I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time.
Chapter: The Resilience Dance – Bouncing Back with Grace and Grit
On February 21, 2023, my world shifted. I was diagnosed with breast cancer—for the second time. I couldn’t believe it. I found a lump on my right breast. After 27 years of thinking I had beaten it, I was in complete shock. I stood there, flooded with fear and disbelief. Was this the end of my story, or had I caught it early enough to fight?
I took a deep breath and said, “I’ve been here before. I know what to do.” This time, I was determined to control the narrative. The first time I faced cancer, I handed over all my power to the doctors. But not this time. This time, I would be the author of my own story.
This became a lesson in resilience—a skill we all have, even if we don’t realize it. Resilience isn’t something you’re born with; it’s a muscle you can build.
When the tests came back, I learned that the cancer was at stage 1—early enough for a sigh of relief. But it still felt daunting. I knew that bouncing back was all about mindset. Staying positive wasn’t just important; it was essential. Cancer is terrifying, but I reminded myself there were people in worse situations. I couldn’t let fear take over.
Mindfulness became my anchor. As someone who teaches mindfulness, I knew this was my moment to practice what I preached. Mindfulness is about responding to challenges rather than reacting and staying in the present moment.
There were many questions, and I needed answers. So, I did what many of us do—I researched. I dove into HERS2+ and all the treatment options. After several conversations with my doctors, we developed a healing plan: chemo, a double mastectomy, reconstruction, and immunotherapy. It was a long journey—18 months—but I was ready for it.
I knew I had to make healing my top priority. My husband and I decided that I would put my business on hold. Thankfully, we run a real estate private lending company, so I didn’t have the financial pressure many women entrepreneurs face. Still, putting my business on pause was a big deal. I had to look at everything: projects, speaking engagements, collaborations. It was like spring cleaning, but for my life.
I asked myself three questions: What do I need to stop doing? What do I need to start doing? What do I need to continue doing? My goal was to stay in integrity with my partners and create a plan for when I was ready to return.
I stopped paying for memberships and apps I didn’t need and paused speaking engagements and new projects until August 2024. I started calling my partners and renegotiating timelines. But the one thing I didn’t stop? My morning routine. That was non-negotiable. My mornings set the tone for the day, kept me grounded, and gave me a sense of normalcy. No burpees, though—let’s be real—but I kept reading and journaling to stay focused and positive.
I gave myself grace. Some days, I worked around the house one or two hours; other days, I rested.
And that was okay. Flexibility became my new mantra.
Unlike the first time I faced cancer, I knew I couldn’t go through this alone. I reached out to friends and family and asked them to be part of my “yes team.” I needed people to cook for me, visit me, pray for me, and send me cards. And they all said yes. It was a beautiful reminder that we’re not meant to go through life’s toughest moments alone.
When it came to treatments, I stood my ground. If something didn’t feel right to me, I pushed back. I listened to my body and wasn’t afraid to challenge my doctors. Were there complications along the way? Absolutely. But I adapted and kept moving forward.
Finally, on June 21, 2024, I had my last infusion. I’m now cancer-free. I feel strong and grateful. But even as I celebrate being cancer-free, I’m still reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned through this journey.
I read a lot about longevity, creativity, and staying relevant during this time. From that, I started developing a program for women over 45 on how to stay relevant in mind, body, soul, and industry.
Oh, and I also picked up clay pottery! It’s been a beautiful way to tap into my creativity and find peace.
Teaching Resilience to the Next Generation
So, how do we pass on resilience to the next generation? It’s all about showing them that adversity is part of life. As Brené Brown says, “You either walk inside your story and own it, or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.” Here’s how we can help them own their stories:
1. Manage Your Mindset: When adversity strikes, don’t panic. Take a breath and stay positive. And remember, someone out there is in a tougher situation.
2. Pause and Assess: Step back and evaluate how this adversity impacts your business or life. Don’t rush to make decisions.
3. Create a Plan: Ask yourself what you need to start doing, stop doing, and continue doing. Be flexible with your plan and open to change.
4. Build Your Team: Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Bring in help when you need it. It really does take a village.
5. Practice Self-Care: Stick to your routines. If you don’t have one, create one. Meditate, exercise, read, and set your priorities for the day. Connect with nature, eat well, and get enough sleep. Give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned. Free download on self-care habits: https://www.majesticcoachinggroup.com/self-carehabits
6. Perfection Isn’t the Goal: Your bounce back won’t be perfect—and that’s okay. As the Japanese proverb says, “Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
7. Find the Silver Lining: There’s always a lesson in adversity, even if it’s hard to see.
Look for it.
Resilience isn’t about returning to who you were before the challenge. It’s about growing into who you’re meant to be. My journey taught me that resilience is a dance—a dance with life’s unexpected twists and turns. And through it all, we learn to find our rhythm and keep moving forward.
Are you ready to share your story of RESILIENCE? You can do that HERE.