Life Can Bloom Again
- Surviving Breast Cancer
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
By Annette Lindell
Imagine being newly engaged to the love of your life, going on holidays together, planning a future, working a great job and living in an incredible city and then all of a sudden everything changes. Two and a half years ago, my life changed with the discovery of a single lump. It was small, unexpected, and easy to dismiss, but something in me knew it needed attention.
On April 17, 2023, I received the diagnosis no one ever wants to hear: Stage 2B triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease that often leaves little room for delay. In that moment, the world felt as if it had tilted on its axis. Everything familiar suddenly looked different, colored now by uncertainty and fear. But what I didn’t know then was just how deeply resilience, love, and purpose would shape the months ahead.
The treatment plan was daunting: eight rounds of chemotherapy, 16 rounds of immunotherapy, two lumpectomies, and 20 sessions of radiation. Each phase brought its own obstacles, both physically and emotionally. Chemo days tested my endurance, immunotherapy pushed me to redefine strength, and surgery and radiation forced me to confront the vulnerability of my own body. Yet through all of this, something inside me refused to break. I held fiercely to hope and made a decision early on: cancer would change my life, but it would not steal my joy.
What surprised many, including myself at times, was how much life I managed to fit in between the appointments, infusions, and recoveries. Cancer did not stop me from showing up for the moments I had always dreamed of. I celebrated two bridal showers, laughed my way through two bachelorette parties — one of them a wild, unforgettable weekend in Nashville — and walked down the aisle at a beautiful, joy-filled wedding to the love of my life, who never once left my side. We took a mini-moon, followed later by a full honeymoon, making memories that reminded me of who I was beyond the patient, beyond the diagnosis.
Even more astonishing to people around me was that throughout this whirlwind of treatment and celebration, I rarely took more than three or four days off work. For me, staying engaged wasn’t about ignoring my illness; it was about holding on to a sense of normalcy and purpose. Work gave me structure, community, and a reminder that my identity stretched far beyond hospital rooms and scan results. Every day I chose to show up was an act of defiance — proof that I could still live fully even in the middle of something life-altering.
I wasn’t doing it alone. My journey was carried on the shoulders of family and friends and even my doctors at City of Hope Chicago, who became my rocks. They offered rides, meals, laughter, late-night pep talks, and the kind of unwavering presence that makes even the darkest moments feel survivable. My husband’s strength and tenderness grounded me; his belief in my resilience helped me believe in it, too. My doctors guided me with utmost patience every step of the way. Cancer might have challenged my body, but my community fortified my spirit.
And then came a chapter of my story I once wondered if I’d ever reach: remission. Today, I can say those words with gratitude that feels almost indescribable. But remission wasn’t the final miracle. Not long after reclaiming my health, I stepped into a role I had dreamed of for years: motherhood. I am now the proud mom of a beautiful baby girl who will soon be eight months old. Holding her is a daily reminder of everything I fought for: the future, the love that sustained me, and the belief that life could bloom again after so much uncertainty.
When I look back, what stands out most is not the hardship, but the sheer force of will that carried me through. There’s no way to soften the truth that treatment was hard. There were days when my energy was gone, when fear crept in, when progress felt too slow… but I learned that the mind is an extraordinary thing. A strong mindset doesn’t eliminate hardship, but it transforms how you face it. I leaned into determination, into gratitude, and into the conviction that I would get through every phase. And I did.
Sharing my story isn’t about celebrating myself; it’s about offering something to anyone who needs a reminder to pay attention to their bodies, trust their instincts, and advocate for their health. If something feels off, check it. Don’t wait, don’t minimize it, don’t assume it can wait for another season of life. Make the appointment. Do the scans. Get the mammogram. Early detection does more than save time — it can save your life.
My journey has taught me that adversity doesn’t erase joy; it reshapes it. It sharpens your awareness of what matters most and amplifies gratitude for moments you once took for granted. I found strength I didn’t know I had, witnessed the power of community, and learned that even in the hardest chapters, life can still be filled with love, milestones, celebrations, and the promise of new beginnings.
Today, as I watch my daughter grow and feel the fullness of a life I fought so fiercely to protect, I am reminded of the importance of listening to your body and honoring your wellbeing. My story is one of challenge, but also one of triumph, resilience, and overwhelming love. And if it encourages even one person to take their health seriously, to seek answers sooner, or to believe in their own strength through struggle, then sharing it is worth every word.
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Preparing for Breast Cancer Surgery: What You Need to Know with Dr. Tammaro
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