Thoughts on Draft

Unfiltered and personal, this blog is my space to share an unfolding story – one I never expected to write – about cancer, the discovery of a rare TP53 genetic mutation leading to a second diagnosis of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, and mothering through it all.

Breast Cancer

My breast cancer diagnosis came as a shock, forcing me to confront my own mortality in ways I never have before. Through each step in the dark I’ve learned there’s power in vulnerability, in sharing my fears and uncertainties openly. I’ve found strength in letting others see the cracks and the messiness it reveals. This journey has shown me that courage isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about moving forward even when you don’t.

View →

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome didn’t just invite breast cancer to the party. No. It rolled out the red carpet for a whole line up of other cancers too, from sarcomas to brain cancer to leukemia. A genetic mutation – that isn’t just mine – reminds me of the fragility and unpredictability of life, but it’s also given me the gift of empowerment and knowledge to confront the unknown with hope.

View →

Mothering Through

Mothering through cancer took on a deeper, heavier meaning when I learned my daughters share the same genetic quirk. As I fight for my health, I also fight for them – hoping to give them the strength to face their own challenges, the resilience to embrace uncertainty and the knowledge to navigate their own journey with courage.

View →

If you can’t beat the fear, just do it scared.

Glennon Doyle

Recent Posts

  • The Diagnosis

    There are moments in life when everything you thought you knew about yourself shatters with a single sentence. For me, that sentence came in the form of a phone call: “The biopsy confirmed what we suspected. You have cancer.” This blog is my space to share an unfolding story, one…

  • The Silver Lining of (the City of) Hope

    Moving across the country is stressful under the best of circumstances. Doing it in the midst of a cancer diagnosis and a life-changing genetic discovery? Overwhelming doesn’t even begin to cover it. When my family relocated from North Carolina to San Diego, I had no idea just how much this…

  • Medical Specialist Speed Dating

    Being diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome means re-entering the dating world – sort of. My medical tour around San Diego has evolved from a search for an oncology team to specialist speed dating, where finding the one(s) is less about romance and more about survival. It’s a whirlwind of rapid-fire Q&A,…

  • Li-Fraumeni Syndrome & Me

    When I found out I had a TP53 mutation, I had no idea what it meant. TP53? Never heard of it. Li-Fraumeni Syndrome? Li – what? I didn’t know what it was, but the words ‘high cancer risk’ hit me like a slap. It felt like the floor had been…