Haley (February)
In my heart, I knew. About a month before my official diagnosis, I had felt the lumps. Deep down, I sensed what was coming, but I was afraid to admit it. The day I was diagnosed confirmed what I had already feared: a battle was about to begin, and from that moment on, my daughters' lives would be forever changed.
There were hard days, but I found strength in connection. Whether it was through B the Light, my mother, is a breast cancer survivor, conversations with other survivors, or women my age going through the same thing on TikTok, I found comfort in knowing I wasn’t alone. Relating to others helped me navigate the ups and downs in ways I never expected.
Throughout this journey, kindness showed up in the most beautiful ways. There were gift baskets, unexpected meals from friends, being an honorary member at a MNSU game, and even a fundraiser hosted by Minnesota Power Athletics. Each act of generosity reminded me just how loved and supported I was. Those moments carried me forward.
And surprisingly, there were parts of this experience that turned out differently than I had feared. For example, losing my hair wasn’t nearly as traumatic as I imagined; it became a lighthearted moment, filled with laughter and smiles with my daughters and husband.
One of the things I did was record my journey through video. Capturing the reality of it all helped me process each stage and hold on to my sanity.
Right now, I’m healing from radiation and my second surgery. My days are full of family, of time spent at my cheer gym, and of trying to strike the right balance in this new version of life.
My perspective has certainly shifted, although in many ways it began years ago. When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 201, I learned early on how precious life is. I’ve always valued time. This journey has taught me something new: vulnerability is not weakness. It takes real strength to say, “I’m not okay.”
To me, being a survivor means putting your best foot forward - even if the other one isn’t quite ready to move. It means being proud of how far you've come and recognizing the battles you’ve already fought and won.
I wish more people knew how much cancer can take from you, not just physically, but emotionally. I’ve learned that keeping a positive mindset throughout it all can make a huge difference.
To someone newly diagnosed, my first instinct would be to answer any questions they have. Beyond that, my advice is this: use the resources available to you, stay active, and remain involved in your community. Those connections are lifelines.
And finally, to B the Light - thank you. You've been such a big part of my journey.