I never thought I would be diagnosed with breast cancer.
After all, I just had a beautiful baby girl and her gorgeous sister to contend with. I was surrounded by people, but felt alone. I found support through Mummys Star, Someone Like Me and The Younger Breast Cancer Network online. And well, that was great to find people like me. People I didn't think existed. I say that because being diagnosed at 38 is just too young to have to deal with all that cancer entails. And let me tell you, it's a lot. Add on parenting young kids with cancer and it's a tad too much. But it is doable. I just kept doing. Which was good as it allowed me to escape from the reality of what I was going through. And I was so lucky to have my children keeping me going and my husband too. One day, I got a message one day from Angie. Angie and I go way back to 2004 doing AmeriCorps in Boston. We were Dorchester girls and I happened to live close to where Marky Mark grew up. And on the same street Rose Kennedy grew up on for some random facts. Angie lived on the other side of Dorchester, but I would randomly run into her after AmeriCorps and then we came in touch when we both moved to Europe. Angie has been all over and she can tell you that! Anyhow, she messaged me and then we chatted. She told me she had lung cancer, I was in absolute shock. I always thought I would get the cancer and my friends would be in the clear. That is what I wanted to believe. Until that call. I listened and listened. I asked some questions and how she was feeling. What she needed and how could I support her. I explained there is support online, but talking to someone is also helpful. In AmeriCorps, we focused on mentoring and I immediately wanted to take her under my wing as cancer is tricky to navigate and you have to learn to speak up for yourself and ask questions. It might well of been the Mum in me. I kind of felt like I was in Mama Bear mode. The good thing is we have always had a laugh and we decided to keep in touch and chat about how we really feel. I must say cancer is a tricky thing to be diagnosed with. And well somehow having someone on the path holding my hand has made it easier for me to speak up. BAD (Before Angie's Diagnosis) I put my feelings in a box. I really didn't have time to think about me as a busy mom with a baby and a toddler. I just had to keep going. Here I am 4 years later sharing how my mentor Angie has helped me as a mom crushing cancer. Thank you, Angie. I really hope our podcast and blog helps you, your family and your tribe. If anything, to feel less alone and to better understand what's really going up or down on the cancer roller coaster without falling off your healing cancer journey. Lot's of love- Karlee xx
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