“I was diagnosed with rare and aggressive breast cancer at the age of 36.”

In 2018, Schonel Bryant and her husband Luke decided to replace the urban lifestyle of Geelong, Victoria with the quieter and simpler life offered by the rural town of Dalesford.

The couple had two Children, Smith and Vogue, and at the age of 36, Seanell’s own business as a stylist began to take off. She had two. International wedding I was considering setting up several overseas workshops in the pipeline.

However, one night in October 2019, while watching TV, Seanell I felt a lump In her chest, which felt “like frozen peas”.Not wanting to waste time, the couple agreed she would see The next day doctor..

“”What followed was ultrasound, mammograms, and a biopsy that confirmed exactly what I was afraid of, “she says. Body + soul.. “I I got cancer.. “

Shenell recalls that her emotions were “quite mixed” at first. To this day, she finds it difficult to express in words.

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“I didn’t shed tears right away. I was shocked at one level, but otherwise I walked before this walk or somehow knew it would come at the soul level. I felt like, “she says.

Diagnosis

Ultrasound, mammograms, and biopsy have revealed that this is a particularly aggressive form of the disease known as triple-negative breast cancer.

It accounts for only 15% of breast cancer diagnoses, but up to 50% of deaths.

“The importance of self-checking is very important because it generally affects young women,” Shonel warns.

“It grows much faster than other forms of breast cancer. It is known to double in size in a few weeks.”

Seanell admits that her adventure into the depths of the Internet was unwise.

“I went looking for a triple negative success story, but instead I found something negative that just spiraled me into some deep, dark place,” she says.

“Then I decided I needed to be a success story I couldn’t find,” she began recording her journey to form the basis of her next nine-part documentary, Life on Standby. It was.

processing

Seanell said he was categorically opposed to mainstream cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy because he lost his mother and aunt to cancer, stomach, and breast, respectively. “I believe in the ability to heal naturally when the body is in optimal condition,” she says.

But the more she learns about her particular situation, the more “it became so clear that I needed to keep pace,” she says.

She decided that her treatment was an “integrated approach,” and received chemotherapy for six months to shrink the tumor to “forgetting,” after which she removed what remained after surgery. This was combined with alternative therapies such as hemp oil, dietary changes, juices, meditation, infrared saunas, and high-dose vitamin C.

I remember Shonel has been very challenging over the last six months. The side effects of chemotherapy can be debilitating even in young people like Shonel.

Mental fog, constantly infected fingernails, malaise, hemorrhoids, systemic illness, blurred vision, chemically induced menopause, etc.

recovery

“There are many things on a cancer journey, but most people who have experienced it agree that the real journey begins. rear It’s cancer, but that’s when support stops, “Shonel says.

“Everyone thinks you’re fine the moment your cancer is gone … [And] There is a weight to feel as if it is up to you and your lifestyle choices to prevent recurrence. “

After 19 rounds of radiation, the wisdom that Shonel wants to convey to others is that you are not happy with breast cancer, even if you are young.

“If you feel something in your chest, you can’t really emphasize it. do not do Postpone it and go straight to the doctor. If you’re under the age of 40 or a mammogram, don’t leave without an ultrasound referral, “she says.

The biggest lesson she personally learned was to make sure she made time for herself.

“My life was a mom during the day and spent doing business outside of business hours (I know there are others like me reading this).” She says.

“By the nature of what I’m doing, I didn’t have much downtime on weekends. I’m not okay with that anymore … Returning to a” normal “life is not an option for me. Now it’s about taking holidays, laughing, connecting and absorbing each other. life More than ever. “

Life on Standby will be available on October 13th.See trailer here And follow Shonel Instagram..

All photos provided were taken by Enchanted wedding..