We all fear the C word. It's rare to take a moment to reflect on our lives when we are busy with kids' schedules, work meetings, and meal plans. It's hard to stop and appreciate our health … that is, until something goes wrong.
When Margaret Elenis was first diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, she was devastated. It was hard for her to look at her 2 ½-year-old son. She had a mindset that if she wasn't going to survive it, she didn't want him to live with the heartbreak of missing her.
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But then she decided to fight.
Her diagnosis inspired her mission to help parents and children improve their health, so she started a company to do that. She cofounded Oh My Goodness with her sister, Nina. Oh My Goodness is a modern indoor play space and organic cafe that currently has two locations. The company creates opportunities for families to join in on making healthy fun for everyone.
"Breast cancer survival journey is simply how you'd think it is. At the end of the day, I am a mom and I'm a business owner and I have cancer. Every day is just about surviving. At the end of the day, it's beautiful that I get to say that I did," shared Margaret.
She squeezes her treatments into her daily routine.
Margaret talked about how her condition has impacted her managing a business and caring for her family. She explained that doing everything is harder.
"If you could imagine any mom complaining about bedtime or breakfast, reading the kids a book at night, or screen time… try to squeeze in at least five hours of treatment a day into that as well as operating two store locations. Get it done — that's all. And if I could do it with a smile, then that's great too," said Margaret.
She shared her best memory of when she was interviewed for a super popular newspaper while doing an ozone enema. She remembered the nurses laughing so hard.
Margaret has an incredible sister and family support.
Margaret knows she's fortunate to have a huge support team. She shared that the manager at one of her play centers is amazing and the kindest human possible. She's eternally grateful for her husband and parents who stepped up to be her real-life superheroes.
Most importantly, she talked about how she couldn't possibly live without her sister, Nina, the other cofounder of Oh My Goodness.
"Thankfully, I have a sister who makes life for me so much easier. We are able to watch our goals come to fruition — all while I'm healing at home. She puts the sweat in so that I can heal and she continues to do so every day," explained Margaret.
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How does she manage her health needs while running a business and staying present for her family?
Most people believe that surviving cancer means your life goes back to normal. However, Dr. Amy Morris, PharmD, cancer recovery expert and cancer survivor, explained that one of the biggest misconceptions people have about cancer survival is that when cancer ends, treatment ends.
"The side effects of cancer and cancer treatment are long-lasting. Even if you're no longer on active treatment, the side effects can last weeks, months, years or even indefinitely. Unless you do actively something to correct those side effects. For many types of cancer, most commonly breast cancer treatment lasts 5 to 10 years or even indefinitely. so you might be on treatment that will change your body's hormone levels or chemistry to help prevent cancer recurrence long term," said Dr. Amy Morris.
Margaret talked about how she balances the demands of her health while running a business and being a mom. She said that she does not believe in work-life balance if you are self-employed because your work is your life.
Adding cancer to the juggling act adds one more obstacle. But Margaret says she is a mom first. If her kids are sick, she's there. If they had performances, she wouldn't miss them.
"I fight hard every day. I fight hard to be a good mom, apologizing when I need to fight hard to illuminate this cancer holistically, and I fight to grow my business so that children end up healthier, stronger, and wiser than I ever was. As many times as I wish [the] cancer would go away, I wouldn't take this part of my life away. This journey has shaped who I am, and it's really shown me the potential that the future [has for me]. It makes me appreciate every day. It makes me more conscious about life — that's a gift," shares Margaret.
Margaret shares her advice for other moms facing health challenges.
For moms who may be facing health challenges, here's what Margaret had to say about juggling the responsibility of motherhood and career:
"If you have today — you have the world! This is my favorite line. I don't know who's ever said it or if I made it up myself, but if you wake up in the morning and you have your health, even if it's just for today, you have just that TODAY! You have a list of endless possibilities, in ways in which you could both improve, heal, smile, laugh, and love!" said Margaret.
Margaret still has a lot of goals.
When Margaret looks to the future, she sees numerous opportunities. First, she wants to make sure she's there for her kids, seeing them graduate high school and go on their first dates. But most importantly, she visualizes herself in a home with wide open windows overlooking natural scenery. She's content, happy, and proud of what she worked to create.
"Every goal that we set to achieve has been or is being done. The possibilities for where my business can go are endless based on the foundation we created. I pray for the health of my family and loved ones because I had to learn the hard way that the greatest wealth of all is health," shared Margaret.
