Facing Breast Cancer: A Personal Story with Christina's Mom

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of A Chat with Heart, host Christina Martin shares the mic—and the road—with her mother Cecile Martin, as they drive the scenic route between Halifax and Ingramport. What begins as a simple car ride becomes a moving conversation about resilience, healing, and the power of support through a breast cancer diagnosis.

Christina’s mom opens up about discovering a lump during a routine self-exam, the moment she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, and the decisions that followed—including undergoing a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. With honesty and grace, she recounts the physical and emotional toll of treatment, the importance of having a support system, and her commitment to healing and wellness post-treatment.

Through their candid exchange, Christina reflects on her mother’s strength and the way this experience brought their family even closer. Whether you’re currently navigating cancer or supporting a loved one, this episode offers hope, heartfelt wisdom, and a reminder that sharing our stories can be a powerful force for connection and healing.

Listen, share, and take this journey of heart and healing.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to A Chat with Heart
• 2:51 A Journey of Healing: Christina and Her Mom
• 8:40 Facing Breast Cancer: A Personal Story
• 14:48 Navigating Treatment: Surgeries and Chemotherapy
• 20:34 Radiation and Recovery: Support Systems
• 24:01 Life After Treatment: Looking Forward
• 28:16 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Transcript

Christina (00:00.206)
Hey, you're listening to A Chat with Heart. I'm your host, Christina Martin. I'm a singer-songwriter, curious human. I live on a dirt road in rural Nova Scotia with my partner in crime, Dale, and our Calico cat, Olivia. This podcast is basically just me chatting with people I admire. I like to ask questions that feed my curiosity and my guests have all taught me something. They either crack me up or they punch me right in the

you

Christina (00:30.062)
If you've got questions, comments, or a burning desire to join the conversation, please call my heartbeat hotline, day or night. It's 1902-669-4769. You can also email me at christinamartinmusicatgmail.com. And if you want to throw a little love my way and help keep this thing going, visit my Patreon page. That's how artists like me get paid. Thanks for showing up. Warning, heartfelt content ahead.

Just talk about

could shine, we could break a dark day If we just talk about it

Christina (01:23.694)
Hi, before we dive in, I just want to do a quick update from the road. When I say road, I mean home, because I haven't been playing a lot of shows lately. And so that's why I'm really excited. I've got these shows coming up with my trio and a string ensemble. Yes, we're getting fancy. We'll be performing in Halifax, Truro, and Annapolis Royal in early September. Some really beautiful venues.

So please, grab your tickets at ChristinaMartin.net. Please tell your friends. Do that thing where you call them on the phone and try to convince them to come along with you. I bet they'll go. Like, people usually love getting phone calls and then invited to things. Don't wait on it. These shows are going to be very special. I cannot wait, but I will wait because I'm taking the summer.

to write more and just be creative. All right. Yeah, thanks. Cool. Speaking of which, I should wish you a good summer, if that's the season in your part of the world where you're listening from. Listen, this episode, it's a bit of a ride, literally. It's me and my mom in the car driving between Halifax

and Ingramport, Nova Scotia. So we were heading to visit my friend, Kristen Harrington, on the opening day of her gallery in Ingramport. It's called Togetherland. And it's a very special place. So please check it out. Kristen Harrington, Togetherland. So while mom and I are cruising down the highway, I asked my mom to open up about her breast cancer journey.

from the moment she noticed something wasn't quite right to her diagnosis and her treatment and all the new territory that she is still experiencing. My mom was born in the 1940s and she grew up in a small town called St. Leonard in the province of New Brunswick. She is French Canadian, a retired nurse and mother to three kids, myself, my brother Alexander and my brother Stefan.

Christina (03:52.884)
She hung up her stethoscope. I don't actually, I think I ever saw her wearing a stethoscope, but I do know she had one like at the house somewhere. But anyway, she hung up her stethoscope when she was 65. And my cat Olivia, my beautiful calico cat is just jumped up on the desk and wants to be a part of this episode. You have anything you wanna say, Olivia? Sometimes when I-

Like ask her a question, she does meow, but it's usually, I think she's just telling me that she wants food. Olivia, please stop chewing the cables. I really need those to work and I can't afford to buy new ones. Okay, sweetie. No, this isn't, she's purring. She's, Olivia, stop it. No, Olivia, this whole episode is going to be me convincing Olivia to stop. Come here, you.

Okay, okay, she's in my arms now. Okay, so let me get let me get her comfy. Olivia, stop fighting it. There we go. I've got her in her bed now. Okay, so back to my mom. Yeah, mom retired and she was 65 from nursing. And she was in she's an incredible caregiver like care, like she was one of the nursing made sense for her is what I'm trying to say because she's like, all she wants to do is care for other people.

