Almost two years ago, I found a lump in my breast while on a Christmas cruise with my family. By February 5, 2024, I was diagnosed with ER/PR+ invasive ductal carcinoma.
I have so much to live for… my three incredible kids, my husband, my friends, my career… but also the experiences that make life worth living. I love traveling, going to concerts, being active, planning adventures. I want to see the world, say yes to the things that excite me, and live fully with the people I love.
I built a real estate career that I was proud of, founding my own brokerage in 2022 and later being named among the top 1.5% of realtors nationwide while undergoing active cancer treatment in 2024. Being an entrepreneur gave me the flexibility to focus on my health, but that didn’t mean I could hit pause on life.
And then, cancer gave me a choice. I could let it break me or I could let it build me into someone even stronger.
During my 16 rounds of chemotherapy, I fought with everything I had. I had doctor’s appointments multiple times a week. I went weekly for chemo, knowing each infusion would knock me down but determined to get back up. I watched as I could no longer recognize myself from the physical proofs of my battle: I lost weight, was so weak and my hair was falling out in big clumps. But I kept going. Even on the hardest days, I showed up however I could.
And I didn’t stop there. I chose the most aggressive path to prevent recurrence and ensure I am here for the long haul. I underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction and a full hysterectomy. Every decision I made was with one goal in mind, to keep fully showing up for the people I love.
Survivorship is for the rest of my life. It is a lifelong commitment. It is the aftermath of a period that left me the most shattered and vulnerable I have ever been. Even though I’ve made it through five surgeries, I still take Letrozole for the next 9½ years and Kisquali for another 35 months to reduce the risk of recurrence. I have had ultrasounds of my kidneys and bladder, MRIs of my brain, and blood tests to monitor for any signs of cancer, but I’m okay. Every test, every medication, every precaution is a choice to keep showing up for the people I love and the life I want to live. Survivorship isn’t just about what I’ve overcome, it’s about doing everything in my power to protect my future, and I am committed to doing exactly that. I am rebuilding—stronger, clearer, more intentional.
Before cancer, I put everyone else first. I rarely made time for myself, even skipping annual checkups, mammograms, etc. assuming I was fine. That version of me is gone.
Now, I invest in my health. My healing era isn’t just about recovery, it’s about thriving. I move my body, I nourish it, I give it what it needs. Whether it’s massages, walking, Pilates, acupuncture, music therapy, somatic therapy, I make my well-being a top priority.
I prioritize joy. I still plan the trips, book the flights, get the concert tickets. I still say yes to spontaneous adventures. But now, it’s with a different kind of urgency, because I know just how precious this life is.
And more than anything, I protect my time and energy. I have always shown up for the people in my life, and I still do. But now, my circle is smaller and more meaningful. I give my energy to the people who truly matter, the ones who show up for me just as I do for them.
Because when I love, I love hard. I am a fiercely loyal friend, the one who will show up no matter what, the one who believes in her people and lifts them up. I don’t take my relationships lightly, because I know how important they are.
Cancer didn’t just change me. It made me fearless in choosing the life I want.
I work hard. Really hard. Even during the hardest year of my life, my success is proof that this is possible. My production is strong, my brand is thriving, and despite every obstacle I faced, I’m still growing, learning, and proving what’s possible in this industry. I love my career, and I want to pour my energy into building my real estate team at The Edit. I believe in growing, leading, and creating something lasting. I am committed to growing, learning, and teaching. Leadership isn’t just about building a business, it’s about building people. Success isn’t just about selling real estate, it’s about talent, work ethic, heart, and the confidence to carve your own path. And that’s exactly what I’ve done, and will continue to do.
I didn’t just want to survive cancer, I wanted to take what I had been through and turn it into something meaningful. That’s why I founded Project Disco Ball, a non-profit to spread joy and bring light to cancer patients.
It started with something small: bringing a disco ball to my own infusions to brighten the sterile, cold environment. But quickly, it became something bigger. Now, Project Disco Ball transforms treatment spaces, reminding patients that even in the darkest moments, joy still exists. And I am in the process of building a board to take Project Disco Ball to the next level. The impact it has already made is just the beginning.
I didn’t stop there. I ran the Miami Half Marathon to raise money for Sharsheret, and walked 14.1 miles for the second year in a row for Bounce Back from Cancer to give back to Miami Cancer Institute, the place that saved my life.
Because here’s the thing, cancer didn’t just change me. It gave me a mission.
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that helping others is healing. I’ve been able to support both new friends and old friends who have been diagnosed after me, just as I am forever grateful for the women who walked ahead of me, showing me what survivorship looks like. By sharing my storing, I am spreading awareness and connecting with so many new people.
Our brains are wired for connection. Facing breast cancer as a young woman can be isolating, but relationships within this community (both in person and long distance) provide more than just comfort. They create a sense of safety, helping regulate stress and anxiety, while also giving our minds the space to process, problem-solve, and heal.
Survivorship isn’t just about the body, it’s about mental health, resilience, and the deep human need to be seen, heard, and supported. This sisterhood is my lifeline and a reminder that even in this journey, I am never alone.
My family comes first. I love my family with all of my heart. At this point in my life, I’ve realized nothing is more important. Being a wife and mom are my most important jobs. Raising kids is the hardest job in the world, especially teenagers. I am not my kids’ best friend, but I am the one who will love them and fight for them harder than anyone else ever will. They still need me, and I am so thankful to be here for them.
And my husband, in sickness and in health, the love of my life, who stood by my side through it all. He even got his real estate license last year to help my business thrive. I get to date Ryan forever, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.
Cancer survivors are blessed with two lives.
There is the life before cancer.
And the life after.
And my second life is going to be even better than the first.
