Stories
Dropping the Warrior Label and Finding My Own Words After CancerI used to nod politely whenever someone called me a warrior. The trapeze artist image, the "you've got this" fist bump, the pink merchandise plastered on tote…
The strangest nausea remedy: a pickle and a podcastNausea has a talent for taking over a room. It does not need drama, a warning, or even a full stomach. It can arrive while you are brushing your teeth, waiting…
What my physical therapist taught me about my shoulders after cancerI went in expecting foam rollers, stretchy bands, and a list of generic stretches. What my physiotherapist handed me instead was a mirror, a tissue box, and a…
How to Make Peace With the Pink Ribbon Industrial ComplexPink ribbons are difficult to escape after a breast cancer diagnosis. They appear on supermarket shelves, charity runs, corporate social media feeds, football…
When 3 A.M. Comes Knocking and the Fear Creeps BackThe body has its own time zone for grief and worry. Around the witching hour, when the street lights have taken over and the ceiling fan ticks overhead, the…
Why I Finally Told My Boss About My DiagnosisFor a while, my breast cancer diagnosis felt like information that belonged in a locked drawer. My family knew. My medical team knew. A few trusted friends…
A Practical Guide To Building Your Post-Treatment Exercise RoutineFinishing active breast cancer treatment can bring relief, exhaustion, uncertainty and a surprising question: what does “normal” movement look like now?…
What I’d Tell My Pre-Diagnosis Self About Body ImageBefore breast cancer, I thought body image was a private conversation between me and the mirror. I imagined confidence lived in the right bra, the right…
The Guilt of Feeling Fine When Others Aren’tFeeling well after breast cancer can be surprisingly complicated. A clear scan, a normal appetite, a busy social calendar or the sudden return of energy may…
My Reconstruction Revision Diary: Week One of Swelling and DoubtRevision surgery sounds tidy when it is written on a consent form. The word suggests an adjustment, a small correction, a bit of surgical housekeeping before…