She is Tulsa”. She recently received the Compassionate Tulsan award by the Tulsa Human Rights Commission and Compassionate Tulsa Committee. She believes in sharing her story with honesty and authenticity. When her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and Lisa was diagnosed with a debilitating autoimmune disease in the same week, she was determined to find joy in the midst of her difficult circumstances. This event was ultimately what began her passion for her non profit organization.

Edie is the Founder and Executive Director for The Stonebrook Project and through her work to serve those who are navigating cancer, she has a heart for educating men and women about breast health. Through her breast health education, she is sharing the process for breast screening, additional testing, breast biopsy, legislation, FDA guidelines and much more. Her hope is to reduce the fear and anxiety that surrounds mammography and the results. Today she shares a portion of her breast health program. 

Irasema grew up in New Mexico and has lived in Oklahoma for her adult life. She has 2 amazing grown sons. Both Married to the best daughters in laws and 3 grands - her heart and joy. Her life partner is Jarod and they have been together for 11 years. They currently reside in the rose district in Broken Arrow.  She enjoys gardening, cooking and bike rides and her passion is learning how the earth supplies us with everything we need for wellness and healing. After walking through breast cancer, she is ready for her next season, starting a new business with a friend; Growing plants with a purpose. 

Kristen is the owner and founder of Connect and Restore, a private counseling and neurofeedback practice where she and her team of 18 therapists are blessed to provide integrated and collaborative care for hundreds of children and adults each week. She was a guest on episode 16 and is joining us again to talk specifically about neurofeedback for cancer patients. 

Edie is the Founder and Executive Director for The Stonebrook Project. She hosts a monthly Community Cancer Group for men and women who are recently diagnosed, in treatment, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers. Listen in to see the hope this group is providing to the cancer community.  Visit edietolbbert.com to bring the fight to cancer!

When walking through the seasons of life, community brings a feeling of fellowship. Kim and I talked about how community provides a pathway for relationships that can last a lifetime.  Kim's remarkable journey in the world of radio and writing is even more extraordinary considering her beginnings. Born with a cleft palate, speaking professionally was an achievement few could have imagined for her, yet she defied the odds to become a prominent voice in radio and a mentor in storytelling. She began her trailblazing career in 1987 with The Road Show on Oasis Network Radio, a pioneering feat in an era when few women-led talk radio shows.  Transitioning into ghostwriting, Kim established “Your Story Speaks, LLC,” providing book coaching and collaborative writing services. Her repertoire includes ghostwritten books, journals, Bible app lessons, curriculum, and newsletters. Your Story Speaks also encompasses Podcast Coaching & Hosting, leveraging Kim's vast experience from over 5,000 interview shows. She collaborates with businesses and nonprofits to craft impactful stories, connecting them with donors and partners. As the President and Founder of Tulsa Women’s Fellowship, Kim has built a community dedicated to empowering women in leadership across various sectors. Their Return the Love project has donated over $17,000 to nonprofits. Kim is also a speaker and mentor. A key mission for Kim is her partnership with the 94X Movement, led by Regent Bank CEO & Chairman Sean Kouplen. This initiative focuses on integrating God into the workplace. Kim plays a vital role in this movement, contributing through writing and podcasting and helping extend its global reach. Residing in Green Country, Oklahoma, with her son Spencer, Kim's love for music and literature has remained constant, and her passion for animals, great and small, began as a child. Her journey from a child with a cleft palate to a professional speaker and writer is a testament to God’s goodness. Kim’s life scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 (Message Translation) “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do; everywhere you go. He’s the one who will keep you on track.”

Jessica is the wife to Joel and mom to two beautiful daughters, Hailey and Claire. She is a Patient Coordinator for a local dentist. She spends her leisure time with her husband and raising her teenage daughters. She loves to travel, and her mantra is "Choose Joy", she has it tattooed to remind her! Jessica is a good, good friend and loves life! Join the community at edietolbert.com

Courtney Hall, director, measurement at ONEOK in Tulsa, Oklahoma, tested positive for the BRCA 2 gene in 2016 and was diagnosed with breast cancer two years later. The BRCA gene, when mutated, is found to impact a person’s chances of developing specific forms of cancer. After her mother was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer, she and her sister got tested for the BRCA gene. She tested positive for the BRCA 2 gene, increasing her chances of developing certain cancers to almost 70-90%.  She was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of breast cancer, triple negative.  In August 2018, she had a double mastectomy and underwent chemo treatments and an additional preventative surgery. She now is free of cancer, and on February 28, 2019 she was able to ring the celebration bell after her final treatment.    Courtney’s mission is to share how she navigated the process of a difficult medical diagnosis and treatments through early detection due to genetic testing. “Knowledge is power.” Get genetic testing and have an open dialogue with your doctor about your health risks and options. It may save your life.

