Cancer saved me from a nervous breakdown
Hello! I am Branwyn, a wife to my supportive husband since 2007, mother of three who at the time of my diagnosis were 11, 8, 4, an avid reader, beach lover, and adventure seeker. Born and raised on Long Island, NY, but have called Chicago home for 18 years. My journey is one of resilience, transformation, and a renewed commitment to prioritizing my health and well-being.
Before my diagnosis, I thrived in a fast-paced, high-pressure, 100% commission job that, in hindsight, consumed every part of my life. I neglected my well-being, both physically and mentally. Just weeks before discovering my lump, I was on the verge of checking into a partial in-patient program for mental health support. Looking back, I realize now how close I was to reaching my breaking point.
My world changed when I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Exactly one month after feeling the lump, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy with an aesthetically flat closure. The cancer had already spread to my lymph nodes, requiring an aggressive treatment plan of eight rounds of chemotherapy and 33 rounds of radiation.
From the moment of my diagnosis, I relied solely on the American Cancer Society (ACS) for information and support, keeping a promise I made to my nurse navigator. Though I had heard of ACS before, I had no idea how vast their resources were. I found invaluable guidance on talking to my children about my diagnosis, as well as crucial mental health support.