Meet Amanda

In the fall of 2016, I found a lump in my armpit and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 34. My cancer had spread to my lymph nodes and that is what I felt. After a long year of chemo, surgery, and radiation, I am cancer-free. Unfortunately, with the diagnosis of cancer comes the mental health roller coaster along with the physical aspect. Since my diagnosis, I have had a hard time trying hard to not let my cancer diagnosis be my most defining attribute. I applied for the Dare to Thrive Retreat to help me move past it. When someone asks me to tell them about myself, I don't want "cancer survivor" to be the first thing that pops into my mind. Cancer is something that has recently shaped me, but it shouldn't be the most important. I am a proud wife and boy mom, those two things are the most important. I just need some help remembering that and moving forward.