Michele was my book coach when I wrote my memoir about navigating breast cancer. She offered me many tools to get my ideas out of my head and onto paper. Listen in as we discuss the process of telling your story and why it matters.  Michele Chiappetta is a firm believer in helping people successfully pursue their drive to write and share their stories and messages with the world. Dedicated to equipping others to produce strong, evocative books that make an impact, Michele ghostwrites, edits, and coaches authors of both fiction and non-fiction, with specialties in inspirational, memoirs, romance, science fiction and fantasy. Some of her clients include life coach La Vonne Earl, memoirist and cancer survivor Edie Tolbert, Christian thriller author David Porter, romance authors Lauren Smith and J.D. Monroe, and many others. 

During my conversation with Brenda, I learned about the progress that has been made for BRCA testing. Brenda helps us understand a BRCA positive diagnosis and removes the fear of the testing process.  To know her is to experience servanthood and happiness in human form. Brenda is more than the eye can see, she is a businesswoman, a wife to Lee, mama to four amazing kids, and Beep Beep to two beautiful grandchildren. With the knowledge in 2012 that she was BRAC 1 positive, she had a complete hysterectomy and oophorectomy, yet in 2020 she was diagnosed with invasive carcinoma triple negative right breast cancer. With the Pandemic changing the world, Brenda's life was changing. She had a double mastectomy with reconstruction and chemotherapy. Brenda is not simply a survivor; she is a thriver. Brenda is actively engaged in focusing on being present in the moment with her family while also supporting other women who are experiencing pain, trauma, and life-changing events through her love and support. 

OPW serves 77 counties and over 4,000 women a year throughout Oklahoma.  Anne shares with us the  breast health education and resources that are available for women through OPW. Executive Director for Oklahoma Project Woman Anne Bogie has been with Oklahoma Project Woman since 2003. She began as the Development Manager and was promoted to the Executive Director in 2007. The mission of Oklahoma Project Woman is to provide access to free breast healthcare to facilitate the early diagnosis of breast cancer and decrease the mortality rate for uninsured Oklahomans with limited income. She is a two-time breast cancer survivor and lost her mother to the same disease. Anne received her Bachelor of Science and MBA from the University of Tulsa. She is married and she and her husband Scott have four boys. Facebook & LinkedIn - Oklahoma Project Woman Website: www.oklahomaprojecteoman.org

Important update on Oklahoma bill HB3504!

Catie and her husband George (Dub) have two children Sally, 12 and George, 9. They live in Verdigris, Oklahoma, and attend Church on the Move. George is a cancer survivor, diagnosed with hepatoblastoma at 4 months and declared NED (no evidence of disease) at 10 months. He has been cancer free ever since! December 23rd is his 9 year cancer free anniversary. Catie and her family know firsthand the physical and emotional stresses of battling cancer. She is passionate about helping others facing what her family faced and thrilled to be a part of The Stonebrook Project. She is also working toward her masters in education, on track to be completed May 2024.

Kristen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist, TBRI Educator, Infant Mental Health Endorsed Level 3 Therapist, and Board-Certified Neurofeedback practitioner, with over 16 years' experience working in a variety of school-based, non-profit, and agency settings. She is also a trained Circle of Security Facilitator and a certified Oklahoma teacher and school counselor. Currently she is the owner and founder of Connect and Restore, a private counseling and neurofeedback practice where she and her team of 18 therapists are blessed to provide integrated and collaborative care for hundreds of children and adults each week. 

This is a must listen episode from Edie. She will discuss some of the most important topics concerning breast health.

Sit down with Edie as she discusses the 3 main books she recommends for those navigating cancer.

