06/01/2025
💚Our 1st Anniversary owning Zephyr Float has come and gone this April of 2025. This year has been a whirlwind and because of this we didn’t really get to properly celebrate such an accomplishment. Too many other life things had gotten in the way.
In June of 2024, about a month after acquiring Zephyr, I turned 40 and went for my first routine mammogram. This was the same day as we had our first magazine feature with , which I was super excited about (picture above). I was soooooooooooo elated to be a new business owner, a dream I had all my life. Unfortunately, there was an abnormality on the mammogram, which became 6 months of additional screenings, tests, biopsies and a whole lot of anxiety. By early December I received a lumpectomy for the abnormal cells discovered. After removal and further testing, right before New Years, I was told these cells were cancerous and I was diagnosed with Stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma in Situ.
Life kinda stopped at that moment and my cancer diagnosis had taken over. I am fortunate to have found it early and had the support of an amazing medical care team.
After weighing all my options and receiving a second opinion, I opted for a Diep Flap double mastectomy and had my surgery in March of this year. It was a very long surgery with a long recovery time. To say the least, my attentions have been pulled in many directions as a new business owner.
Not only was I facing the big C word, which no one ever wants to face, I had also suffered many losses during the first year in business. My father had passed unexpectedly as well as we had to say goodbye to my best fur friend, my dog of 14 yrs. Grief seemed to be the theme of 2024.
I fought hard during this time, mentally, physically and emotionally. Trying to hold it all together as it felt like everything was falling apart. I am so grateful for the support of my friends, family, and our loving clientele. My husband Rick is a superstar and I am the most fortunate wife to have him in my corner. I am also especially grateful for Liv, Vicki and all the massage therapists at Zephyr that not only supported me personally, but also professionally, keeping our little space running smoothly.
I went back and forth with the idea of making this public knowledge, but decided it was important for me to share my story. I wanted everyone to know why I hadn’t been as present these last few months and why I wasn’t available for massages. As of last week, I have been fully cleared by my doctors to resume normal activities. Although I feel more like myself today than I have for the last few months, I don't know if I will ever truly be the same. All I know right now is that I am Breast Cancer Free and that’s pretty awesome.
June 1st is National Cancer Survivor’s Day and I want to take this opportunity to honor all those who have faced cancer and are a warrior in this lifetime. It takes an incredible amount of perseverance and strength, mentally and physically to battle this disease, whether it is you personally or you are supporting a loved one who is suffering. I see you and think you are all BADASS. Anyone who comes into the spa for the month of June and has been directly affected by cancer, just mention this post, and with no questions asked we will give you 15% off your float.
I am extremely grateful and feeling optimistic for my future inside and outside of the spa. We have big plans to come for Zephyr Float, and I hope you will continue to support us on this ride!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my journey, and I am an open book if you see me and have questions. These experiences MUST be shared and acknowledged.
Love always,
Veronica 💚
