"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure" - Peter Marshall

The last 10 months have taught me an awful lot about myself and the beautiful life I have and, amongst many other things, that indeed we grow stronger in the contrary winds and life has shaped beautiful diamonds (metaphorically) to enjoy.

10 months ago I got diagnosed with a rather rare and aggressive form of breast cancer called TNBC and, about 300 days ago, I started my fight and treatment journey which now allows me to be here, after 16 gruelling chemotherapies, 12 immunotherapies so far, 4 hospital stays, 1 blood transfusion, 1 surgery, 4 weeks of daily radiation, a range of horrid side symptoms, countless doctors appointments, scans, tests and blood draws, needles and medication over medication - Cancer Free and in full remission!!!

And while this might sound like a lot, sadly in comparison to many others it isn't. I can really count myself lucky to have reached this position rather fast, as painfully many others may never reach this point, or their fight continues far beyond my experience. I believe I am actually able to write this and call myself in full remission mainly due to early detection, some good portion of inner voice and standing up for myself and of course a working treatment and a great deal of fight. But mainly because it was detected early on. Hence I am posting this, not to showcase how hard it was or to get some pity, but to raise the awareness and hopefully help others with my story. Specifically, TNBC occurs more for younger woman and the chances to fight it successfully are, as for most cancers, related to how early it is detected especially for fast growing, likely spreading, tumors like this type. I am feeling extremely humble and grateful for my outcome and the medical system I live in, though I also learned it as well the hard way that while the German system is great a lot comes back to you needing to fight for yourself and be your own advocate. So proper checks and scans are important and some are only done as standard a bit later in life. If I can send you one plea, please do regular health checks and please always listen to yourself and don't ignore first symptoms because life is too busy and "it probably won't be anything", I normally would be that person.

I feel like I got out of it with a black eye and a bit less tissue ;) and I am sooo extremely grateful and lucky that cancer didn't bring me to my knees, it brought me to my feet and if I can do one thing now standing strong on my feet it is to raise awareness, share my story, so that hopefully early detection saves more lifes and to try to give back! So one step, or in fact it will be a few more steps, have been ran at the Berlin Frauenlauf on Saturday May 17th with some of the most beautiful friends by my side (near and far) celebrating life and supporting some great causes. The fact that I can sit here in the sun enjoying a good beloved coffee now, after a slow but steady training run, is so humbling and brings me to happy tears. Someone sent me this quote "Das Schönste im Leben ist nicht, was du besitzt sondern was du teilst - die Augenblicke, die sich verweben zu Geschichten, die dich tragen. Es sind nicht die großen Taten, sondern die kleinen Gesten, die Spuren in den Herzen hinterlassen", therewith I would like to open this foundraiser trying to support three great organisations, 1 for every 100 days of my treatment journey:

1) Discovering Hands, uses the superior sense of touch of blind or visually impaired woman doing and teaching palpation examination (Taktilografie). Supporting and spreading their organisation as well as creating a fund for free sessions with Discovering Hands (and if I figure out how, maybe start a fund for free ultrasound scan's and mamography's which aren't (yet) the standard insurance covered check ups for woman under 50)

2) Härtefonds der Berliner Krebsgesellschaft e.V. supports woman or families who are in financial difficulties due to a cancer diagnosis

3) Rexrodt von Fircks Stiftung for cancer mothers and their children offering specially designed rehabilitation programs for moms and their children to heal and recover

I read another quote years ago that "there is a crack in everything, that's how light gets in" by Leonard Cohen, and that is very true as well for harder times in life, there is always a ray of sunshine, a glimpse of joy and something beautiful there and I can truly and wholeheartedly say that I am blessed and beyond grateful for the best family, friends, colleagues, workplace and in total amazing support system I/we had, you are the light! I can't even begin to thank enough the wonderful people around us who helped us through this journey and showed up, texted, called day and night, travelled, saw the good and the ugly, laughed with us, listened and held our backs, hands and hair (or no hair), distracted, played, did Kita pick ups, brought food, sent care packages and messages, supported us in sooo many ways and much more. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my wonderful husband who more than lived up to his vow in sickness and in health, to the best and amazing family and friends, colleagues, network near and far. It was overwhelming the amount of love, support, comfort and care we received and I will do my best to live up to this in my second chance of life. I still need to pinch myself that our "shitty detour in life" is over and I can write this with the best outlook possible and celebrate life. Sooooo THANK YOU, Thank you, Thank you! Now lets go off to the next chapter and try to make even more positive impact together. Thank you & Love Katja xx