Shawna's Breast Cancer Fight: Community, Courage, & Hope

For Those Just Joining My Story

Life certainly has a way of teaching us exactly what we need to learn. As a podcast launch strategist and business mentor who has dedicated the last three years to helping other women achieve their dreams, I faced an unexpected challenge when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in late January 2025.

This diagnosis arrived just nine months into my marriage to the love of my life. While fighting cancer wasn't in our first-year marriage plans, there's no one else I'd rather have beside me as we face this dragon together. Having lost my mother to metastatic melanoma in 2009 after she fought both breast cancer and melanoma, I understand deeply both the gravity and hope in this situation.

Where We Are Now

My treatment journey spans several months, including a bilateral mastectomy and natural tissue reconstruction in April 2025, followed by a 3-month recovery period. I began adjunctive therapy (aromatase inhibitor) in early March 2025. Additional treatments will be determined following tumor analysis.

Through it all, I'm learning perhaps the most important lesson: sometimes the bravest thing we can do is open ourselves to receive. This journey is teaching me to accept help with grace and gratitude.

Going Forward

Here you'll find:

• Regular updates on my treatment and recovery

• Reflections on this unexpected journey

• Occasional requests for specific support

For those who want to hear more details about my story, I've shared more in-depth on a recent episode of The Grit Show podcast and will continue to do so in the "Being Honest" segment.

Staying Connected

I truly believe in the power of community. Your continued support—whether through kind thoughts, prayers, or messages—means the world to me. It gives me strength and allows me to focus on healing.

For those who've asked about practical support such as meals, we'll be setting up a meal train soon. If you're interested in helping this way, please send me a note directly, and I'll connect you to the folks orchestrating that when it's ready.

For additional ways to support, you can find information about the GoFundMe campaign bit.ly/GFMShawna.

With profound gratitude and love, Shawna

Treatment Timeline

• Late January 2025: Diagnosis

• Early March 2025: Adjunctive therapy (aromatase inhibitor) began

• April 2025: 2 surgeries

  • April 1 - sentinel node removal/tissue prep

  • April 11th Bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction

• 3-month initial recovery period and physical restrictions

  • Follow up procedure TBD @ least 3 months later

• Additional treatment plans to be determined following tumor analysis

Podcast Updates

• The Grit Show Podcast: New episodes monthly through September 2025, supplemented with re-releases

• Authenticity Amplified Podcast: On hiatus until at least September 2025

• Author Express Podcast: Adjusted to bi-weekly schedule with Kristi & Kathleen taking hosting responsibilities until at least September 2025

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