SELISE

At 38, I was living a life I loved, filled with adventure, meaningful relationships, and experiences that made me feel alive. Breast cancer was never something I imagined would become part of my story, yet suddenly I found myself navigating an unfamiliar world of medical decisions, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The diagnosis brought uncertainty, but it also gave me an unexpected sense of clarity about what mattered most. I wasn't willing to put my life on hold. From the beginning, I was determined to continue embracing life, finding joy in the everyday moments, and holding onto the things that made me who I was.

Throughout treatment, I continued working, traveling, hiking, celebrating milestones, and making memories with the people I loved. It wasn't always easy, and I certainly wasn't positive every day, but I refused to let cancer become my entire identity. I learned that strength isn't about pretending everything is fine. It's about allowing yourself to be vulnerable, asking for help when you need it, and finding the courage to keep showing up for yourself. I also learned the importance of advocating for my own health, asking questions, trusting my instincts, and surrounding myself with people who supported my choices. The love and generosity I received along the way reminded me that even the most independent among us don't have to face life's challenges alone.

Cancer has changed my perspective, but it hasn't changed my desire to live fully. If anything, it's reinforced how precious our time really is. I want to spend less energy worrying about things that don't matter and more time exploring the world, nurturing meaningful relationships, and saying yes to experiences that bring me joy. And while treatment may end, healing doesn't necessarily follow the same timeline. I'm still learning, growing, and giving myself grace along the way.

To anyone facing a breast cancer diagnosis, I hope you'll remember that there is no one right way to navigate this experience. Educate yourself, advocate for your needs, lean on the people who love you, and give yourself permission to feel everything: the fear, frustration, gratitude, laughter, and joy. Most importantly, don't lose sight of the person you were before your diagnosis or the life you still want to create. Cancer may become part of your story, but it doesn't have to define the rest of it.

ALEXIS

Before the results even came back, I knew I had cancer. My intuition rang before my phone did. But that didn’t make the words “you have breast cancer” any easier to hear. As soon as I hung up, I completely fell apart.

For a few days, I allowed myself to be consumed by immense sadness, rage, and fear. It was part of my strategy. By letting the biggest waves of those emotions break, I created space for a stronger mindset: I will win. Cancer will not take over my life. This is going down my way.

This diagnosis affected my two little girls, ages 8 and 3, in different ways. While my youngest may not remember much, my oldest understands more than she should have to. I’m fighting for my daughters so they grow up understanding that life throws punches, but we fight back and never let it knock us out. I also hope they’ve felt the deep, genuine love and concern people have shown our family, and that one day, they extend that same kind of care to someone else.

My advice to other warriors: Find your village, educate yourself, and never feel guilty about asking questions or challenging your care team. Lean into family and friends who are willing to help, and connect with other survivors. While we shouldn’t have to fight this battle, I have learned that women were built to withstand far more than we give ourselves credit for. By lifting each other up and creating sacred space to share our stories, we create a healing power just as important as medicine.

My treatment journey is not done yet, but I am forever changed. There will always be the me before cancer and the me now. You don’t return to normal, even as the world around you does. Fear and anxiety declared their permanence in my scars, but I am slowly arriving at the place where more moments than not are filled with light and joy and sparkle again.

I am not what happened to me. I am simply stronger, and a more intentional version of myself, because of it.

DIANE

Over the past 25+ years, I would participate, run, or walk in many breast cancer organization events. In October 2005, these events took on a much deeper meaning as I became the 1 in 8 women afflicted with breast cancer. It has been 21 years since I faced the breast cancer battle.

Inside, I still hold the many emotions I felt: the ups & downs of the diagnosis, numerous tests, treatments, the lumpectomy that wasn’t “clean” enough, a mastectomy that followed, with weeks of chemotherapy after surgical healing. Losing my hair was par for the course, but the other meds had side effects I dealt with. Through my medical issues, I had faith and remained positive with all my doctors. I had complete confidence in my oncologist.

After 5 years of follow-ups, my doctor told me I didn’t have to see her anymore: “You have graduated.” Funny thing, ya? I should have been thrilled, but I had a lost feeling :\ Currently, I do have a wonderful personal physician! You come to realize one’s healthcare is of utmost importance!!! Also, know your family’s medical history! I am fortunate and grateful to be surrounded by caring and loving family and friends during my journey… of a full life!

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH! I can’t stress enough the importance of getting a mammogram! Take care of your girls… get those chichis checked!!!

SHANNON

I'm so lucky! It's been 11 years since I heard the words "you have breast cancer." I still remember the very moment. You hear "cancer" and everything else seems to disappear.

Mine was caught early, and even though I was scared, I think I always knew in my heart that I would be okay. I'm so lucky!

So many different doctors, appointments, tests and scans ... and waiting ... waiting for results, waiting for the phone call, waiting to find out what comes next. If you know, you know! Your mind goes places you don't want it to go.

I got through it. I have the battle scars. And somehow, 11 years have passed. I wish I could say the fear is completely gone. It isn't. There's a little voice: What if it comes back? You don't forget. There are constant reminders ... family, friends, sisters who are being diagnosed, hearing stories, seeing pink ribbons ... and for a moment, I'm right back there.

It's part of my story. I feel grateful. I'm here. I'm lucky!

Yes, I'm a breast cancer survivor. I know not everyone gets the outcome I did. I'm so incredibly lucky!

CAROLINE

While my season with breast cancer was one of the most difficult, it showed me God’s grace and faithfulness, the incredible power of prayer, and the immense love from my friends and family. I will be forever grateful.