Not many knew she was 33. She lived the life with the intensity of a healthy 23-year-old. She never thought about death. She enjoyed traveling alone, hiking, skydiving, paragliding and rollercoasters. Her approach to beauty was effortless. She wore lip gloss and flats during the day, high-heels and dark eye shadow at night. She wore her long dark brown hair to work in a bun. She usually dressed in black pants, black dresses, and rarely wore bright colors. She didn’t like pink.

She never thought about cancer. After years of being a vegetarian, she started to eat chicken. She loved energy drinks and coffee — specially caramel macchiato. She smoked “lights” or “menthols” occasionally.

She went from not drinking alcohol for seven years to drinking socially. Then stopped drinking again. And then while holding a rosé, she met a man who felt like magic. She guarded her independence zealously. She wanted a family but she wasn’t worried about time. Until one day everything changed.

“What’s wrong? I can hear it in your voice. Something is really wrong,” he said. She told him she had something important to tell him in person when he got back. “We haven’t been together very long, but if you are pregnant that’s good news,” he said jokingly.

“No, that’s not it.” Fate would not have it that way.

“I miss you. I’ve had a crazy week ... I can’t wait to kiss you,” he said. She didn’t say anything. She had decided she was going to break up with him. She had cancer. And even if she survived, her life would never be the same.

MY JOURNEY

Part 1: At age 33, I’m dealing with breast cancer

Part 2: Cancer treatment complicates dreams of pregnancy

Part 3: Hanging in when chemotherapy gets rough

Part 4: Tough surgery choices: Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy

Part 5: Silicone implans are not the only way to go in breast reconstruction

Part 6: Rebuilding the breast from body tissue

Part 7: Body fat can be used to build breast

Part 8: Facing my fears after mastectomy

Part 9: Taking control of the fear that comes with breast cancer

Part 10: Doctor knows about being a breast cancer survivor

Part 11: Radiation therapy gives her hope

Part 12: Finding strength from others

Part 13: Facebook, medication help breast cancer patient deal with depression

Part 14: A new outlook on 2012

Part 15: Breast cancer patient faces genetic mystery

Part 16: Using diversion to cope with harsh reality

Part 17: After radiation therapy ends

Part 18: Friend’s breast cancer journey is not as fortunate

Part 19: Anti-tumor meds come with scary story

From the Editor: Journalist confronts cancer, takes readers along