My October Gift

In a world overflowing with designated days—some sweet like National Candy Corn Day, others silly like Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day, or deeply significant like Breast Cancer Awareness Month—there’s a reminder that behind every cause, every ribbon, is a real story. And sometimes, those stories hit closer to home than we expect. For many, breast cancer awareness isn’t just a yearly reminder but an ever-present part of life.

I know this intimately. I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer three times since 2001. Each diagnosis brought with it new challenges, but it also deepened my understanding of life, reshaping my perspective. Breast cancer, as daunting as it sounds, became part of my own Transformational Soul Story—a story not of loss, but of growth, resilience, and gratitude.

October, once only my favorite month for the crisp air and golden leaves, also marks a pivotal chapter in my life. I vividly remember that evening in 2001. My birthday had just passed, and I was sorting through cards, letters, and bills when I stumbled upon a clinic letter bearing unsettling news. The familiar joy of fall was interrupted by the cold, clinical words of an abnormal mammogram. Suddenly, life shifted. I was no longer "normal," thrust into a reality where I was defined by test results and appointments.

The news was delivered via a form letter, a red X indicating something was wrong. It felt impersonal—like a number, not a person. I was confused, scared, and in desperate need of human connection, yet my first encounter with this life-changing diagnosis was cold and distant. A phone call, a kind word, could have made a world of difference. I was more than a statistic, but that wasn’t how it felt.

Fast forward 21 birthdays, three surgeries, and countless appointments later, and here I am, still standing. My cancer was subtle, described as "a grain of sand in the Sahara," and each time it was discovered, I faced it head-on. I have a deep respect for the medical community, but I also learned that recovery isn’t just about medicine. It's about embracing alternative healing and discovering tools like creativity, which became one of my greatest allies.

Breast cancer is just one part of my story. But here’s the beautiful truth: we all have a transformational soul story. Yours doesn’t need to start with a diagnosis or a life-altering moment. It could begin with joy—a graduation, a wedding, the birth of a child. These moments spark a change, an "Ah Ha" that propels us forward. And it’s that shift, that realization, that holds the power to transform us.

The life you champion should be your own. Yes, I am thankful for my cancer journey. As strange as that sounds, it has given me clarity, a deeper understanding of what truly matters. It’s taught me to share my gifts, to make a difference, and to encourage others to do the same. Why wait for a crisis to uncover your potential? The world is waiting for your story, your unique message of hope, resilience, and transformation.

You are the only one who has lived your life, with its ups and downs, its triumphs and struggles. That is your story, your power. And it’s worth sharing.

If you're ready to discover your own Transformational Soul Story, let's talk. The world needs your voice. Your story can make a difference—just like mine has.