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Test Those Breasts ™️
This podcast by Jamie Vaughn is a deep-dive discussion on a myriad of breast cancer topics, such as early detection, the initial shock of diagnosis, testing/scans, treatment, loss of hair, caregiving, surgery, emotional support, and advocacy.
These episodes will include breast cancer survivors, thrivers, caregivers, surgeons, oncologists, therapists, and other specialists who can speak to many different topics.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified health care providers, therefore does not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers.
Test Those Breasts ™️
Episode 89: Sonja Zipser's Path from Struggle to Self-Discovery
Sonja Zipser's journey through breast cancer reveals how adversity can catalyze transformation and self-discovery. By embracing spiritual healing and self-love, she has emerged as a mentor, helping others navigate their healing paths.
• Introduction to Sonja's story and background
• Diagnosis of breast cancer and the importance of self-advocacy
• Navigating metastatic cancer and personal loss
• Emphasizing the power of self-love and holistic healing
• Sonja's transition into a mentorship role for others
• Encouragement for listeners to nurture their own healing journeys
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http://www.youtube.com/@sonjazipser-ambitioussinglemom
https://linktr.ee/ambitioussinglemoms
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I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .
Hello friends, welcome back to the Test those Breasts podcast. I am your host, jamie Vaughn. I'm a retired teacher of 20 years and a breast cancer thriver turned staunch, unapologetic, loud supporter and advocate for others, bringing education and awareness through a myriad of medical experts, therapists, caregivers and other survivors. A breast cancer diagnosis is incredibly overwhelming, with the mounds of information out there, and other survivors A breast cancer diagnosis is incredibly overwhelming, with the mounds of information out there, especially on Dr Google. I get it. I'm not a doctor and I know how important it is to uncover accurate information, which is my ongoing mission through my nonprofit. The podcast includes personal stories and opinions from breast cancer survivors and professional physicians, providing the most up-to-date information. At the time of recording Evidence, research and practices are always changing, so please check the date of the recording and always refer to your medical professionals for the most up-to-date information. I hope you find this podcast a source of inspiration and support from my guests. Their contact information is in the show notes, so please feel free to reach out to them. We have an enormous breast cancer community ready to support you in so many ways. Now let's listen to the next episode of Test those Breasts. Well, hello, friends, Welcome back to this episode of Test those Breasts. I am your host, jamie Vaughn. Happy 2025.
Speaker 1:The new year is upon us and today I am super excited to have my guest from Germany, sonja Sipce. I was trying to pronounce that before we started recording, and sometimes I have a little bit of a hard time with it, but I like to try. So Sonia was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and in 2017 was followed by a year with many strokes of fate. Metastasis were discovered by chance, she and her husband separated and at the same time, her mother died Suddenly. She was alone with three small children. However, all of these events have led her to the woman she is today. Today, sonia is a mentor and a spiritual healer. She helps people to get empowered again to truly see, feel and understand their personal needs so they can achieve their dreams. Well, hello, sonia. It's so nice to have you on my show. How are you doing today or tonight?
Speaker 2:Thank you so much for the invitation and for being here.
Speaker 1:You are so welcome. So we met online in a group that we are in, so that's always such a fun way to connect with people and you are from Germany and I'm so excited to be able to travel to Germany next year sometime and I'll have to hit you up on what some good places to go to are. But I just I was just really super intrigued with your life because you've had so many things happen all along, you know, with your breast cancer diagnoses, and I just I'm very much excited that you get to share with my audience today and tonight for you so it is afternoon for me and it is evening for you, late evening. So thank you for the time. Yeah, so can you share with our audience? Who Sonia was like was before all of this stuff happened, before breast cancer and all the things.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I was a working mom with three kids. I was married and I just lived my life. I was very busy, kept myself very busy, had a lot of friends doing a lot, so I didn't have to confront myself with myself. So, yeah, that was me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's really interesting that you say confronting yourself. I think it feels. I feel like a lot of women don't confront themselves because they're so gosh darn busy and taking care of everyone else, whether it be, you know, a husband, a wife, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, kids, who, whatever, whoever's in their, in their life. They're so busy taking care of them that they don't have a lot of time to really think about what's going on with themselves deeply until something crazy happens, right. So your first real crazy, at least from what I can tell, is your breast cancer diagnosis. Can you share about your two diagnoses and your treatments?
