PINK & BOOBS BOOBS BOOBS: Must Be October!

I don’t need to tell you it’s October and Breast Cancer Awareness month. Three days in, maybe you’re already sick of ribbons and pink everything. You’re very AWARE. How could you not be? All of us know someone, love someone, lost someone. I’m a previvor with a rare genetic mutation called BRCA2. Sympathy, pity, and admiration can be skipped here. I’m sharing my story because our voices matter. Also, because I’m grateful for the freedom to previve…this wasn’t a possibility for my ancestors. Finally, I post this because posts where I speak vulnerably inevitably get trolls worked up. They will bully me about bleaching my hair and shame me for whining. But I didn’t take crap from bullies growing up, and I don’t intend to now…

Michele in pointe shoes in her Belgian style living room - Hello Lovely Studio.
11 years of previving (in a tablecloth, apparently) and prophylactic surgeries related to BRCA2

BRCA2 Previvor Life

We lost my aunt to ovarian cancer when she was 28. Breast cancer tends to be fatal in my family for aunts and cousins in their 40s. So when my mom was diagnosed with BC, my sisters and I tested.

Michele of Hello Lovely Studio and #PemaChodron quote about difficulty and transformation #inspiringquote

BRCA2 Previving Journey

Two of us were positive for BRCA2, a genetic mutation. With a too-high risk of developing ovarian or breast cancers, in 2013, my sister and I opted for a complete hysterectomies, bilateral mastectomies, and reconstruction.

Michele in #pointeshoes on pointe by Hello Lovely Studio #onpointe #ballerina #balletslippers

What are all the dead pointe shoes about? I collect them. They’re symbolic for me of beauty, hard work, perseverance, defying gravity, and going beyond ourselves. And the color!

Michele of Hello Lovely Studio on porch swing wearing linen skirt and tee from Giannetti Home (Patina Home & Garden).

While there are a ton of breast cancer identities (survivor, previvor, patient, warrior, etc.), labels shouldn’t separate us. We’re all fighting unseen battles. And we’re all on an anti-cancer journey, yes? My own BC journey is genetically rare (.2% to .3% of population), but in a sense, you and I are not different at all!

Michele and friends at apple orchard - Hello Lovely Studio.

We’re fleshy and living vulnerably in toxic environments. We’re striving to live in healthy ways so as not to promote cancer cell growth within our bodies. My heart warms for my mom, who battles cancer daily, but it also overflows with admiration and mercy for my little sister who did not test positive for BRCA2. Not a previvor nor a survivor, she also battles every single day to minimize hereditary cancer risk.

Michele of Hello Lovely Studio #HelloLovelystudio

With BRCA2+ genetic mutation, I cannot easily suppress tumor growth, yet you have invisible risk factors for breast cancer too. You know about these, but allow the mama me to love on you.

Wear sunscreen, eliminate tobacco, exercise daily, see the doctor regularly, get regular mammograms (if your breasts are dense, maybe you’ll require other stuff), avoid or drink booze moderately, eat colorfully gorgeous organic food, and avoid radiation exposure.

Michele and sister with golden retriever - Hello Lovely.
BRCA twins fighting cancer
Funny style and fashion humor quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #momhumor #fashionhumor

We’re All on Anti-Cancer Journeys

And there’s more you can do (straight from my trained counselor heart): address emotional wounds and explore rage, anxiety, trauma, despair, and stress. Such excavation work influences gene expression, creates hormonal and chemical changes in the body, and may offer repair at the cellular level.

Pink pointe shoes and a ruffly tutu by Hello Lovely Studio #pinktutu #blushpink #pointeshoes

If fighting is the wrong metaphor for your unique journey, one size does not fit all. I am chronically ill with Crohn’s and chronic pancreatitis. Flares all of the time, plenty of bad days, and a certain measure of daily pain. Fighting has never been as helpful as surrender.

Michele of Hello Lovely Studio #whitepajamas #HelloLovelyStudio

Resisting the waves of pain that roll in never served me as well as surfing them. Winning battles? I’m spicy but not an athlete and maybe not competitive enough. I actually don’t believe what I cherish can be lost. Deepening, growing, letting go, and finding wonder in spite of all of the imperfection and challenges? Mmmmmm. Feels rich and meaningful.

Michele with ducks at Japanese garden pond in late summer - Hello Lovely Studio.
Life is such a gift – love is ever the point

Healing means something different to me after all of these years of suffering. Cure does not seem to be coming for me. Yet there can be healing in the absence of cure.

Sisters and mom wearing white #hellolovelystudio
What fighting cancer looks like.

What do days of healing without cure look like? It’s maybe the work of a lifetime to see them. To allow vision to be refined in a way where glimpses of transcendence can be seen everywhere. Daily transformation. New mercies. Awe. Moments heaven breaks through. Music unlocking something hidden in the soul. Dance freeing an ache. LOVE. Real love. No imitation will do.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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6 Comments

  1. Jeannie
    October 4, 2024 / 7:13 am

    You are incredibly inspirational. I thank you for sharing you and your families journey for health. I also love the tips on reducing stress which feels nearly impossible but I obviously must do.

    • Michele
      Author
      October 4, 2024 / 9:06 am

      Thanks for reading! Self-compassion is a topic I didn’t really mention in this post but is a huge piece of healthcare and prevention of disease. It’s an ongoing act we can all improve upon so do give yourself some when you consider how much you are already doing and how far you’ve come. 🙂

  2. October 4, 2024 / 6:59 pm

    Your spirit shines through every post you create, which is exactly why your blog is my favorite! Thank you, Michele!

    • Michele
      Author
      October 5, 2024 / 10:00 am

      Thanks for reading and the loving support, friend. xox

  3. maryk
    October 8, 2024 / 9:43 am

    one of the most touching posts I have ever seen. Just thank you. I don’t know what else to say, you will get this.

    • Michele
      Author
      October 9, 2024 / 9:10 am

      love and peace to you right where you are.

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing