Q&A

What is your idea of happiness?

Feeling content and at peace.

When and where were you happiest?

In nature, when I have nothing on my schedule and can just sit, journal and read a good book.

What is your biggest fear?

Dying without having fully lived and forever being in debt.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My sister Sandra, who quit a pack a day habit of smoking and now runs marathons. She is also a full-time student and mom to two amazing little boys.

What do you most value in your friends?

Time spent with them. Friends who think of me and reach out to me at random times.

Which talent would you most like to have? Right now?

The ability to speed read and the ability to play a musical instrument very well.

What is your current state of mind?

Content, rested and ready to take on what the rest of the week brings.

What is your most treasured possession?

My cat, a photo frame my sister gave me that reads “She turned her can’ts into cans and her dreams into plans,” a bracelet with beads from my breast cancer support group I am a part of and the willow angels my mom bought me after each of my surgeries.

How do you most like spending your time?

Doing something that is good for my soul, like reading, journaling or coloring, hanging out with friends, being in nature or bike riding.

What do you most dislike?

Being tethered to technology.

In your own words, what would you say to inspire or encourage someone facing breast cancer right now?

Hang in there. Nothing will be the same, but you will come out a stronger version of your current self. Hold on to the friends who are brought into your life because of cancer – these will be your lifelines and they will understand you like no other. Trust your instincts – you know what’s best for you and you are making the best possible decisions you can for yourself.