Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindzey Schaffer.
Hi Lindzey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Lindzey Schaffer, Born and raised in Atlanta, Ga, I am a breast cancer fighter, skateboarder, & co-owner of Schaf Apparel. I am here to share my story and educate the community on breast cancer. In 2018, I spent two years going back and forth to the doctor’s office and hospital because I was feeling very sick. The symptoms I experienced were fatigue, bone pain, tight chest, difficulty sleeping, no appetite, and inability to concentrate.
The doctor told me that my symptoms were from having “anxiety.” I didn’t feel like this was correct, so I went to multiple doctors’ appointments and requested multiple tests. I even requested a mammogram because of chest pain and I was denied due to my age. The nurse said, “Under the age of 40 you don’t need a mammogram.”
There was no resolution in sight, and I fought daily through the pain with over-the-counter medications. In 2020, I went snowboarding in Colorado and after a minor spill, I was unable to recover. This was unlike me, considering my history in skateboarding.
When my fiancé and I flew back to Atlanta the pain continued up my back. I was taken to the emergency room at 4:00 am for severe pain and diagnosed with breast cancer!? It took two years to find cancer and by that time it had already spread to my bones, pelvis, sternum, ribs, spine, and neck…
Immediately my room filled with nurses and doctors in shock that I was still able to function for so long, knowing how much the cancer had spread in my body. As we waited for more tests to come back, I remember my family was sitting on a bench in my hospital room, devastated. I knew I needed to stay strong for my family, this was a sign.
The doctor then confirmed, “It is Stage 4 and has spread to multiple locations, the lesions you have on your bones are from the breast cancer.”
Before I could ask my next question, my mom fainted in my hospital room…The doctors rushed to make sure my mom was okay before returning to answer my questions. After caring for my mom, the doctor was ready to discuss my cancer.
The doctor stated I was going to be set up with an oncologist.
I told her “I understand, and just want to know how much time I have, one week? One month, one year?”
In return, she said, “I can’t answer that, but typically I have seen 6 months.”
What do you do when you have 6 months to live?
You don’t accept it!
I decided to make major life changes to better my health and prepare for battle. I changed my diet, habits, schedule, products, and toiletries, and raised my expectations. I organized every room in my house so I could wake up fresh every day and feel good while fighting cancer. I then looked at my life and asked myself “What and who doesn’t bring me joy, encourage me, root for me, support me, or care about me? Who negatively drains my energy?” Anything or anyone that was a negative energy in my life I parted ways with.
This was healing time, and I needed to hit this cancer from every angle. I pulled in my loved ones and pushed away anyone who didn’t have my best interest in mind, and I was ready to battle.
It was time to battle cancer and keep moving forward! Knowing my life wasn’t guaranteed, I called my sister Loren Schaffer Rosko and told her I was ready to work with her on dropping our streetwear clothing line. This is something we have always worked towards, and I didn’t want to waste any more time knowing what my healthy outcome could be. We got to work and our clothing line was officially born, “Schāf Apparel.”
“Schaf Apparel” is named after our father, “Schāf” who lost his battle with cancer before my diagnosis. Honoring our father and getting our message out has saved lives and encouraged others to take care of their health.
We stand for equality, unity, & strength. Whether you’re fighting to get through the day or fighting for your life, Schaf encourages you to “Keep Fighting & always be yourself.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been far from smooth, but each challenge makes me stronger. Every time you feel like you are in the clear, cancer pops up with a new obstacle. I have gotten used to expecting major curveballs in my plan, the biggest challenges I have faced were:
When I was first diagnosed, the cancer was so harsh on my spine that I was unable to walk for a few months until the chemo and holistic treatment were able to shrink the cancer down on my spine. No one knew this because it was the beginning of COVID-19 and everyone was at home. I am so glad that no one had to see me like that aside from family.
After getting back on my feet, I was notified that my specific type of cancer had a very high chance of spreading to my ovaries and I had to get a radial hysterectomy. Making these big decisions and accepting what comes with them was harsh on my mental health.
Of course, I did what I needed to do and kept fighting. After healing from my hysterectomy, I was then told I needed to get a double mastectomy. This meant the removal of both breasts and no reconstruction.
These surgeries increase my chance of survival and decrease the chance of the cancer spreading. They needed to be done. I am healed from both surgeries now and am currently on holistic treatment and chemo every 5 weeks.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a cancer fighter, streetwear fashion designer, brand owner, skateboarder, breast cancer activist, LGBTQIA+ member, and lover of the community.
I love to work hard, give back, and empower others to do the same. I am known for always being myself and standing up for what is right. You can find “Schāf Apparel” at any Zumiez location in the US, Canada, & PR or online.
I am most proud of how much I have accomplished while fighting cancer and helping others live with cancer or catch cancer early. Early detection of cancer can save your life.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
My sister and I have a saying about this…
“Get up, get dressed, make your bed, and make your luck.”
Every single day is a new chance to start over. What will you start today?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.schafapparel.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/schafapparel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@schafapparel8099
- Other: https://www.zumiez.com/search/schaf%20apparel
