Episode 36

Touch Your Ta-Tas!: A Stage IV Journey 


with Kristina Keller
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Touch Your Ta-Tas!: A Stage IV Journey 


How do you choose hope when your diagnosis says stage four?

Kristina Keller is a single mother, speaker, and author of Touch Your Ta-Tas!: My Story of Faith, Hope, and Healing Through Stage 4 Breast Cancer. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2024, and within weeks, scans revealed spots on her liver. She pressed pause on a planned double mastectomy, sought further opinions, and chose a path rooted in prayer, research, and self-advocacy. Her book title carries a life-saving reminder: do your monthly self-breast exams.

This conversation centers on practical hope. Kristina explains how prayer became the foundation of her journey and how she chose physicians who would partner with her, even as she explored some unconventional therapies. She shares why being transparent with your oncologist matters, what questions to ask, and how understanding treatments can lower fear. You’ll also hear how counseling helped her talk with her son, why community care makes the road feel lighter, and how simple acts like creating a trust can be a loving step for any parent. Finally, she returns to the habit that might have changed everything: a regular self-exam and listening to your body.

Kristina’s message is simple—pray, ask for help, learn your options, and keep believing for better days. Hope grows when you take part in your own healing.

Highlights:

01:42 — Self-advocacy and self-exams. Practical steps to be your own health advocate and make monthly self-breast exams routine.

03:17 — From shock to a plan. How to move from the initial diagnosis call to grounded next steps.

04:42 — Talking with your kids. Ways to share facts with reassurance and keep communication open at home.

05:59 — Family support that helps. How child- and family-focused counseling (like Wonders & Worries) can guide hard conversations.

07:43 — Prayer as an anchor. A simple faith practice to steady emotions and decisions during treatment.

09:11 — Second opinions done right. Why comparing perspectives expands options and confidence in your care plan.

10:54 — Integrative choices with transparency. How to discuss complementary approaches openly with your medical team.

12:14 — Make early detection a habit. The case for monthly self-breast exams and listening closely to your body.

22:56 — Share to strengthen community. Turning quick Facebook updates into a story that brings support—and a book.

35:04 — A hope routine you can use. Pray, ask clear questions, research your options, and participate fully to reduce fear.

Mentioned Resources:

CanCare- www.cancare.org

www.cancare.org/hopebook

About the Guest:

Kristina Keller is a stage IV breast cancer survivor, single mother, speaker, and author of Touch Your Ta-Tas!: My Story of Faith, Hope, and Healing Through Stage 4 Breast Cancer.  Diagnosed in early 2024, she chose faith over fear, becoming her own advocate, exploring alternative treatments, and uncovering unexpected gifts along the way. Kristina now shares her journey with honesty, humor, and unshakable hope, reminding others that even in the hardest moments, faith and resilience can light the way. Her story is also featured in the Hope in the Face of Cancer book.

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Ep 35

Feeling the Fear: A Guide to Post-Treatment Healing

with Shayla Martin
What helps when treatment ends but the feelings don’t? Shayla Martin is a breast cancer survivor, Chief Wellness Officer, certified meditation practitioner, and co-founder of a startup. She brings both lived experience and professional insight into what healing looks like beyond the medical treatments. In this episode, Shayla shares the moment that changed everything—a strange “beach fly” bite that led her to discover a lump. From diagnosis in New York through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, she leaned on humor and community to get through the hardest days. Yet she reveals that the biggest challenge came after treatment, when the full weight of emotions landed, and she no longer had the structure of appointments and check-ins. Shayla opens up about grief, especially around not having a mother to call after difficult scans, and how therapy became a path for addressing what she calls the “mother wound.” She explains why denial and fear are often the first hurdles, and why processing feelings honestly is a sign of strength. You’ll hear practical ways to hold space for fear, invite trusted people into treatment days, and use tools like sound baths, meditation, and counseling. Shayla shares that post-treatment is often when emotions truly surface. And allowing yourself to feel them, without judgment, is where real strength begins. Her message: you’re allowed to be scared, you’re not alone, and support is ready when you ask. Keep going. Hope grows where feelings are welcomed. Highlights: 00:00 – Welcome and Guest Introduction
Meet Shayla Martin, breast cancer survivor and wellness leader. 02:05 – From Corporate to Healing Work
Shayla shares her career shift into wellness and sound healing. 04:10 – The “Beach Fly Bite” That Led to Diagnosis
A strange bump at the beach sparks her cancer journey. 07:20 – The Oncologist Who Saved My Life
A chance public speaking class nudges Shayla to get checked. 09:21 – Facing Fear at Weill Cornell
The day denial lifted and reality of cancer hit. 13:24 – The Call I Couldn’t Make
Realizing she didn’t have a mother to call after diagnosis. 17:17 – The Tornado of Treatment
Why life feels like survival mode during chemo and radiation. 23:00 – Naming the Tumor and Throwing a Party
How humor and community helped her face surgery and chemo. 27:10 – Creating a Chemo Lounge
Why she invited friends, music, and joy into treatment days. 39:34 – The Greatest Gift of Cancer
Living at 100% capacity of feeling and choosing hope.
Ep 34

Don’t Look Past the Headlights: Taking cancer one step at a time

with Dr. Bonnie Hubert
What do you do when cancer treatment ends but the fear, uncertainty, and questions remain? Licensed therapist Dr. Bonnie Hubert from the Memorial Hermann Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center joins host Darcie Wells to explore why emotional support is essential for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. She shares how counseling, peer mentors, and creative outlets can ease fear of recurrence, reduce isolation, and bring strength after treatment. Bonnie’s calling began when she cared for her mother during ovarian cancer treatment and noticed a gap between medical plans and emotional care. Later, as a BRCA2 previvor, she chose preventive surgeries to lower her own risk. These experiences give her a unique perspective that blends compassion with professional insight. In this episode, she explains how to manage uncertainty with her “don’t look past the headlights” approach, focusing on what can be handled today rather than being overwhelmed by the future. She also highlights the healing power of hopeful stories and the free programs at Canopy and CanCare that provide comfort and community. Bonnie’s message is clear: no one has to face cancer alone. With support, resilience grows, and hope remains. Highlights: [00:00] Welcome & Guest Intro – Meet Dr. Bonnie Hubert, therapist at Memorial Hermann Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center. [02:09] From Counselor to Caregiver – How her mother’s ovarian cancer shifted Bonnie’s career focus. [04:09] The Hidden Gap in Cancer Care – Why ringing the bell doesn’t mean the journey is over. [07:14] Becoming a BRCA2 Previvor – Bonnie’s personal decision for preventive surgeries and how it shaped her outlook. [11:56] What Canopy Provides – Free counseling, groups, and community for survivors and caregivers. [13:49] Emotional Support in Action – Common struggles and why counseling brings relief. [19:05] It’s Just a Conversation – Removing stigma around counseling and therapy. [20:22] Power of Peer Mentors – How CanCare volunteers and survivor mentors offer unique hope. [26:28] Don’t Look Past the Headlights – A practical tool for managing uncertainty day by day. [30:14] Post-Traumatic Growth – How reframing the past with compassion creates space for growth. [33:14] Closing Message of Hope – Bonnie’s reminder that resilience grows when you tap into the right support. Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org www.cancare.org/hopebook About the Guest: Dr. Bonnie Hubert is a licensed therapist with the Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center at Memorial Hermann, where she supports cancer patients and their loved ones. Inspired by her mother’s cancer journey and her own experience as a “previvor,” Bonnie brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work. At Canopy, she provides counseling and leads support groups, helping people navigate fear, isolation, and life after treatment with compassion and care.
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