Yeah, so anyway, mom, just before the pandemic hit, she was living in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, and that's where I went to high school and middle school and partially elementary school. But anyway, I somehow convinced her to move to Halifax so she could be closer to us. And honestly, it's one of the best moves she's ever made for so many reasons. She lives with her cat Lola and she really loves her life.

So the whole time she was fighting cancer, well again, she still is, I got to spend a lot more time with my mom and I witnessed her strength like I'd never witnessed it before. Also, because I was with her, know, way more than I typically would have been before that. You know, I got to experience like, geez, how calm she is like in, you know,

Christina (06:16.994)
dire straits, and her vulnerability and also like she never lost her shit on anyone. She's like the kindest person I know. Like I lose my shit with her and she just puts up with it. But I honestly have never expected to feel this kind of closeness with my mom like at this point in our lives and that is a gift I'm not taking lately. Yeah, I'm really grateful.

So cancer touches everyone pretty much. Like I'd be shocked if you, you know, yourself have not experienced cancer in some form or fashion, which is sad. But I do hope that my mom's story, I do believe her story, her voice, her honesty might bring comfort or connection.

to someone else in a similar situation. Stick around until the end. This is a very wise woman. She's a special one for sure. Thanks mom for doing this if you're listening. I'll be, but stick around till the end because I will be playing a song I wrote for my mom. It's called Things You Can't Tell by Looking Her Way. I think you'll get it once you hear her story. Okay, let's hit the road with my mom.

Christina (07:47.434)
In the car, recording a little chat with her. Welcome to the podcast, mom. hi. Cecil, what's your middle name?

Cecile and Marie Madeline Martin.

You have two middle names?

well, I might as well say my French name also, Malin-Farmer-Arden.

Yeah, sure, why not? But what, you have two middle names?

Cecile (08:08.428)
Yeah, I'm Mary Madeline. My godmother gave me those names.

who is your godmother?

the M.O.F. died years ago.

Yeah, I imagine. Because you're what, 78 now? Oops, 77. Okay. So many women get breast cancer. I thought it would be very helpful for them to know, to hear your experience with breast cancer. So take me back to the first time you noticed there might be something out of the ordinary.

77.

Cecile (08:40.878)
First of all, I was in nursing and I did my monthly breast exams all the time. in end of November, 2023, I noticed while taking my shower that I had a lump there that wasn't there the previous month. And it was not small. Anyways, and I tried to reach my doctor. He was on vacation, but I saw him.

middle of December and I went to him and I said, we have a little problem here. We have a little lump in the right breast and I know it's cancerous because of the way it's growing and the size.

seen it

I've seen things before so I knew what to expect because I treated a lot of patients and nursing, all kinds of things. Anyways, and I said we, and he got the ball rolling and by the time it got to the Women's Center, the surgeon, everything, he referred me to the IWK Women's Center which was fantastic, fantastic place to go.

So this was in November?

Cecile (09:56.31)
at beginning of January, February.

I thought you knew before Christmas and didn't say anything.

I didn't say anything because I didn't have a real written down diagnosis. Okay. I didn't want to scare the family or friends or anybody. No, there was nothing I could do and I wanted to be sure before I, didn't want to worry anymore.

But you noticed it before Christmas in November. then you were able to get a biopsy in January.

In January and by beginning of February, I received the diagnosis that it was ductoral cancer. Well, it's in the ducts in the breast. It's invasive. Invasive means which it spreads. Okay. Anyways. I told you then, was it scary? Nope. I was very calm because I'd prepared myself well and

Christina (10:36.384)
What does that mean, doctoral cancer?

in the

It's spreading, That's scary.

Christina (10:57.195)
You are

I said to myself, okay, Cecil, you have cancer. You could have kidney disease. You could have respiratory problems or all kinds of heart problems, but you have cancer. So I said, I'm gonna live with it and do what I can.

then was it very long before you were diagnosed and then the treatment started?

Then I, after the diagnosis and we knew what it was, I saw the surgeon and we had a first surgery which was removal. I decided to have my breast removed because they would have taken maybe almost half off. So said take it all

you would have had a mutant boop.

Cecile (11:46.07)
Yep, no bull, just bones.

Oh, yeah, there's no boob there anymore. There's no boob there. Okay, slow down, because that's a big deal for a lot of women. And maybe you seem to not let it bother you. And I probably wouldn't care if they took my boobs off either. But some women like really like their breasts and it's sort of like a part of their identity as a woman. And it's scary. But you were fine with it.