Speaker 2:Yes, as you said from my bio, my first diagnosis was in 2015. We spoke before a few days ago and afterwards I looked up and I thought, oh, I told you wrongly. And because I first found out in the shower in January 2015 that there was something in my breast and I'm not someone who was very often ill and I had to go to the doctor very often ill and I really go to the doctor, there's no need for. But there I was a bit afraid because my mom had breast cancer when she was at the same age as I was in 2015. So I went to the doctor and my doctor was on holidays it was January and so I was um, um.
Speaker 2:I consulted another doctor and she said no, don't worry, there's nothing, it's something I can't remember exactly the words something with the hormones or something like that. So deep inside, I already knew in January that she was wrong. But of course, she was the doctor, she was the woman with the title and with the knowledge and everything, and I, of course, was relieved that someone who should know better than I told me no, you don't have to worry. So I waited and waited and it didn't go away. So in April yes, april I decided to wait until May, when I had my next appointment anyways.
Speaker 2:So I waited until end of May, when I had the next appointment scheduled with my doctor. When I had the next appointment scheduled with my doctor, and, yeah, the first thing I said to her before we greeted everything, I said, oh, I guess I have breast cancer. And then she looked and she sent me right away to for different tests and she called a specialist in Stuttgart in Germany, in the next city, a very good doctor. And so she, yeah, I called my husband.
Speaker 1:So when you went back to her, she's the one that ultimately diagnosed you with breast cancer. Yeah, okay, did she seem surprised?
Speaker 2:or I told, I already told her right away that, um, I guess that I have breast cancer and she just confirmed it and she was stripped as well. By then she didn't know that her colleague from the same place said no, it is nothing. By then she didn't know that. They just passed it on, but yes, everybody can make um mistake, of course.
Speaker 1:um, that's been some things that that, but yeah so, given that um mistake, um, because that's a pretty big mistake, because my guess is what stage were you when you were diagnosed?
Speaker 2:I. I have no clue.
Speaker 1:You don't know.
Speaker 2:No, I have no clue, really, I don't know. Um then, I was sad. I don't know if it was already big it was like that.
Speaker 1:Did you?
Speaker 1:you had to. Did you go through chemo? Yes, I did. Okay, so it must've been either any Okay, so it must have been either any, probably stage two or beyond, right? So I just always think it's important for people to, you know, use their intuition and advocate for themselves, right, because, you know, had that have been diagnosed two months prior, there, it may have been a lot I mean, it's never easy, for gosh sakes, right but it could have been an earlier stage, maybe would have been able to avoid chemo, maybe just have radiation and surgery. So it's just really interesting that you knew and um, and, and you used you, your intuition, told you, um, that you had breast cancer, and so we're going to talk about that in a little bit. But then, ultimately, you went back. So you were, you were, you went through the treatments, you were disease-free and then, in 2017, what happened?
Speaker 2:what happened In December 2016,. I had pain in the groin area I don't know if that's the word and I was afraid that it was cancer in the ovaries.
Speaker 1:Is that right? Yes, ovarian cancer.
Speaker 2:I was afraid. So I went to the doctor. My doctor was again not there, but there are three doctors. So I went this time to the man and he said I have no clue what it could be, I can't feel anything, but I will send you to the test. But I can't feel anything, but I will send it to the test. And I went to a test and they said no, there's nothing. But we found something else. So I was very shocked to hear that they found metastasis in the spine and the liver.
Speaker 1:So that must have been a big shocker.
Speaker 2:That was a real, real shock.
Speaker 1:yes, yeah yeah, so in between that. So how did you so? Are you living with metastatic cancer right now?
Speaker 2:It's been a while I've been through chemotherapy again. I had also irradiation at the spine and the doctors told me that there's only a possibility to do chemotherapy for the liver, breast and everything and spine. They can't do anything else. It's just the liver, because you need that to live, right. Right, and I did chemotherapies. Originally 12 were needed, but I skipped two because I didn't feel well when my mom died, for example, and my tests were, so my whole body was not really well and stable so I couldn't make it. So I did the 10 chemotherapies. Then I oh no, it was more than 10. I think it was 20. I don't know, I didn't keep track. But after that I was stable. I was for three or four years stable without any treatment, and so they were still there, but yeah.
