I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2025, just a few months after my 29th birthday. I found a lump during a self breast exam and even though I didn't have any family history and that I was young, I knew something was wrong. I trusted my intuition and made an appointment with my doctor. Biopsies and testing revealed I had stage 2 triple negative disease, an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that would require a journey of intense treatment.
No one is ever prepared to get a cancer diagnosis, especially as a young woman. The early days of my diagnosis still feel like a blur. I was rushed into scans, appointments to meet with an oncologist and breast surgeon, and procedures to prepare for treatment. My old life was ripped away from me instantly. I began a new 'normal' that looks so different from the life I was living before cancer.
I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy and was put into medically induced menopause for fertility preservation. I'm preparing for a double mastectomy in the fall, just days before my 30th birthday.
Digging Deep To Find the Good in the Darkness of a Diagnosis
In the early days of my diagnosis, I was given the advice to 'dig deep' by another breast cancer survivor. These words have impacted my entire journey and have given me so much perspective.
Throughout treatment, I challenged myself everyday to dig deep and find the strength to keep going and to look for joy, no matter what the day brought. Some days it came easy, other days it felt almost impossible to find it. What matters is I found light and hope everyday during treatment, and it truly kept me going.
This practice has helped me reflect on the good that came from my diagnosis.
Gratitude: I have such gratitude for my continued strength and for my body that carried me through 16 rounds of chemo. I am so grateful to be alive, I'm turning 30 this month, and I'm so grateful to be able to experience this decade.
Purpose: I found purpose in sharing my story publicly on social media. My hope in sharing the ups, downs, and everything in between brings comfort to other young women navigating a breast cancer diagnosis.
Community: I have found such healing and hope in the breast cancer community. I have met such incredible, inspiring survivors that have become close friends. I lean on this community for advice, support, and encouragement daily and I'm so grateful to be a part of it.
Finding Confidence Within Myself in the New Normal
I look very different from my pre-cancer self. I shaved my head during chemo and the regrowth process is starting (slowly but still happening!). I have a port that will be with me until I finish immunotherapy. I elected to have immediate reconstruction following my mastectomy, which I anticipate to make me feel even further from the person I was before cancer. Navigating these changes are hard, especially as a young woman. These are very difficult, yet necessary changes my body has made in order to fight. It's taken a toll on my confidence and I have made it a daily goal to intentionally practice self love.
Cancer has taught me to be more gentle with myself and to embrace the changes. I find beauty in the strength of how I show up for myself. I feel strong to be able to move my body in a way that feels good everyday. I still see 'me' even though I no longer have my long hair. These changes are part of my healing journey and I am so proud of how hard I continue to fight.
I absolutely love my POST SWIM suit because it honors the changes my body has endured throughout treatment in the most beautiful way. It has the perfect amount of scar coverage but still makes me feel beautiful and comfortable in my skin. I'm able to swim, walk, and play at the beach or pool without constantly having to adjust the band or straps to make sure my scars stay covered. I'm so grateful for a suit that just gets it!
The brand is deeply rooted in cultivating an incredible community for survivors to feel seen, inspired, and supported. I always feel so uplifted and connected after seeing POST SWIM's content on Instagram. I'm so grateful I found POST SWIM and I can't wait to rock my suits for many summers to come.
Sending love & light,
Grace