In this episode of our Symptoms Spotlight series, hosts Melanie Sisk and Abigail Johnston tackle a topic many cancer patients experience but few feel comfortable discussing—constipation. From understanding what constipation really looks like (hint: it's not always what you think) to practical remedies you can try at home, this episode breaks down the stigma around bowel health.

Melanie, a nurse and cancer patient on CDK4/6 inhibitors, shares her go-to over-the-counter solutions like MiraLax and Colace, plus an often-overlooked remedy: movement. Abigail introduces the "prune juice slider"—a surprisingly effective trick shared by her chemo nurse—and opens up about the challenge of swinging between constipation and diarrhea.

Whether you're dealing with medication side effects, reduced mobility, or just trying to understand your symptoms better, this episode offers honest, practical advice. Learn when to troubleshoot on your own, when to reach out to your care team, and why talking to a GI specialist might be the missing piece of your symptom management puzzle.

Key Topics:

• Recognizing the signs of constipation beyond straining
• Over-the-counter remedies and natural solutions
• The role of movement in digestive health
• Avoiding the pendulum swing between constipation and diarrhea
• When to seek help from your medical team

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.

Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer.

Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

Join hosts Victoria Goldberg and Dr. Jill Tirabassi for a special episode where they take a break from their usual metastatic breast cancer discussions to dive deep into their latest obsession: the HBO Max series "Heated Rivalry."

In this fun and heartfelt conversation, Victoria and Jill explore why this hockey romance has captured their hearts and become the perfect escape during difficult times. They discuss their favorite episodes (especially that emotional tunnel scene in episode 5), the powerful representation of LGBTQ+ athletes in professional sports, and the cultural complexities of the story.

Victoria brings a unique perspective as a native Russian speaker, sharing personal reflections on language, cultural differences, and what it means to hear certain words for the first time. The hosts also draw parallels between the tight-knit bonds of sports teams and the MBC community, finding unexpected connections between elite athletes and their own experiences with metastatic breast cancer.

Whether you're already obsessed with the show or curious about what all the buzz is about, this episode offers a refreshing reminder that we all need joy, distraction, and a little romance in our lives—especially during the hardest times.

Content Note: This episode contains spoilers for the HBO Max series "Heated Rivalry."

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.

Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer.

Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

In this candid episode of Symptoms Spotlight, hosts Melanie Sisk and Abigail Johnston tackle one of the most disruptive yet often under-discussed side effects of cancer treatment: diarrhea caused by cancer medications.

Melanie and Abigail share their personal experiences managing different grades of diarrhea, from mild disruptions to severe grade three episodes that can mean seven to 10 extra bathroom trips per day. They discuss the real impact on quality of life, including the embarrassment and isolation that can come with this challenging symptom.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Understanding diarrhea grades and what they mean for your daily life
• Practical management strategies including diet modifications, over-the-counter medications, and prescription options
• The importance of staying hydrated and managing skin breakdown
• When to seek help from specialists like gastroenterologists and pharmacists
• How to advocate for yourself with your medical team
• The role of probiotics and prophylactic treatment approaches
• Resources available through symptom management clinics

Whether you're dealing with CDK 4/6 inhibitors, Herceptin, Enhertu, or other cancer medications, this episode offers honest, practical advice from two women who understand the challenges firsthand. Melanie brings her nursing perspective while Abigail shares insights from working with specialists at Mayo Clinic and beyond.

Remember: you don't have to suffer in silence. Your quality of life matters, and there are solutions available when you know where to look and how to ask for help.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.

Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer.

Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.