Hi, I’m Deahni. I’m 49, and I’ve worn many hats in my lifetime. I’ve been a children’s dance and gymnastics teacher, a photographer, and a media manager. Each role has been a way for me to express myself and connect with others. These days, I’m learning to slow down, to savor time with my family, and to rediscover who I am beyond all the titles.

In 2021, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. I went through treatments, navigated the rollercoaster of emotions, and thought I had finally found a new rhythm. Then, in the summer of 2024, I was told that my cancer had become metastatic, spreading to my bones and abdominal cavity.

It’s a strange thing to process, to live with something that everyone associates with fear and finality, and yet here I am, thriving. Because the truth is, this condition isn’t a death sentence. Life is a death sentence.

There are so many more options and resources for us now, and I’ve met some of the most incredible people through this journey. I never wanted to be in this “club,” but the people here, the compassion, and the strength are unmatched. I’ve found beauty and connection in places I never expected.

A Metamorphosis

The last few years have been full of change. I lost my mom suddenly. I lost my job of 20 years. My husband of 26 years left. And then came the cancer news.

It felt like life was peeling away every layer I had built, but underneath it all, I started to see something new emerging.

That’s why I decided to take part in the Breast Cancer Patient Giveback photoshoot with Felicia Reed Photography and the Breast Cancer Resource Center. It wasn’t just about pictures. It was about allowing myself to be seen.

As someone who’s usually behind the camera, I have very few photos of myself. I can remember the moments clearly because I was there, but when my kids look back one day, will they wonder where Mom was? That question hit me hard.

This photoshoot was my answer. A way to step into the frame and say, I was here.

Being Seen, Heard, and Accepted

From the moment I met Felicia, I felt safe. She’s the kindest, most welcoming, and comforting person, the kind of woman who immediately makes you feel seen, heard, and accepted. There was never a moment of awkwardness or uncertainty. She knew exactly what she was doing and carried it with such grace and power.

The whole experience was empowering. It reminded me how long it had been since I focused on myself. For so many years, I’ve put everyone else first. Standing there, being photographed, I realized that caring for myself wasn’t selfish. It was necessary.

When I saw the photos, I was stunned. They showed me a side of myself I hadn’t noticed in a long time: grace, confidence, gentleness, beauty, joy. Those qualities have always been there, but I don’t think I would’ve recognized them without this experience.

My “I Am”

If I had to sum it up in one statement, it would be this:
I am thriving, more vibrant, more alive, and more fiercely myself than I have ever been.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know this: life is still beautiful. It still has moments that make me laugh, cry, and feel deeply. Even on the hard days, there’s always something to hold onto: a person, a memory, a small joy.

For Anyone Facing Adversity

If you’re reading this and going through something hard, whether it’s cancer, loss, heartbreak, or change, I want you to know: breathe. Nothing is so bad that you can’t handle it. It might be awful, yes, but it’s figureoutable. You don’t have to be strong all the time. None of us chose this, but it’s still doable.

You will find your way. You will find your people. And you will find yourself again, maybe even a version more alive than before.

Help Other Women Thrive

My journey has been shaped by the incredible support of the Breast Cancer Resource Center here in Texas. They provide resources, guidance, and community for women like me, women finding strength and light in the middle of uncertainty. If my story touched you, I’d love for you to join me in supporting them. Every donation helps another woman receive the care, confidence, and community she deserves.

You can donate here: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/BCRC/FeliciaReed

Because thriving is possible, and together, we can make sure more women get the chance to see that for themselves.