Mortal and Strong - Voice no. 85 - Natalie M

Today, we are joined by the vibrant soul that is Natalie. Natalie shares her story of facing a Stage 2 triple negative breast cancer diagnosis; from first discovery of a lump to treatment of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and a lumpectomy. </p><br />Natalie speaks on the difficulties of receiving a diagnosis like this, whilst simultaneously talking with such hope and positivity - an attribute that helps her to cope on the tough days. Natalie fills us in on all the incredible things she's been a part of since her diagnosis; such as CoppaTrek, being part of the BOLD campaign, to now becoming a Voice for our Scars of Gold Campaign!</p><br />Thank you so much to Natalie of sharing her story, and being another wonderful Voice. </p><br />Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).</p> </p> #podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #breastcancer #cancer #healthpodcast </p><br /></p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

00:39:23

Mortal and Strong - Voice No. 84 - Bev

Welcome back to the Mortal and Strong podcast! Today we’re welcoming our newest voice, the wonderful Bev. </p><br />Bev shares her story receiving two diagnosis’ of primary breast cancer, and being a carrier of the BRCA1 gene. </p><br />From first discovery of a lump, to having a double mastectomy, Bev talks openly and honestly about her family history, genetic testing, her experience of facing a double mastectomy, and decision to not have nipple reconstruction. Bev gives her personal advice to those facing a similar journey, with meaningful insight into what it’s like to be a young person facing their mortality. </p><br />Thank you Bev for being another fantastic Voice for the Scars of Gold campaign! </p><br />Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).</p> </p> #podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #breastcancer #cancer #healthpodcast </p><br /></p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

00:41:07

Mortal And Strong - Scars Of Gold - Voice No. 83 with Special Guest Natasha Hamilton

We are delighted and honoured to share our latest interview with another incredible Voice from the Scars Of Gold campaign - our wonderful charity Ambassador and a voice from the record-breaking band Atomic Kitten; Natasha Hamilton. Natasha has joined our charity as an ambassador and as one of the 100 Voices sharing her story of facing life changing health conditions at a young age. In this episode Natasha shares with charity founder Dr Liz Murray how growing up in a girl band from a teenager and the pressures that went with this led to serious mental health issues and severe postnatal depression. Natasha shares the highs and lows of being in the music industry from a young age with some brilliant and funny stories, whilst also sharing of the intensity and lack of mental health support for pop bands in the 90's. After having children Natasha left the music industry for a while and focused on her own wellbeing and nurturing her own family, but shares something that so many people discover too late; how sometimes life stresses take their toll physically. Natasha then went on to be diagnosed with autoimmune disease (thyroid disease) and how this has had a profound impact on her. Natasha has now returned to the music industry not only as a successful solo artist but also launching her own record label to provide the type of support and care for young artists that Natasha herself knows is needed. </p><br />We are so grateful to Natasha for sharing her Scars Of Gold with us for our health awareness campaign; sharing a unique and incredible interview for our charity and being an Ambassador supporting our charity. Scars Of Gold is a health awareness campaign using the power of photography, art and interviews to raise awareness of 100 women facing life changing or incurable health conditions at a young age. The collection is being exhibited in London for Women's Health Week in may 2025 (tickets available now on Eventbrite or our website).</p><br />Mortal And Strong is a registered charity (1209448) providing centralised support for anyone facing life changing or incurable health conditions.</p>Interview by Dr Liz Murray BCA(h), photography by Sammy Weston. Scars Of Gold including all content is copyright and trademark protected.</p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

01:06:07

Mortal And Strong - Voice No. 82 - Gloria

Introducing our latest voice to be interviewed by Dr Liz Murray - the fabulous lady that is Gloria. Gloria shares so beautifully and honestly how life was feeling 'too much' with several challenges and then after being unwell for months without anyone finding a cause Gloria found a lump and skin changes on her breast. Gloria describes the classic 'orange peel' effect that can happen with certain types of breast cancer and shares the emotional responses to treatment and how she found ways to come through this. Gloria is a fierce example of someone who not just found a way to get through the most difficult of life challenges, but through coming through it has found herself a stronger and more life embracing version of herself. Gloria now is a very active member of the breast cancer community engaging with multiple charities across the UK to share her story and help promote awareness and representation. Thank you so much to Gloria for being one of our Voices and sharing her Scars of Gold for our campaign.</p><br />Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448).</p><br />#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #art #documentary #realvoices #cancer #breastcancer #cancerpodcast #healthpodcast </p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

