Midlife Shaman: Maria da Silva
Life after breast cancer isn’t just about surviving; it’s about saying yes to joy, healing, and all the unexpected ways your story can continue.
Spotlight On Survival: Saying Yes To Life After Breast Cancer:
How can a bad thing happen on a good hair day? It was – and it did. Ten years ago, I sat in a doctor’s office, stylish haircut freshly done, and heard the words no woman ever wants to hear: “You have breast cancer.” That day, my life split into two parts; before and after.
The diagnosis stunned me. I had no family history, no warning signs. Just one routine exam, followed by another, and suddenly I was being told I would need a mastectomy. I remember walking out into the world afterward, noticing how ordinary everything looked. People carried groceries, checked their phones, laughed with children, while I silently wondered how my body and my future could have turned upside down so fast.
The Bye-Bye Boobbie Party:
The night before my surgery, I gathered my closest friends for what I called the “Bye-Bye Boobbie Party.” It may sound irreverent, but I needed it. I needed laughter, hugs, tears, and the solidarity of women who loved me. That evening wasn’t about breast cancer; it was about sisterhood. We shared stories, raised glasses, sent balloons floating above the sea, and created a circle of courage that carried me into the operating room.
That ritual marked a turning point for me. Instead of being defined by fear, I chose to be surrounded by love. The party gave me strength to meet the unknown with a lighter heart.
Held In The Spotlight Of Love:
Recovery was not easy. There were days I felt weak, vulnerable, and less than whole. But through it all, my friends and family showed up—meals appeared at my doorstep, hands reached out when I stumbled, laughter returned when I thought I’d lost it.
I realized that survivorship isn’t something you do alone. You are held in the spotlight of others’ love, whether you’re ready to accept it or not. Saying yes to help was its own kind of healing.
If you’re exploring what recovery looks like beyond the physical, I invite you to read How to Rest in Midlife—a guide to reclaiming your energy through sacred stillness.
Saying Yes to Life After Breast Cancer:
When the surgeries and healing were finally behind me, I made a decision that symbolized my journey. Over my breast implant, I had a tattoo inked with a single word: Yes! (exclamation point included.)
Yes to life.
Yes to joy.
Yes to all the messy, beautiful, unexpected twists that living brings.
That one word became my mantra. Whenever doubt or fear crept in, I could look down and remind myself: I have already faced the unimaginable. I can say yes to everything that follows.
Ten Years Later:
Now, a decade later, I am healthy, vibrant, and profoundly grateful. The scars are a part of my story, but they don’t define me. What defines me is resilience, love, and the choice to embrace life with both arms wide open.
This October, as the world shines a spotlight on breast cancer awareness, I want to shine mine on the courage it takes to live after diagnosis. Every woman’s path looks different, some harder than others, but within each of us is the strength to endure, and even thrive.
If you are walking this road now, know this: you are not alone. Lean on your circle. Create your own rituals. Allow yourself both tears and laughter. And when you are ready, choose your own version of Yes!
Because in the end, surviving is more than making it through. It’s about stepping back into the light: grateful, radiant, and wholly alive.
For additional guidance and survivorship resources, the American Cancer Society offers practical tools and support for life after treatment.
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About the Author:
Maria da Silva is a practicing shaman, writer and traveler who lives in Plymouth, Massachusetts and travels frequently to her home islands of the Azores. The founder of Wise Shaman Within, she is bringing peace, healing, and light to the world one client and one workshop at a time. Maria provides individual client sessions and also facilitates workshops in both the USA and Portugal. Visit her website: Wise Shaman Within.
