The end of active treatment is often treated as a finish line. For many patients, it is the start of a harder adjustment.
Kia Lee was 38 when she found a lump in her right breast at the gym. She was diagnosed with stage 3 ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer in 2023, and over the next 20 months she went through chemotherapy, a unilateral mastectomy, proton radiation, and reconstruction. Getting proton radiation covered took a five-month fight with her insurer.
Kia, a breast cancer recovery coach and author of Lighthouse: The Path Through Cancer, joins host Samira Daswani to talk about what happened after treatment ended. She explains why emotions she could not process during treatment surfaced once it was over, how the experience changed the way she spends her time and energy, and how body image and intimacy shift after a mastectomy and reconstruction.
The conversation closes with practical guidance for patients approaching the end of treatment: setting aside time to reconnect with yourself, including ways to do that at home and without spending money; finding a therapist, mentor, or peers with lived experience; and asking questions until you understand the trade-offs of each decision, from hormone therapy to fertility preservation.
Kia's views on her own treatment choices, including hormone therapy and new treatment options, reflect her personal experience. Talk with your care team about the options that are right for you.
0:00 What have I done with 38 years?
0:17 Introducing Kia Lee
0:50 Finding a lump at 38: a stage 3 ER-positive, HER2-negative diagnosis
2:13 Chemotherapy, an allergic reaction, and an insurance requirement
2:52 Mastectomy and a five-month fight to cover proton radiation
3:54 A six-month plan that took nearly two years
4:29 Done with treatment, and finding the middle ground
5:41 Hormone therapy and side effects
6:36 Why the end of treatment was the hardest chapter
8:40 Now what? Questioning identity and purpose
10:14 Why emotions surface after active treatment ends
11:56 Is processing ever finished?
13:52 Before and after cancer: from people pleasing to boundaries
16:33 Facing your own mortality
18:10 Body image, reconstruction, and intimacy
19:51 Being done and weighing new treatment options
21:56 Advice for patients nearing the end of treatment
24:28 Taking ownership of your treatment decisions
25:49 How do you reconnect with yourself?
27:52 Reconnecting without travel or spending money
30:50 Take your time and ask the questions
32:54 A Friday-to-Monday decision on fertility preservation
34:21 Closing thoughts
Kia Lee is a stage 3 breast cancer survivor, author, speaker, and patient advocate dedicated to helping people navigate life during and after breast cancer. She is the author of Lighthouse: The Path Through Cancer and Lighthouse: Surviving Narcissistic Abuse, and works one-on-one with women navigating life after breast cancer. She also facilitates a virtual support group for Breastcancer.org. Her work has been featured by Katie Couric Media, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and Wildfire Magazine, and she has appeared on several breast cancer and survivorship podcasts.
Website: https://kia-lee.com
Instagram: @LighthouseSurvivor
Patient From Hell is hosted by Samira Daswani, cancer survivor, entrepreneur, and founder of Manta Cares. Through candid conversations with patients, physicians, researchers, and healthcare leaders, the show explores the realities of cancer care while empowering patients with practical, evidence-based information.
Connect with Patient From Hell
Website: https://www.mantacares.com
Disclaimer
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding diagnosis, treatment, or medical decisions.