Rise Up From Breast Cancer
When people go through hardship, they’re not just more motivated to help others in many situations. They often want to help people in exactly the way that they have been hurt. Helping people through the trauma that you’ve faced is not only something that gives your life meaning, it gives your suffering meaning.
~Adam Grant
Hello, my name is Shannon!
Nice to meet you!
I’m a proud 2x breast cancer survivor! I was diagnosed with Grade 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of right breast on Oct 16, 2017. It was detected during a routine mammogram. I had a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. In Oct. 2021, I found a small lump, right before my routine mammogram. On Oct. 21, 2021, I was diagnosed with the same type of cancer. I had a nipple-sparing mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and chemotherapy.
I also go by Joyrider because I ride a onewheel and I spread joy and shine my light everywhere I go. Here's a video of me joyriding to the hospital the day of my mastectomy (Dec. 2021). I was listening and singing along to, Invincible, by Kelly Clarkson.
I was able to Rise Up From Breast Cancer using mindfulness and character strengths and this inspired me to become Certified in Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP). I feel called to share what I've learned to help other women Rise Up From Breast Cancer too!
My Story
As soon as I saw the sign, I burst into tears. “I can’t believe I have breast cancer!” The day before, I was diagnosed with breast cancer (Grade 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of right breast) in Oct. 17, 2017 (and then again in Oct. 21 2021). I was on my way to Stanford Medical Center to meet with the surgeon. I pulled into the parking lot and the tears continued to flow - I wasn’t sure they’d ever stop. How can I have breast cancer, I didn’t have a lump and no family history - this has to be a mistake! Once the tears dried up, I was able to take a few deep breath. Then, I said to myself, “Okay Shannon, you don’t want to go through this every time you have an appointment, because it’s going to be a lot. How can you reframe this situation so you feel good coming to your appointments?” That question snapped me back into the present moment and I got curious. I started flipping through my Virtues Reflection Cards and I was drawn to the one called Strength. This statement stood out, “We stay strong when we recognize that suffering is a thread woven through the design of our lives, not to make us unhappy, but to transform us with grace”. That is the moment I decided that breast cancer was happening FOR me - it was an opportunity to rise up, to learn & grow from my breast cancer journey. When I say, happening FOR me, it’s happening for me to learn and grow. I cried some more, but then noticed feelings of gratitude flooding in: gratitude that the doctors found the cancer during a routine mammogram, gratitude that I have a wonderful and supportive husband, along with amazing friends and family, gratitude that I have insurance, gratitude that Stanford is just 10 minutes from my house and gratitude for a good prognosis! The focus on strength and gratitude made my breast cancer experience a life enriching journey. I still cried a lot and had scary thoughts (what if it spreads all over my body? What if it comes back?), but I also knew that I was strong and this experience would ultimately bless my life, if I let it. Check out my blog to discover 2 things I did to Rise Up From Breast Cancer. I can help you Rise Up From Breast Cancer Too!
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