TLDR: You're 35, living the dream. Scuba diving, love, adventure... Then the diagnosis hits: breast cancer. Terminal. Weeks to live, not years. Suddenly, those carefree Saturdays and date nights become your "best times ever." A raw and powerful story for every person who's ever felt the shadow of "what if?" with actionable advice when you’re faced with a terrifying cancer diagnosis. Face your greatest fear with Melannie Bachman's story – and discover how you, too, can find freedom in the beautiful face of death.

Gaslit by 4 doctors: "you’re overreacting” to terminal breast cancer at 35

Imagine this: you're a 35-year-old sun-kissed scuba diving instructor goddess at the peak of your career. You swim with manta rays in Hawaii, lead dive research in Indonesia; Saturday mornings you ride bikes with the man of your dreams and Sukhi, your 6-month-old Husky, to Orange Coffee Shop. Wednesday nights are for date nights at Jack Rabbit Filly. You’re getting published in scuba diving and marine science magazines worldwide as one of the premiere freedivers and educators introducing your students to the below-sea-level universe humanity has accessed for less than 82 years.

It’s Wednesday. You put your lab coat on, and you find it. The ticking time bomb counting down the remaining 12-24 months you have left to live.

Whatever you’ve done to this point,

that wasn’t the on-ramp to good times;

those were the good times.

The best times you’ll ever have

are behind you.

…That was it. That was your one precious life.

“You’re getting treatment fast.” is doctor speak for, “You have the fastest spreading, most deadly breast cancer beelining to your lungs, bones, and brain… quickly.”

Jump To A Section

00:00 It’s The Most Alive I’ve Ever Felt In Death

03:06 Diving Deep: The Birth of a Book

06:09 Facing Cancer: A Personal Saga

09:01 Moments of Connection: Stories from the Oncology Room

12:01 The Weight of Words: A Profound Revelation

15:04 Advocating for Health: The Patient's Journey

18:14 Reconstructing Identity: The Choices We Make

21:08 Navigating Recovery: Life After Cancer

23:48 The Reality of Reintegration: Finding Oneself Again

27:10 Support Systems: How to Be There for Others

30:02 Death and Rebirth: A New Perspective

32:59 Finding Beauty in Life: The Gift of Awareness

38:41 Creating Sacred Spaces in Transition

50:46 Recognizing the Signs of Breast Cancer

01:01:48 Navigating the Healthcare System

01:02:17 “Don’t You Feel FIERCE, Bald?” The Journey of Losing Your Hair

01:09:58 Changing the Narrative of Cancer

Imagine your life changing in an instant. That's what happened to Melannie Bachman when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35. This episode is a deep dive into her experience with a double mastectomy, her near-death experience, and her radical transformation. Discover how she found the strength to face her mortality, let go of fear, and ultimately find liberation in embracing death. Melannie, now a published author and death doula, shares her profound insights on living authentically and finding peace in the face of life's greatest challenges.

This episode is recorded, produced, and edited by our company, Ruby Riot Creatives. Visit https://www.rubyriotcreatives.com/podcast to see our latest projects, hear more episodes in The Ruby Hour Podcast, and visit our previous season's episode archives.

🎥 Ruby Riot Creatives | Austin, Texas + Charleston SC Based Production Studio specializing in small to midsize business strategic video marketing strategies that translate to qualified lead gens to make more money. If your ready to get a grip on your marketing and sales initiatives, it’s time to talk.