At just 21 years old, Hope Reynolds’ life took an unexpected turn during what should have been a celebratory senior year at Hope College. The competitive swimmer had been battling persistent migraines and nausea when a routine doctor’s visit for those symptoms led to an offhand mention of a breast lump she’d discovered. Despite initial reassurances that cancer was highly unlikely given her age, further testing revealed a shocking diagnosis: stage 3B invasive ductal carcinoma.
Reynolds vividly remembers receiving the life-altering news while interviewing for physical therapy graduate programs. “I saw repeated missed calls on my phone,” she recalls. Within two days, she was back at her parents’ Pennsylvania home beginning an intensive treatment regimen that included chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, and radiation. Throughout this challenging period, her swim team provided crucial support, creating #BelieveinHope bracelets featuring an inspirational Bible verse. In a poignant moment of triumph, Reynolds managed to compete in her final collegiate swim meet just weeks after surgery.
After completing treatment, Reynolds returned to campus to finish her degree before pursuing physical therapy studies at Duke University. While her cancer is now in remission, she faces ongoing challenges with health anxiety and learning to trust her body again. “I developed a distrust of my body,” she explains. “There was no real reason for it – I was young, healthy, with no family history.” This unexpected journey has given Reynolds a new perspective and purpose, as she now advocates for cancer awareness and the importance of listening to one’s body, regardless of age.
