My Story
From Surviving to Thriving
I grew up on a farm in a small town in northeast Missouri. I loved education, playing sports and having fun. I went from running track and cheerleading in high school to becoming an aerobics instructor in college and beyond.
I went to law school to become a trial/litigation attorney and practiced for more than 20 years. While it was a successful career, it was also really high pressure, extremely competitive, and required a lot of long hours.
Never really concerned with my health (I was a fitness buff, after all!), I indulged in a lot of bad habits: smoking, drinking, lots of caffeine, a lack of sleep, etc.
In July 2007, my world changed forever.
At 37, I was diagnosed with a very aggressive stage 3 “triple negative” breast cancer. It was scary. And the timing could not have been worse. I was recently divorced, had moved to a new town and had a new job … a lot of big “life changes” going on.
I did chemo, radiation and surgery. It saved my life but came with a price. The years that followed were no strangers to health issues: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, anxiety, an ulcer and numerous other gut issues just to name a few. As I tried to figure out what felt like a new body, I lived my life for milestones: 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and finally 10 years, when I would be considered “cured.”
Feeling pretty darn good, I then managed to tear my ACL in 2015 while skiing. Huge bummer. Between surgery, PT, and recovery, I couldn’t run or be nearly as active as I used to. So, I looked for an alternative and found a love for swimming.
In April 2017 (just 3 months shy of my 10-year diagnosis anniversary), I was hit again: Stage 2 “triple negative” breast cancer, followed by chemo, numerous surgeries, infections (ergo antibiotics), and so much more. This really did a number on me… and my gut!
The years that followed brought their own health issues: a tear in my rotator cuff, a blood clot, tendonitis surgery, and more.
I won’t bore you with all the details, but let’s just say that I am no stranger to physical therapy and I experienced a LOT of side effects along the way.
Not only was I going through challenging times, I had to endure all sorts of speedbumps along the way.
ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN A TRUE TEST.
Did I have the resilience to make it through these health issues and more?
The answer, I learned, is a resounding YES.
And you can, too.
By taking care of yourself. By eating well, exercising, and getting proper sleep. And by focusing on all things body, mind, and spirit.
Make your health a priority and be better prepared for whatever life throws at you.
If I can help you on your journey, please let me know!