Amanda is a Mother, Dentist, Coach, and Breast Cancer survivor. She owned her own dental practice for 10 years and now works part-time as a dentist while spending time with her blended family and helping others thrive.
It seemed as if I had finally overcome the hurdle
After selling my practice and building for a nice profit I could feel the breeze of freedom in my heart and I was on the high of hope that comes with big changes. I was blessed with two wonderful children and had cut off the albatross of ownership finally taking care of some needs that had been put aside. This included paying off my car, fixing some issues that had been put off due to cost at the house, getting dry eye laser treatments, finally fixing a few health nuisances I had ignored, and taking some fun trips. Then I got the call. One of my dearest friends was diagnosed with breast cancer and had just started chemotherapy. Flying across the country to sit with her in the infusion room I realized how time had flown. Surviving COVID as a dental practice owner, finally getting through a divorce that took 6 years to end…. When did I have my last mammogram? Yes, it was negative when I had mine while we were shut down for COVID, but is it every year or every three years I am due?
"Breasties"
In 2023 my friend and I ended up becoming “Breasties”. It started with the radiologist coming into the room immediately after my first mammogram. There were 4 lesions and we needed a biopsy. The biopsy came back positive but with good news. We thought all I would need was a double mastectomy and reconstruction. However, the path report came back a few days after my mastectomy and there was invasion into the lymph node. Now a tumor panel agreed I would face chemo which involved 7 months out of work battling cancer and waiting for reconstruction.
Full-time job of fighting cancer
I had finally started working as an associate and I had to step away and take on the full-time job of fighting cancer. Sitting in the chemo chair facing a myriad of uncertainties throughout the process, I came to the shaking conclusion that I could not possibly emotionally handle working in dentistry again. This is similar to the burnout or mid-career crisis experience so many face in the medical world. I knew that I could never live my life the same again and that started with how I balanced my inner purpose with my clinical practice. I am now on the journey of recreating my life, my career, and how I feel peace and joy. Most of all I am growing the connections and relationships that foster joy on this journey in life. I have found a job doing dental work part time and I am working on some creative opportunities in my life while spending more time with my family.
Grateful for the chains that have been broken and the joy to come
Breast cancer was like a shot to the heart giving me a second chance in life. Having support groups and other pink friends is an important part of creating a strong foundation for life after cancer. I am grateful for the chains that have been broken and the joy to come.