Speaker 2:So are you in any treatment right now? No, I'm not in a treatment. I treat myself with medication, with good thoughts, with changing my life, changing from the inside out.
Speaker 1:Okay, so subsequently, during this time, your husband you and your husband split up. Can you share that story and how that impacted your life?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So when I had the first um diagnosis, when we were at the doctor um, of course they took tests and we had to wait during Easter for the um, for um the results, and when the doctor shared and said, yes, it's for sure that you have breast cancer, my husband, or ex-husband fainted. So then he fell down on the floor. And so in 2015, I was always the strong one. Even I was the woman with breast cancer. I was strong. I didn't want that.
Speaker 2:My husband felt bad or suffered too much or I don't know. And when I had the second diagnosis, he was not truly supporting me and I thought, no, this time I need a change. I have to be the one who's really caring for myself, and I needed someone who cared for me. And so I stopped him and said, hey, you can't take care of you this time and I don't want to because now it's me. And then he was strange. And then I found out that he had met another woman and it took three or four weeks because I wanted a decision right away. I didn't want like this or that, or trying and some, because we had three children and I wanted to have it here. Decision and then decided to leave.
Speaker 1:okay so how did that? How did that shape your story like what? Who are you today?
Speaker 2:yeah for me. As I've already said, I was always this strong. That's what I've always been. My husband always said to me actually, you don't need anybody because I'm the strong one and I can do everything on my own. So in 2013, I had my mom helping me. She lived next door. I had my husband, so I didn't ask for help with my kids and the household and everything, because I had two people, two grown-ups, who helped me. But suddenly, yeah, my husband. He moved out on a Sunday evening and on Monday morning, within 24 hours, my mom died unexpectedly. Oh my gosh, yeah.
Speaker 2:And then I was all alone with the three kids. They were between 6 and 11, 7 and 12. So I had to ask for help and health insurance. They sent me a woman who had been cleaning and doing the washing and everything, and she asked me are you also interested in other healing methods? Are you open for that? And I said yes, of course, I want to live. I will try everything. So that's been the first. It was not new to me, but I had never thought about adding this to my healing journey, so I was already spiritual. I knew about that. My mother-in-law was also a healer, but, yeah, it was never included to my cancer healing journey, so yeah, I feel like it should be.
Speaker 1:You know, I mean, I talked to so many people who are into that kind of holistic health and holistic healing and I really do feel like all of that synergistically put together with you know, western meds and and you know that the Eastern medication, and you know that integrative oncology is what it is right. It's incorporating mindset, breathing, exercise, meditation and I feel like that really helps out for a lot of people.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and change in mindset is also so important. So that was the first time I went to a woman. So that was the first time I went to a woman she reserved me to and it was not some voodoo stuff or so she just spoke with me and she said, yeah, the topic is also self-love and yeah, that's been for me the hardest thing, because I never learned that from my mom. She was always there for my sister and me and doing everything for us. She cared for her and not so much, it was always the others, and that's what I did as well caring for everybody else, working, helping in school with children and kindergarten, and not making one case. I did two or three cases because the other moms were not prepared to do anything. So I did three things. Yeah, so they did not really care for me and didn't think that I was important.
Speaker 1:Well, I feel like in the more modern world we are becoming more aware of how much that self-love is important and being able to take care of ourselves. Because, you know, I really think it's generational. I don't know that my mom really ever took care of herself. She had a great life, she had fun and all of that, but I don't know how much she actually loved herself and I don't know how much she actually took care of herself. She was always so busy taking care of everyone else Same with my grandmother and and it was never really talked about, it was not a topic of conversation Like people even today have a difficult time talking about things that are painful and things that are affecting their lives.
