5 Things I Did to Make Surgery Recovery at Home Easier
Two Septembers in a row (2023 & 2024), I spent the end of the month preparing for breast cancer related surgeries.
After my double mastectomy, I shared 6 products I bought that made recovery easier.
But I also learned that getting your home ready in advance can make a huge difference in how smoothly recovery goes.
Embracing Change, One Season at a Time
Fall reminds us that change is constant… cooler weather, shorter days, leaves letting go.
And just like the season, some changes in life are beautiful, while others feel impossible to accept.
I know that feeling all too well.
Starting a Gratitude Routine is as Easy as 1-2-3
September 21 is World Gratitude Day, and the perfect time to start a new gratitude routine!
When something so simple has so many amazing health benefits, there is no excuse not to.
How a Simple Approach Can Help Solve Life’s Toughest Problems
I never thought my User Experience (UX) design skills would help me survive cancer.
As a UX designer, I rely on a structure known as a user story to solve problems by framing a need from the user’s perspective…
How One Small Step Can Become One Big Spark
September 15 is International Dot Day—a celebration of creativity, courage, and connection inspired by the book The Dot.
Vashti sat in art class staring at a blank paper, convinced she couldn’t draw. But her teacher told her:
“Just make a mark and see where it takes you.”
How I Redefined Positive Thinking During Cancer
September 13 is “Positive Thinking Day.”
Thinking positive is not about needing to BE positive all the time, especially when facing a major health challenge like cancer.
Because let’s be real: a cancer diagnosis is the furthest thing from positive.
What Ringing the Bell Meant to Me
This week marks 2 years since one of the most emotional milestones of my life: ringing the bell after 18 weeks of chemotherapy. 🔔
Before my breast cancer diagnosis, I thought the bell was just a nice tradition. But being in the cancer center every 3 weeks for months taught me it’s so much more.
Celebrating 2 Years Since Finishing Chemo
When doctors told me I’d have to endure 4.5 months of chemotherapy with dozens of potential side effects, it felt impossible.
But today I’m celebrating 2 years since finishing chemo—proud, grateful, and stronger than I ever imagined.
Paint One Nail, Start the Conversation
September is Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder to know your risk, learn the signs, and share the knowledge with your mother, sister, daughter, and friends.
Did you know there are five gynecological cancers women should be aware of?
How to Advocate for the Best Care, No Matter the Diagnosis
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is overwhelming—countless decisions to make and so much urgency.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I met with a care team at a good, local hospital. They walked me through the next steps, but something didn’t feel right.
Love Makes Bravery Possible
I stumbled on this quote on a simple greeting card, but it stopped me in my tracks.
Cancer patients are often told they’re “so brave.” But what does that really mean?
Making Space for Grief and for Healing
Grief touches millions of Americans every year, and tomorrow—on National Grief Awareness Day—we take time to acknowledge that truth.
This day isn’t just about mourning loved ones. Grief can come from many kinds of loss.
3 Simple Ways to Give Yourself a Fresh Start for Back-to-School Season
Whether you’ve got kids in school or you’re leading the classroom, back-to-school season brings new routines. And with Fall right around the corner, even more changes are coming.
The best way to move through this busy season? Focus on small habits that help you feel good from the inside out.
When You Can’t Find the Words, Give a Hug
I may not be a doctor, but I do know this: one of the best cures when you’re struggling or feeling down is a hug. 🤗
Hugs aren’t just comforting emotionally—they also do magical things for your body…
Confidence and a Cause: Celebrating Women’s Wellness
As a breast cancer survivor, I’ve learned wellness is about more than physical health—it’s about confidence, self-care, and feeling good in your own skin.
That’s why I own and am so inspired by CAKES body®. Their products are designed by women, for women, to help us feel “flattered, free, & fearless in any outfit.”
Obstacles Don’t Have to Stop You
Obstacles are part of every journey. The biggest ones can appear suddenly, feel overwhelming, and test our strength, creativity, and resilience.
When we see them as enormous, immovable mountains, fear and negativity can take over.
Together, We Can Stand Up To Cancer
Sheryl Crow hosted Stand Up To Cancer’s 9th televised fundraising special with “Nashville’s biggest stars alongside cancer researchers and survivors for a night of music, inspiration, and hope.”
SU2C’s model focuses on collaborative research across institutions and disciplines so researchers and scientists can work toward a shared goal: beat cancer.
How the Right Mentor Makes the Unknown Less Scary
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 39, I craved connection with someone who had truly been in my shoes—a married mom of young kids, managing a team at work, facing a similar diagnosis and treatment.
I needed more than sympathy. I needed guidance, hope, and proof that I could get through this.
What I Learned in the Trenches of Breast Cancer
When you’re deep in the trenches, whether it’s cancer treatment or another battle, it can be hard to see the light ahead.
The hours crawl and hopelessness sets in. Sometimes it takes everything you have to fight back tears or get from one breath to the next.
Why Sun Safety is a Must for Survivors
As a breast cancer survivor, my journey didn’t end when treatment did. Survivorship means continued strength, and continued vigilance.
One reality many survivors face is an increased risk of second primary cancers, including melanoma.