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Monica Contreras

@moni_s28

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LA Raised Me.
Living in Bakersfield.
Mother 👩🏽🧑🏽👩🏽
+ two bonus
Runner 🏃‍♀️ Hiker ⛰️
Cali Gurl ❤️
Breast Cancer Survivor 🎀

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

✨9/17/25✨
My cancerversary

Definitely the worst day of my life. The day I got the phone call that told me I have CANCER. I honestly didn’t know how I would feel today. It’s a mixed emotional day. First of all I’m blessed and grateful to call myself a SURVIVOR. Thankful that I’m here today, alive and thriving.
Second, as I look back I remember the shock of the news. I was numb. I was scared. I didn’t know what to expect. I’m so grateful that I was able to lean on my cousin Trisha and my friend Elizabeth. Unfortunately they both went thru the same crap and were there for me and my questions. I remember from the beginning I put on a strong brave face although I was terrified. I’ll always remember that during my very first Dr appointment I had like 20 family members show up! My mom, my aunt, my cousins, my sister, my brother…… it was such an act of love and support. Then when the times got really really tough I had a few really special close people that would reach out to me and check up on me and would let me vent whenever I needed to whether I was sad or angry. And I’ll never forget my friends and family cheering for me every step of the way especially my babies 🩷 (they’ll always be my “babies” lol)

It’s been a life changing year. A year of trauma. A year my body went to hell and back. Today I thought I would be sad and grieve for the MONICA I was before cancer. But I didn’t… but don’t get me wrong I do have those moments when I’m angry and grieve for the old me. But today I’m just glad to be here. Treatment is done but my body is not the same. My mindset is not the same. I’ll forever have to deal with anxiety that it’ll come back. But today I’m just trying to smile and love each day.

That picture I posted was taken after I was given the news my biopsy came back with breast cancer. If I could tell her a few things I would tell her that she’s loved, don’t be afraid, you will be ok, it’s gonna be hard as hell but your family will be there for you. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Don’t try to do too much on your own.
And you’ll lose some friends but that’s ok, the real ones will show up.

#notthebestanniversary #cancerversary #survivor #cancersucks by @moni_s28

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a month ago

by @moni_s28

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4 months ago

✨2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣🔒✨(edited the caption in this post)

This year has been about returning to myself. It’s been a very difficult road. During treatment I ballooned up to 207lbs (the HEAVIEST I have ever been in my life!)
Besides dealing with chemo and radiation, and trying to stay positive during treatment, my confidence took a huge hit. I HATED how I looked- bald, no eyelashes, no eyebrows- big, heavy, tired and everything ached. There were a few moments when I felt pretty and I took a few pics but mostly I just didn’t feel like myself. I did not recognize this body or this lack of energy. I was uncomfortable in my own skin. I felt ugly. But I had to focus on healing and rest.
*I had to say to myself: fuck your feelings and beat this cancer*

I finished chemotherapy in February and had surgery in March. I finished radiation in July. Slowly I’ve been working on getting stronger and losing weight. I do this for MYSELF. I do this for my HEALTH. It’s only been 12 months since my diagnosis. I walked during chemo, but I really started to be active again once I finished in February and I’m almost back to my starting weight. I lost most of the weight I had put on. I have Lost 30lbs. I’m down to 176lbs…..but technically still overweight….. So the journey continues. I honestly think if I wasn’t walking during chemo, that I wouldn’t have recovered as easily as I did. And I believe because I was already running before, that it’s been easier to shed the pounds because I already had the discipline and endurance.

But today I had to stop for a minute and look back at the progress. Kudos to me.

#lockedin🔐 #healthierme #gettingfitforme #lifeaftercancer #onlylookbacktoseehowfaryouvecome by @moni_s28

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a day ago

Another 5k in the books
Another run that is deeply personal 💕🎀💖💕 @linksforlifeorg @shes.unstoppable.runclub
#breastcancersurvivor #breastcancerawarenessmonth💕 by @moni_s28

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15 days ago

I will forever be a sunset & full moon type of gal
✨🌄🌕💛✨
#harvestmoon #hartparkhills #trailrun #hartparkbakersfield #meandmythoughts by @moni_s28

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22 days ago

Many years ago I ran this 5k for The Kern County Cancer Foundation just for the fun of it…. ..
Never in my mind did I ever think that I would end of benefiting from this amazing foundation. This race was deeply personal for me 🎀

This local nonprofit helps people in our community who are fighting cancer-of any kind- by providing help with groceries, gas cards, transportation to treatment, financial assistance with medical bills, copays, deductibles, and as a resource center. KCCF certainly helped me while I was not working and receiving treatment for breast cancer.

