[author: Kristen Carbone]

Kristen Carbone lost her mother to breast cancer and lived through her own cancer scare. After making the difficult decision to have a bilateral preventative mastectomy and reconstruction, Kristen struggled with an unexpected side effect – she was always cold. Kristen learned that 75% of women who have implant reconstruction after mastectomies also experience this constant coldness and she set out to solve the problem, quitting her job and founding Brilliantly. Kristen shares her journey and how her company is helping women live comfortably after reconstruction surgery.

In the early morning on November 15, 2005, I watched my mother, Lisa, die after a long struggle with invasive metastatic breast cancer. With her passing, my mom left behind a huge emotional void and my own potential struggle with breast cancer. It wasn't until becoming a parent myself that I began advocating for my own healthy future and started regular breast cancer screenings. I had no idea that my experiences around breast health would ultimately change my life a second time.

Three months after turning 30, a routine ultrasound revealed that I had a small breast tumor. The tumor was in the same spot on my left breast as my mom's primary cancer; a medically irrelevant detail that weighed heavy on my mind and superstitious nature. While I waited for the biopsy results, I worried that my time for choosing a preventative option had run out.

Thankfully a biopsy revealed that my tumor was benign. However, the emotional toll of that experience ultimately helped me decide that the best path for a happy and healthy future was having a bilateral preventative mastectomy and reconstruction. I want to have a long life, see my kids grow up, and have all of the experiences that my own mother sadly missed.

I had my mastectomy in April of 2013 and remember waking up feeling relieved; my spirit felt lighter. The entire process—the removal of both breasts, the placement and filling of tissue expanders, an exchange surgery, and two subsequent revisions (one cosmetic, one for a minor but uncomfortable problem)—remains completely worth the physical pain when compared to the relief of feeling "future proofed."

This experience, however, brought me two unexpected outcomes.

First, I've become a better, more compassionate version of myself. The process of undergoing surgery forced me to ask for help during my recovery for both myself and my two young children. The many generous friends and family who showed up during this difficult time helped me finally cope with my grief. I couldn't help but be bolstered by the love and positivity surrounding me. My heart, years later, remains full to the point of overflowing.

The second unexpected side effect of undergoing this procedure is that I'm always cold, which has changed the way I maneuver through the world on a daily basis.

Even on the warmest summer days I feel like I'm carrying around an ice pack on my chest. The first few years after surgery I tried everything I could think of to stay warm. I tucked glove warmers into my bra, placed a hot water bottle in my shirt when I sat at my desk, and even wore long underwear, almost daily, for more than half the calendar year. I couldn't find anything that would keep me consistently warm and comfortable, while being safe and invisible under any outfit.

Eventually after being frustrated with trying to come up with a solution for myself, I wanted to understand if other women were struggling with this too. I joined some Facebook groups and started chatting with other previvors (that's what women who get preventative mastectomies call themselves) and cancer survivors. From hundreds of conversations, I learned that about 75% of women who had implant reconstruction after mastectomy also experience this constant coldness. That's when I knew that I had to create a solution.

It was through those heartfelt, vulnerable chats that I also learned that the opportunity to help women feel better was much bigger. Much like myself, many of these women were still struggling with strength, mobility, confidence, and sexual function. I knew that this was my calling and that I wanted to dedicate my full attention to building this product and brand.

I formed a company called Brilliantly, quit my day job and, in tandem with starting R&D on the warming solution, I began community building online. Eventually Brilliantly had a portrait project, a corrective exercise program, and was hosting events online and in person about quality of life issues faced by this community.

While all of the events and content were happening publicly, I was working with a team of engineers and designers on the warming product. Now called Brilliantly Warm, this innovative wearable device provides warmth for your whole body right at your core and fits invisibly into any bra. It's controlled by an app so the user can adjust the temperature or turn it on and off discreetly. After years of development and testing, we launched Brilliantly Warm in the fall of 2021.

I credit my mother with teaching me most of the fundamental things about community and problem solving. I've brought all of those lessons to this endeavor, which has been rewarding in a multitude of ways. Starting Brilliantly was a mid-career switch for me. I'm a trained art historian and spent the first 15 years of my career working in the arts. The transition to running a femtech startup was full of learning opportunities, both personally and professionally.

Over the past five years, I've had countless ups and downs. Many parts of this business look very different than I initially pictured. My motivation to serve this community is steadfast and has kept me going even on the hard days. I've also entered a new chapter of my grief; I feel less isolated and alone thanks to the incredible women I've had the pleasure of connecting with through Brilliantly.

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