Speaker 1:They just don't verbalize it because you know it's kind of taboo, it's hush hush. And it because you know it's kind of taboo, it's hush hush, and you know we should just think positively, right and that, and we and we shouldn't necessarily talk about anything negative that's happening with us and showing our feelings and things like that. And I really feel like that all goes with that whole self-love and self-care, being able able to verbalize and show your emotions and things like that. That is such a newer phenomenon in our modern day than it was back when, say, your mother's era and your grandmother's era, and same goes for mine. So can you share with us, then, what you're doing to give back to the breast cancer community and even any other part of the community? It doesn't have to be breast cancer. What do you do? What is your world look like right now?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I started um were self healing courses for me to learn all this and that's what I'm giving back. I've also started a lot of personal development, mindset and everything. That's what I'm doing on social media and I'm having people here and coming for healing and I'm talking with the people finishing their mind, helping them to change their mindset. And I want to say something about the self-love and I don't think that it really goes deep. Nowadays we're all speaking about self-love and of course, I'm looking for myself and everything, but most of the people are not prepared to really dig deep.
Speaker 1:Why do you think that is?
Speaker 2:Yeah, maybe it's really painful and we have so many patterns and beliefs and we don't want to hurt other people and we have still the society who's blaming people or pointing the finger to people, with so many expectations on our kids, on our parents and our friends, and I think that there's needed a big change in the society around thinking.
Speaker 1:I do agree.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I have three kids. They are now 15, 18, 20. And it's also yeah, I think they still are. Also, I'm on my way and I can only be a role model for them. They don't want to know about the weird stuff I'm doing and they say are you with the crazy thing? So they're not prepared to change as well. But of course they have to see, to see, and they have to see that it works. And that's what it's about showing up and showing that a change can be possible. That's so important that we start step by step and change little things in our life and that we allow it to ourselves, because we always think, okay, my parents paid me my studies, so I have to stay in this job because my parents paid it for me, but I would love to do this or that or would like to do something else. And that's where so many people are living in their books and are not prepared to get out of that box because they are afraid.
Speaker 1:So when people come to you for help, what do your sessions look like? Are they online, are they in person, are they both?
Speaker 2:Both is possible Now online, so much is possible. I'm so happy speaking to you, for example. You're on the other side of the world, yes, and the possibilities nowadays, and, of course, speaking one-on-one or doing healing sessions. People need to be touched. Yes, so many people are not really being touched on their knees. Yeah, of course, not grabbing at them, I just lay my hands on their body like that, or here, it's not like that, but that's something that goes deep Good.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so do you only do one-on-ones or do you do group sessions? At the moment, it's one-on-ones, yeah, so do you do. Do you only do one-on-ones or do you do group sessions?
Speaker 2:At the moment it's one-on-ones.
Speaker 1:Okay, yeah, yeah, and I have a few. I have a couple of friends who have programs that they can do one-on-one or group, so I always think that it's a. You know, talking in a group sometimes is really helpful as well in really reaching out to that community. And you know, talking in a group sometimes is really helpful as well in really reaching out to that community. And you know, people resonate with different types of modalities. I mean people resonate with. You know certain personalities and certain you know ways that the program is run.
Speaker 1:So on yours, you have a website we have in the show notes, um, you are on, uh, sonia's zip, sirde, right, and so I have your website on the show notes. I've got your Facebook group, um, and your YouTube channel and your Instagram and Linktree, so I have all of those in there. I would love for my audience to be able to check out your website and your social media to see how it might be able to fit into their lives and be able to share it with others, and so, even though you're in Germany, people can reach out to you from anywhere in the world, which is just so cool, right? Well, I really appreciate your being on this show. Is there anything that you would like to add to your message before we wrap up?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I would like to finish what I started speaking about my ex-husband leaving me and how this had an impact on my life. I want to share with you that it was really a gift he gave me, because this was the start for me to change my life. I had to change because that woman came in my life. She was an angel for me and I wouldn't have met her if he hadn't left and I had to start looking in my finances. I had to speak up for myself and, of course, I was suffering a lot.
Speaker 2:My ego was very—I was furious and it was very. I was furious and I was angry and I felt so bad for quite a few months and I didn't wish him well at the beginning. But now we are friends, oh good. Yes, due to the personal development, all the healing and everything, I could see that he had to do it. He had to be. Yes, he was at the beginning and so I was, because he didn't care, he didn't help me. Even my mom. When my mom died, it was like he never known her and we were together for 20 years and he gave me the cold shoulder we call it. I don't know if you have that saying.
Speaker 2:Oh, yes, we do and I couldn't understand it. We were together for 20 years and from one second to another I didn't count anymore and I was suffering with breast cancer. My mom had died and I was alone and I didn't count anymore and I was suffering with breast cancer. My mom had died and I was alone and he didn't help me with the kids. I couldn't understand that. But he had to be like that so he could separate.
