Breast Cancer: My Journey, My Wake-Up Call

Breast Cancer: My Journey, My Wake-Up Call

It’s October, which means it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month—so here’s your reminder: GET YOUR MAMMOGRAM! And while you’re at it, check yourself regularly. Seriously.

Now that we’ve covered that, I thought I’d share a bit of my story. It might be therapeutic for me, and hopefully, it’ll encourage someone else to take their health a little more seriously, too.

I always assumed the most difficult thing in life I’d have to conquer was my addiction to alcohol. Well, I was wrong.

I’m considered one of the “lucky ones” (is that even a thing?) because my cancer was caught relatively early—thanks to a mammogram. And no, I wasn’t that person who got them regularly. I was 54 when I was diagnosed, and I’d had maybe two or three mammograms in my life. My thought was, “Who’s got time. I’m healthy, I’ve got no family history, I’m not going to get breast cancer, what’s the worry?” Well, spoiler alert: it turns out, cancer doesn’t follow the script. 

My official diagnosis? Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, ER/PR+, Her2-. What does that even mean? I had no clue at first. But for anyone wondering, invasive lobular carcinoma means the cancer starts in the milk-producing glands (lobules) of the breast then breaks into the tissue and begins its death toll. ER/PR+ means the cancer cells have estrogen and progesterone receptors. Basically feeding off of estrogen and progesterone in the body.

The first tumor was found during a routine mammogram—I hadn’t felt any lumps, nor did my doctor. Things moved fast after that, appointments, appointments, and more appointments. I had more appointments in one week than I typically have in a full year – or two. They found a second tumor through an MRI, both were biopsied, and both cancer. I have no family history of breast cancer, so it hit me like a ton of bricks.

The first few weeks were terrifying. I didn’t tell my family right away - only my sister. I wanted to get all the facts, gather my courage, and keep it together before delivering that bomb… “Hi! I’ve got some news. So, I got laid off a few weeks ago and now I have breast cancer. How you doin?”

Eventually, I had surgery to remove the tumors. They took out three lymph nodes too, which thankfully tested negative for cancer. Radiation followed: 15 rounds, five days a week for three weeks. I also had an open wound issue from surgery that dragged on for six months and required two more procedures. I’ll spare you the details, but I’m finally healed.

Today, I’m considered cancer-free, but the treatments aren’t over. ER/PR positive cancers come with a 5-10 -year hormone therapy plan to block estrogen and lower the risk of recurrence. I have the 5-year plan. It’s no picnic—two different meds already wreaked havoc on my quality of life, so I stopped taking them. My body feels mostly back to normal now, but I meet with my oncologist soon to discuss starting a new drug, which, surprise, comes with more lovely side effects. More decisions. They make meds that are supposed to help you live longer but if they make you miserable is it worth it? 

Anyway. 

So what makes surviving breast cancer more difficult than overcoming alcoholism? When it comes to the booze, I’m in control. It’s my choice whether I drink or not, and it’s up to my own willpower to avoid it. Whereas cancer… I have no control. Yes, there are things I can do to help prevent its return– eating nutritious, natural foods, exercising regularly, staying physically and mentally strong, these things will definitely help. But really, if it wants to come back, it’s gonna come back. 

But you know what? Cancer won’t and hasn’t beat me. It has changed my life forever. Every day is a blessing, I am more present and full of gratitude. And as evil as cancer is, it forced me to slow down. It forced me to think and be with my own thoughts. It forced me to feel all of the emotions. And now, I feel like I’m in a better space, and that’s pretty cool. 

So, here’s my parting advice: Don’t put off your mammogram. Check yourself regularly. Cancer doesn’t wait for the right time, so you shouldn’t either. Trust me.

Why a New Chapter? A Brief Backstory

How do you define the chapters of your life? For me, they fall into big, pivotal moments:

CH 1: Childhood — Just trying to grow up and fit in.
CH 2: My Drinking Years — Yep, a solid decade of heavy drinking (wrap college in there too), ending in rehab.
CH 3: Career, Marriage — Corporate life and a 15-year relationship with a narcissist.
CH 4: Life After Cancer — A new beginning.

Chapter 4 began on February 6, 2023, when I was laid off during an 8% company-wide reduction in force (RIF) due to "economic uncertainty"—or maybe it was because of that pro golf sponsorship announced a month later. You decide. It was my second layoff in four years, and it made me question why I give my all to companies that barely notice. In today’s world of constant layoffs, does job security even exist? It hit me hard: and didn’t take long to realized once you're off payroll, it feels like you no longer exist.

Three weeks after the layoff, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was a double whammy. The last year was a tough battle, and I had a lot of time to think and allow myself to feel. And while it was easy to spiral (too much thinking can do that), my ceramics became my therapist as I fought through all the things I was facing, and finding my way through all the unknowns.

Cancer has changed me. It shattered the illusion of invincibility I once had and made me realize the true value of friendship, kindness, happiness, and prioritizing my physical and mental health. It’s brought me back to the present and reminded me to be grateful for every day.

These life events have completely reshaped my priorities. Career and money no longer matter the way they used to. My art—ceramics—has become more than a creative outlet; it’s my meditation, my healing process, my passion, and it’s where I belong.

With this clarity, I’ve decided to make my hobby my career, and in July 2024, I officially launched my ceramics business under the studio name of Yo! be nice. I’m now a full-time artist. And for the first time, I feel like I’m truly in charge of my life.

A New Chapter in My Life's Story

Blog, blog, blog, you need to blog! That’s what everyone says if you want to optimize your website and improve its success. “Just blog!” But seriously, about what? I’ve started so many blogs, each filled with a spark of ambition… and I finished none of them. Well, except that one time I accidentally posted something without realizing it. Oops. Another lesson learned.

So here I am again, staring at this blank page, thinking I need to get all "artsy fartsy," maybe talk about my sculptures and how the environment totally drives my creativity. I could say that I hug trees, dance with the wind, and dive into the seas for inspiration. Except, yeah—that’s not me.

Honestly, my creativity doesn’t come from long meditations in the forest. It comes from within. I follow my hands, I follow my heart, and inspiration finds me—often in unexpected places. That’s the real truth. It’s a blessing, one I’m incredibly grateful for, but also one that’s just… me. Nothing too grand. Just my reality.

So what have I decided to blog about? Well, it turns out I’m in the midst of a pretty big life shift. I’ve hit the “new chapter” button on my life story and it feels like I ought to share it. Maybe putting it out there will not only help me process, but maybe—just maybe—it’ll resonate with someone else.

You see, I walked away from a 6-figure corporate career to seek something more meaningful. Peace. Happiness. Health. A life that feels full instead of one that feels scripted (what brought me to this point, I will cover in later posts). And yeah, it’s terrifying and liberating all at once. So, I thought, why not talk about it? Why not let this blog be the space where I unpack it all, and together we will find out what happens next!

And here I am. Blogging about me. Just the thing an introvert wants to do—share their life with the world. But, hey, I’m giving it a shot. This could be fun, right?