Age 41, I was just hitting my stride—teaching fitness and chasing my two little girls through their final toddler days. Routine wellness checkups were just that—routine. Until June 2021, when my second breast exam paused everything.The mammogram was clear, but the wand stopped during the breast ultrasound.

Three weeks of waiting. A painful biopsy. And on August 5th I heard the words that shattered life as I knew it, “you have cancer.” In that instant, I went from living to surviving. I stopped living life and unconsciously began preparing for death. Once treatment began, time morphed into pain, sickness, and surviving one day at a time. A storm of scans, bloodwork, treatments, and surgeries. Sixteen rounds of chemotherapy. Fifty-two weeks of targeted therapy drugs. Bi-lateral mastectomy. Reconstruction surgeries. My body broke. My strength tested. There were days I could barely sip water. My skin burned from the inside out. I hallucinated. Fell mentally paralyzed from fear, and experienced regular panic attacks. I wrote through the pain, pouring out fear, rage, and sometimes hope.

Sunflowers became my symbol. I filled my home with them—real and fake, blooming reminders to turn toward the light. Even on the darkest days, I found beauty in survival. Cancer came for everything—my hair, body, dignity, life. But it couldn’t touch my spirit. I am still shining bright and fighting—not just to survive life but to thrive through it. There was no triumphant return to “normal.” There is only the “new normal” — one where every day feels borrowed, and gratitude for the most minor things runs deeper than ever before. I am actively building my brand, Bootjack Girl, while creating meaningful resources for those navigating hardship. I am publishing my first book and continue to bloom wildly.

Cancer taught me how to find gratitude in hate and fear. I thank cancer for many things, like this perspective. Cancer connected me with myself, and deeply connected my kids to their family. Cancer slowed the pace of life and placed my priorities where my heart is the happiest. Cancer showed me when there is a flicker of hope, perseverance can still shine. I learned you can cherish the now not just memories. Cancer gave me the strength to power through conflict, and proved advocating for yourself is a survival skill. I’m convinced cancer slapped me silly so I would reconnect with my spirit and never lose sight of her. Since cancer, the little things in life are truly fascinating, the ability to appreciate the mundane is something to brag about, and happiness really is everything. Cancer taught me how to stand tall like a sunflower to always see the light in darkness

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