What happens when a routine health check-up reveals a shockingly high PSA of 51.9 with no symptoms? For 51-year-old Jason, a biohacking enthusiast dedicated to staving off chronic disease, this was the beginning of an unexpected and arduous journey into the world of high-risk prostate cancer. In this episode, Jason and his partner Natalie share their powerful story of navigating a terrifying diagnosis, battling a frustrating healthcare system, and becoming a prostate cancer patient advocate out of sheer necessity. This is a story about taking control when you feel powerless, the tough decisions that follow a diagnosis, and the profound impact it has on a relationship.

Jason’s experience is a masterclass in patient advocacy and resilience. After the initial shock of his diagnosis - which came shortly after Natalie’s father passed away from the same disease - Jason dove headfirst into research mode. He shares how he learned to speak the language of oncology, question doctors, and push for timely appointments and tests like MRIs and PSMA PET scans, effectively quarterbacking his own care. You'll hear the detailed thought process behind his prostate cancer treatment decisions, including why he opted for surgery over radiation, and how he processed the devastating news of a biochemical recurrence prostate cancer just months after his operation. This recurrence led to a new, grueling phase of treatment: Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) and daily radiation. Jason gives an incredibly honest account of the debilitating side effects of ADT, from the 40-50 daily hot flashes to the severe sleep disruption that left him exhausted. Throughout this journey, Natalie provides a raw and essential perspective on how to support a partner with cancer. She discusses balancing her own anxiety, the importance of being present at appointments to be a second set of ears, and the critical need for self-care to avoid burnout. Together, they offer invaluable, practical advice on everything from asking the right questions to your oncologist, understanding your Gleason score, and the emotional toll of living with a cancer diagnosis.

About Our Guests:
Jason is a 51-year-old health and wellness enthusiast who was unexpectedly diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. He shares his story of becoming a full-time researcher and advocate for his own health, navigating complex treatment paths including surgery, ADT (Orgovyx), and radiation therapy.

Natalie is Jason's partner of 12 years. Having lost her father to prostate cancer just a year prior to Jason's diagnosis, she provides a powerful perspective on being a caregiver, a support system, and a partner to someone fighting cancer, all while processing her own grief and fear.

Timestamps / Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:31) A Shocking Prostate Cancer Diagnosis at 51
(2:30) A Family History with Prostate Cancer
(5:14) How Jason and Natalie Met
(10:08) The Routine Check-Up That Changed Everything (PSA of 51.9)
(16:14) Becoming a Proactive Patient Advocate
(23:00) Why You Must Be The Quarterback of Your Own Care
(30:41) How to Speed Up Appointments and Get Answers Faster
(37:43) From Surgery to a Biochemical Recurrence
(43:18) The Brutal Real-Life Side Effects of ADT and Radiation
(50:29) The Power of a Support System: How Friends Can Help
(58:41) Final Advice for Patients and Partners on Their Cancer Journey

Episode Resources:

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• Follow Before Our Visit Ends on TikTok
• Follow Before Our Visit Ends on YouTube

Diagnosed with breast cancer at 19 and then again at 24, Gianna's story is a powerful testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. This episode delves deep into the raw realities of navigating a young adult breast cancer recurrence while simultaneously raising a toddler. How do you find the strength to parent through debilitating chemotherapy? What questions should you be asking your doctors that no one tells you about? Gianna shares the invaluable lessons she learned about self-advocacy, support systems, and finding the right resources that made all the difference the second time around.

In this profoundly honest conversation, Gianna shares every detail of her journey. We explore the initial shock of a Stage 1, HER2-positive diagnosis at just 19 years old, the difficult decision-making process around egg preservation, and the miracle of her son’s birth. Gianna then walks us through the heartbreak of a recurrence five years later and the immense difficulties of going through chemo with a toddler. She offers a vulnerable look at how her support system evolved, from texts and flowers the first time to friends cooking meals and providing childcare during her second battle. A significant part of our discussion focuses on the difficult breast cancer surgery options she faced, candidly explaining her thought process in choosing a single mastectomy over reconstruction to align with her future family goals. Gianna also provides a roadmap for other patients by highlighting the integrative therapies for cancer and the critical financial and support resources for cancer - like social workers at MSK, non-profits like Cleaning for a Reason, and community retreats at Mary's Place by the Sea - that she didn't know how to access the first time. This episode is a must-listen for any young person facing a cancer diagnosis, their loved ones, and anyone looking for inspiration on how to navigate life's hardest moments with grace and strength.

About Our Guest:
Gianna is a two-time breast cancer survivor, esthetician, yoga teacher, and mother. First diagnosed at 19 and facing a recurrence at 24, she shares her story with incredible vulnerability and the wisdom of someone who has been forced to navigate the medical system at a young age. She speaks openly about the isolation of being a young adult with cancer, the unique challenges of parenting through treatment, and the importance of advocating for your own physical and emotional well-being.

Timestamps / Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(05:11) A Shocking Diagnosis: Breast Cancer at 19 (DCIS, HER2+)
(08:10) Navigating Fertility, Treatment, and a Miracle Pregnancy
(10:25) The Isolation of Cancer and Finding True Support
(12:10) Parenting Through Chemo: A Toddler's Intuitive Love
(17:09) Finding Community and Respite at Mary's Place by the Sea
(19:10) The Resources I Missed: Unlocking Integrative and Financial Help
(22:35) Making the Hardest Choice: Deciding on Breast Cancer Surgery
(27:08) Hopes for a Softer, Simpler Future After Treatment
(29:20) Gianna’s Final Advice: Trust Your Body & Advocate for Yourself

Learn More From Our Guest / Episode Resources:

• Learn more about Mary's Place by the Sea
• Find out about Cleaning for a Reason
• Check out Zoe Barrie's Dinner Menus mentioned in the episode
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on TikTok
• Follow us on YouTube

Before Our Visit Ends is a podcast that honors and celebrates the extraordinary lives of people living with cancer - the stories that can’t fit into a medical chart. Hosted by Eunice, an Oncology Nurse Practitioner and Researcher, each episode offers honest, intimate conversations that help us see the whole person behind the diagnosis.

These stories help guide us - offering insight into the questions we should ask when we or someone we love is diagnosed with cancer, how we can stay connected to what matters most, and how to keep living fully in the midst of it all.