The thing is, I was older and I don't have a partner or you know that it's very important to you know how it is some partners they need boobs. So I said I don't I have had my children I don't need to breastfeed that's what boobs are there for.

Doesn't Alex breastfeed still? Or my brother? He's one year older than me.

breastfed but I didn't keep him breastfed for a

Christina (12:43.246)
Oh, he's stopped. Oh, I thought he was still breastfeeding. No? Okay. Cool, cool. I thought that- oh. I think he's 47, mom.

Oh my god are you crazy? Alexander's 43! Not wonderful.

Cecile (12:56.814)
is 47 something like

But I thought he was okay. So that's good to know.

No, no, no, no, I didn't breastfeed you because we were traveling and I was worried at that time and...

So you okay, so I just had corn syrup that's what you know

didn't have corn syrup? had it Falak? I prepared it every day. You had a can every day.

Christina (13:19.414)
Okay, so let's not make this about me and my lack of breast food. you were like, I don't need this boob, get rid of it.

Of course it hurts you, you don't want it, but when you have it, why make a fuss? Everybody's like that because that's me. Because I'm like that. And I'm very calm in situations.

Right, you owe when you have to.

Christina (13:43.892)
So you were actually I witnessed this the whole time you were incredible. Let's talk a little bit about the actual breast removal, the surgery itself and the healing. What was your experience?

surgery they removed the breast and they removed five lymph nodes in my breast and stretching out a little bit

Because they noticed there was more when they got in. There was more cancer.

a biopsy of the tissue they removed and they found that the lymph nodes there were positive. So then the next step was a second surge.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on. I think it'd be helpful to people to know, like, was that a painful surgery and how long was the recovery?

Cecile (14:26.798)
So the surgery went okay to me, like any surgery. To me it wasn't scary or anything because I had to work with those things. But anyways the surgery went well, the wound healed and everything went well and then I had a second surgery.

Yeah.

Christina (14:48.53)
like how long was between? So you had time to heal, there was no treatment in between there?

Bye.

Cecile (14:55.278)
treatment between there and I went for axel of surgery they removed the lymph nodes and only one with the biopsy was positive one lymph node out of 11 so that's

I thought you

And then I had chemo.

Okay. Are you sure you didn't have the lymph nodes removed after chemo and then that's when they found the dead cancer? Because the chemo had killed it? No. because you, yes, okay, I'm gonna correct you because here's what happened. know, because maybe a bit of chemo brain, but here's what happened. My memory is that you have the breast removed, they took out

and

Christina (15:46.872)
bunch of lymph nodes to test them, they all had cancer in them, all of them. That's when they said, okay, now we're gonna give you, you're gonna do chemo and you're gonna have another surgery to remove more lymph nodes and then you're gonna do radiation depending on what we find from the next surgery. So you went through a summer of four sessions of chemotherapy. Do you remember that? And then you had a surgery in August, cause you were healing at my show.

Yes, that's true. So, okay, so let's see. You healed from the breast surgery and they were pretty quick to start your chemo. Yeah. And what was that like for you?

For me it was very hard because every cream or treatment I had side effects and I had to be hospitalized. But during that I got COVID. huh. Blood clot.

You had a blood clot in your leg.

Back pain, the first chemo was heavy back pain for a couple of days. Then the second one was blood clots. Then the third one was chemo. The last one they readjusted my meds and chemo and I did okay. I tolerated that one.

Christina (17:05.228)
You were scared to get nauseous, but how was your nausea control? No problem. You were treated like they gave you.

them nausea.

They gave me the Zofra before and after the chemo treatments.

So they're getting pretty good at balancing out. Chemotherapy has come long way in how they distribute nausea and pain.

They prepare you before and give you some nausea medication that's pretty heavy and they give it to you for a day or two after and then if you need something else you have it prescribed.

Christina (17:42.376)
And I didn't. Right, okay. And in that time of your chemotherapy, when you noticed something wasn't right, you didn't feel right, what was your... what did you do? Like, did you have a phone number you could call?

Yes, I had a direct line that they would answer within three days. They were off on the weekend. Of course, my side effects appeared on the weekend, so I tolerated them, okay, for as best I could. But I got in touch with them and I saw them and I visited. I was followed pretty closely with the oncologist.

And so did you feel, and you had a backup plan, you have the little yellow, there's an actual cancer card, you how we say sometimes, you played the cancer card when you got stopped by the cops speeding. But you actually have a little yellow card that says I have cancer.

If I had to go to the hospital, had to wash my temperature. And if it was 37 or higher, I went to emergency and you were seen right away and they started blood cultures and different things. Yes, I did once.

Did you take advantage of that yellow card?

