The Mighty Mitsue

Recently, Erin and I had the chance to speak with Mitsue, one of our new recipients. She told us about her cancer journey which began in 2018 only 6 months after her wedding day. She discovered her cancer through a routine visit to her OBGYN. Soon after, she had a biopsy that returned with abnormal results. Mitsue’s breast cancer diagnosis brought more strain to their new marriage than expected. She knew that their bond wasn’t strong enough to sustain a challenge this big. Not only that but her new career as a baker had to be put on hold. Big changes were on the way. She had to face a scary diagnosis and an uncertain separation from her husband with no one from home to lean on. Mitsue knew she had no control over the situation and had no other choice but to be strong and completely trust the process. Mitsue bravely started cancer treatment on her own. She had a lumpectomy and received close care from her oncology team in Denver. She also traveled to Japan for routine visits and follow up procedures with her oncology team there and spent time with her parents. This February, at a follow-up visit with her Japanese oncology team, they did an MRI. The scan showed that cancer had returned, and it was time to consider a more aggressive approach. Mitsue returned to Colorado with a tough decision to make. Her trips to Japan were put to a halt in March with the COVID Pandemic. Her Colorado team was to perform her latest procedure, a double mastectomy completed in May 2020, here in Denver. Throughout her journey, she has cultivated friendships in her community, both neighbors and friends from an awesome support group in Stapleton called The Support Sisters that have rallied by her side. During our recent photoshoot, I had the joy of meeting her most cherished friend, Haru, her beloved dog that has stayed loyally by her side through it all.

Mitsue is special. She has the strength and trust that few possess. I think that comes from having a strong meditation and yoga practice. Her foundation is rock solid, and it shows in her calm and cheerful demeanor. She is hilarious and straight forward. She is resilient, extremely positive, and empowered. She is a beautiful example of how to stay soft after enduring a situation that would harden most. Mitsue has a goal to climb and backpack again, with the strength she had before her cancer diagnosis. After her final procedure, scheduled for September 2020, she looks forward to taking steps toward reaching that goal. She loves the mountains of Colorado and to be in nature. Colorado feels like home and we are glad to have her here with us.

With love,
Shannon and the Malas for Tatas Team

Thank you to our friend and talented Photographer, Gabriel Christus for the breathtaking photos of Mitsue.
See more recipient portraits, click here.