Julia Volpe

Just before this journey began, my car was totaled, and I came down with shingles on my head. The pain from losing my car, the stress of finding a replacement, and then dealing with shingles was overwhelming.

But nothing prepared me for what came next.When a routine mammogram revealed a lump, it quickly turned into one of the most difficult moments of my life. The biopsy was not only physically painful but also emotionally overwhelming. On April 23rd, a Wednesday I’ll never forget, I received the call that changed everything—my biopsy was positive. I needed to prepare for surgery at the cancer institute. In that moment, my world collapsed. At work, I broke down in tears, surrounded by supportive colleagues who tried to help me see the bright side when all I could see was doom and gloom. I left work early to share the devastating news with my mom and sister-in-law, Cindy, who is in the medical field. That night, I drowned my sorrow in a bottle and a half of wine, feeling as though my whole world had shattered.

But the next morning, I woke up with a new resolve. I decided I wasn’t going to let this diagnosis get the best of me. Instead of continuing to drown in despair, I decided to turn lemons into Lemon Meringue! I reached out to my dear friend Suzan, also a cancer survivor and a wealth of health knowledge, who supported me and reinforced the idea that diet can change everything. For the four weeks leading up to my surgery, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about cancer prevention and healing, including watching countless YouTube videos. My mom, who had battled breast cancer 17 years ago, and my sister-in-law Cindy were also instrumental, introducing me to many books on the subject.

I made a complete 180-degree change in my diet, incorporating a variety of supplements and herbal teas, eliminating all sugar and carbohydrates, and committing to organic foods. I juiced, fasted, drank plenty of water with Celtic salt, and eliminated any products containing chemicals or GMOs. I focused on creating an environment in my body where cancer couldn’t thrive—starving it of sugar, creating an alkaline environment, and ensuring proper oxygenation. As a result, my initial diagnosis of a T2A tumor shrunk to a T1c by the time of my surgery on May 20th. The margins and lymph nodes were clear, and I lost 26 pounds effortlessly!

I am now participating in the 12-week "Movin On" program at the Life Center, part of Prisma Health Care System, where I’ve made great strides in strength training to reduce my recurrence rate. It’s been a blessing to be part of the Prisma Health Care System. From the day I was diagnosed, everyone—doctors, nurses, and staff—has been wonderful. I am deeply grateful for the support and care I’ve received, and I’m thankful for this opportunity to share my story with you.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this journey, it’s that even in our darkest moments, we have the power to turn our trials into triumphs—and create something truly beautiful out of the challenges life throws our way. Cancer may have shaken my world, but it also empowered me to transform my life—and now, I’m stronger, healthier, and more determined than ever to live each day to the fullest!