A few days before her breakup, Frazier Fulton received some news that would change her life forever: a breast cancer diagnosis. In the middle of all this heartbreak and fear, she met a man, Joe, her partner, who was her support and beacon during her darkest days. She was determined not to lose what she wanted, a true partner, and let cancer stand in the way. Joe soon showed her that he was precisely that. Selfless and devoted, he did everything and poured himself into keeping her safe while they dated.
During COVID, he not only continued to quarantine and test for COVID before seeing her, but studied her treatments, reached out to old high school friends to secure her a second opinion at Johns Hopkins, took days off work to accompany her appointments, and sat by her side through them all. He listened patiently to her fears, not judging her, celebrated every small victory, and never let her feel like she was fighting alone.
Apart from hospital visits and treatment logistics, Joe brought her love, comfort, and stability in her world. “Nobody can make facing cancer easier,” Frazier reflected, “but he makes the rest of my life easier and better, and that makes facing cancer easier.” She was grateful to her incredible friends and family and cherished their support, but she admitted there was something uniquely special about having a romantic partner like Joe.
Her cancer was a blessing in disguise as it helped her assess her life, her choices, her decisions, and most importantly, the people around her. She discovered reassurance. She made good decisions and built strong, loving relationships. “This diagnosis has proved to me that I can trust myself,” she shared. “The people in my life all banded together to get me through. While the hard isn’t over, I know that no matter what happens, I will be okay because of them.”
This clarity also made her want others to reflect on their relationships too, and nurture them before life delivers its inevitable challenges. “Because if it’s not cancer, something else will knock you down, and you’ll want your people to rally around you,” she said.
Frazier also learned the value of small joys and became a lifelong traveler. She refused to give up weekend getaways just because of cancer. One of her favorite escapes has been Joe’s cabin in the woods, which quickly became her safe place. After one such trip, she returned for treatment with her best bloodwork yet. “My nurses and doctors celebrated as I finally ate fresh fruit and salad again,” she said. “I truly believe that came from the peace and joy of that time away.”
From the beginning of her diagnosis, Frazier also found purpose in sharing her journey. She started a blog to update friends and family, but soon realized she could reach others who might not have the support system she did. She connected with recently diagnosed women through the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation Thrivers Group and offered encouragement. She became a public relations professional, and it felt natural to her to use her voice to fill gaps, raise awareness, and remind women that breast cancer can affect the young, even without a family history.
Her message is clear: cancer is not simple, and it does bring countless curveballs. But there are more good days than bad if you are surrounded by love and resilience. Frazier Fulton’s story is not only about surviving cancer, it is about living fully, leaning on the people who lift you, and proving that even in life’s hardest seasons, love and hope can flourish.