Speaker 2:Also, it was a tough time and was very. He needed a lot of courage to leave a woman with breast cancer and, yeah, so sad. You know everybody's always asking oh how are you doing you with breast cancer? But nobody was asking me how I felt. Nobody asked me. And yes, I think for the men, for the partners, for the family, it's also difficult and nowadays I would handle everything completely different. But yeah, at that time it was like that and I was able. But two years later I thanked him and I could really see how his body released and how he relaxed and he was so happy. He didn't say it, but I could see from his posture that he was very relieved. I thanked him that he left.
Speaker 1:Well, he probably felt really bad, you know, um leaving you when, in a time of crazy, like you needed him, and I can only imagine how that felt, um, when you got the cold shoulder and he was acting differently than what you had known him to act for 20 years. So I can imagine that was very, very painful. But I'm also really glad that you blossomed as this new person, a better version of yourself, and you now have self-love and you, you know, now have self-love and you were able to forgive him, and he knows this and hopefully he's real happy too with his life, and I hope so.
Speaker 2:I asked my healer why is she together with her? And she said to me it's a spiritual thing. Of course their souls have something to figure out together in this life. And that was for me, just okay. It was like okay, now I understand. And that was for me just okay. It was like okay, now I understand, it's okay for me. That was, for me, really the moment where I was at peace with the situation. It was just they have something to figure out together in this life.
Speaker 1:I think that's really wonderful. I'm so glad that you shared that with us. Is there any piece of advice that you would like to leave my audience? Whether they've been diagnosed with breast cancer or not, Is there anything that you would like to leave as far as a piece of advice for them?
Speaker 2:Yes, I think you can. You are the creator of your life and you can help your healing journey by having a positive mindset and working on yourself and be honest with yourself. We just spoke about self-love and the emotions and everything. Yeah, be true with yourself and ask for help. Surround yourself with sublifting people and you don't need people to suffer with you. You need people and you need podcasts like that. You need to hear success stories and, yeah, you know, sometimes doctors tell you you only have to live six months and guess what? Some people finally make their world travel or do something they always wanted to do and a miracle happens and they are cancer-free. Yeah, yeah, why. If you ever question why? Because finally they did, ritual happens and they are cancer free? Yeah, yeah, why? So I have a question why? Because finally they did what they always wanted to do Right?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, it doesn't always work out that way, but a lot. It is really fun to hear those stories that people like release and they go and do the things and they are happy and their mindset is completely different and they sort of let go of all the other things that just didn't matter anymore and then they're still alive. That's really a fun story. That's. Those are fun stories to hear. So, yeah, that's great piece of advice. Well, I just really appreciate your being here and being yeah, that's great piece of advice. Well, I just really appreciate your being here and being, you know, open to share your story about your two diagnoses. And you know, I'm sure that's very painful about your mother dying. I absolutely know what that feels like. My mom died five years ago and I have never been the same, but I do celebrate her on a daily basis just because we were so close, and so you know lots of love to you in that regard, Um, and I just appreciate your taking the time and staying up so late in Germany to interview with me, and I just want to let my audience, uh, again know that in the show notes they can find you on social media, on your website and if anyone out there is looking for um, you know, just some sort of a program, uh, you know, if you want to meet Sonia and see if she resonates with you, um, and maybe you can work with her, then I would definitely go to the show notes and go to her website and send her a message and get started.
Speaker 1:So, especially for this new year, and I just really wish everyone a very happy new year 2025. This is season number four for me, Sonia, so thank you and to my audience, if you can also go to your favorite platform and rate and review this podcast, that would be very, very helpful. And until next time, we will see you on the next episode of Test those Breasts. Thank you, Sonia.
Speaker 2:Thank you, jen, for having me and, yeah, all the best for you, ladies.
Speaker 1:Friends, thank you so much for listening to this episode of Test those Breasts. I hope you got some. You're up can add value, so please reach out if you'd like to collaborate. My contact information is in the show notes and, as a reminder, rating, reviewing and sharing this podcast will truly help build a bigger audience all over the world. I thank you for your efforts. I look forward to sharing my next episode of Test those Breasts. Thank you.
