In January of 2018 I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of almost 55.  I am the walking billboard for yearly mammograms.  New calcifications which were supposed to be nothing turned out to be HER2 positive breast cancer.  I actually asked Dr. Ripley, my primary care physician, when she said to schedule my mammogram ‘do I really need one this year?’ 

My grandmother had breast cancer twice and lost her second battle.  My mom was diagnosed in April of 2018. 

I was blessed to have a fantastic medical team just fall into my lap.  Thank you to Dr. Kolkman, Dr. Leu and Dr. Honz.  I went thru a bilateral mastectomy, chemo, 12 months of Herceptin and reconstruction.  I became aware of Project Pink’d at my first chemo appointment when I was given an amazing bag.  At the time I had no idea I would need the contents. 

I didn’t connect with Project Pink’d again until a yoga class in the winter of 2019.  I had NEVER done yoga.  The energy of being surrounded by other ladies just like me and a class leader who just exudes love and light made me know I was not in the place I wanted to be emotionally.  That hour totally filled up my emotional tank of happiness and I looked so forward to it. 

I was just surviving each day still in shock with all I had just gone thru without understanding most of it.  I applied to the Dare to Thrive renewal retreat twice.  When others who have been thru the process say it happens when it is supposed too are absolutely correct.  The second time was when I was ready.  I knew I needed to step out of my comfort zone and deal with my feelings.  In my application I said I attract wack-a-doodles into my life because I am so empathetic and needed to find some new strong friends to balance me out.  I am so excited to say I have found strong true sisters that have deeply touched my heart on this road to thriving who will be in my life forever.  The pandemic version was made for me and now I comfortably look forward to in person seeing and face to face meeting everyone!