Fly Beyond the Moon (2025)

25/03/2025

Nine Years Later 🤍

05/02/2025

••• Not Too Young •••

This World Cancer Day, the Young Breast Cancer Project is breaking the myth that women under the age of forty are for cancer.

The percentage of woman diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of forty continues to grow, with most of us being initially told we were “too young” to have cancer, yet were still diagnosed.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Four percent of those women will be diagnosed under the age of forty, and every year, more than 1,000 women under age of forty die from breast cancer.

🔑🔑 Our unique stories may feel all too familiar, which is why we must elevate our voices and be familiar with changes in our bodies, including the following symptoms:

- A lump or abnormality in the shape or feel of the
breast
- A lump in the underarm area
- A generalized swelling of all or a part of the breast
- An irritation or dimpling of the skin on the breast
- Ni**le retraction (ni**le turning inward)
- Rash, redness or scaliness on the ni**le or breast
skin
- Spontaneous discharge from the ni**le

🔑🔑 And what do you do if your doctor says “it’s nothing”:
1.) ask for a diagnostic test (ultrasound, MRI, or
mammogram) to confirm that “it’s nothing.”
2.) If your doctor will not agree, find another doctor
who will listen to you and take your concerns
seriously. You know your body better than anyone
else.
___________

07/12/2024

— Eight Years Cancer Free —
forever grateful, forever celebrating each and every anniversary. 🤍🙏🤍

12/10/2024

October | Somewhere Only We Know

October is a month of awareness, but it’s also a month for survivors, warriors and supporters to seek a means to our constant longing for something pure and simple amongst the uncertainties of cancer. An opportunity to seek the things that make us feel complete and alive.

I was 37 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the last eight years, I have navigated the path of fighter turned survivor; living each day through a series of mixed emotions, a stomach churning roller coaster of highs and lows, new medical scares, and a long and winding path that has drawn strength, clarity and peace to an experience that too many of us have endured.

Through it all, there has been unexpected joy, unexpected moments of peace, and the ability to draw strength from the most unexpected places. Through various outlets of wellness and creativity, there has been healing and reflection, resilience and strength, hope and community.

There has been simplicity amongst the chaos; solo walks in the woods, sitting in silence at the river's edge with only the sound of the waves hitting the shore in the distance. Sitting on a park bench, watching the fall leaves happily flutter from the highest trees. Each one in their own individual shades of green, yellow, orange, and red; and much like us, they are ever changing, and ever seeking the sunlight to shine down and show us the right direction to fly.

This path we have traveled is one only we know; one that has pushed us to chase a life in which we live simply, freely and with no regrets. One where we suddenly look around and are thankful for our health, our family, our friends, our second chances.

It’s an experience only we know, one that leaves us in a place where we welcome the ups and the downs, fully knowing that just like the leaves on the trees, there's a chance to come back the following year, brighter and healthier and more beautiful than ever.

Sending love, this month and always, to those who have fought, are fighting, or love someone who has; breathe, reflect, and honor the journey that has made you the person you are today.

——————-
🧡

31/03/2024

|| Looking Back, Looking Forward || •••

March 10th, 2016 was an unseasonably warm day; that morning my then 7 and 5 year old babes would excitedly point out the blades of new green grass popping up through the layers of brown and yellow ground as we walked to the bus stop.

Later that day, with the sights and smells of spring on its way, my OBGYN would feel a lump in my left breast during a routine, albeit, much overdue checkup.

Two weeks later, spring rain would be falling outside the window of my office when I would get the call that I did in fact have breast cancer.

That next weekend, we would prepare for Easter much like we are this weekend; picking out our favorite flowers, decorating the house, preparing our traditional foods, and keeping faith that we would all just keep taking steps forward, on the good days and the hard ones.

Reflecting back on that day, and the days that would follow, are a way for me to continue to process my cancer journey; a reminder to pause and know that your experience is just that: yours.

A reminder, that just like the weather, our lives can change without warning; but, if you look closely, those changes can be as wonderful as they were hard.

💫 Some eight year reflections as I look back:

• It’s been eight years, but I remember that day as if it was yesterday. The emotions come and go, and still remain a mix of lingering fear for a relapse and unparalleled gratitude for an experience that has helped shape who I now am.

• The amount of time we have to grieve our hardships is indefinite; there is no end to when the timeframe should end, or even begin to get easier.
Trauma is something that can take many forms, and is different for everyone; at the same time, we can all relate to it in the same way.

• Our level of trauma is not any worse or better than someone else's level of trauma and no comparisons should be made.

• This path has allowed me to connect with so many that have walked the same, or a similar path, and I am forever thankful for each person who has walked into my life (or walked closer) because of cancer.

