Natasha Parker's Inspiring Journey: Doing Regular Self-Exams with the Know Your Lemons App
Disclaimer: Know Your Lemons deeply values and respects the experiences and stories shared by breast cancer patients. The advice, statements, or facts presented in these narratives may not necessarily align with medical expertise or be universally applicable to every individual’s situation. Breast cancer is a complex and highly individualized medical condition, and while these stories offer valuable insights and emotional support, they should not substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance and decision-making regarding breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and management. Know Your Lemons encourages a collaborative approach between patients, caregivers, and medical professionals to ensure the best possible care and outcomes for those affected by breast cancer.
Hello, lovely readers! As we all know, self-exams are a game-changer—and today, we’re thrilled to share a story from Natasha Parker, a nurse, mom of four, and all-around inspiration, who knows firsthand the power of checking in with your lemons.
Natasha grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and now lives in Columbia, Missouri, where she balances life as a devoted mom to four kids. Between reading, relaxing, and spending time with family and friends, Natasha’s days are full of love and activity. As a Registered Nurse since 2008, she’s worked in various healthcare settings, though she’s currently focusing on her health while undergoing active cancer treatment. Natasha is also pursuing new ventures, including creating a coaching business called Radiant Transformations, complete with resources like self-based learning, post-op surgical logs, and even writing a book.
Natasha’s cancer journey began with a moment of awareness. Early on, she came across a “feel it on the first” social media post featuring our signature image of lemons in an egg carton—a visual guide showing the different changes that might indicate breast cancer. This simple yet powerful image resonated with her. “I thought this was a neat way to promote self-exams as that’s how I found my own cancer,” Natasha shares.
Her self-exam led to the discovery of triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. But Natasha’s determination and positivity have been unwavering. She’s proud of her accomplishments, including earning her Master’s Degree in Nursing, raising four wonderful children, and staying resilient through the toughest journey of her life.
Natasha’s story isn’t all serious. Did you know she was an extra in the movie *The Lucky Ones* with Rachel McAdams, Tim Robbins, and Michael Peña? “You can catch me walking behind them in the airport, LOL,” she says with a laugh. It’s these lighthearted moments that remind us all to find joy, even in challenging times.
Why Self-Exams Matter—And How You Can Take Action
Natasha’s story is a powerful reminder that early detection can save lives. By knowing what’s normal for your body and performing regular self-exams, you can catch potential issues early—just like Natasha did.
That’s where the Know Your Lemons app comes in. It’s a free, user-friendly tool that makes it easy to learn how to check your breasts, track changes, and set reminders. The app even includes our signature lemon illustrations to help you identify visual and physical signs of potential concerns.
Let’s Be Proactive Together
Natasha’s courage and positivity are an inspiration to us all, and her story underscores the importance of taking control of your health. By prioritizing self-exams and regular screenings, you can make a life-changing difference for yourself and those you love.
Ready to take the first step? Download the Know Your Lemons app today and join the movement for early detection and empowerment.
Natasha’s Full story and Transcript
Hi, my name is Natasha and I am a triple negative breast cancer thriver.I was diagnosed in December of 2022 with stage two B, triple negative breast cancer. I underwent 16 rounds of I V chemo, 17 rounds of immune therapy, a double mastectomy, 25 rounds of radiation and 24 weeks of oral chemo.I actually just finished all of that and up next is my reconstruction surgery and I'm gonna have the deep surgery, so that is coming up very quickly. So I just wanted to share a little bit of my story. I was diagnosed at 37 and the way that I found my spot, I guess you could call it. It was never a lump is I had developed kind of like this firmness in my breast. It was just kind of a wedge of tissue that was harder than the rest of them. And in the past I've had fibroids, but those always changed with my menstrual cycles, they would get more tender harder as I got closer to my menstrual cycle. And so this was different, this didn't change. And so I knew something was up and I brought it up to my nurse practitioner and my annual appointment and I had my first mammogram. And then that's when I discovered that I had breast cancer. So it's been a long journey. But I can say that I am near the end and I've had two signature tests which are C T DNA testing that search for the DNA of my cancer circulating in my blood. And so far both of them have been zero. So happy to say that right now, I have no evidence of disease. pretty excited about that and I just love the Know Your Lemons Foundation. I like their little pictures that they have. I feel like they kind of make, you know, breast cancer isn't fun. No cancer is fun, but they lighten it a little bit by showing descriptions of like lumps and bumps and side effects and of your breast on lemons. And I think that's really cute. And I just think if there's any way to make this experience less serious, less scary and to bring the information to patients in a way that's lighthearted and fun is so impactful. And so I'm just grateful for the work that they do and I'm just very grateful to be here. So, no, you're not alone and you have a great group of other survivors and Thriver that will support you through the way. So thanks for letting me share my story.
