‘A new era in my life’: CapRadio Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez shares update on breast cancer treatment

It’s been a little over a month since Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez took leave following a breast cancer diagnosis. 

In the weeks since, Vicki has been open about her medical journey and updating the community along the way — including undergoing a double mastectomy. 

Vicki joined Insight Interim Host Chris Nichols on Thursday with an update on the next steps in breast cancer care and treatment.  

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Interview Highlights

Take our audience back to the beginning of your journey. How did it start? 

It started a little over two months ago, and it's really just been a whirlwind since then. Two days after my 40th birthday, I found a lump in my breast and I didn't think much of it. But I did want to get it checked out. So I went to the doctor the next day. They ordered a mammogram and ultrasound, and that turned into a total of six biopsies across both of my breasts. A couple of days after that, I received my cancer diagnosis. The lump that I had found was cancer and it did spread to my lymph nodes.

I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy. And since that surgery, I'm doing pretty good. I'm just waiting for the next steps because it's going to be a long road.

I have to imagine a cancer diagnosis is one of the biggest tests anyone can face. Can you walk us through what it's been like, both physically and emotionally, these past five weeks?

I go back to my birthday on that Friday. I just feel like a different person two days before I found that lump. That completely altered the perspective of my life and the direction of my life — and where I thought it was going to go. This really has just become like a new era in my life — a new version of me.  

Obviously there's a physical component to it. But that is just minimal. It's low on the totem pole compared to the grief, the emotional toll when you lose a part of your body — and why you're losing that part of your body.  

It feels like years ago in some respects, but then it's also happening so fast.

I've really admired how open you've been about your diagnosis and your medical journey. But that's not an easy decision to make. Why did you decide to be so open?

Personally it's twofold. One: Cancer was not on my radar. I'm on paper a very healthy person. I lead an active lifestyle. I have no underlying health conditions. I don't have a family history of breast cancer. I don't carry any cancer genes. And given my health, the earliest I could even get a mammogram was at 40 years old. So I think about people — because it's not just women who can get breast cancer. If you have breast tissue, you should be doing self-exams. 

I was told by the doctor that every week they have people — particularly women — in their 20s and 30s getting diagnosed with breast cancer. The journalist in me, and this gets the second arm, is that I need to let people know. Because I kind of didn't take it seriously. And as a journalist, I have often been really grateful to have people open up, for the best of times and for the worst of times, and be vulnerable. So why not me? I'm happy to do it if it raises awareness.

Can you give our audience an update on where things stand, and what is next? 

When I had the double mastectomy, they took the tumor out and some lymph nodes. They sent that off to pathology. Unfortunately more lymph nodes had cancer than initially thought. So I'm going to have another surgery.

The unknowns are treatment — like radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. This next surgery will help determine what that looks like.

Do you have a choice in the line of treatment? 

They're all recommendations. First and foremost you are in the driver's seat for your care. You can opt out of anything. But they do come with strong recommendations. They are the experts.

What advice do you have for people when it comes to getting cancer screening, or just medical care in general? 

I mean healthcare is just excruciatingly expensive and difficult. It can be a nightmare and there are barriers. But I think whenever possible and with whatever means, even just for peace of mind, get it checked out. For me, I did feel that lump and I'm happy I went to the doctor the next day. But initially I wasn't going to. I almost pushed it off because it felt inconvenient — which seems so silly and petty now with hindsight. 

I recommend people advocate for yourself and have people go with you. I've always had a loved one come with me to the doctor because, especially when you get confronted with something unexpected like cancer, it's kind of like some of the light bulbs turn off in your brain and you're just trying to absorb as much as possible. It's really good to have a loved one be that second ear. And also that second voice.

I'm sure you've received a lot of advice during this difficult time. What's some of the best advice that you've received? 

The unfortunate reality is that breast cancer is incredibly common. In the United States it's the second most common cancer for women. It's the first most common cancer particularly for Black and African-American women. One and eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 85% have no family history. 

But the silver lining to that is I've talked to so many people who have gone through breast cancer. They are survivors. They came out the other side and they look wonderful. For a person in my position, I love seeing that. But a lot of them said that although they wouldn't wish breast cancer on themselves or anyone, in some respects they were grateful for the experience because it changed their perspective on life. And I can see that taking shape with me as well. It's really made me reevaluate how I want to live my life. What being healthy really is. The kind of balance I want in my life. What truly is important. And also what is petty. I can see that evolution taking shape within me. 

You definitely have your low days. I have had my pity parties. But I don't really indulge in that. My priority and my intention every single day is to enjoy the good days. And I hope that carries on, even well after this breast cancer diagnosis.