🎙 In this episode of In Shock, I share the raw story of my very first cancer diagnosis — lip cancer caused by years of sun worshipping with zero sunscreen.
It started as a tiny spot on my lip that I ignored for months, thinking it was just an ingrown pimple. That tiny spot grew, hurt, and eventually turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma, an advanced skin cancer that almost required extensive reconstructive surgery.
I take you through every step of my journey:
The carefree days of baking in the sun covered in baby oil
Getting second-degree sunburns so bad I ended up in the ER
Spotting a small bump on my lip that changed everything
The shock of being diagnosed with lip cancer while driving down the freeway
Undergoing painful Mohs surgery, awake for a 7-hour procedure as layer after layer of my lip was removed
Seeing my face after surgery and the emotional trauma of living with scars
Learning the importance of early detection, sunscreen, and regular skin checks
But this is more than just a cancer story. It’s about:
🌱 Becoming your own health advocate
📖 Building a medical binder, asking questions, bringing friends to appointments
💛 Finding strength in your community, and learning not to go through scary moments alone
🙏 And realizing how quickly life can change — and why protecting yourself matters.
🔥 Why this matters:
We’re all vulnerable to cancer, whether it’s from sun damage, family history, or pure chance.
Early detection saved my life — and it could save yours.
This diagnosis was just the start. I went on to face melanoma, breast cancer (twice), strokes, aneurysms, and more. I’ll be sharing all of it on this channel, plus stories from amazing guests who’ve faced their own life-altering curveballs.
👉 If you or someone you know is navigating a cancer diagnosis or skin cancer scare, please share this video.
Together, we can build a supportive community so no one feels alone in these terrifying moments.
Thank you for tuning in! I truly appreciate every one of you, whether you’re here for the first time or have been with me from the start.
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