In 2019 at 35 years old I never thought I would hear the words, “You have breast cancer.” It’s interesting how one phone call can change your life forever. The doctors insisted on a double mastectomy which I agreed to with a broken heart. I remember the first time I saw myself in the mirror after the surgery – I was shocked and sickened by my changed appearance. Reconstruction was attempted twice and failed twice. I decided to have my implants removed and go flat. It felt like I had lost my breasts all over again. I remember laying on the floor in a fetal position wondering, Am I still beautiful? I didn’t fit the societal standard of beauty any longer. Am I enough? Am I broken beyond repair? Will this define me forever? The physical pain and gut-wrenching emotions were overwhelming.
BAO is my love letter to you. I am here to tell you that: You are seen. You are not broken beyond repair. You are enough. You are still beautiful. You are not defined by breast cancer.
My parents and I after Chemo
Cousins came to visit
About The Founder
Christina is a 39-year-old Iowa native who currently resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Business Administration. Christina spent 13 years working at Tulsa Community College in various positions, including that of Project Coordinator for the Vice President for Student Affairs. While working at the college she concurrently worked 10 years in retail for Express and Michael Kors, where she developed a love for fashion
She became a cancer patient at the age of 35 which is a big part of her story, however, cancer does not define her. She is also a pastor’s daughter, an athlete, a friend, and a sister. Christina’s desire is to pull from her life experiences by combining both her love for fashion and knowledge of the retail industry with her cancer journey. The result has been the creation of her company, BAO, which will address some specific clothing needs of breast cancer patients.
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