I informally “introduced” myself in a different part of the forum, so wanted to bop over here for a moment to share something as part of my official introduction.
Today is the 10-year anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis. A couple months later, I was given a stage 4 diagnosis and told (as all people with stage 4 cancer) that there was no cure and therefore no hope. Thankfully, I was raised by amazing grandparents and mother who always told me that dreams come true and that I could do anything I set my mind to. It’s a very long story, but as a result, I made the decision that I was going to beat it no matter what - and I did! Now, I did receive chemo, but the most important part is, I worked on my emotional health, visualized, established a strong belief in my ability to overcome and surrounded myself with an uplifting community. I even extended my daily runs to 3 hours long during chemo side effects! This, I’m convinced, helped me save my own life, as I developed a very strong and life-affirming bond with the animals I saw during these runs. I did get breast cancer again, in 2023, but much to the complete shock of my oncologists and myself, it was only stage 1! This is virtually unheard of, especially for someone who was stage 4 the first time. I got a double mastectomy (might as well make it easier on myself, right?) and light radiation, and I’m completely healthy. My oncologists kept on saying, “I just have no idea how you’ve done so well for such a long time.” But I know how. By believing in myself and my ability to overcome.
I’m sharing this today because I feel tremendously grateful to be alive and well, so I hope I can help someone else who may be facing an “incurable” medical diagnosis or other seemingly insurmountable problem. Never underestimate your power to change your own life. The magic is in you.
Hi @Irenebean and welcome! I’m Jayne, originally from the UK, but now living in Texas. I adopted the witch name Greenbriar to more closely align with my practice, which leans toward nature and earth magic.
What an incredible story you have to tell, and such an inspiration! You definitely have the magic within you!
Hi, @Irenebean! I’m Amethyst from Southern West Virginia. Welcome to the forum!
I’m glad you popped over. I would have hated to miss welcoming you! And I tip my witch hat to you on being cancer-free after your fight! That is so awesome, I’m happy for you! You channeled your magic into your health and won a battle! That’s amazing! I’m so happy to meet you!
Hi again, @Irenebean - I am glad you decided to share your story with us. I think your strength is incredible - you’re stumping your own doctors, which is fabulous! You’re a fearless fighter and your story is inspiring.
I’m happy you’re here with us to spread your life-force around.
Hi, Jayne, thank you for connecting, and I’m happy to meet you, too! I absolutely love that you incorporate nature into your practice, as I have great reverence for the natural world. And it is a powerful means of practicing!
You’re so sweet, Amethyst, thank you! Your kind words and confidence in my abilities mean a lot to me. Anyone can do it! The main thing that holds people back with regards to healing themselves (chemo, radiation, etc are placebos, but the cure is within us; that’s what I believe), is listening to what “the world” (meaning, anyone around you) proclaims about it, instead of listening to and trusting themselves. And it’s HARD to trust yourself in that situation, because the “voices” of “the world” are so loud and convincing. The gift that something like stage 4 cancer gives you is a belief in yourself. With that said, I definitely still had plenty of bad moments where I was terrified and moments where I took it out on my mom, who deserves ONLY wonderful things for how supportive she was. I’m glad to meet you formally!
I’m so touched by your kind words, Feathertip, thank you! I just hope that my story can inspire someone to believe in their ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. That would make me very happy, because I’ve been so fortunate with my health journey. You have an amazing life force, as well, as do the other ladies who’ve welcomed me so warmly and shared such valuable information with me in the Q&A category! I say category because I don’t know what the correct term is for each topic, LOL. Anyway, it has been a pleasure to connect with you!
Thank you for sharing your lovely introduction - it’s a pleasure to meet you “officially”! Welcome to the forum
What a powerful story of recovery! It’s very inspiring to hear what you accomplished on your healing journey. A huge congrats to you for claiming your wellbeing. I’m glad you’re doing well now!
Please make yourself right at home here. Blessed be!
Hi @Irenebean it’s nice to formally meet you! That is an incredible story of using everything you have to reach the ultimate outcome! That is really an amazing testament to your own strength & will to win against the odds!
I’m Susurrus & I chatted with you previously on another post, it’s great to hear more! I’m one of the moderators in the forum & very happy to have you join us!
I look forward to learning more with you! I hope you join us throughout the forum, everyone here is very helpful & supportive. If you have any questions feel free to ask or share something else with us! Jump in on any open topic, or feel free to start more of your own at any time!
Welcome sister! I’m delighted to meet you. Thank you for your story. As a wound care nurse, I often remind my patients that their state of mind plays a significant role in their recovery. Don’t give up. Visualize your health, know it is yours to take. I am using that for myself after my surgery. I feel it is helping me heal. Many continued blessings to you.
Oh my gosh… congratulations for sticking to it. I am also a survivor and never backing down is important. I am impressed you decided to win and then DID!
I’m Dan and I study belief systems - falling loosely under the Chaos umbrella. Right now I’m into cards and studying the Norse Pantheon.
Have fun here - the coven is full of accepting people and wonderful things to learn and in which to participate!
No apologies needed, @Irenebean - life does like to keep us busy! There’s no rush. Feel free to pop into the forum whenever you have the time and energy
My name is Kat, and I practice nature magick with a bioregional focus, working closely with the natural world and drawing inspiration from plant and animal spirits. I’m drawn to herbalism, gardening, and various forms of divination - tarot, throwing bones, kipper and ogham.
I wanted to say this floored me!!! The strength and determination you have are incredible to do this As a runner myself, I am in awe of your perseverance during tough times. Running has changed my perspective on life as well as improved my mental and physical health. Wow…just wow, you are amazing!
We’re glad to have you here. Make yourself comfortable, explore, and feel free to ask questions!:
Hi! your story is inspiring! So happy for you! I didn’t think I was going to walk again about 6 months ago (my hip gave out and drs and specialists still can’t understand what happened). With manifesting. Slowly building strength and my determination and passion, I am walking 100% now! I know it’s because of my mindset and I literally had to start at 1 min stretches 1 that’s it. Now I can walk for 20 mins no pain. I also have to thank my crystals and spell work welcome! This is an incredible space!
Your kind words and confidence in my abilities mean a lot to me. 
Anyone can do it! The main thing that holds people back with regards to healing themselves (chemo, radiation, etc are placebos, but the cure is within us; that’s what I believe), is listening to what “the world” (meaning, anyone around you) proclaims about it, instead of listening to and trusting themselves. And it’s HARD to trust yourself in that situation, because the “voices” of “the world” are so loud and convincing. The gift that something like stage 4 cancer gives you is a belief in yourself. 
With that said, I definitely still had plenty of bad moments where I was terrified and moments where I took it out on my mom, who deserves ONLY wonderful things for how supportive she was. I’m glad to meet you formally!
As a runner myself, I am in awe of your perseverance during tough times. 
Running has changed my perspective on life as well as improved my mental and physical health. Wow…just wow, you are amazing!
Make yourself comfortable, explore, and feel free to ask questions!:
your story is inspiring! So happy for you! I didn’t think I was going to walk again about 6 months ago (my hip gave out and drs and specialists still can’t understand what happened). With manifesting. Slowly building strength and my determination and passion, I am walking 100% now! I know it’s because of my mindset and I literally had to start at 1 min stretches 1 that’s it. Now I can walk for 20 mins no pain. I also have to thank my crystals and spell work 
welcome! This is an incredible space!