Personal Stories

"This past year has been the hardest year of my entire life – but at the same time, this past year has been the greatest year of my entire life."

"By the time I had the surgery, more lumps had appeared, including a fast-growing one on my neck."

"Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions. There are none. And don't be afraid to advocate for yourself."

"My path to Stage IV had a few curveballs and some twists and turns..."

"Only things that mattered the most are on my priority list right now. I no longer want to waste time and energy on things or people who don't bring my heart joy and hope."

"I started treatment one day, and the next day, the war exploded in Israel. Life has stopped here and there."

"I took it upon myself to eat a healthy diet, keep a positive mindset, and to continue working without letting the chemo overrule."

"Instead of seeing cancer as an enemy, maybe I should be viewing it as a messenger — an invitation to slow down, pay attention, and transform. Just like a caterpillar that enters the cocoon."

"I was extremely angry that no one had mentioned that 15% of invasive lobular metastasis occurs in the abdomen - or that it might not show up in a PET scan."

"As I pounded the pavement, I pictured [the cancer cells] shaking their heads asking, 'WTF?,' pissed off and running out of steam as I filled my lungs with air and pressed on."

"The doctors both reassured me that the chemo drug is not harmful to my baby and if I don't start it now the cancer is at risk of spreading further."

"Sometimes good things can develop from what appears to be a horrible thing at first."

"My PCP confirmed that I had tumors in both my right and left breasts. I remember driving away from that appointment in complete shock. I couldn’t feel my body. I couldn’t even cry."

"It felt good to shed a few tears on my behalf as I never would allow anyone else to do it for me. Cancer, pain and fear can only really be owned by the person who lives with it."

"Cancer became a pause in my life. A moment to stop and look around to see who is there."

"After powering through this year with all I had, I didn’t even realize I had crossed the finish line."

"For a moment, I felt like I had lost this fight. But I know now that I didn’t. I survived. And in surviving, I proved that even when the world tries to count you out, you can still rise."

"Looking back, I have to say, 'Wow, I went through all that and I came on top and survived!' I don't give myself too much credit and now I need to."

"I did not allow this pain to break me. I told myself these experiences will tranform me into the best version of myself!"

"The diagnosis came and I already felt that I was being carried along. Faith really did see me through the worst and brought out the best in those around me."

"I have spent practically half my life living with cancer and I am really thankful for each day. I feel more than fortunate to still be living a full and active life."

"The scent of the lilacs and lilly of the valley, my bare toes in the grass, chatter of the birds, and breeze on my skin activate all of my senses and bring me into the moment."

"Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Familiar words that suddenly felt foreign with my name attached to the report. In this instance I thought about my patient waiting and thought to myself, 'No one more equipped to help her.'"

"My practice has taught me to pause, breathe, and surround myself with healing light, while also reaching for things that lift my spirits."