Breast Cancer Survivor Finds Joy in Second Act

Queen Stewart, a New Jersey native and mom of two young kids, was a busy trial attorney who had just started her own law practice during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That is to say, not much scared Queen. But when she found a lump on her breast at age 35, and the doctor and ultrasound tech were pouring over her imaging, she was scared and expected the worst.

Unfortunately, she soon received the diagnosis that she had stage III breast cancer and would need to begin treatment.

In response to her fears, Queen recalls her doctor saying, “Don’t give up on yourself that easily. Don’t give up that hope.”

And so, Queen did not give up. She put her all into getting better, for her own sake and for her family.

“With young kids, I just wanted to be there for their milestones,” Queen said. “They were so young – 6 and 1 when I was diagnosed – and I just wanted to be there to guide them.”

Treatment for Queen included a double mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation.

“Treatment was really hard for me,” she shared. “My girls saw me seeming really sick, and we had to explain that it was actually fighting what was making me sick.”

Finding strength in community

Throughout treatment, Queen wanted to share her experience with others. What began as a way to update family quickly grew into something larger.

“Each time I was navigating something new, like a surgery, buying clothes for a new shape, my drains, I’d share it,” she said. It became a way to build community and offer hope to women going through similar experiences.

Her desire to document her cancer journey and share what she was learning about herself and about life led to a completely fresh second act.

“I asked myself – was I happy before cancer?” she said. “And I wasn’t. I was busy, I was successful, but I wasn’t doing much to cultivate joy in my life. I realized I felt a sense of urgency to live a truly happy and fulfilling life.” 

A second act begins

Queen, a practiced trial attorney with no hint of stage fright, closed her law practice and started doing stand-up comedy. She eventually started work with a production company on a documentary.

Her work now all focuses on one central message: life is precious, so live a life that brings you joy – even in the face of challenges like cancer.

“Life is just so special, and people don't realize it,” she said. “I want to help people understand that if they don’t make the moves and create urgency to find joy, no one is going to do it for them. It’s too easy to just get through life. We want to find joy here.”

Queen became involved with the American Cancer Society, donating and regularly speaking at local events. For her, the American Cancer Society has been a resource of information since she was first diagnosed.

“I support ACS because they support people going through cancer and their families,” she said. “Events like Making Strides Against Breast Cancer help raise awareness about risks and the available support.”

Her doctor’s initial advice stuck with Queen since she first heard in 2021. She never gave up on herself and encourages others to take their journeys one step at a time, finding joy wherever they can each day.

“Stay in the light and don’t give up on yourself,” she said. “It’s not always easy or fun or pretty or perfect, but life is precious, and we all deserve a little joy.”