My battle with cancer and why early detection is so important
Hi! I’m Amy Bohn, co-owner of Spa Habitat and Clovertree with my husband, Greg. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to tell you my story. At the end of 2016, at the age of 45, I went in for a routine mammogram because of a family history of breast cancer. The mammogram showed a tumor on my right breast. After a second mammogram, an extensive ultrasound, and a needle biopsy, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, the most aggressive form of breast cancer. We caught it early, but because of the rapid growth of the tumor, the only choice was immediate surgery, followed by 5 months of aggressive chemotherapy and 33 rounds of radiation. My family and friends prayed for me, supported me, held my hand, and took care of my kids. I couldn’t have asked for a better support system.
This is me at my last chemo treatment. I knew I was going to be sick all week (for one last time), but I was so happy to have made it to that last iv infusion. The nurses celebrated and threw confetti and gave me balloons 🙂 Good people…
I know that not every cancer patient has that kind of support. We saw a LOT of cancer patients every week at my treatments. Some were going to be ok, and we knew that some wouldn’t. It was so eye opening to see the number of people and families that were affected by this awful disease – cancer.
Now, a little over a year after finishing treatment, I am cancer free. And I am thankful. And I am blessed.
This is me with my family, about a week before I started my chemotherapy and lost all of my hair. I am blessed to have such a supportive family. They stood by me and encouraged me all the way through the battle.
So much more research needs to be done so that people don’t have to suffer and lose their lives. Cancer is ugly. And going through this experience makes me even more motivated to raise awareness. You can help yourself through a healthy lifestyle, eliminating toxins from your diet and your personal care products, and also through early detection. If you are 40 years old or older, or if you have a family history of breast cancer, PLEASE get a mammogram once a year. It is likely that I would not be here today if I had not been committed to yearly mammograms.
From October 17-31, in honor of my experience with breast cancer and my desire for no one else to have to go through this awful disease, Spa Habitat will be donating 20% of all Clovertree product sales (at any Spa Habitat or online at www.clovertee.com) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. We chose BCRF because they give 91% of donations directly to research, including the environmental causes of breast cancer. Research saves lives. Mammograms save lives. We hope that you will schedule a mammogram for yourself and encourage the women in your lives to do the same.
Much love,
Amy