What happens when a 33-year-old mother, PhD, and wife, who has meticulously planned her life, is suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer? This episode of Before Our Visit Ends features the powerful story of Kayoll Gyan, a nurse scientist who shares her deeply personal breast cancer journey and faith. Kayoll opens up about the shock of finding a lump during a routine physical, the agonizing wait for a delayed diagnosis, and the moment her world stopped in a Lowe's parking lot. She offers a raw, unfiltered look at the brutal realities of treatment and the surprising discovery that life after the emergency is over can be even more challenging.

In this detailed conversation, Kayoll walks us through every step of her experience. From the initial physical exam that revealed a lump to the three-month waiting period that allowed the tumor to grow, she highlights the critical importance of self-advocacy and getting a second opinion. We explore her difficult decision to forgo freezing her eggs to begin treatment immediately, and the physical and emotional toll of coping with chemo side effects from ACT therapy, also known as "the red devil." Kayoll shares the practical tips that helped her manage severe nausea and pain, and the vital role her friends, family, and a meal train played in her support system.

The discussion also sheds light on the unique challenges faced by young Black women with breast cancer, a topic that has now become the focus of Kayoll's research. She speaks candidly about her life after cancer treatment, navigating the cognitive effects of "chemo brain" that have altered her ability to work as she once did, and the process of accepting her "new normal." A central theme throughout is Kayoll’s unwavering faith, which served as her anchor. She explains how journaling, prayer, and "protecting her peace" by avoiding Dr. Google were essential for managing the fear of cancer recurrence. This is an intimate and honest account of resilience, the power of spirituality in healing, and finding a new purpose in the wake of a life-altering diagnosis.

About Our Guest:

Kayoll Gyan, PhD, is a nurse scientist, mother of two, and wife. After being diagnosed with stage two breast cancer at age 33 with no family history, she navigated an arduous journey through chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and radiation. This experience profoundly reshaped her life and career, inspiring her to shift her research focus to the role of spirituality in the treatment experience of young Black cancer patients. She now shares information and hope through her platform, "Anchored with Dr. K."

Timestamps / Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Kayoll Gyan

(05:03) Kayoll’s Background: Faith, Family, and Jamaican Roots

(08:44) The Shocking Diagnosis: A Delayed Discovery at 33

(13:43) Navigating the Next Steps: Switching Hospitals and Making a Plan

(16:21) A Hard Decision: Choosing Between Fertility and Immediate Treatment

(17:31) The Reality of Chemotherapy: "The Red Devil" and Its Side Effects

(20:09) The Journey Through Surgery (Mastectomy) and Radiation

(22:07) Finding Strength: The Role of Faith, Journaling, and Community

(27:12) The "New Normal": Why Life After Cancer Treatment Can Be Harder

(32:48) Managing Fear of Cancer Recurrence Through Faith

(41:00) A New Purpose: Giving Back Through Research and Advocacy

(43:55) Kayoll's Final Advice for Anyone Facing a Struggle

Episode Resources:

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