Last fall, Sophie’s youngest child left for college. For the first time in more than two decades, both of her children were out of the house.

She loved being a mom, but she was excited for what came next: more travel, more time with friends and new opportunities. She called this next chapter “Sophie 2.0.”

Then, on October 10, 2025, Sophie was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma, a type of breast cancer she had never heard of.

Sophie 2.0 was still going to happen. It just wasn’t going to look the way she had imagined.

Originally from California, Sophie was unfamiliar with navigating the medical system in Maine. Through friends, she was quickly connected with New England Cancer Specialists and an exceptional team of providers.

At her first appointment with her surgeon, Dr. Paige Teller, Sophie was anxious and, by her own admission, petrified. Then Dr. Teller looked at her and said, “You’re going to be OK.”

“I will never forget those words,” Sophie says. “Her compassion and confidence cut through the fear and uncertainty. I believed her.”

She found that same trust with her oncologist, Dr. Chiara Battelli, who Sophie says not only brings tremendous expertise to her care, but listens and makes her an active participant in every decision.

Throughout her treatment, Sophie also experienced the importance of coordinated care. From surgery and oncology to radiology, genetic testing and reconstruction, having so many specialists connected in one place made an enormous difference.

Her plastic surgeon, Dr. Katharine Connolly, became an important part of that journey.

“Reconstruction is deeply personal,” Sophie says. “Dr. Connolly understood that from the beginning. She didn’t just help reconstruct my body. She helped me feel whole again.”

Cancer also taught Sophie how to let other people care for her. Along the way, she found friendship with women who understood what she was experiencing without much explanation.

“I’ve often said breast cancer is the sorority you never wanted to join,” she says. “I never would have chosen what brought us together, but I am incredibly grateful that we found one another.”

Before her diagnosis, Sophie had fallen behind on her mammograms. Life was busy, and her own health had moved down the list. Thankfully, her cancer was caught early.

“I firmly believe early detection saved my life,” she says. “If there is one thing I hope another woman takes from my experience, it’s this: make the appointment and keep it. Don’t let being busy keep you from taking care of yourself.”

Nearly a year later, cancer is part of Sophie’s life—but it isn’t all of it.

This fall, she is participating in the Penobscot Bay YMCA’s LIVESTRONG program to rebuild her strength. In July 2027, she plans to take on the Tri for a Cure.

For much of the past year, her calendar was filled with appointments, surgeries and things she didn’t choose.

Now, she gets to start filling it with things she does.

Cancer is part of Sophie’s life now, but it doesn’t get to decide what comes next.

She does.

Sophie 3.0 is next. And she has plans.