I was diagnosed in 2008 with stage 1 breast cancer, ER+/HER2neu+/PR+. My treatment included lumpectomies, chemo, radiation, a year of herceptin and the accompanying MUGA scans, nuclear studies, a port, a bout in the hospital, Neulasta, and a short but dreadful bout with arimidex. I am here to support other women with any questions about any part of my experience, which was never as bad as I imagined while waiting for the next step.

I was the first among my family and friends to have breast cancer. My only frame of reference for what a cancer patient looked liked came from movies and glimpses of brave women with undersized bandanas tied behind their head to partially hide a bald scalp.

As I planned for my own hair loss and researched the options available at the time, nothing met my criteria for maintaining style and dignity. Above all, I did not want to attract sympathy.

The most terrifying thing for me was the thought of losing my hair during chemo. It turned out to be one of the more positive experiences of my life. My search for a solution to disguise hair loss expanded my career when I designed Titillating Turbans. This 2 piece set is unique in the head wear realm and can be styled in dozens of ways. It has helped me bring another level of healing to women around the world.

We are blessed to live in a time of exponential progress. Not only has technology allowed medical research, but the blending of cultures has broadened philosophical understanding and integrated style and creativity to help us carry each other through.

There are thousands of us in this Reluctant Sisterhood, a heartfelt connection among those that have experienced a life threatening situation. No one else can truly understand us on the same level, and we are here to help each other through.

Remember you are never, ever alone.