It was an HONOR to run this 5k as a survivor and to help raise awareness and support for their foundation. It was also an HONOR to have my kids and sister run the 5k with me. I am so proud of my sister Cristina and my daughter Karina because this was their official first 5k race.
They all did great and we had fun!

#mysquad🩷 #mytribe #breastcancersurvivor #kerncountycancerfoundation #5krunforacause by @moni_s28

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a month ago

🥳August 🎉
This month was definitely about living. Started this month off with a Vegas bowling trip. Lots of fun and eating out there, then celebrated my nephew’s birthday with a breakfast get-together, and I went back to work this month after a long leave of absence which was just in time to help with the Halloween set. Ended August celebrating my 48th birthday. I had an amazing time trying out Twisted coffee for the first time, bookstore shopping, picking up birthday freebies and dinner. Then ended the month celebrating me with a solo birthday run. Ran 4.8 miles = 48 yrs old

#blessedtobehere #august2026 #birthdaymonth #livelaughlovelife by @moni_s28

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2 months ago

Yosemite National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Arches National Park

Zion National Park

Sequoia National Park

Pinnacles National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Death Valley National Park

“The battle for conservation must go on endlessly. It is part of the universal warfare between right and wrong.”
John Muir

This week is National Park’s Week and never have I seen our environment and protected lands under attack like they are now. I’m grateful to have visited a few parks in California, Utah, and Arizona with dozens more on my wishlist. Nature has been healing for me. Hiking has taught me a lot about myself and what I am capable of. I am also grateful to have been able to instill appreciation for nature in my children. I am very proud that as adults they continue to explore, enjoy and advocate for the environment and our National Parks. Public lands are for the people, not for profit.

#nationalparksweek #protectournationalparks #gooutside #conservation #naturelover by @moni_s28

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2 months ago

8/20/26 🔐
It’s been 20 years and I can’t believe how fast time flew by. We have been thru so much and I can go on and on and write a paragraph but I won’t. I just know that you are my rock, you will always have my back especially during tough times.
Happy anniversary babe.
Cheers 🥂 to us and to many more years together. by @moni_s28

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2 months ago

This has been quite the journey so far.
The scans….CT scans, PET scan, MRI….
Biopsies, The 8 rounds of chemo, fatigue, nausea, brain fog, neuropathy…….steroids, weight gain…..surgeries, drains, stitches…..radiation, more fatigue, burning irritated skin.

Each part of treatment had its difficulties. Mentally draining. It was tough But I stayed positive and focused on healing and faith.

I’m posting this as my POV. This is MY STORY. I prioritized rest and mindful movement during my cancer journey. When I was able to, I jogged. When I was able to, I did at home workouts. When it was safe for me, I went to the gym, but one thing I was consistent about was walking.
Sometimes it was hard to get out of bed, but I made myself do it DAILY. Even if it was just a few steps to the mailbox. Some days I was able to walk the block.
I know it helped.
It improved the nauseousness, it helped ease the fatigue, most importantly it improved my mental health.
At home exercise was also beneficial to my healing. In addition to walking, Daily stretches and yoga helped with chemo and surgery recovery. Strength training when I was allowed to lift.
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Exercise is such a privilege.
Don’t take movement for granted.
Any day you can move is a blessing. Don’t forget that!

#healthjourney #breastcancerwarrior #movementislife #exercisemotivation #exerciseformentalhealth by @moni_s28

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3 months ago

I’m in my healing era ❤️‍🩹 by @moni_s28

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3 months ago

30 days of radiation; 5 days a week
Monday-Friday 10am

It started to wear down on me by week 3. Going into a doctor’s office, changing into a gown, laying on a flat table under a huge piece of machinery, and being told to “Take a deep breath”……”Hold it”………”Breathe”…….
The anxiety of holding my breath several times during treatment knowing that it’s to protect my heart and lungs while radiation enters my chest area.

By week 4 my skin was irritated, itchy and burning. Then it split open under my armpit and under boob area. *I did not include those pics-too graphic* Painful and uncomfortable but I still showed up.

My mind and body has been through a lot. It’s been tough but I’m glad another chapter is closed. Treatment is done and now maybe I can fully focus on healing.
#radiationtherapy #radiationtreatment #aiscancercenter #breastcancerwarrior #breastcancersurvivor by @moni_s28

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3 months ago