00:43:02

Mortal And Strong - Scars Of Gold - Voice No. 81 Laura

Our latest Voice - the lovely and ever optimistic Laura H sharing with Dr Liz her experience of having tracheal cancer (a rare type of cancer Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma ACC), having a tracheostomy and the impact of this on her life. Laura woke one day to have a change in her voice but no sore throat, then began having breathing difficulties. For so many people this could have been dismissed as a viral infection but thankfully she was referred early for investigations which confirmed the rare cancer obstructing her trachea (windpipe). Laura immediately needed a tracheostomy which is a breathing tube into the neck which for Laura meant for months she was unable to talk. Laura shares the impact of going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment, unable to speak and in and out of intensive care. Laura recently had the tracheostomy removed before the interview with us and shares how having something rare and visible invited so much stigma and challenging questions from strangers in public. A wonderful interview discussing how to help others going through something like this, discussing the prejudice people can have of cancers needing to be 'caused' by something when actually they can happen for no obvious cause, and how these misperceptions need addressing in society. Thank you to Laura for sharing her Scars of Gold and experience with us and being part of the campaign.</p><br />Scars of Gold is a health campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by the charity Mortal And Strong (1209448). Concept Dr Liz Murray, Photographer Sammy Weston. A campaign produced entirely with volunteers and support from organisations.</p><br />#podcast #mortalandstrong #charity #mas #sog #scarsofgold #scarsofgoldcampaign #kintsugi #kintsugionscars #cancer #healthawareness #womenshealth #womenshealthinequalities #scarsofgoldtheevent #interview #documentary #pov #povcancer #tracheostomy #tracheacancer #acc #adenoidcysticcarcinoma </p><br /></p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

00:50:17

Mortal And Strong - Scars Of Gold - Voice No. 80 Emma

Our latest interview with Voice No. 80 in the Scars Of Gold campaign; Emma W. Emma shares her experienced of how finding a slight 'dent' in the skin of her breast became a life changing diagnosis of breast cancer requiring a double mastectomy. Emma is a wonderful example of how the need for humour and an optimistic but honest approach to life is needed. Emma shares with us a really important insight into how there is a profound difference between the transition from active treatment to long term treatment - a transition which society often doesn't fully understand or recognise. Emma shares how she approached remaining flat after a double mastectomy, and how she dealt with processing the adjustment to life after cancer; "You're supposed to carry on like normal - but I don't feel normal". A really lovely insight and reflection on what it is to be mortal and have life thrown upside down and how to approach it. Thank you to Emma for being another wonderful Voice and bringing so much positive energy and vibrance to the campaign.</p><br />cars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448).</p><br />#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #art #documentary #realvoices #cancer #breastcancer</p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

00:37:50

Mortal And Strong - Scars Of Gold - Voice No. 79 - Jemma

Our latest Voice to be interviewed for the Scars Of Gold campaign is the beautiful and always-smiling Jemma sharing her experience of triple negative breast cancer. Jemma is a nurse and shares how suddenly experiencing what it was to be a patient posed new perspectives. Jemma shares the honest challenges of having to make decisions quickly about fertility at a time when so much turbulence and confusion became overwhelming, but how it was with the wonderful strength and support from her family and friends that helped her get through it. Jemma's wonderful relationship with her father visiting her appointments with her, and finding humour and fun by embracing all opportunities that came her way through her journey. Jemma bought a puppy called Hope which helped give her a focus and purpose to distract her through that time of recovery and shares how important it was to her to seek support from other charities and how (in her words); the NHS treated her physically but it was the support of charities that repaired her as a person.</p><br />Thank you to Jemma for being another wonderful Voice in our campaign and for being a volunteer and ambassador with the health support projects for the charity. </p>Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448).</p><br />#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #art #documentary #realvoices #cancer #breastcancer #triplenegativebreastcancer #triplenegative #tnbc </p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

