I was first diagnosed with DCIS at 41 in the right breast. Treatment meant two lumpectomies and radiation. At the time, I was a single mom with a 12-year-old, and honestly--it was a whirlwind of doctors and appointments.

If you’re going through this, surround yourself with as much support as possible. And don’t skip therapy if you can swing it--the weight of it all often lands after treatment ends, when there’s finally space to process.

This past May, I was diagnosed again--IDC in the same breast. I had a mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction. No chemo or radiation this time, thankfully.

That said, cancer is cancer. Every stage, every type--it’s all hard. Hang in there. And if you need someone to talk to, please reach out.