Nicole // Breast and Ovarian Cancer Survivor

Age: 42 years old

From: Land O Lakes, FL

What treatments did you undergo during your journey? Chemotherapy and surgery.

What were your signs/symptoms leading up to your diagnosis? Sharp abdominal pain, nausea, motion sickness, urge to urinate every ten minutes, back pain, chest pain, short of breath, early satiety.

How did cancer alter your lifestyle? It affected me physically leaving me with a 13 inch vertical scar down my abdomen. The intense debulking surgery that had my oncologist digging through all of my organs to look for cancer. The emotional distress of having stage IV cancer and the fear of dying.

What makes your story unique or helpful to others? I survived breast cancer at age 26. I went thru a double mastectomy and 16 rounds of chemotherapy. Then last January was my most recent battle when I was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. Cancer was found next to each clavicle, next to my heart, my liver, bladder, small intestine and Diaphragm. I went through a total hysterectomy and debulking surgery and had seven rounds of chemo. Since stopping chemo July 5th, 2023, I have been free from disease. I thank God every day I have another chance at life to be here and be grateful for everyday given. I’d be happy to try out your product esp. the desire one. My story makes me unique is because during my chemotherapy treatments and surgery, I was able to keep it from our two children and continued on everyday like I wasn’t sick at all. I went to every school event, drove to the bus stop and home from the bus stop, helped with homework, cooked dinner, cleaned the house and took care of the dogs. My husband and I were absolutely incredible how we handled last year and I’m so grateful to stand beside him and have someone love me so unconditionally when he didn’t have to. I’m beyond proud of myself for what I have accomplished this past year!

Any advice for those coming behind you? I would recommend to not only take advice from medical professional oncologist but also never stop advocating for yourself. Never take just what the doctor says and that’s it. Always do your own research and things that are of holistic nature to help make your body stronger and more resilient to any future malignant cells to form a home! I recommend searching within yourself to show yourself how strong you are mentally and physically. Give yourself grace and time to grieve and have all the feelings that come along with this horrible disease. Find a way to enjoy gratitude throughout your day!

Do you have a funny cancer story? During my first chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer, they didn’t have the cold cap therapy back then to help preserve your hair. In 2009, I was completely bald. I had to go with my best friends to try on bridesmaids’ dresses. My wig kept sliding and was so uncomfortable that day, and every time I tried on a dress, I had to fix my wig. Finally, after the 6th dress of doing this, I just left the wig how it was after putting on the dress and I came out of the room and all my best friends laughed and knew it would be something I would do. However, the woman working there was definitely caught off guard and didn’t know what to say. I found humor helped me deal with being bald which made people 15 years ago very uncomfortable.

Favorite quote, scripture or song? “I will be confident” by Steven Furtick

How did you hear about Brighter? How has it made a difference? I saw it on an ad on social media.