00:47:08

Mortal And Strong - Scars Of Gold - Voice NO. 78 Astrid

Our latest interview with Dr Liz is the next Voice - the lovely and gentle human that is Astrid. Astrid shares how she has spent her entire adult life with major life changing health issues, which actually originally started from a childhood viral illness. Astrid had a childhood viral illness called Henoch Shonlein Purport which can be a simple uncomplicated illness, but in rare cases can cause kidney damage. For Astrid the HSP did cause kidney damage which went unnoticed. At 19 Astrid was diagnosed with high blood pressure but the underlying cause wasn't picked up on for several years by which point she had kidney failure, was started on renal dialysis and listed for an organ transplant. Astrid shares openly a very rare insight into the physical and emotional journey of being an organ donor recipient and how her donor lost her life but saved more than five others, and the result for Astrid meant she was then also able to go on and have children of her own. Not long after that investigation for a suspected fibroid actually identified a rare fallopian tube cancer - Leiomyosarcoma. A slow growing cancer which eventually spread to her spine and is now incurable.</p><br />Astrid's pragmatic and philosophical approach to her health conditions shares a way of approaching life changing health conditions that is really profound and inspiring; how she refuses to be defined by her conditions and is fiercely determined to embrace life, continue to seek joy in things that bring her joy and focusing on the love for her family and sons. Astrid's mindset of being 'lucky in her unluckiness' is an example of how keeping focused on the positives and the present moment can have a profound impact on how one can come to terms with such major conditions. Thank you to Astrid for sharing her Scars Of Gold for this campaign.</p><br />Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448).</p><br />#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #art #documentary #realvoices #cancer #leiomyosarcoma #sarcoma #secondarycancer #radiotherapy #kidneyfailure #hsp #hypertension #renalfailure #organtransplant #organdonor #renaltransplant #kidneytransplant #dialysis #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities</p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

00:38:57

Mortal And Strong - Scars Of Gold - Voice No. 77 Hayley

Our latest interview in the Scars of Gold campaign is with Hayley who shares insight into what it is to have multiple chronic health conditions and how it takes mental strength to not let the relentlessness take it's toll. Hayley has experienced cancer, endometriosis, ME, anaphylaxis and surgical complications. After experiencing an extremely rare complication during surgery whereby Hayley 'woke up' during surgery but couldn't move, Hayley developed PTSD and had to find a way to cope with the need for further surgeries given her ovarian cancer diagnosis. Hayley has such a positive and gentle life-affirming approach to life that has helped her stay focused despite the multiple health issues. Another incredible interview and we are proud to include Hayley as both Voice and artist as part of the Scars of Gold campaign.</p><br />Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448).</p><br />#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #art #documentary #realvoices #ovariancancer #endometriosis #cancer #endo #me #chronicfatiguesyndrome #disability #diversity #inclusivity #adaptablefashion #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities</p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

00:34:17

Mortal And Strong - Scars Of Gold - Voice NO. 74 Nikki

Nikki is our latest Voice to share with us her reflections on living over 3 years with secondary breast cancer. After her close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, Nikki had been breast aware but only thought the symptoms to be mindful of were lumps until seeing one of the Lorraine 'change and check' stickers at a hair salon. This alerted her to the fact that pain could be a symptom and prompted her to have her symptoms checked despite not having a lump. This was 5 years ago and Nikki was initially diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (primary), after finishing treatment and receiving the 'all clear' Nikki then began to have symptoms that were initially suspicious of a stroke. After investigations, this then turned out to be brain metastases and was told her cancer was no longer curable. Nikki reflects how being given a secondary diagnosed changed her perspective on so much, whilst also sharing some humour with how the brain tumour gave her a slightly more impulsive trait to her personality leading to some home renovations which her and her husband later laughed about. Nikki's thoughts on how ;'knowing you're facing your mortality actually makes you live more' are so poignant and Nikki is a prime example of how she has strived to embrace life to it's fullest 'you can't change what's happening to you, but you can change how you react'. Nikki has gone on to do so much work with the breast cancer community, being a voice to help change the support available for women with secondary and triple negative cancer. Thank you so much to Nikki for being another beautiful Voice sharing with us her Scars of Gold.</p><br />Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448)</p><br />#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #drliz #drlizmurray #art #documentary #realvoices #breastcancer #cancer #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities</p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

00:35:17