9 minute read
OPINION
I Was Diagnosed the Week LA Went Into Lockdown
By Devon Steigerwald
Where do I start? I was born and raised in the Midwest and am also an athlete. But I was always just cruising, making a living with big dreams. I went to an excellent photography college, moved to NYC with pennies, and intended to be the next big thing. Eventually, I moved out west to live the “California Love” vibes and met many beautiful people who put their energy into saving others vs. selfreward. Who knew that my self-reward would come from being involved with such an organization as Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC)? For years, I photographed and shot videos for B4BC with hundreds of event participants, thousands of followers and supporters. They brought light to such a dark disease. But what I found so thrilling about them is how they taught men and women prevention. They wanted to be ahead of this Devon Steigerwald with her service dog.
PHOTO CREDITS: DEVON STEIGERWALD
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Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Words--read by the author, exemplify the intimate relationship between two art forms: painting and writing. The protagonist of this tale, through the mystic art of surfing, slowly develops the ability to fly. As the story evolves, he discovers that he can, during flight, by way of olfactory engendered clairvoyance, accumulate and store internally PAGE 8 THE ARGONAUT OCTOBER 13, 2022 essential love; eventually he is able to bestow this love. The following excerpts, inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper, occur in the
GENRE: Magical Realism Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Wordsread by the author, exemplify the intimate relationship Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Words--read by the author, Fictional Memoir between two art forms: painting and writing. The exemplify the intimate relationship between protagonist of this tale, through the mystic art of surfing, slowly develops the ability to fly. As the story evolves, he two art forms: painting and writing. The protagonist of this tale, through the mystic art of surfing, slowly develops the ability to fly. discovers that he can, during flight, by way of olfactory As the story evolves, he discovers that he can, engendered clairvoyance, accumulate and store interduring flight, by way of olfactory engendered nally essential love; eventually he is able to bestow this clairvoyance, accumulate and store internally love. The following excerpts, inspired by the paintings of essential love; eventually he is able to bestow this love. The following excerpts, inspired by Edward Hopper, occur in the story when the protagonist is the paintings of Edward Hopper, occur in the beginning to collect such essences of primal bliss.story when the protagonist is beginning to collect such essences of primal bliss.
FIND EXCERPTS
GENRE: Magical Realism Fictional Memoir
GENRE: Magical Realism Fictional Memoir
Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Words--read by the author, FIND exemplify the intimate relationship between EXCERPTS two art forms: painting and writing. The on YouTube protagonist of this tale, through the mystic art of surfing, slowly develops the ability to fly. As the story evolves, he discovers that he can,
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awful disease. They help people understand the risk before things can turn. I worked with B4BC for years and kept the motivation through video and love. I helped them send people to retreats, helped them save lives, and said to myself selfishly, “I’m glad I could help, but it would never happen to me.” In January 2020, I did a routine breast check as instructed. For three days, I continued to perform a self-exam because my gut told me something was wrong. B4BC has taught me to follow my intuition, advocate for myself, be strong, and listen to my body. I didn’t find a lump, but my muscle was shifting weirdly in my left breast. It almost felt like a hard disk. I went to my doctor and asked for a check. Sadly, my doctor only gave me the go-ahead because he was dealing with the start of Covid. He could have cared less. I was diagnosed the week that Los Angeles went into lockdown. After a mammogram, which didn’t show anything, the ultrasound saw everything. I had Stage 1 with the aggression of Stage 4. My pre-cancer was a grapevine; it grew and slowly started popping off tumors. I’ve photographed for some of the largest companies in the world, so I was lucky enough to have a network of people from all over the country, providing me insight and direction for who I could trust with my life. That next chapter of my life was assembling my team. I swear by my oncologist, surgical oncologist, Dr. Linnea Chap, and Dr. Dennis Holmes. B4BC was with me during this time, especially Lisa Hudson and Curt Sterner. They had my back. Lisa and Curt continued to check in with me through this challenging time of enormous loss. We had the pain of losing many we supported and helped during this time. Loss is heavy
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through grief and love, but through everything they do, their chins are up, and they force forward, making a real difference. While going through everything, including three surgeries, PTSD, and finally hitting remission…I helped my mother move to Florida, including looking at shelters to help her adopt a dog so she had company in retirement. We went to a shelter. In one of the last cages, there was a dog in the corner, unsure of any human. The staff told me he didn’t come up to anyone. I leaned down with a treat, and he gravitated toward me. I immediately had an unsaid bond with him. He went home with me the next day even though I was not looking for a dog. That week, I couldn’t understand why he kept pawing me at my sternum, over and over again. My education through B4BC told me to do another breast exam. So I took the time and checked everything. I found something that felt like the tip of a ballpoint pen. It must have been stitching, right? I flew back to LA with what would become my service animal and went to see my doctor. I told her something was wrong and that we needed a scan. It turns out my dog and B4BC saved my life once again. My small but invasive breast cancer was hiding and trying to spread again. That grapevine was coming back. In total, I have had five surgeries. I’ve also had chemo, which compromised many things, including my spirit and health. I’m about to go into radiation. But let me tell you one thing: my head is held high. I wouldn’t be here kicking cancer in the tuchus if it wasn’t for the prevention education and being strong with such a loving community. B4BC is not just the organization I’ve helped raise money for to provide survivor programs and prevention education opportunities. B4BC saved my life. Prevention is critical, but so is early detection. I have a very sneaky cancer that would have had me on my deathbed. Morbid, I know. But let’s be honest: B4BC saved my life. B4BC has been there with me every step, not only with love, but also with the little things like sending me chemo survival packages. They are a team of survivalists. For that, I’m indebted to them; not only for helping me save my own life or get through my last three years, but for being family. Continually educate yourself, find a path, and be strong. Always trust your instinct and advocate for yourself. B4BC helped me learn these qualities. And for that, thank you.
To learn more about B4BC, check out B4BC.com or join their annual fundraiser, Skate the Coast, which is held Oct. 15 & 16 to raise funds for breast cancer prevention education and survivor support programs.
Steigerwald's dog keeps her company during treatments.
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