In conversation with courageous, smiling and highly positive Nadine Shubailat, senior editorial producer with ABC News. Nadine’s energy is extremely contagious and she’s always a gracious host to her friends and family. Nadine shares how she juggles work, motherhood, marriage, and her thirst for knowledge. She talks about her recent diagnosis of Stage 1a breast cancer and how she wants to inspire women around the world to get annual check-ups.
Tell us about your professional background?
I’m a senior editorial producer with ABC News (have been here over 12 years). Prior to that I was a senior producer at CNN (Larry King Live specifically) and before that I was the press secretary to HM Queen Noor of Jordan (when HM King Hussein was alive and the year after he died).
What do you love about your job?
It’s interesting, never boring and I learn something new every day. I remember my science teacher in high school once told me: “if you learn something new today, it has been a good day.” That insight struck me at the time and stayed with me.
How do you manage your career and mommy life?
I wish I could tell you that I balance both. I don’t. Every day I strive to do the best that I can with what is happening. There are days that I think I’m a better mom than a producer/reporter and other days I feel differently and quite frankly there are times when I think I suck at both. It’s life – you go up and down and have to navigate it the best you can. When you fall, it’s OK to feel bad, catch your breath and then get up and try again. I have two children – a boy who is 8 (and a half as he insists on saying) and a girl who is 7. I remember when I came back from maternity leave after my daughter was born, I was sitting in my office sobbing. I felt I was failing as a mom and at work because I did not feel I was doing a good job at either and one of ABC’s Vice Presidents came into my office – she’s a woman. She closed the door and said, “take your time.” I calmed down. She looked at me and said, “We’ve all been there. All of us. You have to remember, it’s not that you won’t have everything, you’ll just have everything but at different times.” What she meant was to look at life from a wider lens not what was happening in the granular moment. I try to remember that when times are hard and I appreciate her words when I’m having an easier day.
You recently announced your diagnoses of Stage 1a breast cancer on social media. That takes a lot of courage. Would you like to inform women on how you were able to catch it and where you got your treatment done? Any advice you would like to share?
On September 4, 2018 (2 days after my son turned 8), I went to Mount Sinai (Dubin Center) for my annual mammogram and sonogram. My mammogram (which was 3D and high tech) was clear. However, the excellent technician saw something on my sonogram. She called in doctors who agreed with her that the small dot looked suspicious and advised me to get a biopsy. I asked for one then and there. They accommodated me. I went to the office and my friends there said, “I’m sure it’s fine, it happened to me, etc. etc.” I had a feeling though that it wasn’t. The next day, I got a call saying the biopsy results were “invasive lobular carcinoma.” That’s a form of breast cancer. I was fortunate. I had caught it very early (stage 1a) and lobular carcinoma is rarely caught on a mammogram until it’s too late because it doesn’t form a lump and tends to form a straight line of dots. I did a full panel of genetic testing (it’s not genetic as far as modern science can tell). My breast surgeon, Dr. Elisa Port, who is the head of breast surgery at Dubin recommended a lumpectomy and the removal of some nodes in order to see if it had spread or not. I did the lumpectomy on October 4th. The cancer had not spread and it was sent for analysis. I got a low Onca score, which means I did not need chemo. I had 4 weeks of radiation at Mt. Sinai and am now on Tamoxifen. My advice for women 40 and above is to go in for your annual mammogram. If you have dense breasts, I urge you to get a sonogram to accompany the mammogram. It will save your life.
On the last day of radiation, I decided to publicly share in an Instagram and Facebook post my diagnosis and treatment because I hoped it would inspire women to get their annual check-ups. It was a decision that deeply upset my family in Jordan as they tend to be very private and we were still reeling from the unexpected death of my father (May 9, 2018). However, as much as it pained me to upset them, I believe it is important to be open about issues like cancer because one person’s story may help another person make an important life decision.
Are you following any specific diet after your treatment?
Yes, I’m following a plant-based diet. Being vegan (not junk food vegan because cancer thrives on sugar) and eating whole foods is one of the best diets you can eat for breast cancer. Ethically (for animal rights) I am a proponent of the diet. My children and husband are not vegan so my compromise is to try and get more plants into them.
What is your favorite workout routine and where?
Running at Juma and hot yoga at Fireshaper in Tenafly, NJ are my two staples.
Who is your inspiration in life?
I have many. My dad, whom I miss terribly. I also read about and follow on Instagram plant based athletes like Rich Roll (who also has a great podcast).
Where do you buy your hummus or pitas?
Because I live in NJ, I have to say Patterson is the closest to the Middle Eastern quality.
Your best memories of delicious food being cooked during family gatherings?
My mom for me will always be the best cook. She just doesn’t like cooking anymore, but growing up I LOVED her food. We had fresh, home-made food that varied daily. Her chili and penne arrabiata are my favorites as is her lentil and swiss chard soup
What is your favorite snack during busy work days?
I just ate 2 bags of Brami lupini beans.
What are your favorite cook books or blogs you like to follow?
Vegan: Rich Roll and his wife have a great cookbook and High Carb Hannah is great for simple vegan recipes. If you’re inflamed and need to eat foods that heal, please follow my cousin’s Instagram @healcuisine. Dina used food to heal her rheumatoid arthritis naturally following the Paddison program. She is purely plant-based and uses no oil. Her story is so inspiring and you can find her being interviewed by Paddison on YouTube – Reversing Rheumatoid Arthritis
For Middle Eastern food, I high recommend my friend, Iyad Qasem who is also a cordon-bleu chef! His Facebook cooking show link: https://www.facebook.com/MiddleFeastiyad/
I also love Joudie Kalla. She is the author of “Palestine on a Plate.” You can find her on Instagram via 2 handles: Joudie Kalla – جودي القلا (@palestineonaplate).
How do you plan meals for your kids during work days?
I make their breakfast and lunch for school in the mornings before I go to work. For dinner, I put meals that are practically done (just need to be cooked for 5 minutes) in the freezer and unfreeze one each day for my afternoon babysitter to make for them. My mother-in-law also likes sending them food and when she does, I always choose her food first for them because they love their grandmother’s food.
What is your favorite vegetarian recipe?
Adas Bis Silq aka Lentil Swisschard Soup – recipe courtesy of my mommy @zeinsh8
What is your secret HOT sauce?
Smoky Jalapeño Sriracha. You can find it at Whole Foods.
Your favorite restaurants?
Axia, New Jersey
Naya Mezze and Grill, New York City
Ilili, New York City
Paterson’s Al-Basha, New Jersey
Kiku, New Jersey
Sal E Pepe, London
Kai Mayfair, London
Shams El Balad, Jordan
Fakhreldin Restaurant, Amman