This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It is a reminder of the disease that effects mostly women and how we should take care of ourselves. I wanted to share with you my breast cancer story.

I am constantly aware of the changes in my body. It helped me catch my cancer early. Almost 9 years ago (yes 9!) I felt a change in my right breast. My OBGYN referred me to a breast specialist. I visited the breast surgeon and an MRI concluded that everything looked fine. She put me on a ‘schedule’ of MRI’s and mammograms every 6 months because of my family history - my mother passed away from breast cancer at 49.

6 months later after a screening I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer just shy of my 49th birthday. Even writing this now I get emotional. When you first hear the news it’s devastating. I allowed the emotions to arrive but then I got myself up off the floor (literally) and dusted myself off and said “I have kids, I need to be around for a very long time. I’ve got this’.

I scheduled my surgery for 2 weeks later. I had a bilateral mastectomy and tram flap reconstruction 2 weeks later. This was major surgery that removed my It was life changing in many ways. The ‘good’ news was that the lymph nodes were not effected and I didn’t have to have chemo. I was lucky. I had a network of prayers and healing. Self Reiki healing, meditations, gentle yoga and a positive mindset helped me to get through this experience.

This is why I’m here today as a teacher, healer and coach. To help others get through their own challenges and live their best life using the same tools I did because I know how powerful these tools can be.

Breast Cancer can manifest from imbalances in the heart chakra. How can these imbalances come about?

• Neglecting our own self care while taking care of others
• Unprocessed grief or emotions
• Unhealthy lifestyle can also contribute.

It’s SO important for us to give ourselves the grace to take care of ourselves….first.

Ways to reduce your risks

Here are a ways you can create more harmony within the body and reduce your risk of breast cancer:

1. If you’re a women, Get checked regularly. Yes, I know it’s uncomfortable but it’s quick and worth the time. Don’t rely on the BRAC test for accuracy. I tested negative and was diagnosed 3 months later.

2. Are you taking enough time for your own needs? Are you incorporating self care into your day to day? Or are you worried and fussing over someone else most of the time?

3. Unprocessed emotions - that’s a tough one. People process them differently. But you must process them! Speaking to a professional, Reiki healing, meditation, journaling., cry! So many ways that can help. Don’t be ‘strong’ and push them inside. They’ll manifest in disharmonious ways.

4. Find ways to incorporate a low inflammation diet (less red meat, less alcohol, less sugar). Cancer cells thrive on inflammation in the body. Inflammation can create a load of things. Start by reducing and then maybe eliminating some of these things.

5. BE HAPPY! Be content and be grateful! We have one life. Let’s live it well and long.

PS: Read my blog post on ‘Contentment is the New Happy’ if you haven’t done so yet.

PSS: You can visit my youtube channel for guided meditations and short 'Movement & Mindfulness' videos. Here is one on Self Love