The Pink Ribbon Effect

Just a 32 yo new yorker living in a #pinkribbonstateofmind

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The Pink Ribbon Effect

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April 2, 2017April 3, 2017

In the eye of the (chemo)storm – my Chemo Diary

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Instagram - The Pink Ribbon Effect

The incredible @kristinanotodoesmyhair and @bellagunst making hair magic again. Thank you @5under40 for giving me so many special #hairmoments. When you think about where to donate, please think of organizations like @5under40. They help women impacted by breast cancer aged 18-39 with peer matching, funded services, programs and events. If you’re looking for an organization that’s more personable and genuine, with direct impact to the #breastie community- check them out @5under40. #extensions #hairgoals #whodis

A year ago, I finished chemo. Tore through the most hellish 4 months of my life. It serves as a continuous reminder that it always seems impossible till it’s done. A year later - I am in awe. Of how resilient our bodies are. Of how supportive friends and family can be. Of how much kindness still exists in the world. Of how much beauty can come out of the ugliest things in life. This morning’s exchange between a lymphoma cancer survivor friend and I sums it up well. A year later, my wounds aren’t as visible, but I’m forever scarred. To survive is a beautiful thing. No one can take that away. To quote the sage words of my #breastie @sassea20 - I’m slowly learning to “speak from my scars, and not my wounds.” #fuckcancer

The life of a cancer survivor is hard. You will battle some of the darkest days and nights of your life, just praying you will make it to the next morning. I’ll never forget it was in those hardest moments that I started listing little milestones I wanted to accomplish to will myself forward. ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️ Just feel strong enough to walk a mile. Get through each treatment phase. First work out. Feeling the wind through my hair. I want to have eyebrows to tweeze. Go on a trip. Brush my hair. Go back to work. Have a celebratory glass of champagne, drink water without flavoring or wanting to throw up. So many little things I took for granted that I won’t ever again. ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️ I got to unplug and spend this last week in LA, one of my favorite cities in the world. It was filled with so many LA firsts (including this hike!), old favorites, and catch ups with friends. It was a celebration of strength and resilience- and the people who stick by you in life’s hardest moments. My hope for all of you fighters is that you will always remember that there is a light and you will come out of the darkness. Triumph comes in all different shapes and sizes so make little goals and one day, you’ll find yourself on top of a literal mountain, marveling at how you got there. Until then, I’m just another #breastie, cheering you on.

This past weekend was a celebration of how far I’ve come since watching @anaonointimates’s @projectcancerland show last year- bald, hopeless, and so sick from chemo. It was and always will be a celebration of #womenhelpingwomen. It is a gathering of our voices and strength. It is a declaration that we deserve more than pink ribbons and empty gestures. Next time October comes around, I want you guys to remember and think. This isn’t some “pretty party all wrapped in pink.” Give to organizations like @metavivor. For behind every gathering, event, or marathon is a survivor- thankful or hopeful for another day on this beautiful 🌏. Thank you @daynadono @anaonointimates for the togetherness and #hope you’ve created. #anaonointimates #cancerland #metavivor #nyfw

Losing my hair through #chemo was one of the hardest side effects to deal with, both emotionally and physically. But at the same time, it was the most character building. When you are stripped of the things that make you feel beautiful on the outside, you truly learn who you are at the core. This #wcw goes to the ladies that founded @5under40 - an incredible organization providing medical, wellness and beauty services to women breast cancer fighters and previvors under the age of 40. They started an inspiration chain by connecting me with the incredibly talented @kristina_noto_warren_tricomi to start me on @greatlengthsusa extensions. Kristina connected me to @bellagunst for my amazing cut. As the inspiring President of #5under40 shared with me, "Hair milestones. They not only symbolize hair regrowth but restorative health. Regaining one's confidence, rediscovering sense of self and affirming 'I may just make it out of this nightmare alive.' The moment I could put my hair around my ear, my first ponytail, my first ponytail without Bobbi pins. I cried my eyes out. Every time I want to lose it over something professionally or personally, "hair moments" keep me grounded. Through reflection I'm sure you're finding there isn't quite anything you can't get through." Thank you, Jennifer for putting truth into such eloquence. I am thankful for the little moments that keep me grounded. And thank you @5under40 @kristina_noto_warren_tricomi @bellagunst for giving me the gift of being able to tuck my hair behind my ear again. #5under40 #milestone #hairgoals #inspire #5under40family #dreamteam #womenhelpingwomen

Empowered women empower women. @thepinkribboneffect was born out of loneliness and fear because upon diagnosis, I couldn’t find positive resources for young breast cancer fighters. When I found the @instagram #breastie community during treatment, my crew grew and together, we pushed up that mountain, doing our best to inspire people along the way. This last weekend, 20 #breasties from all over the 🌎 gathered for the inaugural @breastieretreats. Together, we embraced fears, shared experiences, and laughs. Going down the mountain is certainly easier with you all. #noonefightsalone #youcansitwithus #badassbabes

Just living my #breast life 💕#heartfull #findyourtribe #happiness #breastieretreatspoconos #breastieretreats

Today, I rejoined my work gym. My first day back at the same gym that I was in 14 months ago, when I got a call that changed my entire life. It brought such #ptsd, but also such proudness. Somehow, by the grace of God I survived the last 14 months. I get a chance to be “regular” again. A chance to live everything I wished for in those long, horrible months. It puts what would normally be a bad or stressful day into perspective. And I return to being grounded and grateful. These little moments of regularity bring me the most joy. Today, I felt normal. So for all those in the throes of treatment, remember- one day soon, you will have all the things you are wishing for in this moment. And you will never take any of the mundane things for granted ever again. ———————————————————-Hi again gym, hi again legs day. I see you 100s, soon enough, I’ll lift you again. #milestone #normalcy #thankgod

This #wcw goes to my girl @paige_previvor. I chose to share my #breastcancer chapter in lieu of privacy because I wanted to help other women feel less alone, but this gal takes the same initiative and exemplifies it x a million. I firmly believe there are few things in life more rewarding than #womenhelpingwomen. Plus, there is nothing attractive or cool about the #youcantsitwithus concept. @paige_previvor my dear, you are the most inclusive of all. I’m so proud of and to know you. Cheers to all the love you spread and ladies, let’s continue to #passiton and #reachout. #latergram #breasties

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