If you've ever wondered what it's really like to get a cancer diagnosis or how to support someone going through it, this episode will give you an honest look at the reality behind pink ribbons and awareness campaigns.

Today we're sharing Irene's breast cancer journey. From the exhaustion that preceded her diagnosis to finding a lump while snacking on a cookie in bed, this isn't a sanitized version of cancer. It's the real story of navigating medical appointments, dealing with dense tissue mammograms, and the month-long wait between finding something suspicious and getting answers.

We're also talking about the difference between how society treats different medical conditions. Why does cancer gets support systems and fundraisers while infertility gets dismissive comments like "maybe it's not meant to be"? We're also sharing the incredible kindness of strangers, like the recovery nurse who sent a box of jewelry because she was moved by how Irene worried about everyone else instead of herself.

This episode is about faith, friendship, and the reality that healing doesn't always look like a miracle. Sometimes it looks like medicine, doctors, and the wisdom God gives to medical professionals. We're not sugarcoating the fear, the guilt of adding stress to family members already dealing with other crises, or the awkwardness of mammograms and biopsies.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

• The months of exhaustion that preceded diagnosis
• The reality of mammograms, biopsies, and waiting for results
• How different medical conditions get different levels of societal support
• The importance of letting someone mentally prepare instead of forcing false optimism
• The incredible kindness of medical professionals and how strangers can show up in the most meaningful ways

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