Have you ever wondered if genetic testing could change your future?

In this powerful episode of Curveballs and Lemonade, Judy Kogan sits down with close friends Dana Fletcher and Melissa Davis to share their deeply personal journeys after testing positive for hereditary cancer gene mutations.

Dana was diagnosed with the BRCA2 mutation, while Melissa tested positive for CHEK2. Both women faced life changing decisions after learning they had significantly increased risks for breast cancer and other hereditary cancers.

Together they discuss genetic counseling, what the testing process is really like, navigating family history, meeting with specialists, preventative double mastectomies, recovery, surgical reconstruction, surgical menopause, and the emotional weight of making proactive medical decisions before cancer ever develops.

They also share practical advice for anyone considering genetic testing, why gathering information is empowering, how these decisions affected their families, and why they have no regrets about taking control of their health.

Whether you have a family history of cancer, are considering genetic testing, or simply want to better understand hereditary cancer risk, this conversation offers education, encouragement, and hope.

New episodes of Curveballs and Lemonade drop every Thursday.

Risk-Reducing Surgery (Preventive Surgery): https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/risk-factor/options-for-women-at-high-risk/preventative-surgery/

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Recorded and produced by Command Creative Studios: https://www.commandcreativestudios.com/

Engineered by Robert Altschuler.

#CurveballsAndLemonade #GeneticTesting #BRCA2 #CHEK2 #BreastCancerAwareness #CancerPrevention

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide, addiction, grief, and mental health.

What happens after losing someone you love to suicide?

In this deeply moving episode of Curveballs and Lemonade, Judy Kogan sits down with fitness and wellness professional Anita Pressman to share the heartbreaking story of losing someone she deeply loved, Sean, to suicide.

Anita opens up about the warning signs she recognized, Sean's struggle with addiction and depression, the devastating days following his disappearance, and the unimaginable grief that followed. She also shares how that loss transformed her life, leading her to embrace healing through movement, mindfulness, yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and a renewed commitment to helping others.

Together, Judy and Anita discuss suicide prevention, mental health awareness, addiction recovery, the importance of checking in on loved ones, and why kindness and compassion can change someone's life.

If you or someone you know has experienced suicide loss, struggles with depression, addiction, or grief, this conversation offers hope, healing, and an important reminder that no one has to suffer alone.

Surviving suicide of a loved one and grief: Help is just 3 digits away

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. 9-8-8 is available via call or text, and online chat.

Follow Anita Pressman: @heartnsolfitness

New episodes of Curveballs and Lemonade drop every Thursday.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @Curveballsandlemonade

Facebook: Curveballs and Lemonade

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curveballsandlemonade

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Curveballsandlemonade

Recorded and produced by Command Creative Studios: https://www.commandcreativestudios.com/

Engineered by Robert Altschuler.

#CurveballsAndLemonade #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #GriefSupport #AddictionRecovery #HopeAfterLoss

DESCRIPTION

What do you do when your child is losing weight, sleeping constantly, and no one can tell you why?

In this episode of Curveballs and Lemonade, Judy Kogan sits down with attorney, mom, and longtime friend Jen Gitlin to share her family’s journey navigating her son Trevor’s Crohn’s disease diagnosis.

Trevor was just 10 years old when subtle symptoms during the COVID pandemic turned into something far more serious. What began as fatigue, weight loss, and stomach issues became a long and emotionally exhausting search for answers. After months of uncertainty, specialist appointments, invasive testing, and advocating for care, Trevor was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the digestive tract.

Jen opens up about the emotional toll of parenting a child with an invisible illness, the challenges of navigating treatment, hospital infusions, insurance battles, medication changes, and the constant uncertainty that comes with chronic illness.

She also shares how community, advocacy, and connection with other families helped transform isolation into hope.

This powerful conversation explores what it means to trust your instincts, fight for answers, support a child through chronic illness, and find strength in the unknown.

If you or someone you love is navigating Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune illness, chronic illness, or parenting through medical uncertainty, this episode offers insight, support, and hope.

New episodes drop every Thursday.

Follow Jen Gitlin:

Instagram: @easton_jennifer

Facebook: Jennifer Gitlin

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @Curveballsandlemonade

Facebook: Curveballs and Lemonade

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curveballsandlemonade

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Recorded and produced by Command Creative Studios: https://www.commandcreativestudios.com/

Engineered by Robert Altschuler.

#CurveballsAndLemonade #CrohnsDisease #ChronicIllness #ParentAdvocacy #IBDAwareness #InvisibleIllness