(Originally written August 2, 2025) I went to the beach this morning to reflect on my 12th cancer-free anniversary and my ongoing healing journey. It was a beautiful day—barely a cloud in the sky, a perfect breeze, and clear, calm water. The perfect opportunity for healing: lots of vitamin D, fresh air, grounding, negative ions, … Continue reading Finding Beauty in the Broken Things: A Journey of Healing
Next month marks 11 years since my breast cancer diagnosis. While I am grateful to be cancer-free for this long, the journey has been anything but easy. As a breast cancer survivor, the thought of cancer is always in the back of my mind. Due to my Lynch Syndrome status, I am at risk for … Continue reading SGAP Surgery: A Survivor’s Journey Back to Wellness
What can we do to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Honoring those whom the disease has touched by donating, walking, and wearing pink are all encouraged, but let's not forget the most important thing we can do is to be our own health advocates. As women, especially mothers, we tend to prioritize others first. I … Continue reading Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Focus on Prevention
Thinking back on my “re-birthday,” the day I woke up from surgery cancer-free, involves a lot of emotions. Gratitude is at the top of the list. I had Stage II, ER/PR+, HER2- invasive ductal carcinoma. As each year passes, the worry of recurrence lessens. But the “what ifs” never really go away. It’s always in … Continue reading Ten Years Cancer-Free – A Reflection
Ten years cancer-free is a huge milestone. One to be celebrated. After all, I have been proactive, trying to keep my risk of recurrence low. I eat organic, when possible, drink filtered water, detox regularly, and take supplements; my vitamin D levels, thyroid numbers, and standard bloodwork are good, so why do I feel like … Continue reading Just When I Thought I Was Out of the Woods
Cancer is a word, not a sentence! <-- Click on this link to see the original artwork by Theartsatichipter! I love this saying because it is a good reminder. I Googled the saying and found this link to a drawing Theartsatichipster did. Simple, yet so meaningful to all those who have been touched by this dreaded disease. ❤
My surgery went well. Between my surgeon and plastic surgeon it only took 4 hours instead of the estimated 5 hours I was originally told. The first thing I remember when I opened my eyes in the recovery room was seeing my daughter Megan, cousin Melanie, Kelli and Kelsi standing at the foot of my … Continue reading And then it was done.
July 2, 2013 – After a lot of research, talking to doctors and prayer, I knew in my heart that a lumpectomy was not what I wanted. If I was going to have to do 3 months of chemo, there was no way I wanted to endure 5 weeks (5 days a week) of radiation … Continue reading I made up my mind
June 20, 2013 – On a day that should have been filled with excitement and anticipation because the Miami Heat were playing the Antonio Spurs in Game 7 and were about to win their 3rd championship... However, my day was filled with another kind of anticipation — Waiting for biopsy results. I wasn't overly concerned. After … Continue reading A day I will never forget…
June 14, 2013 – After a crazy day (the day before) of running back and forth from my gynocologist to my primary and the surgeon to get referrals and set appointments for a biopsy, the time had come for the biopsy. It was an exhausting 2 days, but I was impressed with how all of … Continue reading And so it begins…
Envisioning Wellness – My Journey Back to Good 