Given I like making myself cool shirts, and given I noticed a lack of options available (that weren’t tacky or full of toxic positivity), I’ve just made my own and found some cool Canadian printers to join forces with!

With my surgery date booked for January 12th, we can now start planning the crazy that will be our life for 4-6 weeks while I recover. While I am super happy to finally have a date in the books, it does seem hugely overwhelming to be prepping for such a large situation. Matt is headed back to work in a few days, now that his paternity leave is over, and I’m not going to lie, now is when we’re going to need some help!

The beautiful thing though is that I’m not scared of losing my identity in the operating room. They aren’t cutting out my personality, or amputating the joy I have for life. They really are JUST boobs when you get right down to it, and I’m really damn proud of the work it took to see them that way.

Finding words for this is hard! I have never been so tested, so tired, in such pain, and so optimistic for the future all at once!

While I am overjoyed to have survived these last 4 months of being sick, tired, nauseous, run down and in pain, it’s also NOT REALLY over. In the past few weeks, I can’t count how many people have said “Oh you’re almost done!”, and while yes, I am almost done my 4 months of chemotherapy, the real heavy shit is just beginning.

Today we are speaking to the amazing Beth Marchant. She is a graphic designer, business owner, and survivor of financial abuse. Beth was gracious enough to spend some time with us and share her survival story.

I’m more than halfway done chemo & starting to make some heavy decisions around surgery, recovery and reconstruction. The end is slowly coming into sight!

Speaking on Default Parenting and the invisible loads of motherhood, I was honored to join these great panelists on the Momfest Stage.

I wish it didn't take years of destructive criticism, body changing surgery, divorce and now a critical illness to show me that I'm worth loving, but the lesson still holds value. I too still hold value, though not because I'm someone's mother, or wife, but because I am simply someone. 

FOR ME: Breast cancer is not glamorous and pink. It's not cute knitted hats and hugs sent over text message. AND It is certainly not buying the pink ribbon products that give corporations massive tax breaks in exchange for pennies to research.

Well, it’s happening. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming up and companies all over are slapping the pink ribbon on everything from dog collars to coffee cups. All major retailers will ask you to “Think Pink” as they play on your sympathies and collect donations.

BUT DOES IT ACTUALLY HELP?

Well, it sucked BUT it was manageable.

Kicking off my first round, I jumping in full of optimism for my first round of dose dense AC (Adriamycin & Cyclophosphamide) chemotherapy.

Hi, my name is Beth, and I wear alot of hats. Mother, Partner, Friend, Sister, Daughter, Graphic Designer, Marketing Professional, Producer of Moms Unleashed and now I’m adding breast cancer patient to the list.

After working with my oncology team at Juravinski Cancer Center in Hamilton, ON, we have settled on a plan of 8 cycles of chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy and 12 rounds of Herceptin.