My Cancer Journey: The Diagnosis
Finding Strength, Rising Above Fear, and Learning from Cancer
In life, we all face moments that test us—moments that push us to the brink and force us to confront the deepest fears within ourselves. For me, that moment came with a cancer diagnosis. It was unexpected, terrifying, and a wake-up call that I never thought I’d have to answer. I felt the vulnerability of being human in a way I had never experienced before. But through that fear and uncertainty, I found strength I didn’t know I had.
In my last podcast, I opened up about this journey, sharing not just the pain and the physical challenges but also the emotional rollercoaster that came with it. Facing cancer wasn’t just about battling the disease—it was about facing my fears head-on, embracing vulnerability, and learning to trust myself in ways I had never done before.
The Moment That Changed Everything
I had put off getting a mammogram, like so many of us do. I had all the excuses in the world—fear of the discomfort, the worry about exposing myself to radiation. And with a lump I didn’t believe was serious, I convinced myself that I was fine. But deep down, there was this whisper, this nagging thought that I had to take action.
When I finally went in for that mammogram, the fear became real. The discomfort of the procedure was nothing compared to the emotional weight I felt. It was a surreal experience—being squeezed and pulled in different directions, both physically and emotionally. It was then that I realized, for the first time, that this wasn’t just about me hoping everything was fine. This was about confronting reality.
During one of those painful squeezes, the technician and I both noticed a greenish discharge from my nipple. My heart sank. In that moment, fear hit me like a tidal wave. I could no longer tell myself that it was nothing. This was real, and I had to face it. I sat in that small room, wearing a paper-thin vest, feeling more exposed and vulnerable than ever before. The waiting, the back-and-forth between mammograms and ultrasounds, the unknown—it was emotionally draining. But I knew I couldn’t run from it anymore.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
There were moments when the emotions hit harder than the physical pain. After my diagnosis, I found myself in a whirlwind of doctor visits, tests, and treatment plans. Some days, I felt like I was doing everything right—facing the fear, and staying strong. On other days, I felt completely overwhelmed. I remember one night, after a particularly difficult day, I broke down. I let myself cry, really cry, for the first time since my diagnosis. The weight of it all—the uncertainty, the fear, the vulnerability—felt crushing. I realized in those moments that it’s okay to not have it all together. It’s okay to be vulnerable. Cancer had stripped away my defenses, and for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t pretending to be invincible. I allowed myself to feel the rawness of it all. And that’s where I found my strength—within my vulnerability.
Telling Cancer I Loved It
There’s a moment that stands out for me—one that not everyone might understand. As I processed the reality of having cancer, something in me shifted. I remember one day, in the quiet of my own mind, I told cancer, "I love you." I know that sounds strange, but I said it out loud, like I was speaking to this thing inside me. I didn’t mean I loved the pain or the fear, but I came to this place of understanding that cancer had come into my life for a reason.
I told cancer that I trusted it had a great purpose for me. And that was one of the most vulnerable moments of my life. It wasn’t about surrendering to the disease; it was about trusting that even in the hardest of times, there’s a deeper meaning, a purpose that I may not fully understand yet. I didn’t know what that purpose was in the moment, but I trusted that it would reveal itself to me in time. By making peace with my diagnosis and trusting that there was something to learn from this experience, I took back my power. I realized that I didn’t need to fight cancer with anger or fear—I could face it with love, with trust, and with the belief that this was part of my journey. That shift in mindset was transformative for me.
Rising Above Fear
As I moved through the phases of diagnosis and treatment, I realized something powerful: fear only has power over us if we allow it to. Yes, it was scary to face the unknown, to undergo procedures, to sit in waiting rooms with bated breath. But in the process of facing that fear, I discovered a well of resilience inside me. And I learned to trust myself. Fear doesn’t have to paralyze us. Like the acronym—FEAR: Face Everything and Rise—I chose to rise above. I chose to take the steps necessary to fight for my health, and more importantly, I chose to trust that I had the strength to get through whatever came my way.
Learning to Trust My Body
With so many options, conflicting advice from doctors, and the constant stream of unsolicited advice from others about what I should or shouldn’t do, I realized that the most important thing I could do was calm my mind and tune into my body and spirit. Amidst all the noise, I got to quiet the external voices and listen to the one that mattered most—my own.
It wasn’t easy. Everyone seemed to have an opinion, and the contradictions were overwhelming at times. But deep down, I knew that no one could understand my body the way I could. I got to trust that inner wisdom, that deep intuition guiding me toward what was best for me. It became less about doing what others thought was right and more about making choices that resonated with me—choices that aligned with my body’s needs and my spirit’s path.
By tuning into my body, I learned to recognize when something didn’t feel right and to act on that feeling, even if it didn’t make sense to others. I let go of the fear of judgment, knowing that I was the one living in this body, and I alone could make the best decisions for my health. In doing so, I found an incredible sense of empowerment, and with it came peace.
Taking Proactive Steps for Your Health
For those who haven’t faced a diagnosis like mine, I urge you—please don’t wait for a wake-up call. Take proactive steps to care for yourself now. Get the tests you’ve been putting off. Prioritize your health in everything you do. Preventative care can be the difference between catching something early or being blindsided later.
Even though I caught my cancer early, I still wonder—what if I had done this sooner? Could I have spared myself some of the pain? These thoughts cross my mind, but I don’t dwell on them. I know that the real victory lies in moving forward, learning from the past, and continuing to prioritize my health.
Trust Yourself, Trust Your Body
The greatest lesson I’ve learned through my journey is the importance of tuning in to yourself. You know your body better than anyone else ever will. With so much conflicting advice, unsolicited opinions, and medical options, it can be overwhelming to figure out what’s right. But amidst the noise, the most valuable guidance comes from within. Trust that inner voice—the one that knows what feels right and what doesn’t.
Do your research, explore different solutions, and find the path that resonates with you. At the end of the day, it’s about making the decisions that align with your intuition, values, and what feels good for you. You have the wisdom to choose what’s best for your life and health. When you take the time to listen, you’ll realize that the answers you’re looking for are already inside of you.
I invite you to allow me to be your coach on this journey of self-discovery and health. As your coach, I’ll assist you in tuning into your body, learn to trust your inner wisdom, and finding the solutions that fit your unique needs and life. I won’t tell you what you should do. Instead, I’ll guide you to discover your own answers and empower you to make choices that feel good to you, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Together, we’ll create a path toward lasting health, joy, and balance. Schedule a free consultation here.
I also encourage you to tune into the latest episode of the Radiate Health and Wellness Podcast, on SPOTIFY, or YouTube, where I open my heart and share some of my most vulnerable moments—how I faced cancer, the emotional rollercoaster, the lessons I’ve learned, and the tools I used to navigate this difficult journey.
For more guidance, my books are here to support you. Discover the Adventure of You is designed to assist you in finding your core values, uncovering your true beliefs, and tuning into your authentic self. It’s a roadmap for anyone looking to live a life in alignment with who they truly are.
Health BEAMS serves as a practical guide to a happier, healthier lifestyle and proactive disease prevention. It will assist you to cultivate habits and make decisions that light the way to greater health and vitality.
Together, we can work toward discovering the best version of yourself—trusting your body, trusting your journey, and Radiateing Health and Wellness along the way.
