In this episode of Off Your Chest: Breast Health Unfiltered, Dr. Katelin Holmes walks through what real support actually looks like during one of the most overwhelming times in a patient’s life.

From the first few days of uncertainty to the long road after treatment, she shares practical ways to show up, what to say (and what not to say), and how to support someone without adding to their stress.

If you’ve ever thought, “Just tell me what you need,” this episode will change how you approach helping someone you care about.

💬 Key Takeaway

“Don’t wait to be asked. Just show up.”

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• What patients need most in the first few days after a biopsy or diagnosis
• Why “let me know if you need anything” can actually make things harder
• Practical ways to help with meals, childcare, and daily decisions
• What to say—and what to avoid saying
• Why showing up to appointments matters more than you think
• The emotional side of breast cancer that people don’t always see
• How support continues even after treatment ends

🔗 Resources & Links

• The Breast Center at Thomas Hospital
• Phone: (251) 279-1633
• Website: https://www.infirmaryhealth.org/locations/the-breast-center-at-thomas-hospital/
• Follow Dr. Holmes on Instagram: @AlabamaBreastDoctor

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice from your healthcare provider.

This in-between time is often filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and questions about what comes next.

In this episode of Off Your Chest: Breast Health Unfiltered, Dr. Caitlin Holmes walks through what she calls the “waiting period” and how to use this time in a productive, informed way.

She explains how to start choosing your care team, what actually matters when doing your own research, and why staying close to home for treatment is often the right choice.

Dr. Holmes is joined by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Stalder, who shares how patients can explore breast reconstruction options and make sure they’re being given the full picture when it comes to their care.

💬 Key Takeaway

“This is planning time, not panic time.”

🎧 In This Episode:

• Why the waiting period after a biopsy feels so difficult
• How to use this time to make informed decisions
• What to look for in a breast surgeon and cancer center
• Why you don’t always need to travel for high-quality care
• How to start researching your treatment team
• The three main types of breast reconstruction
• How to know if you’re being given all of your options
• When it makes sense to get a second opinion

🩺 Learn More or Schedule Care

The Breast Center at Thomas Hospital:

https://www.infirmaryhealth.org/locations/the-breast-center-at-thomas-hospital/

Call: (251) 279-1633

👨‍⚕️ Guest: Dr. Mark Stalder

Learn more about Dr. Stalder and his work in breast reconstruction:

https://stalderplasticsurgery.com/dr-mark-stalder

📱 Follow Dr. Holmes

Instagram: @AlabamaBreastDoctor

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice from your healthcare provider.

Whether it’s a lump, a callback after a mammogram, or a recommendation for a biopsy, this moment is often filled with uncertainty.

In this episode of Off Your Chest: Breast Health Unfiltered, Dr. Katelin Holmes walks you through what she calls the “ground zero” moment — when something is found and you don’t yet have answers.

With clear, compassionate guidance, she explains what to expect, what matters, and how to navigate the next steps without unnecessary fear.

💬 Key Takeaway

“A biopsy is a pause. It’s not a verdict.”

🎧 In This Episode:

• What a callback after a mammogram really means
• Why most findings are not cancer
• What happens during a breast biopsy
• How long results take and how to manage the waiting
• What questions to ask your care team
• How to choose the right breast center
• The truth about whether biopsies spread cancer

🩺 Learn More or Schedule Care

The Breast Center at Thomas Hospital:

https://www.infirmaryhealth.org/locations/the-breast-center-at-thomas-hospital/

Call: (251) 279-1633

📱 Follow Dr. Holmes

Instagram: @AlabamaBreastDoctor

⚠️ Disclaimer

• This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice from your healthcare provider.

Whether it’s a lump, a callback after a mammogram, or a recommendation for a biopsy, this is often the moment where uncertainty takes over.

Off Your Chest: Breast Health Unfiltered is here to guide you through it.

Hosted by Dr. Katelin Holmes, breast surgical oncologist and Medical Director of Breast Surgical Services at Thomas Hospital, this podcast offers clear, compassionate guidance through every step of the breast health journey.

In this short trailer, you’ll get a preview of what to expect from the show and how it can help you move forward with clarity instead of fear.

What you’ll hear:

• What to do after finding a breast lump
• How to handle the waiting period after imaging or biopsy
• What real support looks like for patients and families
• Conversations with specialists across the care team
• Myth-busting around common breast cancer misinformation

If you’re navigating uncertainty, waiting for answers, or supporting someone who is, this show is for you.

Follow Off Your Chest to stay informed, ask better questions, and move forward with confidence.

🔗

Resources & Links

The Breast Center at Thomas Hospital

https://www.infirmaryhealth.org/locations/the-breast-center-at-thomas-hospital/

To schedule an appointment:

(251) 279-1633

Follow Dr. Holmes on Instagram:

@alabamabreastdoctor