INTRODUCTION:

In 2023, I found myself standing at a crossroads that would forever change the trajectory of my life. When I heard the word “cancer” - that dreaded, loaded “c” word - it reverberated through my entire being, echoing fears I had witnessed in others but never truly expected to face myself. Despite a decades-long career in fitness and nutrition, no amount of expertise could shield me from the raw vulnerability that diagnosis brings. Yet, it was precisely this foundation of knowledge and experience that gave me the courage to approach my healing journey on my own terms.

THE CHOICE: FORGING MY OWN PATH

Upon receiving my diagnosis of breast cancer, I was immediately presented with the conventional path: chemotherapy, radiation, and the array of allopathic treatments widely prescribed as the standard of care. However, my intimate understanding of the human body - built over thirty years of study and practice - instinctively recoiled at these options. I understood the profound impact such treatments could have at the cellular level, and I knew, deep within, that I could not subject my body to this route, no matter the cost or outcome.

Instead, I resolved to seek another way. This determination was not made lightly; it meant wrestling with uncertainty and with the weight of expectation from both the medical community and those around me. But I was adamant that a cookie-cutter approach would not serve me. Each body, after all, is unique -a tapestry woven of individual genetics, history, and spirit. My journey would have to be as singular as I am.

DIGGING DEEP: EMBRACING HOLISTIC AND FUNCTIONAL APPROACHES

With resolve as my compass, I embarked on a deep exploration of holistic and functional medicine. I immersed myself in research, sought out practitioners whose philosophies resonated with mine, and crafted a healing plan grounded in nutrition, supplementation, mind-body wellness, and faith. Every day came an act of devotion to my own wellbeing - a deliberate, sometimes arduous, but always hopeful practice of self-restoration.

For nine months, I committed fully to this path. I made changes both external and internal, nourishing my body with Whole Foods, supporting my immune system with targeted therapies, and tending to my emotional and spiritual needs. The process was not without its challenges; there were moments of doubt, fatigue, and fear. But there was also an undercurrent of trust; trust in the Lord, trust in my body’s innate wisdom, heart and mind, trust in the process, and above all, trust in the grace that I felt guiding each step.

THE MIRACLE OF HEALING

At the nine-month mark, it was time for a new set of mammograms. I approached the appointment with a blend of anxiety and hope, aware of how much had changed not just within my body, but within my heart and mind. The results were nothing short of miraculous. Of the fourteen tumors that had once threatened my health, all had completely dissipated - except for the original palpable mass, which had shrunk from a daunting 7 centimeters down to just 2 centimeters. My body, aided by holistic medicine, nutrition, and faith, was healing.

I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude - toward God, for the healing grace bestowed upon me; toward my body, for its resilience; and toward myself, for honoring my intuition and forging a path that felt true.

AN UNEXPECTED CROSSROADS

Just as I was approaching the final stretch of my healing journey, fate intervened in an unexpected way. During my mammogram, the radiological technician inadvertently ruptured one of my silicone breast implants. Suddenly, my focus shifted; the risk of silicone migrating systemically throughout my body posed a new and urgent threat.

After consulting with my oncology doctor, it became clear: both implants would need to be removed. The surgery was not only medically necessary but essential for the continuation of my healing. Though it was a setback, it was also an act of liberation - a final step in reclaiming my body, its health, and its wholeness.

REFLECTION AND MOVING FORWARD

Looking back, the journey through breast cancer has been a crucible - a place where fear, hope, pain, and transformation converged. The path was far from linear, and it depended every ounce of courage I could muster. But it was also profoundly instructive. I learned that healing is both an art and a science, that intuition has a place alongside expertise, and that surrender does not mean giving up, but rather, allowing oneself to be guided by faith and love.

Today, I share my story as a testament to resilience and the power of choice. For those who stand at their own crossroads, know this; you are not alone. Your journey is yours to chart. Whether you choose conventional medicine, holistic healing, or a blend of both, honor your intuition and your body’s unique needs. There is hope, even in the darkest stretches of the road.

CONCLUSION

Cancer changed my life, but it did not define it. Through this journey, I found new depths of strength, renewed purpose, and an abiding sense of gratitude for each new day. My healing journey continues - not just in body, but in mind & spirit - and I walk forward, ever grateful, ever hopeful, ever transformed. Because of this transformation, Matrix Health & Wellness is born.