Rebirth Through Struggle: Facing Cancer and a Spouse’s Mental Illness Artwork

Our BC Life

Once you receive a breast cancer diagnosis, a million things run through your mind. One of the big things is how much you don’t know before getting caught in the cyclone of treatment with no time to process until you’ve entered the survivorship stage. This podcast will dive into the nitty-gritty of what you wish you knew then and what you know now. Listen to patients share their stories in digestible bites. Each episode will help you feel informed, hopeful, and less alone. From SHARE Cancer Support, This is Our BC Life.

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Our BC Life

Rebirth Through Struggle: Facing Cancer and a Spouse’s Mental Illness

March 03, 2026 • SHARE Cancer Support • Season 4 • Episode 2

0:00 | 46:35

Turia Goggins shares her journey through an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis while navigating the strain of a spouse’s severe, undiagnosed mental illness. After years of benign tests, an August 2024 biopsy revealed stage 1 invasive ductal breast cancer. She reflects on telling her close-knit West Indian, Catholic family, making treatment decisions, and managing the intense stress of a volatile marriage.

Following surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, Turia opens up about the physical and emotional toll of treatment and her path toward healing through therapy, NAMI NYC support, and ultimately divorce. Her story is one of faith, resilience, and the deeply personal nature of surviving cancer.

Resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)