Meet Brooke | In the Press
Navigating the Fire: Breast Cancer, Chemical Menopause, and the Power of Curiosity
In this episode of Unmuted, I share the raw details of my “fire journey” with breast cancer—from the moment I noticed a physical change while on vacation to navigating an aggressive diagnosis that required chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries. We dive into the often-overlooked side effects of treatment, including the sudden onset of chemical menopause in my 40s, and how I used my engineering background to lean into curiosity rather than fear when faced with high-stakes medical decisions.
My conversation with the Unmuted Podcast
If you or someone you love is navigating a health crisis, this conversation offers a roadmap for self-advocacy. I discuss the specific “armor” I wore to every appointment, why I insisted on seeing a plastic surgeon before my first surgery, and how my spouse and I redefined intimacy through “naked snuggle time” when physical energy was at its lowest.
“Curiosity is a survival strategy: it pulls you out of shock and into a space where you can ask for the risks, demand precision in your care, and actively participate in your own healing journey.”
Listen to the full episode to hear why I refer to this as a “fire journey” and how you can use the Seasonal Blueprint to reclaim your sense of intention after a year hijacked by crisis. WARNING: This conversation may be triggering.