Someone Like Me – Your Cancer Community Podcast
Welcome to Someone Like Me – Your Cancer Community Podcast
I’m your host, Vanessa Mooney, a breast cancer survivor who created this space after going through it all myself.
Each week, I share real cancer stories — honest conversations with people affected by cancer and the family members who’ve walked beside them.
These are raw, emotional, and uplifting stories about what cancer really feels like — the fear, the grief, the shock, the strength, and the unexpected moments that somehow get you through it.
I’m also launching Someone Like Me – Your Cancer Community App, a place for support, connection, and shared cancer stories for anyone affected by cancer.
Main Sponsor: Breast Cancer Ireland
This podcast is for anyone who has ever thought:
“No one gets what I’m going through.”
We do. And you’re not alone anymore.
💚 Let’s make cancer a little less lonely together.
Someone Like Me – Your Cancer Community Podcast
Olivia’s Breast Cancer Story & Her Dad’s Cancer Battle
Summary
In this episode of Someone Like Me, host Vanessa speaks with Olivia Carpenter, a breast cancer survivor who shares her inspiring journey of resilience and hope. Olivia opens up about being diagnosed at a young age while her dad was going through cancer at the same time. She reflects on the emotional challenges of supporting him while facing her own treatment, the grief of losing him, and how these experiences inspired her to create Olivia’s Gifts a heartfelt initiative providing comfort to those undergoing treatment. This powerful conversation highlights the importance of community, support, and the unbreakable bond between family members during life’s most difficult moments.
Takeaways
- Olivia was diagnosed with breast cancer at 34 years old.
- She experienced the emotional toll of battling cancer while her father was also ill.
- Olivia's Gifts was created to provide comfort to cancer patients.
- The importance of community support during cancer treatment is emphasized.
- Olivia's journey highlights the fear of recurrence even after years of being cancer-free.
- She shares the challenges of navigating treatment while being a mother to three children.
- The conversation touches on the grief of losing a loved one to cancer.
- Olivia's father had a significant impact on her life and journey.
- The podcast emphasizes the need for awareness about breast cancer symptoms.
- Olivia encourages open conversations about cancer and support for those affected.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Olivia's Journey
01:07
The Diagnosis: A Life-Changing Moment
08:17
Navigating Treatment and Family Challenges
10:41
Follow-Up Care and Ongoing Anxiety
13:43
Coping with Loss and Family Dynamics
16:43
Navigating Grief and Loss
23:18
Creating Olivia's Gift: A Personal Mission
27:45
Family Resilience and Moving Forward
31:13
Vanessa-Outro.mp3
https://www.instagram.com/olivias.gift?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==