Dawn is a 52-year-old and a 4-year breast cancer survivor. She had a double mastectomy in 2019 along with 3 follow up surgeries due to complications. She was an 18-year business owner until earlier this year.  She has a 23-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son and has been married for 20 years.  In her free time, she loves to travel, volunteer and spend time with friends and family.

Sarah is the Tulsa Manager for the Riata Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at OSU and offices out of 36 Degrees North. She is also the co-director of LeadHERship Spears, the first-ever women’s leadership program for the Spears School of Business students. Sarah was also responsible for the Status of Women in Oklahoma report established in collaboration between the Spears School of Business and United We, a nonprofit based in Kansas City. In her spare time, she serves on boards such as 36 Degrees North and Stephenson Cancer Board of Advocates, and volunteers with AutismOklahoma and The Breasties. Sarah was named Susan G Komen’s 2023 Women of Inspiration and is the chair for the Tulsa American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball 2023. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a master’s in Organizational Dynamics with an emphasis on project management. She is a coffee addict and loves anything with chocolate. She lives in Broken Arrow with her husband and their six-year-old son.

Brook is a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist. She is employed at Stonebrook Day Spa and The Stonebrook Project. She graduated from Clary Sage College Massage Therapy program in 2017. She received her MLD certification in 2022 through Klose Training. Earlier this year; she completed a class in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, also through Klose Training. She loves doing massage therapy because it helps people with pain and relaxation. She pours her hear into every client whether it is tight muscles or just needing a soothing touch. The lymphatic drainage therapy helps relieve symptoms of edema and lymphedema due to a compromised lymphatic system, cancer surgeries or lymph node removal. She is looking forward to continuing her education in the field of massage and lymphatic work.

Karen Childress loves helping others get through cancer diagnoses, treatment, and survivorship with bad humor and good information.  She has worked in the healthcare industry for 12 years in several roles, but most recently as the Quality Coordinator for a large university’s outpatient clinics in Tulsa.   She is the third generation of her family to contend with breast cancer, and the first to conquer it.  Karen was one of the last three Portraits of Hope for the American Cancer Society prior to the pandemic.  Always an advocate for early detection, she is blessed to be in a position where she can encourage primary care offices to emphasize the importance of mammograms and colorectal screenings.  In her downtime, she loves reading, writing, public speaking, traveling, and spending time with her saintly husband, two fantastic sons and three silly cats.

Sally is all about cancer! She has held many roles in nationally recognized oncology consulting and billing entities during her career. Her dedication to the radiation oncology industry has evolved from being a radiation therapist, an assistant professor, and a billing and coding consultant to a principle of an oncology billing company. The time spent in these clinical and administrative settings has provided her with a diverse oncology expertise, which now includes being a certified cancer coach. Her most cherished accomplishment is being a triple negative breast cancer survivor and helping other cancer patients navigate the disease. Sally is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, College of Allied Health and a registered radiation therapist. She also holds a master’s in business administration from Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Kathy is the Clinical Manager for Outpatient Infusion at the Saint Francis Cancer Center & A-Level main campus Outpatient Infusion Center. Kathy went back to nursing school in her 30's as a single mom and has been a nurse for 25 years. Her first nursing job was inpatient Oncology at Saint Francis.  The majority of her career has been in Oncology, although she did eight years of pediatric and adult hospice.  She will tell you that these years of her career have been the most impactful. She is married to Dave for 27 years; they have 3 boys and 5 grandchildren.

Angie Walters is a breast cancer survivor since 2005 which inspired her to create a 501(c)(3) charity, the BCAP (Breast Cancer Assistance Program) Fund in 2006. She has held the position of Founder & Chief Executive Officer of BCAP since its inception. Currently, Angie is also the Executive Assistant at Schnake Turnbo Frank and past Executive Assistant to Mike Neal, President & CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. Angie has spent most of her life in Oklahoma. She attended the Sapulpa and Broken Arrow school systems and is a graduate of Langston University, where she received many honors and awards. She holds a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. She spent many years working in the law and private investigator fields, working as a court appointed special advocate and licensed private investigator. Angie also serves on the board of Executive Women International and is a Tulsa Regional Campaign volunteer. Accolades include 2012 Williams Women of Inspiration top 30 nominee and 2010 Tulsa Shock Women of Inspiration top 5 nominee. Angie’s husband, Norm, is an A&P mechanic and has been with American Airlines here in Tulsa since 1992. They have grown children. In her leisure time, Angie enjoys motorcycle and ATV riding, boating on the lake and family vacations in Mexico.

