October 8th 2023.
Lauren Tarpley told BLACK ENTERPRISE, “Time doesn’t stop for you to figure out who you are in survivorship. I live my life like a love letter to my children.”
Tarpley acknowledged that surviving breast cancer is a unique experience for each individual. She said, “You think that everything is supposed to snap back, but it doesn’t. I am fundamentally different from the person who was diagnosed.”
Despite the challenges, Tarpley was determined to take charge of her health. She was proud to conceive again in July, but soon after, her doctor informed her that she was actively miscarrying. Tarpley had been experiencing pain in her armpit, but an on-call doctor misdiagnosed it as an ingrown hair.
The miscarriage ultimately saved her life. Tarpley was soon diagnosed with stage 2 HER2+, hormone receptor-negative and BRCA-negative invasive ductal carcinoma. She expressed that, “I never wanted the story of a diagnosis or a misdiagnosis to be overshadowed by anybody’s sympathy about the miscarriage.”
The physical and mental toll of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and a double mastectomy changed Tarpley forever. She noted, “I’ve had to change the way I look at myself. I still only have 40% mobility in my arm. I can’t work out the way I used to.”
In March 2023, Tarpley welcomed a baby daughter after enduring IFV treatments. She felt that cancer was a “wake-up call” for her and inspired her to write three books to help others navigate life with cancer.
Tarpley is also a community volunteer who holds women’s hands during their mammograms. She wants to remind her kids to be kind and to stay curious. She said, “If you’re one of those people that’s super transparent with your kids, then be that transparent. If you are not, then just tell them the things that you know they’re going to see.”
She concluded, “I’m all about a project. I had to find a job that met me where I was. Though it was once difficult to find women like me, I’m continually grateful for the community I’ve built. This month, I’m taking time to rest and will constantly tell my kids how much I love them.”
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