Welcome! I’m Beth, and here’s a bit about me and my blog Adventure After Cancer.
In the fall of 2018, I was loving life, planning the future, and minding my own business when an ultrasound revealed that a cyst in my breast was actually Stage 3 Triple Negative breast cancer. About thirteen months, a mastectomy, 8 dose dense rounds of chemo, 25 rounds of radiation, and a bilateral DIEP flap reconstruction surgery later, I was thrown into the world of survivorship.
Before cancer, I worked as a biologist on Bering Sea fishing boats. I traveled when I could, getting the chance to visit 10 countries in my nearly eight years working in Alaska.
Y’all, I LOVED my job! I loved not only that I got to travel, but that work itself involved travel and seeing sights that people paid to visit.
So when I received my cancer diagnosis, I was devastated. Not only because, well, cancer. But because I thought the best days of my life might be over. I couldn’t go back to my job in Alaska, so now what??
Me at Petra, overlooking the Treasury
About Adventure After Cancer
During treatment, I saw breast cancer Facebook groups full of women who were in the depths of depression after their diagnosis. Even years later, these women struggled with the trauma they had endured.
I’m not a therapist. I can’t counsel anyone out of depression. But I thought maybe, just maybe, I can help inspire some of them that there is still joy, beauty, and adventure in life, even after the trauma of cancer.
And thus my blog was born!
Who is Adventure After Cancer For?
This blog is intended to be a resource for both cancer patients, as well as travelers looking for recommendations. I have posts with tips I learned about getting through treatment and dealing with side effects. And I have posts about places I’ve traveled, be it on the other side of the world or in my home state of Ohio.
If you fall into either of these categories — or better yet, both! — this blog is for you. 🙂
Where I’ve Been
The United States — Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennesee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming
Antarctica — Brown Bluff, Elephant Island
Argentina — Ushuaia
Belize — Caye Caulker, Hopkins, Monkey River Town
Cambodia — Siem Reap, Angkor Wat
Canada — Yellow Knife, Toronto
Egypt — Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Hurghada, Edfu, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Dahab, El Alamein
The Falkland Islands
Honduras — Tegucigalpa, Valle de Angeles, Utila, Roatan, Copan
Guatemala — Antigua, Quetzaltenango, Monterrico, Panajachel, Semuc Champey
Israel — Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Eilat
Italy — Rome, Pompeii
Jordan — Amman, Wadi Rum, Petra, Aqaba
Mexico — Baja California Norte and Sur, San Fransisco de la Sierra, Ensenada, Guerrero Negro, Mulege
South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands — Gold Harbor, Grytviken, St. Andrew’s Bay
Tanzania — Mtwara, Moshi, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorogoro NP, Lake Manyara NP
Where I’ve Been Featured
I’ve had the absolute honor of being interviewed for a few different articles and podcasts! Some of these posts share my story, while others provide advice related to cancer treatment.
Beyond The Ribbon Podcast — Breast cancer survivors Amy and Lynley have created an awesome podcast that talks about treatment, as well as the hurdles we face in survivorship years later. I had the pleasure of being their first TNBC guest!
Everyday Health — My friend Jennifer Garam wrote a fantastic piece about preparing your home for after breast surgery. Seeing as she had direct to implant surgery, she wanted to interview me as DIEP flap is quite different.
Love What Matters — If you’ve never visited this website, it’s full of heartwarming (if heartwrenching) stories. I felt so privileged to have them reach out to me to share my story!
Your Breast Friend Diaries — I was interviewed by fellow survivor Erika Silva for her podcast in order to share my story of thriving after diagnosis.
Wildfire Magazine — I wrote an article for the annual Body issue in 2020 titled “Breast Cancer Improved My Self Image.” I was again featured in their 2023 Travel & Adventure issue with “Taking the Plunge.”
