Nicola's Story: How De Novo Metastatic Breast Cancer Changed My Outlook on Life
Nicola Heart is a Breastcancer.org Community member in Dana Point, California, USA.
I was diagnosed stage IV de novo. It came as a complete shock. It was in the middle of the pandemic and it was a difficult time trying to make ends meet being a single mom to a 5-year-old son. I went into survival mode and did what I needed to do to stay alive and be there for my son. The weeks after my official diagnosis were a blur. Lots of scans, testing and doctor appointments. I felt like I was thrust into a full time job with no experience. But after my first scan came back with positive results (9cm tumor completely gone!), I started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and changed my outlook on life. I felt like I got a new lease on life and started focusing on what's important to me. I became closer to the people in my life that I cared about the most, stopped sweating the small stuff and started to live in the NOW. Everyday I am grateful to be alive and to be part of my son's life. Yes, I have had challenges in this cancer journey including progression, but it won't stop me from living my life to the fullest.