The past five years of serving the residents of House District 79 has been an honor for Rep. Provenzano. When filing and running legislation, she prioritizes constituent requests and the concerns expressed to her during conversations with neighbors and the people of House District 79. She understands the importance of transparency and accountability in Oklahoma’s public servants and centers those principles as she works to help Oklahomans overcome real problems. With the census, our map lines changed a bit and we have enjoyed meeting new neighbors in the new precincts!

Gina is a 5 year survivor of Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer.  Diagnosed the day before her 49th birthday in Feb 2018, she celebrated the completion of treatments 2 weeks before her 50th birthday in 2019. That year, God lead her through the journey to the manifestation of healing by incorporating holistic treatments along with the medical treatments. Together, with prayer warriors, the prayer of successful lumpectomy was answered; God then gave them a battle cry, "Annihilate the Ites" to remove any remaining cancer cells during the 20 weeks of chemotherapy.  "No stench of Smoke" was a new battle cry through the 28 rounds of radiation just as God promised in Is 43:2. She topped it off by praising the name of Jesus in her Hallelujah Happy Dance @ the ringing of the bell! Gina clung to her life verse of Gen 50:20 that year, "What the enemy intends to harm, God intends for good, for the purpose such as this, the saving of many lives". She was reminded as long as she didn't see the season in vain; she could be used as a witness to the glory of God, manifested throughout it all... this is why she says "There's Glory @ Stake here!"

With nearly four decades of unwavering dedication to healthcare, Traci Owen is a beacon of compassion and expertise. She has served in a wide variety of healthcare roles which has provided a broad-based foundation of experience caring for humanity. In 2009, her journey led to oncology care, where she walked alongside countless patients as they navigated the challenges of cancer treatment. ‌ In 2015, Traci recognized a significant gap in oncology sexual health education and intervention, prompting her to establish a groundbreaking sexual health program within her facility. Her commitment and expertise culminated when she attained the prestigious AASECT Certification as a Sexuality Counselor in 2020, an honor reserved for an exclusive cohort of professionals. In collaboration with her husband, Traci realized her vision in 2021 by co-founding Intimate Pathways, a haven nestled in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In her role, she artfully creates safe spaces for individuals and couples to navigate societal taboos, empowering them to embrace evolving sexual experiences with open arms. Traci’s journey embodies healing hearts and nurturing intimate connections, weaving a profound tapestry of care, education, and advocacy into the fabric of her impactful career.

Kelly Pike has been a caregiver for over 6 years. Her husband is a stage 4 colon cancer survivor and she helped care for both of her parents in the last years of their lives while they battled mixed dementia and bladder cancer. And Executive Assistant for over 40 years, Kelly’s ability to organize and prioritize was the key to keeping things calm and as stress free as possible for those she was caring for. She not only understands the day-to-day challenges that come with caring for a loved one, but also what it means to be the healthy one in the relationship and the guilt & isolation that comes with that. Even in the most dire of circumstances, Kelly can attest that a strong faith and positive attitude are the most important things a caregiver can possess.

Meet Shelly Bauer, DNP, RN, a beacon of strength and hope who has emerged from the shadows of breast cancer to become a symbol of resilience and inspiration. In 2015, Shelly received a life-altering diagnosis of breast cancer, thrusting her into a world of uncertainty and fear. However, what could have been a story of despair and defeat transformed into a narrative of courage, empowerment, and triumph. Shelly's journey was one marked by both physical and emotional battles as she navigated the complex maze of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Through the darkest moments of pain and uncertainty, Shelly found the determination to fight and win the battle over cancer. Her voice was used to document her story through social media, being an inspiration to those who were currently going through cancer treatment and those that were surviving life after cancer. Shelly recently obtained her Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Please join us as we hear her story on being an overcomer.

I am Edie Tolbert, breast cancer survivor on a mission to educate, advocate and empower women in the fight against breast cancer. Real Conversations About Breast Health & Breast Cancer Join us as we talk with experts about screenings, diagnosis, treatment, legislation, disparities, and much, much more concerning breast cancer.