“You have cancer.”
I was 44 years old, and like any other busy mom, this was the last thing I ever expected to hear. I exercised, ate healthy, and, ironically, I worked for a health and wellness company.
It was a shock to learn that I had a mango-sized tumor in my abdomen. Likely, it been there for years, growing silently while I ignored the many signs that something was not quite right—joint pain, psoriasis, chelazeans, and other symptoms that I thought were just normal of my aging body.
Standard of Care: Chemo & Immunotherapy
Within a couple of weeks, I had a port put in, started infusions, and did what the doctors told me. My body got weaker and I started eating "healthier", but there was so much I didn't know...what to eat, what not to eat, and protocols that I could follow.
One bad scan after another
Just when I was thinking that I was almost finished with chemo, a PET scan showed that cancer had outsmarted the regimen I was on and I had to pivot to a bigger hospital, with bigger bills, and more powerful medicines. Months of treatments and several scans later, the cancer wasn't going away and even worse, it was becoming resistant to the drugs.
My clinical trial experience
Thinking that my options were becoming limited, we prayed for God to open up a slot for me and He ANSWERED! All of our hope was riding on the success of this trial because this was the last option. I tolerated the treatment well, and felt optimistic for a good post trial scan.
Miracles happen.
We were absolutely devastated when my scan showed no change in the tumors and I was sent home to wait until another trial opened. At my lowest point, an old friend reached out to me and introduced me to the world of holistic healing and nutrition. She encouraged me, coached me, and ultimately helped to save my life. I will always consider her my guardian angel.
After implementing new eating habits,
detoxing, healing protocols, supplements and lifestyle changes, I finally heard the words,
“You’re in Remission!”
God's timing is not our timing.
Through my cancer journey, I learned how nutrition, detoxing, and lifestyle changes have a critical role in supporting the body's immune system. In addition to the focus on healing the body, going further to heal my soul (forgiveness) and nurture my spirit through community and HealingStrong™ were equally as important.
“The body can heal”
I believe that God orchestrated things in such a way that made me realize that the body can heal if given the right environment, care, and rest.
It is my passion and my mission
to educate, support, and help those on
their own healing journeys.
I love to learn about health & nutrition.
I enjoy exercise, travel, hiking, playing golf, and spending time with my family and friends. I live in Arizona and Idaho with my husband, we have three daughters, and two sweet mini dachshunds.
MY STORY
MY EXPERTISE
I am a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. I also have a bachelors degree in marketing from the University of Texas at Austin and have over 20 years experience in corporate sales and marketing.
After my experience with navigating stage 3 non-hodgkins lymphoma in 2016, I realized that my life purpose was to help people learn about building a healthy lifestyle to support their immune systems. I have led a cancer support group through HealingStrong™ for 4 years and provided instruction and food demonstrations for Square One Members through Healing Journey Jumpstart since 2021.
Our Story
This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes it unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer.
MY STORY
Watch my story on Thrive Beyond Cancer & Speaking with HealingStrong™
Listen to podcast episodes with HealingStrong™
“You’re in Remission!”
God's timing is not our timing.
Through my cancer journey, I learned how nutrition, detoxing, and lifestyle changes have a critical role in supporting the body's immune system. In addition to the focus on healing the body, going further to heal my soul (forgiveness) and nurture my spirit through community and HealingStrong™ were equally as important.
“The body can heal”
I believe that God orchestrated things in such a way that made me realize that the body can heal if given the right environment, care, and rest.
It is my passion and my mission
to educate, support, and help those on their own healing journeys.
I enjoy exercise, travel, hiking, playing golf, and spending time with my family and friends. I live in Arizona and Idaho with my husband, we have three daughters, and two sweet mini dachshunds.
I love to learn about health & nutrition.
“You have cancer.”
I was 44 years old, and like any other busy mom, this was the last thing I ever expected to hear. I exercised, ate healthy, and, ironically, I worked for a health and wellness company.
It was a shock to learn that I had a mango-sized tumor in my abdomen. Likely, it been there for years, growing silently while I ignored the many signs that something was not quite right—joint pain, psoriasis, chelazeans, and other symptoms that I thought were just normal of my aging body.
Standard of Care: Chemo & Immunotherapy
Within a couple of weeks, I had a port put in, started infusions, and did what the doctors told me. My body got weaker and I started eating "healthier", but there was so much I didn't know...what to eat, what not to eat, and protocols that I could follow.
One bad scan after another
Just when I was thinking that I was almost finished with chemo, a PET scan showed that cancer had outsmarted the regimen I was on and I had to pivot to a bigger hospital, with bigger bills, and more powerful medicines. Months of treatments and several scans later, the cancer wasn't going away and even worse, it was becoming resistant to the drugs.
My clinical trial experience
Thinking that my options were becoming limited, we prayed for God to open up a slot for me and He ANSWERED! All of our hope was riding on the success of this trial because this was the last option. I tolerated the treatment well, and felt optimistic for a good post trial scan.
MY CANCER JOURNEY IN PICTURES
I put this video together that documents my journey. You can find more details in the blog posts I wrote at the time.