Claudia // Breast Cancer
Age: 44 years old
From: Benicia, CA
What treatments did you undergo during your journey? Chemotherapy, surgery, integrative, and other.
What were your signs/symptoms leading up to your diagnosis? None.
How did cancer alter your lifestyle? Cancer changed every aspect of my life—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Before my diagnosis, I was a busy, over scheduled mom of three, constantly planning for the future. But after learning I had multifocal invasive lobular carcinoma, I was forced to slow down and prioritize myself in a way I never had before.
Mentally, I learned to advocate for myself. My routine mammogram at 40 was clear, but I wasn’t told what my extremely dense breast tissue meant. A year later, my OB-GYN felt two lumps, leading to my diagnosis. One of those tumors never showed up on imaging. This experience taught me that I had to trust my instincts and push for answers.
Physically, cancer took a toll. Chemotherapy, surgery, and reconstruction forced me to listen to my body rather than push through exhaustion. I focused on clean living, movement, and whole-person healing to regain my strength.
Emotionally, it was a rollercoaster. Balancing treatment with motherhood meant I had to ask for help, something I had always struggled with. Therapy and hypnotherapy were game-changers, especially in overcoming my fear of recurrence.
Spiritually, I found peace in stillness and nature. I let go of perfection, embraced gratitude, and started living in the present.
What kept/keeps you going? My kids. They were my biggest motivation. I wanted them to see resilience in action, to know that even in the hardest times, joy is still possible. Hope and mindset played a huge role—I focused on small victories, knowing better days were ahead. Community and support reminded me I wasn’t alone. Sharing my story through my blog, My Cancer Diaries, and Instagram (@mycancerdiaries) turned pain into purpose, helping others navigate their journeys.
Any advice for those coming behind you? Be your own advocate. If something feels off, push for answers.
Take care of your whole self. Healing is more than just medical treatment—it’s mental, emotional, and spiritual too.
Know that your identity is still yours. Cancer changes you, but it does not define you.
Connect with others. Community is everything. You are not alone. You will thrive again.
Hard days will come, but so will joy. Hold onto hope.
Do you have a funny cancer story? When my hair started growing back, my kids looked at me and said, “Mom, you look like a broccoli!” We laughed so hard, and it became a running joke in our house. Finding humor in the journey made even the hardest days a little lighter.
Favorite quote, scripture or song? “Brene Brown: “One day, you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will become someone else’s survival guide.” That’s why I share my story—to remind others that they are not alone.
How did you hear about Brighter? How has it made a difference? I first heard about Brighter Magazine through the breast cancer community, and it has been a beacon of hope. Its stories are real, relatable, and uplifting, reminding me that life after cancer isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving.
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