Christina (18:56.728)
just to let people know listening. We're driving in the car for the background noises.

I used it because my temperature was 37.24 and went up and went to the hospital. My white cells were really down and they noticed, they took swabs, they noticed that I had COVID. But my temperature was down the day after I started treatments, IV treatments. So I didn't have any side effects with COVID. And I went home.

within a few days. I'm precautious because I was positive for COVID and I...

They had kept you just for precaution.

Christina (19:39.276)
Good, you did good considering you had low blood cell count because of your chemo and you had COVID, but you also.

Throughout all my chemo treatments, my appetite was diminished. I had to force myself to eat, but I did often and hydrated well.

Okay, and then you had a little bit of time off of your last chemo and then went back into surgery to remove more lymph nodes and have those tested. And what were the results from that?

I had 11 lymph nodes removed from my axilla area and out of 11 lymph nodes only one was positive for cancer. They took off everything. And I had a drain again and the whole thing and then the drain blocked so they removed it.

for living cancer.

Christina (20:26.254)
and

Christina (20:34.686)
And then next came radiation and how was that?

Radiation was easier. I have to mention that I very good support of my family. My daughter, my son did what he could. My daughter was there for everything I needed. And I kept being independent as much as I could.

What's your name?

My daughter's name is Christina Martin and I'm very proud. My son's name is Alexander Martin and he did what he could. He cooked for me for the few days after surgery or he chopped a lot of apples because I love that.

What's your son saying?

Christina (21:17.006)
Alexander lives in Columbus, Ohio, so it was harder for him to be there all the time, but he was a big support and he called you pretty much every day, didn't he?

he calls every day still. It is annoying. Mama's boy. But I appreciate him. I don't complain.

So annoying!

Christina (21:37.323)
Mama's boy.

And also friends of my daughter, who I didn't even know from Europe. I received cards from them, yeah, and support, and everybody was great support. I'm not one to seek attention, but it was very much appreciated. Yeah, yeah, it was very good.

Would you like the attention?

Christina (22:02.188)
And so now after radiation, what's the prognosis now? Like, and what are you, are you on?

Supposed to be free, cancer free, they say. They don't call it remission anymore, not with my case. And I'm taking a chemo pill for two years, twice a day, with a normal pill to diminish the estrogen because cancer feeds on estrogen.

your particular type of cancer feeds on estrogen, not all cancer.

Yeah, cancer of the breast. I had the most common one, so they've been working on it for a long time and doing experiments. So I hope this medication I'm taking is going to work. I have side effects, of course. Well, the worst one is diarrhea, but they supply the Imodium. Great. Free by the hundred.

What are the side effects?

Cecile (22:57.504)
I can be 3-4 days without diarrhea but I control it fast. I have no accidents or anything.

I should do a trigger warning for anyone who gets triggered by hearing about people talk about diarrhea.

It's not the end of the world. It's not diarrhea like when you get infected with a virus or a bacteria. It's cramps. I'm at-fice before. I know what it feels like when it comes and I'm careful. I watch for it. The only thing that's disturbed my sleep, because most of it all the time, is during the night. But I'm a good sleeper. I fall asleep fast.

Yeah.

Christina (23:34.208)
And you're retired, so it's like a little bit, I mean, not that it's easy, but it's easier that you don't have to worry about if you miss sleep the next day, you can just nap, you don't have to go to work.

I am weak because of that and everything I went through. But no, it's not the end of the world.

And now you're at a place where you told me you're starting, you're going to start going to a fitness or a...

This is a wellness program with the Queenie tube.

This is provided from the government of So it's free and what are they going to provide you with?

Cecile (24:10.094)
Canada.

Cecile (24:15.182)
Well, first of all, there's a big survey. They ask questions about my health, my habits, everything. There's quite a few questionnaires. And then I'm doing it to make sure that I can regain my strength back. I'm weak in the legs, but I can still walk, but I tire more easily than before. Yeah. So, and I have to train and I need resistance training and they're going to follow me.

properly for my condition and it's a 12 week program. Twice a day I go to the hospital for that program. Twice a week I go. I go twice a week and it's about 45 to an hour program. And I'll have to follow, write a diary of what I do at the house. I'll probably have something to do.

That's fantastic.

twice a day. I was like wow.

Christina (25:11.352)
like what you eat and what you do for exercise.

Probably I don't know yet.

That would be great. think everyone could benefit from that, myself included.

Well, if it can help people, that's why I'm doing it. Because I'm not the only one. And me, I hate exercises. I'm lazy. But I'm going to do it. And if it helps me, it means that it'll help everybody.

Yes, that's right.

Cecile (25:40.204)
going to be geared towards my necessities. Yeah. So, excellent. that's...

