Intimacy
When Jessica looks in the mirror, she sees a body that she isn’t used to or comfortable with. Watch as this dance performance portrays Jessica’s struggles to feel sexy and wanted by her husband now that mBC is also in the bedroom.
Dance performed and choreographed by Cristina Camacho.
I spent two or three years looking—I mean to be blunt—very ugly. I got all my looks taken away from me, and he had to be married to a woman who doesn’t look the same.
Self-Advocacy
Bias within the healthcare system often means that Black women face later stage diagnoses, more aggressive types of cancer, and a lack of accessibility to quality healthcare. This performance illustrates the different struggles Black and white women face when dealing with mBC. Watch how Tameka tries to advocate for herself through an emotional letter to her doctor.
Story performed by Soteria Shepperson and Kathleen Cameron.
I’m not going to settle for anything less than what I feel like I deserve, and I deserved to be treated like a human being. I deserved to have a team that was going to take care of me.
Motherhood
How can you be a mother when everyone else only sees your cancer? Sharon’s story reveals the grit and strength mothers with mBC have, especially when their children may need protection from the challenging realities of mBC.
Story performed by Alexandria King.
My daughter knows that I still have cancer. She knows that I go to the doctor… but I still try to keep things as normal as possible.
Social Support
Even when the people you love try, they won’t understand all the things you’re going through like other people with mBC will.
This song, representing Stephanie’s story, captures the deep gratitude for online support communities and how comforting it can feel to surround yourself with people who understand what you’re going through.
Song written and performed by Ann Kleine.
When you’re diagnosed, you’re searching for people who are going through the same thing as you.
Self-Care
Rachel tries to use her job as a professor to protect herself from truly facing her metastatic cancer diagnosis, but is it working? See how Rachel learns how to put herself first, not her work or her students, in this onstage monologue.
Story performed by Adelaide Mestre.
I remember asking my doctor if I would have to stop working. A lot of my identity is tied up in my work.
End of Life
When you’re facing your biggest fear and you want to talk about it but everyone—including your therapist—wants to avoid the conversation, what do you do? Regina searches for the right place and the right time to talk about what’s on her mind, but she faces scared and unwilling loved ones in this monologue.
Story performed by Joan Coombs.
The first thing you think about is dying.
