Mary is a creative who loves photography, design, painting, drawing and music. Fun fact is she has been in a band for 22 years – Hardcore Lounge – playing flute, guitar and singing background vocals. Plus, she started writing her own music and is about to finish recording her first album.
She is also a certified yoga instructor, has practiced Tai Chi for the past year, is part of a mindfulness book club, and is grateful for her church. She has such an amazing community through all of her work and passions.
Family History & Her Breast Cancer Journey
Mary was diagnosed in September 2024 (one day before the 3 year anniversary since her mom’s passing from breast cancer and dementia). Mary shared, “It felt surreal. I was afraid I may be facing cancer at some point, but I wasn’t expecting a diagnosis so soon.”
She was first diagnosed with a 9cm HER2+ tumor, stage 2B, in her right breast. About three weeks later, another biopsy showed ER+ PR+ positive areas on her left breast stage 1. She went through chemotherapy, followed by a bilateral mastectomy along with the removal of lymph nodes on both sides in March of 2025. In July, she went through 16 rounds of radiation on her right side, then chemo shots through October. Meanwhile she was still on medication for the next five years to keep cancer at bay. Last summer, scans showed a lesion on her liver that was too small to biopsy. Thankfully, as of her last two scans, there has been no evidence of disease.
Stresses and Challenges During Her Diagnosis, Treatment & Recovery
A breast cancer diagnosis brings a lot of challenges physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Mary shares the reality of this during her journey, in hopes others don’t feel alone.
“Certainly, the first two months after the diagnosis were the most stressful with a barrage of appointments and then going straight into chemotherapy and then being hospitalized during the first round. When I was diagnosed, I’d started a new job that I’d been at for a week doing marketing, photography, design and business organization. I had to quit because it was too much with the diagnosis and daily appointments. My car then died two weeks after my diagnosis, so my boyfriend who does freelance, shuttled me to my various appointments and was my caretaker through it all.
The fear of the unknown was great at the beginning. I didn’t know if I would make it through. I spent half of chemo too sick and tired to do much. I have some lingering neuropathy in my hands and feet from chemo as well as ringing in my left ear.
It’s certainly challenging losing my breasts, but I’m growing more accepting of my body that has gone through so much. A local artist helped me cast my breasts in plaster before my surgery and I painted the cast afterwards which was a healing experience. Radiation was very tiring and took a while to regain my energy as well as for my skin to heal. The pill Letrozole leaves me with aching joints which I try to combat with exercise.”
Taking Control and Defining Her Journey – Not Letting Cancer Define Her
Mary shared that one of the things that was most helpful while going through treatment was participating in Novant’s Cancer Wellness program. She attended three days a week during chemotherapy and following surgery. When she was strong enough to go, it truly helped her get through treatment.
“Being able to be with other people who experienced similar things as well as the kind and caring staff helped immensely. They also offer yoga and tai chi a couple of days a week for cancer and heart patients.
I felt very safe exercising there and was glad to have workouts tailored to healing from cancer. They also have a registered dietician and a nurse, so it’s a very integrated experience for staying as healthy as possible.”
She also kept a gratitude journal while going through treatment, helping guide her mind to look for the things to be thankful for in the midst of grief and chaos. Her cancer counselor at Novant Health’s Kemp Bessant Cancer Center encouraged me to remember that she can do hard things and this is all temporary.
Finding Support and Community through Go Jen Go
Mary shares, “I’m so thankful for the grant that I received from Go Jen Go. Since I wasn’t working during treatment, it was a godsend to help with necessities, especially things I needed prior to surgery like button up shirts and a wedge pillow. It truly helped me get through something already immensely difficult.”
Post treatment, she is thankful for the workshops and events that are offered. It was truly healing for her to go to the Day of Hope event last September and see so many other brave women who’ve been going through cancer treatment. It gave her hope that people do get through this and also, if one day she is met with a stage four diagnosis, that there is support and life still left to live.
She attended one of our education sessions on lymphatic self-massage that was incredibly helpful. It was led by a survivor and past grantee who knew what it was like to deal with this and how to feel better. Mary was also the recipient of a two-day quiet retreat at Well of Mercy through the foundation. It was truly amazing and restorative to be immersed in nature and serenity.
Mary’s Words of Encouragement for other Survivors and Thrivers
“You’re in the worst club with the best members! It’s a lot and scary upon getting the diagnosis, but you will get through this. There is an amazing amount of support out there that I never expected. Grieve what’s lost, but don’t forget to find the small joys in each day whether it’s a kind nurse, the singing birds or your favorite flavor of ice cream.”