• Finding joy amongst trauma or a difficult experience is ok; celebrate the fact that your journey has brought you a new sense of clarity, growth and strength that you may not have otherwise found.

• We can look back and feel grateful for all we have overcome, and we can also look forward and feel grateful the past made us who we are today; strength can always be found in both.

🔑 Sharing our stories is our connection to others; you never know who will resonate with your journey, just by reading the words that you share.

Wishing all our friends and family Easter love, as we all take steps forward together, even on the harder days 💛

20/03/2024

{{ spring }} •••

"Spring has always been by one of my favorite seasons, falling second only to the crisp days of Fall.

It's the season of new green grass, blooming flowers and the time to plant new seeds, both in our gardens and in our lives.

Spring 2016 was a season filled with what would one year later be referred merely to as a "blip".

It was the season of my cancer diagnosis; the season that my cancer treatment would be decided.

It was the season a pool full of tears would be shed by not only myself, but family and friends.

It was the season full of fear, questions and hearing answers we didn't want to hear.

It was the season of test after test; overjoyed with positive results only to be knocked down with negative ones.

It was the season I would cut my long hair in preparation to lose every single strand.

It was the season that would lead to the following eight months filled with chemotherapy and radiation.

It was also the season I made a choice.

It was the season that I decided this "blip" called cancer would not define me, nor would it stand in my way of being the person I always wanted to be."

✍🏼: Fly Beyond the Moon I Samantha Higgins Tiano

05/03/2024

Through all the ups and downs, I’m still climbing mountains:

- March of 2016: Stage 2 Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- June of 2018: Torn ACL
- March of 2022: Acute Fractured Fibula
- May of 2022: Brain Bleed from Tumor +
Craniotomy to Remove

Life isn’t always fair; and it certainly doesn’t make sense in the moment of pain.

But, with the ups come the downs, and we find our way again with every step we take.

A step in the direction of understanding, letting go, and continuing to live.

We smile, we cry, and we dig deep to find the strength that allows us to keep taking the steps, one at a time.
__________

{Also, hey Spring, can you maybe not pull any surprises this year? Would really love that.}
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05/02/2024

|| world cancer day || •••

Soon to be eight years since I heard the words “you have cancer”.

Curls once again cover my bald head, radiation burns are now healed, and the scars that remain from surgery leave behind a reminder of all that was endured, and all that was overcome.

But beneath the surface, that’s where the raw emotions live. Memories that become constant reminders of where I have been, and just how brave and strong we all can be.

Constant reminders that life can change in a blink of an eye, and the importance of living a life of no regrets; a life of staying strong - both mentally and physically - so that you are prepared to handle the inevitable hard days.

Cancer has brought me down the path least expected and has taught me irreplaceable lessons that will never be taken for granted, nor felt with any ill will.

Cancer has brought new strengths, and new fears. It’s taught me about compassion, and an understanding that we can withstand and overcome situations with the right tools.

Cancer has brought courage, and has shown me that our trauma does not have to control us, or define us; it has brought hope that anyone else on this journey will see and experience the same things I have, and come out with strength, compassion, courage, and love for the road we have traveled. 💛
__________
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01/01/2024

As 2023 comes to a close…

••• Less of | More of •••

If there’s anything I’ve learned over the last seven years, it’s that resolutions and goals are often interrupted at the least expected, and often, the worst, times.

There are so many events in our lives that impact the lists of hopes we write down each year, many times events that are fully out of our control.

When this happens, our mindset becomes the new goal; a mindset to push through the obstacles put in our way with the focus more on finding our direction, and less on the bumps in the road.

As you make your new year resolutions tonight and tomorrow, remember it’s okay if you’re not where you hoped you would be a year ago, or five years ago, or if your goals are the same ones you went into
2023 with.

The goal should be making them attainable in a way that feels true to you and true to what brings you the most joy and peace.

The path will always be yours to walk, be okay with the fact that the pace and direction you go will vary and so will the time it takes to get to your destination.

Because my goals are the same they have been for some time now, this year I am focusing more on the resolutions that will help me continue to reach them.

My personal “Less of / More of” are below, I would love to hear yours as well!

Here’s to 2024 and continued growth, peace and clarity!! ❤️❤️❤️

_____________

Less of / More of:

- Attachment to Unmet Expectations / Living and Loving in the moment and letting go of anything else

- Settling for Good Enough / Challenging Self with Daily Improvements

- Subpar Workouts / Pre-Surgery Workouts

- Cookies + Carbs / Veggies + Protein

- Indoor Walking / Outdoor Running + Hiking

- Candy Crush + Scrolling / Sleep + Productivity

- Less Chaos / More Organization (internally and
externally)

Fly Beyond the Moon

25/03/2025

05/02/2025

07/12/2024

12/10/2024

31/03/2024

20/03/2024

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