Joyce Ostin

I was 38 years old, at the beach in Hawaii for a family vacation with my three young daughters — ages 2, 4 and 6 — when I got the phone call from my doctor. He told me he was very concerned about my mammogram.

After returning home to Los Angeles and undergoing many invasive tests, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Through five years of chemotherapy and stem cell treatment, I survived. During many scary days and nights I could only think of my babies’ faces and smiles. A mother’s bond to her child is indescribable which lead me to favorite project my photography book, Hollywood Moms (2001, Abrams), followed by Hollywood Dads (Chronicle Books, 2007).

When the cancer returned three years later, I survived again — and thrived — thanks to the unwavering support of my family and friends. I also received state-of-the-art medical care, as the first woman to receive Herceptin drug treatment. I dedicated myself to total healing with diet, exercise and meditation.

My VIV Moment occurred in September, 13 years ago, when I realized that not all women have access to the incredible level of treatment I received, and the cutting-edge information that was available to me. In many areas throughout the country, when women are diagnosed with breast cancer, there’s little emphasis placed on integrative medicine and the healing powers of meditation, yoga, exercise and nutrition. That day, I made it my mission to help other women succeed on the path to breast cancer recovery.

Rather than add to the sea of articles and books that have been printed on this topic, I decided the best form of advice would be an inspirational DVD, weaving together the voices of some of America’s greatest doctors and wellness experts and the intimate stories of women who have lived through this great challenge.

The Breast Cancer: The Path of Wellness & Healing DVD set truly was a grassroots endeavor. I set up interviews, reached out to friends, acquaintances, and professional contacts; and for more than two years, I conducted interviews that were often uplifting, and often heart-wrenching. Thanks to the contributors who so generously donated their time and insights, our team documented awe-inspiring, first-hand accounts from breast cancer survivors such as Sheryl Crow, Christina Applegate, Melissa Etheridge, Olivia Newton-John and Jaclyn Smith; and powerful lessons from preeminent doctors and wellness experts including Deepak Chopra, M.D.; Marisa Weiss, M.D.; Susan Love, M.D.; Dean Ornish, M.D.; Marianne Williamson and many more.

Executive Producer/Director Nina Montée Karp and I committed to creating the first comprehensive DVD program to provide a detailed guide on every aspect of the breast cancer experience, from diagnosis to treatment options. The two-disc set helps women navigate complex decisions about treatment and recovery, and serves as a compassionate educational tool for families and loved ones during this challenging — and often overwhelming — period.

A step -by-step resource, it offers easy to understand explanations of breast cancer risks, types of cancer, treatment options and tips for building one’s personal and medical teams. The second disc contains three hours of bonus chapters including in-depth looks at reconstructive surgery, hormonal therapy, virtual tours of radiation and chemo treatments as well as the healing power of integrative medicine, nutrition, exercise and meditation. All profits are donated to institutions such as Breastcancer.org and UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center to fund research.

There’s no denying that creating this five-hour DVD was a long and arduous path, but like all labors of love, the overwhelmingly positive response it has received — from the medical, wellness and breast cancer communities — has made every moment of our effort incredibly satisfying and worthwhile. Having gone through breast cancer twice, I really feel I’ve had a lot of epiphanies about how precious life is. I’ve learned to always be grateful and realized that nothing can ever be taken for granted.