Natasha Carlson

Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer was one of the more traumatic moments I’ve experienced, but the way I found out added to that.

Being a part of the cancer community means meeting new people, forming personal friendships and fostering those connections for others.

While I have a good prognosis, I still sometimes find myself in cancer’s quicksand of the past, pulling me out of current moments of joy.

Cancer. Such an expansive topic.

My 5-year mark prompted me to reflect on my entire experience…and how far I have come.

If I could turn back time and speak to my newly diagnosed self, here's what I'd say!

My experience with multiple surgical procedures for breast cancer showed me just how important it was to have the total support of my husband.

No one talks about the “rabbit hole” that patients with cancer experience, even as time passes.

I learned that finding the right kind of support during and after a cancer diagnosis is truly invaluable.

People are functioning as if the threat of COVID-19 is gone, but that’s not the case for many people with cancer.

After hearing others' cancer stories, I found myself feeling "less than" because I didn't undergo radiation and chemotherapy.

I’ve met too many people who were told that they were too young for cancer before being diagnosed.

After experiencing intense scanxiety after my single mastectomy, I decided to go back and have a prophylactic mastectomy.

Cancer brought me a forced transformation and gave me better a perspective on life.

Losing my breasts was hard, but losing one of my best friends was even harder, and something I’ve had to come to terms with.

Here are a few tips I’ve found that helped me regain a sense of control after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

I was told I had the “good” type of breast cancer, but does such a thing even exist? I think not.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, I wrote thank you letters to my oncology care team which, to my surprise, helped put me at ease.