Cancer Free Part 2: I Didn’t Get Here Alone

In Part One of this blog post, I shared the words I’d prayed for, hoped for, and honestly, was terrified to read: no residual carcinoma seen, lymph nodes negative, no cancer detected.

Cancer free.

For days, I thought about writing this.

The old me would have been afraid that if I told the world I was cancer free, somehow the cancer would come back. I still don’t know how many times I can say it before it fully sinks in, but I am saying it. Out loud.

The truth is, I didn’t get here alone.

Through Pink Ribbon Good, I was assigned a mentor who had my same diagnosis and had also chosen a double mastectomy. I had other mentors, too, through friends of friends. Women I had never met before, including one on the other side of the world, who heard my story, shared theirs, and helped me see what was ahead when I couldn’t see it for myself.

They understood the fear, the questions, the decisions, and the changes happening to my body. Because they were willing to be vulnerable and share their own stories, I never had to walk through this alone.

And then there was all of you. 💕

My tribe, friends on social media, my neighbors, people I went to school with, people I worked with 30 years ago, and people from every chapter of my life. You showed up with prayers, messages, laughter, encouragement, and yes, meals. How my family loves the meals!

That kind of love changes a person.

God Never Meant Us to Go It Alone

I’ve always believed that God never meant for us to go it alone. I’ve had more than my share of “stuff,” and I’m still here because of the people God has gifted me. This experience has only made that belief stronger.

The person who has already walked through something hard can’t take the journey for you, but they can offer hope and often, priceless help. They can remind you that you’re not crazy, not weak, and not alone. Sometimes they can help you find your next step forward when you’re too afraid to take it.

That’s the power of sharing our stories. It’s not about having every answer or wrapping everything up with a perfect ending. It’s about letting what you’ve lived through become a light for someone else who is still trying to find their way through the darkness.

And of course, God is the reason I’m here. We ask Him for what we want, and He listens. He doesn’t always give us exactly what we ask for, but He always provides what we need.

I know I’m blessed beyond measure to have no cancer in my body today. I also believe there has been purpose in the waiting, the quiet, the surrender, and the recovery.

Big, Fat Purpose

Apparently, He needed to get through my thick head that I don’t need to manufacture something bigger or more important to make a difference. I don’t need to chase what looks impressive. I don’t need to prove my worth by doing all “the things.”

He needed me to check my pride at the door and embrace humility. Yep, you heard me right.

And let me tell you, when you can’t take a shower by yourself, get dressed, drive a car, or literally scratch your own head, humility comes quickly.

You learn to lean on other people out of necessity.

Maybe that is the bigger lesson in all of this. The things that matter most in life are not meant to be done alone. We’re meant to lean in, receive help, and let God carry us when we can’t carry ourselves.

Fear Doesn’t Get to Be in Charge

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT

I love that verse. Not because it says we will never be afraid. I’ve definitely been afraid. I still have moments when I get ahead of myself or let my mind wander down roads it does not need to travel.

But I’m learning that fear doesn’t get to be in charge. I can acknowledge it, feel it, pray through it, and keep moving anyway.

That has been one of the greatest gifts of this season. And yes, I am using the word gift again.

Would I have asked for cancer? Absolutely not.

Do I ever want to deal with it again? Also absolutely not.

But when I look at this journey, I can see gifts everywhere. In the people who showed up. In the doctors, nurses, researchers, mentors, family, and friends who became part of my healing. In the stillness I never would have chosen, but apparently needed. In the reminder that I’m not in control, and that maybe I was never supposed to be.

What carried me here was faith, science, community, laughter, meals, prayer, and the love God delivered through so many of you.

This Is Not a Goodbye

I am still early in recovery from my double mastectomy, and I still have 12 more immunotherapy treatments ahead of me. While I technically have new boobs, they are currently somewhat deflated mini beach balls waiting to heal, expand, and decide what size they want to be when they grow up.

Then, another surgery to get my implants.

Sorry, John. There are no DDs in my future. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣

I will keep sharing as I figure out recovery, reconstruction, treatment, and whatever comes next. Not because I think I have all the answers, but because I know what it meant to me when someone else shared theirs.

Maybe you will get a laugh or two. Maybe something in my story will help you keep going. Maybe it will remind you to let someone help when you are the one facing the hard thing.

And maybe one day, you’ll share your story, too. Not because it’s all tied up in a pretty bow, but because someone else may need the hope, help, or next step that only your experience can offer.

Live It. Own It. Share It.

LIVE through the hard thing.

OWN what it shaped in you.

SHARE it so someone else doesn’t have to walk alone.

Your story is not just what happened to you. It may be the light someone else needs to take their next step forward. And I promise you will find so many gifts in return when you do.

If you know someone walking through cancer, especially someone with my diagnosis or facing a double mastectomy, please send them my way. I would be honored to connect with them and walk beside them the way others walked beside me.

For today, I’m embracing how far I’ve come.

For today, I’m beyond grateful for each of you who carried me here.

For today, I’m choosing to ShineForward✨

Stay tuned to learn H.O.W. you can join me!!

Until next time,

ShineForward✨ Friends♥️