Bridget Bahl's story is one of resilience, faith, and a commitment to helping others. From sharing her New York City wedding with ELLE to facing a breast cancer diagnosis during IVF, Bahl's life has been marked by significant changes. This article explores her journey, focusing on her experiences with weight loss due to chemotherapy, her battle with cancer, and her decision to share her story to help others.
A Life Transformed
Everything changed for Bahl after her cancer diagnosis. She underwent chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, and radiation. While the treatments tested her strength and took a toll on her body, they also shifted her perspective on life, making her appreciate the small things.
The Hardships of Chemotherapy
Bahl's chemotherapy journey was particularly challenging due to extreme gastrointestinal (GI) issues. These issues led to significant weight loss, with Bahl dropping to around 80 pounds. Her oncologist was concerned, stating that the chemotherapy, not the cancer, might become life-threatening if the GI issues weren't addressed.
The GI problems created a fear of eating, as Bahl knew she would get sick afterward. Despite being hungry, she struggled to eat, which further complicated her treatment. The treatments had to be pushed back to allow her to gain weight and protein to protect her kidneys. Eventually, her treatment was switched because the chemotherapy was affecting her so severely, even though the tumor was shrinking.
Medically-Induced Menopause and Mental Health
As part of her treatment, Bahl was put into medically-induced menopause, which she described as feeling like a preteen who can't control their emotions. The chemo brain fog exacerbated the situation, leading to memory issues and frustration. She felt a loss of control, which took a toll on her mental health.
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Bahl felt isolated, as if the world kept spinning while she was stuck in place. To cope, she actively sought joy, even in small moments like her husband doing her makeup or getting press-on nails. She found pockets of peace where she could almost forget she was sick.
Sharing Her Story and Finding Purpose
Bahl shared much of her story, but she also kept some of it private, like the times she slept in the bathroom. She felt guilty about not fully honoring what was happening to her, but she also didn't want people to pity her. Despite these feelings, she made connections with other women going through the same battle and wanted to honor their stories.
Bahl and The Bar raised money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), with a goal of $100,000. She was moved by the confidence of the survivors on set and found purpose in sharing her experiences to help others.
The Impact of Influencers and Celebrities
Bahl's decision to share her story aligns with a growing trend of influencers and celebrities opening up about their health struggles, particularly breast cancer. Influencers like Nasreen Shahi and celebrities like Danielle Fishel and Olivia Munn have used their platforms to raise awareness and encourage early detection.
These women humanize the disease and make it relatable to others. They demonstrate that breast cancer can affect young, healthy women, and they inspire others to take charge of their health.
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The Power of Personal Stories
Personal stories can be more effective than statistics and guidelines in motivating people to take action. When individuals share their experiences, they create a sense of connection and make others realize that these issues could happen to them.
Shahi shared that people have gotten mammograms because of her posts. Fishel also noted that friends and friends of friends scheduled mammograms after she shared her story. These anecdotes demonstrate the power of personal narratives in promoting preventative care.
Redefining Priorities
Looking back, Bahl realized she used to complain about trivial things. Now, she eagerly anticipates simple pleasures like getting her nails done or washing her hair in the shower. She also looks forward to organizing her house, returning to her workouts, and establishing a routine.
Bahl initially struggled with not being able to work as she used to. However, she eventually came to terms with her limitations and viewed it as a humbling experience.
Relationships and Future Hopes
Bahl's cancer journey brought her and her husband closer together. They supported each other through the difficult times, creating a bond that they wouldn't have otherwise.
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The Dream of Family
Despite the challenges, Bahl and her husband remain hopeful about starting a family. They have one embryo from IVF and believe they will eventually have children.
Bahl is currently undergoing immunotherapy, which makes her nauseous but is much more manageable than chemotherapy. She is grateful for the progress she has made and is optimistic about the future.
The Science of Weight Loss and Set Points
While Bahl's weight loss was unintentional and a result of her cancer treatment, her experience touches upon the broader topic of weight management and the body's natural mechanisms for maintaining a stable weight. Understanding these mechanisms can provide valuable insights for individuals seeking to lose or maintain weight in a healthy way.
The Concept of Set Point
The concept of the "set point" is central to understanding weight regulation. The set point is the weight range that your body naturally wants to maintain. When you try to lose weight, your body may resist by increasing hunger and slowing down metabolism.
The Body's Defense Mechanisms
When you drop below your set point by more than 10 percent, your body may defend itself by:
- Increasing hunger: Your brain orders you to eat more to replenish energy stores.
- Lowering metabolism: Your body burns fewer calories to conserve energy.
These mechanisms can lead to feelings of crankiness, chilliness, sluggishness, and food obsession.
The Importance of Gradual Weight Loss
The wrong way to lose weight is to shed weight quickly, cut back calories drastically, and set yourself up for rebound weight gain. Instead, aim for gradual weight loss and maintain the loss for at least six months to allow your body to metabolically recalibrate.
The Role of Lifestyle Factors
While genetics play a role in determining your set point, lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise also have a significant impact. Many people have lost sight of the lowest set-point weight that their genes will readily allow them to sustain due to constant temptations of high-calorie snacks and junk-food meals. A more accurate term for where we end up is a "settling point"-the weight that our genes and current lifestyles conspire to defend.
Strategies for Working with Your Set Point
- Fiber: Fiber is magic and can help you feel full and satisfied.
- Stress Reduction: Stress reduction lowers cortisol, the belly-fat-promoting stress hormone.
- Exercise: Regular exercise, especially resistance training and interval workouts, can help you burn more calories and build muscle.
The Importance of Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining weight loss. People who are physically active and then stop are more likely to regain weight. Aim for at least 2,700 calories of physical activity a week, the equivalent of walking four miles a day.
Breast Cancer Awareness and Early Detection
Bahl's story also highlights the importance of breast cancer awareness and early detection. Recent statistics indicate that breast cancer rates are rising, particularly among women under 50. However, the overall death rate among breast cancer patients has dropped significantly due to early detection and improved treatments.
The Importance of Screenings
Younger women need to take charge of their health by staying on top of breast cancer screenings. The guidelines have changed, and women are encouraged to begin breast cancer screenings at 40.
Risk Factors and Individualized Approaches
While family history is a risk factor for breast cancer, it's important to remember that many women who develop the disease have no known risk factors. Therefore, it's crucial to individualize your approach to screenings based on your personal risk factors.
The Impact of Support and Understanding
Navigating fertility challenges and pregnancy announcements can be emotionally complex, particularly when friends are on different paths. Acknowledging the truth of paradoxical situations and the uncomfortable discord between them can provide much-needed support.
The Value of Vulnerability
Sharing vulnerable experiences can be a way to shine a light for others lost in the dark. By opening up about their struggles, individuals can create a sense of connection and help others feel less alone.