Supporting a family member or friend going through cancer does not have to mean going it alone or require searching on how best to support them any further.  We recommend an active support role and not sending them information that may overwhelm the further.  They have a lot on their plate navigating the day-to-day through cancer.  Our interactive community offers an interactive place for meaningful conversations and questions.  See more here

When Maggie was diagnosed with breast cancer, she began creating different tools to help her navigate all of the change because she couldn't find them elsewhere.  She is on a mission to help those going through breast cancer (and those supporting them) by sharing what she created via an interactive, private community by answering questions and holding meaningful conversations.  LoveME Healing also offers a Healing Practice with bonus materials.

In November 2020, I was diagnosed with Triple Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (ER+, PR+, HER2+).   Prior to cancer, I was buzzing along working 50-60 hours a week, trying to squeeze in exercising in my home gym, and fulfilling my roles as wife, mom, daughter, friend, and so forth.  My days were FULL.  The breast cancer diagnosis became an unexpected, sudden, required detour. 

How did I feel about all of this?  Well, I feared chemotherapy.  I initially rejected the idea of having radiation.  I wanted to pursue a full mastectomy so I never had to face this cancer again.  There was a sense of fear and worry in me - almost bigger than the cancer itself!  However I did want the cancer OUT of me so I asked a lot of questions of my medical team and after many consultations I leaned into trusting that the steps would be successful.  Ultimately, I did 6 rounds of chemotherapy treatments, a lumpectomy surgery, followed by 20 radiation sessions, and 14 more chemotherapy treatments.  

In my first chemo session in November of 2020, I had to face the chair and treatment alone due to COVID protocols.  I had to find a way to keep my mind and body calm.  I wanted my body to accept the treatment and combat the cancer.  I used music, journaling, meditation and prayer to get through that day (and all the days to follow).  

Part of my healing journey included learning to hold love and self-compassion for how I looked going through it all.  I spent a lot of energy fearing the loss of my hair, eyebrows, eyelashes... and once it was all gone... I realized that how I looked wasn't everything...I was still beautiful and worthy of this precious life I had. I was remembering my story, my identity, my strengths and all of the things I loved.  None of it had to do with my hair. 

A very wise friend of mine suggested talking to other women that have been through breast cancer themselves.  There are several websites on cancer that serve as great resources. I am not denying that. But I value personal, meaningful connection and I preferred to talk to those who have experience with what I was facing and were willing to answer my questions. The names and stories of others with breast cancer dripped in from family, friends, colleagues...and soon I had over 20 connections to make.  Those connections were so valuable to me.  I learned so much from each and every one of these brave humans.  I didn't feel so alone.  I saw so much value in a positive, uplifting community from others helping me through my questions and fears.

Through all of this (and quickly at the beginning), I realized there were lessons for me to learn.  One of the biggest was that I realized that cancer happened FOR me and not TO me.   I needed to prioritize time to take care of ME and shift from some old beliefs and habits that were no longer serving me.

I believe and see now that I entered this cancer journey as one person and am exiting as another person.  Cancer was devastating, but the healing journey has been transformational.  What I learned along the way, and what I created from leveraging my previous career experience as a leader in creating tools for teams and solving business problems together... has become my life's work and passion forward with LoveME Healing.  

You can learn more about me and my healing journey here.

I have been asked this question so many times while on my breast cancer journey by others and myself.   I have had some time to ponder this.  Healing for me has been finding and nurturing meaningful connection with my whole self... the physical body, the emotional mind, and the spiritual being.  And this healing is never done. It is not a box I get to check.  I am healing through my daily choices, my ongoing habits, and learning to love myself - as I am... with loving compassion and kindness.