On October 7th I found a lump in my breast that turned out to be a “suspicious & abnormal” lump in my breast.

I had a biopsy on October 31st and the results of the biopsy came back on November 7th.

On November 7th I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma – Grade 1.

I finally scheduled my first appointment with the oncologist to discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan, but it’s not until January 7th. 

I’m ready to get this thing out of my body ASAP, but I’m learning that that’s not exactly how these things work, especially with our healthcare system.

In any event, here is where my mind is at today with all of this…

It’s crazy to think that one year ago this time my husband Eric and I had just spent a weekend in Vegas and were planning our exit from New Orleans and our move back to Vegas.

Now, one year later, we are navigating my recent diagnosis of stage 1 breast cancer and preparing ourselves for what’s to come as I fight it.

I never would have thought I was going to ring in my 50th year on this planet fighting breast cancer.

I was really looking forward to celebrating my 50th birthday in January… but now, this diagnosis has changed all of that for me… at least temporarily.

One thing that totally blows my mind is that this tumor was probably growing in my body for the past two years or so, but just recently became a palpable lump.

Here I was living through perimenopause in my late 40’s thinking that belly fat, vaginal dryness, menopausal BO, and anxiety were the worst of my problems, when really breast cancer in late perimenopause is now the worst of my problems.

When you are faced with something hard in your life, there is truth in the saying that the Universe, or God, or whatever you believe in is always testing you – “You seemed to handle that challenge really well, so let’s give you cancer and see how you handle that!”.

I do what I do as a fitness coach and live the lifestyle that I live to prevent cancer and other things like it.

Yet, I think I’ve proved that cancer doesn’t care if you are healthy or not. It will develop in your body regardless.

I do truly believe that if cancer is in the cards for you, it’s going to happen. But what you can do is make sure that you are healthy and strong so that you can fight it and then move on with your life cancer free.

During this time, I will continue to share all the things that I usually share about strength, lifting, kettlebells + barbell lifts, nutrition, and all things midlife. But I will also be sharing my journey as I fight breast cancer.

I am so grateful for all the love and support I have received from family, friends, clients, connections, and my online community.

While this diagnosis knocked the wind and strength out of me for a moment, you have all reminded me, and continue to remind me of my strength and ability to kick cancer’s ass.

Love you 💜💙!!

~Artemis