Stories of Strength: Maggie Fogel
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 30
This article was written by a Queens University student as part of a community storytelling partnership.
Maggie Fogel has learned how to appreciate life to the fullest. Married for 20 years to whom she calls “her best friend,” Maggie currently resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband and two children. After earning her masters in mental health from the College of New Jersey, she opened her own practice here in Charlotte as a therapist.
In 2017, Maggie was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer. Maggie underwent a double mastectomy that completed her treatment. She continued on with her life until she was surprised in 2021 where she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. The cancer had traveled to her lungs. “I was angry” Maggie remarked. She had gone through the proper steps and treatment as she was instructed. Maggie was not aware the cancer could come back after she underwent a double mastectomy and treatment. “No one told me this was a possibility.” The testing that led to the diagnosis of Stage 4 MBC was one that she even had to self-advocate for.
“I was angry”
“No one told me this was a possibility.”
Initially, Maggie tried to resist cancer becoming a big part of her life. “Now, I’ve just accepted that it is.” Not only does Maggie have a fantastic therapist of her own, she is also able to utilize her own education and skills to help her on her journey. With metastatic breast cancer, Maggie will continue treatment for the rest of her life. She had her ovaries removed, completed radiation and is currently taking an oral medication. Treatments for metastatic breast cancer can help control the cancer rather than cure it. Each time Maggie’s cancer mutates, she will have to try a new treatment until there are no other options. Fortunately for Maggie, she has found a physician she fully trusts.
At first, Maggie stayed motivated throughout treatment for the sake of her loved ones. Then, after some more processing, she realized she wants to live this life for herself as well. Of course she wants to be here for her loved ones but she also just enjoys the life she’s living. This development allowed Maggie to have a shift of mindset. This is her life and she does not have to do things she does not want to do. “If someone wants to make plans with me and I don’t want to, I have the option to say no.” It’s okay to say no! Life is valuable and it’s important to live a life you love.”
"It’s okay to say no! Life is valuable and it’s important to live a life you love.”
In spite of her diagnosis, Maggie still makes the most out of life. She no longer works so she has more free time than she’s used to. She spends her time investing in her physical and mental health. One of the ways Maggie checks in on how she is feeling is by listening to an audiobook. “If I can’t pay attention to the plot of the book, I’m probably distracted or anxious.” Maggie also travels and spends time with friends. She remarked that she is “so lucky.” Her husband is still her best friend, her parents live nearby, and she has a huge community of friends with breast cancer. She’s even a leader within the Charlotte METsters group with Carolina Breast Friends.
When Maggie received her diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic cancer, she immediately thought it was a death sentence. She started making life plans right away. By sharing her story, Maggie really wanted to convey that “there is life to be lived with stage 4 metastatic cancer.” Maggie has lived a beautiful life before cancer and continues to live a beautiful life with cancer. She is hopeful that AI will help scientists in the process of searching for cancer treatments. “There is an art to medicine. We know less about cancer than we thought we did.” There will always be more research and more treatments.
“there is life to be lived with stage 4 metastatic cancer.”
There is an art to medicine. We know less about cancer than we thought we did.”
While still on this journey, Maggie genuinely loves her life and continues to live it to the fullest. Her words of advice to anyone who is freshly diagnosed are as follows: “Prioritize living your best life and make the decision to live every single day.”
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