05/15/2026
Vancouver: May 15, 2023
Today's the 3rd anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis. I took this photo an hour after my doctor confirmed my suspicions with the biopsy results. I was expecting this news, and had arranged to take the day off work (haha, and then I never returned!), as I was already a hot mess on Friday when I got the call to make the appointment with my doctor for first thing Monday morning.
What started as a pain in my left breast shortly after my 39th birthday progressed to a thick area, a lump, a dimple, and the distinct orange peel texture over the course of nine months. Yes, nine months. It's something that I will never forget. The fear, the anxiety, the doubt and the agonizing wait.
How I almost didn't trust my body that there might be something wrong.
How I had to push my family doctor to send me for diagnostic imaging.
How I waited 2 months for imaging.
How I waited 4 months for a biopsy and became absolutely unhinged.
I'm not proud of my last day at the office. I was angry, argumentative, and trying so hard to hold onto the last shred of control that I had in my life. No one really knew or understood what I was about to face.
My breasts have been problematic my whole life.
Too big, too pendulous, too awkward, and now, one was trying to kill me.
The early days of my diagnosis were wild. There were more questions than answers, and I wasn't ready to share with everyone until I, myself, knew more. What would treatment be? How long would I be gone from work? Would I lose my breast? Was it curable? How and why did this happen?
Despite the delays and the concerning diagnosis, I was in a place of extreme privilege. My career in intimate apparel had prepared me for some of the realities that I might encounter, so breast preservation was important to me. Being Canadian, having excellent employer health benefits, and living in Vancouver, only 3 bus stops away from the cancer clinic, was fortuitous.
There were also many challenges.
I was alone. No partner, no family nearby.
I was struggling with burnout.
Anxiety, depression, anger and grief consumed me, and I allowed myself to detach and spend 2 years in bed. Resting, recovering. Treatment took everything out of me, and from me.
I share my breast cancer story because I find it powerful. I've done *so many* hard things in life, and facing cancer hasn't been the hardest. It's redirected me and my energy back into helping people, and I think it's wild that 'the bra lady got breast cancer.' And in only 3 years, things are so far from where I ever anticipated them to be!
I've never thought 'why me?', but always 'why not me?'
As a storyteller type, I know that my breast cancer experience can do some good.
So, I encourage you to check your chest, know the symptoms, and advocate for yourself. No one else will do it.
