How did your knowledge of acupuncture and Eastern medicine play a role in your healing and recovery process?
It played a central role — both practically and emotionally. During my first diagnosis, I was still in acupuncture school, and I vividly remember learning in class that a dimple can be a sign of breast cancer. I noticed the dimple on myself way before I ever felt a lump. Had it not been for that class — and that specific lesson from Dr. Downey — I may not have caught it so early
Beyond that, acupuncture helped manage the side effects of treatment, but more importantly, it kept me grounded. The philosophy behind Eastern medicine — that healing is about restoring balance, not just eradicating illness — gave me a framework. I wasn’t just fighting cancer; I was learning how to come back to myself.