I am a two-time breast cancer survivor. (Technically, I’m still in treatment for my second diagnosis, but I’m claiming survivorhood.)
I was first diagnosed with Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma on January 20, 2016; one month to the day after my 40th birthday. I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and a five month reconstruction process and was forced to make crazy decisions about my body that should be reserved for Twilight Zone episodes.
I was diagnosed for a second time on January 27, 2023 after finding a lump in my armpit. The same type of cancer, but this time Stage 2A. My treatment plan was 4 rounds of AC (Adriamycin, Cytoxin), followed by 12 rounds of T (Taxol), followed by 5 weeks of radiation, followed by ovary removal. I will be on long-term hormone and endocrine therapy.
I am a freelance writer, speaker and part-time library assistant with a degree in English: Literary Studies, from Iowa State University. My first book, Life Reconstructed: Navigating the Word of Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction (Familius) released in 2021. My agent in currently seeking a publisher for my second book proposal. It will be a devotional/meditation book for women going through breast cancer filled will real life stories of breast cancer survivors that I’ve interviewed.
Breast cancer has kind of taken over my world and I love having the opportunity to write about it, but I like to write on a variety of other topics as well. If you read much of what I write, you will quickly find that I also love Jesus and being a boy mom.
I live in Huxley, Iowa with my husband of 24 years, Corey, the youngest of our three boys and one crazy dog. You can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kimharmslifereconstructed and on Instagram at @kimharmslifereconstructed.
