The C Word: A New Chapter Begins
Finding Purpose in Sharing
From the moment of my diagnosis, I felt a strong calling to share my experience. “The C Word” was my first post to Facebook, inviting my little corner of the internet to join me on this journey. This is where it all began—a story of discovering intuitive guidance and strength in the face of uncertainty.
A Shocking Diagnosis: My New Normal
My name is Kaitlyn Costello Fain. I am 37 years old and have just been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma—Breast Cancer. It took me a while to process this, to even allow the “C” word to pass through my lips. But this is where I am, and this is my “new normal.”
But how did I get here?
Summer in Princeton: A Rebirth
This past summer, I found myself back on stage, performing at the Princeton Music Festival. After taking a break from the MainStage to raise my kids, it felt like a rebirth into my craft. Every fiber of my being was saying, “Thank you! You are where you are meant to be.”
But the hardest part was being away from my kids. After two weeks, they joined me in Princeton, exploring the city and NYC. It was a beautiful and healing time, but little did I know it would also be the start of something unexpected.
Reconnecting with Myself: Intuition and Prayer
Knowing I would have downtime away from my kids, I used the opportunity to reconnect with myself through meditation and prayer. I practiced consistently—2-3 times a day—unlocking a deeper presence, gratitude, and intuition. This practice became my anchor, and, as it turned out, it would also save my life.
The Discovery: A Whisper from Within
One week after returning home, I woke up with my fingertips pinching a pea-sized pebble in my chest wall. Half-asleep, I dismissed it at first, but as I showered, the memory came rushing back. It was as if my inner consciousness was guiding me to something that needed immediate attention.
Even before my own discovery, my mom had a recurring dream—my grandmother, Portia Cotter, saying, “It’s on the left side! Check the left side!” When I shared that I needed a mammogram and ultrasound for atypical spots on my left side, the dream made perfect sense. It was a message—an intuitive nudge that couldn’t be ignored.
Divine Guidance: Finding the Right People
Throughout the whirlwind of tests and appointments, it became clear that God was guiding me. Just weeks before my diagnosis, I had dinner with my friends Caroline and Marilyn. A couple stopped by to greet us—people I didn’t think much about at the time. Now, that man, Dr. Patel, is my oncologist.
After the mammogram and ultrasound, I needed needle biopsies on three spots: two tumors and an irregular lymph node. The day of my son’s 5th birthday party, I met another pivotal person on my journey. One of Ollie’s best friends’ moms, Mio, attended the party. Little did I know, she was a renowned cancer surgeon. As Caroline and I researched the best surgeons, her picture appeared on the screen. She is now performing my double mastectomy—scheduled on my birthday, September 20th.
Facing the Challenge: Together, Unbroken
This may be the most challenging thing Chris and I have ever faced, but we’re facing it together. I refuse to let this break me or us. This diagnosis is not the end—it’s a new beginning. An opportunity to grow, to find more compassion, and to embrace resilience.
Chris and I have decided to document this journey through images—raw, unfiltered, and honest. Even in the pain, there is beauty, and we want to capture it to educate and inspire hope.
Moving Forward with Purpose
Thank you for being here. Life takes unexpected turns, and while this diagnosis is daunting, it is also an invitation to deepen my connection with myself and with others. I will continue sharing my journey, knowing that I am not alone—and neither are you.
@TheKateFain founder of Find Your Light
