Cancer

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Hey! I’m Kim!

Hey! My name is Kim and I live on Vancouver Island, BC. Shortly after my 34^th birthday, I was diagnosed with ER/PR+ Her2- stage 2b breast cancer. I underwent a lumpectomy, followed by 8 rounds of dose dense AC+T chemo, and 28 treatments of radiation. Read more

Follow me on Instagram @kangell82

Shortly after treatment ended, I found myself sitting in the oncologist's office, breaking down in tears saying how much I missed being intimate with my husband. I felt so guilty and depressed feeling like I may never get to that place again. But hormone therapy does such a number on you. Between the vaginal dryness, the pain, and the lack of sex drive altogether, it was really impacting how I felt about myself. I didn't feel sexy anymore. I felt like I was letting down my partner. And as much as I tried, it always ended in tears. . My onc referred me to a sex therapist who I've been seeing now for almost a year. She talked to both me and my husband and gave me so much hope that things could improve. Maybe not exactly to where they once were but finding ways to adapt. And while we still have some homework to do and ongoing sessions with her along the way, it took this immense burden off of me and I finally felt like there was hope. . Sex is such a taboo topic. One we don't often talk enough about. But it's one I've been really passionate about in opening up the conversation about. I was so excited when @rethinkbreastcancer asked me to sit on their #rethinkrealtalk panel on Sex, Cancer, and Intimacy alongside @nalieagustin and @alannners as well as 3 other health professionals and immediately said yes! We'll be at the Alliance Francaise in Toronto from 6-9pm tonight for an open discussion on this topic that I know many of you are struggling with as well. Hope to see you there!

Always an awesome time visiting family and exploring around together. And totally obsessed with all the beautiful fall colours here😍 Next stop Toronto!

Missing the beauty and magic of this place already! As I sit here in the airport, I can't help but feel so much gratitude after spending the last 3 days at the Stretch Heal Grow retreat in Emerald Lake with over 30 other young women affected by breast cancer. . From the laughs, yoga, and making malas together, to the powerful moments of silence, sharing in those feelings of vulnerability, and finding our inner peace, it was so healing being there with others who have walked along this same path with you. The web of shared trauma and connectedness that will always link us together, strong and powerful. . Thank you @rethinkbreastcancer for all of the hard work you put into SHG and making us all feel so welcomed and special. It was perfect in so many ways❤

Today is breast reconstruction awareness day or BRA day here in Canada. It's a chance to speak about options and share our own experiences with others who may be facing a similar path. When I was first diagnosed, I thought the only option was for me to have a mastectomy and go straight to implants. But there are so many more options out there. Whether it's starting with an expander, doing flap reconstruction using tissue from your own body, or going flat, it's your body and your choice. I had latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction over two years ago where a piece of skin, muscle and tissue was taken from my back and used along with an expander to help reconstruct my breasts. It was one of the hardest things I've been through in my life. Having drains coming out of my back and my breasts. Not being able to sit or lay down. Losing sensation across my body. But I was lucky to have very few issues other than a seroma (which is very common after a flap procedure) and have more natural feeling breasts as a result despite having radiated tissue. Breast reconstruction is not a one size fits all approach though and it's certainly not a boob job either. Over the last 3 years, I've had 5 breast reconstruction surgeries with my final one last January (posted here). And while my breasts are not perfect by any means, it's at a point where I can say I'm comfortable and I'm enough. What type of reconstruction did you have? Were you aware of all the options out there?

Perfect end to the perfect weekend. From a westcoast friendsgiving in Tofino to a traditional turkey dinner with the fam, words can't express how grateful I am. To be here today healthy, happy, and surrounded by all of the amazing people in my life including these two❤ Happy Thanksgiving 🇨🇦

So pumped to finally squeeze this gem irl! After connecting online 2.5 years ago with @jenhods , we finally got to meet up and explore a bit of the island together including our own BC version of Niagara Falls😂 and share some random facts about where I live (who knew bathtub races weren't as common as I thought lol!). Although I wish we never had to go through this together, I am so thankful for your friendship and unwavering support through it all❤ #breastiesforlife

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