So when you're done your treatments, you have anything you're looking forward to?

Well, first of all, during the treatment, the chemo, I had to have my hair shaved. I'm going to keep my hair. future is I hope it doesn't come back. If it comes back, we'll deal with it then. I don't think of it daily. Yeah. I think of the pills that I have to take and not forget to take them. That's the worst thing. But I haven't skipped. You get into routines so you don't forget.

You have little tricks. You don't forget to your meds because it's very important. No, I don't set alarms. take...

What tricks? Like, do you set an alarm?

Christina (26:32.366)
Speaking of which, I'm going to take my pill right now. I forgot to take my pill, not a cancer pill.

So I'm treated with blood thinner. And I take them in the morning. I used to take them twice a day and I asked my specialist, the hematologist, if I could take them once a day. And he said, sure. So in the morning, I take my pills. And at night, I only have my chemo pill to take. And what I do is I put my bubble pack, my thing that I prepare.

near my bed so I don't forget it when I go to bed. That's Because I would forget. But in the morning, I take it around my breakfast time.

Yeah, I would forget it.

Christina (27:15.822)
That's great, Mom. Well, from my perspective, you are a shining patient, very inspiring, and I want to thank you for sharing your experience with my little heartbeat listeners and with me. And I really cherish, I do, it sounds cheesy, but I cherish, or I'm very grateful for the time we've spent and how our relationship has.

flourished and I enjoy spending time with you.

And thank you and if ever someone who is listening, whoever is involved with people who have a diagnostic of cancer or a person itself going through it to seek help and not be scared to ask for help, everybody's different. So it's true. And you heal in your own way and don't let it stop you from living.

Yeah.

Cecile (28:16.63)
Because ever since I was little, I've always lived the moment. And I'm glad I did. I didn't wait for retirement.

Right, but I thought you were going to say people could get in touch with you. Well... Ask you questions. No, you don't want anybody to get in touch with you? That's okay. Well, this will help people, but you don't have to take calls.

I can help someone, why not?

Cecile (28:40.174)
Well if ever they want to call and ask and they want support, I'm free to help but I don't have an open line for that.

She doesn't, but I have a heartbeat hotline people can call. Yeah. So if you want to get in touch, you can call my heartbeat hotline, the numbers at the beginning and end of the podcast. And I could definitely connect you with my mom if you leave your name and number or your email, or if you just want to leave a comment for mom, we'll play it on the podcast. I'll make sure she hears it. And thanks, mom. I wish you at least 30 more years of health.

and then we'll talk after that. Okay, love you.

Fantastic. I love you too and good luck everybody.

Yeah, good luck everybody.

Christina (29:46.74)
So much that she left you the key

Christina (29:55.204)
hell is over to me

Christina (30:03.566)
Hey

Christina (30:19.406)
through the days, rides through the nights I tried to help but pushed away the things that you just can't tell By looking away

Christina (30:43.598)
I rest and look, keep a lost voice

Christina (30:50.418)
self-accepting dreams dreams don't come easy long as there's more mass to be

Christina (31:05.43)
By looking away, she sleeps through the days Rides through the nights I tried to help but I pushed her away Things that you just can't tell

Christina (31:23.608)
Her looking her way

Christina (31:47.512)
To the days, to the nights, I can't

Christina (31:55.032)
You just can't tell by looking her way

Christina (32:26.926)
through the days? What's through

Christina (32:42.904)
Looking away

Christina (33:01.504)
Say goodbye to you

Christina (33:10.708)
Say goodbye to you

Christina (33:16.974)
Welcome to the Heartbeat Hotline, 1902-669-4769. I'm the host of a Chat with Heart podcast, Christina Martin, and I'm so excited you called. Leave me your question, a suggestion for the podcast, or a comment about this episode. Please be aware your message may be used on the podcast and social media. Tell me your name, where you're calling from.

And it's also fine if you want to remain anonymous. Thanks for listening. Have a great fucking day.

I don't want to say goodbye to you, or written by me and recorded by Dale. Want to support what we do? You can snag CDs, vinyl, digital music, and some weirdly delightful merch like custom puzzles and temporary tattoo packs over on my Bandcamp. If you're into keeping indie art alive, or just want good karma, become a monthly or yearly member on my Patreon. It's a platform that helps creators get paid to keep making stuff we love. I swear by it. Sign up free or paid at

patreon.com Backslash Christina Martin if this podcast made you laugh cry think or rage text your best friend Do me a solid share it rate it review it and hit that follow or subscribe button Wherever you get your podcasts and to all my little heartbeat listeners stay weird stay tender and I'll catch you next time