As a carrier of the BRCA1 gene, Mackenzie Dougherty, a Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School graduate, decided to get a preventative double mastectomy. However, cancer did not wait for that to happen, writes the blogger for Glamour.

Dougherty considered preventive measures as soon as she learned she was a carrier. However at 30-years old, she was hoping to postpone such a drastic measure. So she went for regular checkups for three years until she learned she had triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease that is difficult to treat.

She drew strength from her mother and boyfriend as she prepared for the challenges ahead of her, including IVF, a double mastectomy, and chemotherapy.

Also to deal with mounting stress and pressure, Dougherty started a blog and an Instagram account, I Forgot I Have Cancer. There, she began documenting what was happening and the emotional roller-coaster it had caused. She picked the name to remind herself to live life to the fullest and not make cancer the central point in her life.

After months of surgery and chemo, Dougherty is cancer free, but still dealing with the anxiety and grief.

Read more about Mackenzie Dougherty’s journey at Glamour by clicking here.