About Annette
Mystic. Writer. Cancer thrivership pioneer.
I'm Annette Hennekens-Sklenar. I live in Lino Lakes, Minnesota with my husband and our cat. And I am still here — on purpose.
"I set my sights on acing cancer school. What I found was something far bigger than survival."
I am a mystic, a writer, and what I like to call an emerging cancer thrivership pioneer — someone who has moved through one of life's most terrifying diagnoses and come out the other side with a deepened sense of purpose, presence, and possibility. This is my story. And in many ways, it may be yours too.
The journey
In January 2020, at the start of the pandemic, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. As you can imagine, this was a tremendously difficult time. The COVID era was deeply isolating, and I lost physical mobility that year due to weekly Taxol chemotherapy treatments. I moved through numerous treatment regimens.
In 2021, a recurrence led me to seek care at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. I went on to receive Enhertu, completing six of the eight cycles my oncologist recommended — and because there was no longer any active cancer in my body, I was able to have a bilateral mastectomy in February 2024.
Today I receive a Phesgo shot every three weeks to keep the cancer at bay.
This fall, I will be living three years without evidence of disease.
"I have been wading into the deep end of the healing pool — and what I found there changed everything."
Throughout all of it, I held onto my healing intentions. I began learning about our bodies' innate ability to heal, exploring modalities I had never heard of, and discovering that quality of life — real, vibrant, meaningful life — was available to me even in the midst of uncertainty.
I'm not the same person I was before cancer. I'm someone new. Someone more rooted, more present, and more on fire with purpose than I have ever been.
The training
My certifications and studies weren't planned in advance, they were each a step in a strange and beautiful scavenger hunt, following the nudging of my heart, one doorway at a time.
2021–2023 Andean Medicine Wheel · Peace Medicine
A two-year training with Coleen (CoCo) Elwood that first stoked my deep interest in the Andean shamanic tradition of South America. Completed the wheel in 2023.
2023 Certified Energy Medicine Practitioner · The Four Winds Society
Studied with Dr. Alberto Villoldo and became certified in energy medicine in the Andean shamanic lineage of the Q'ero, the beautiful people of the Inca. Combined with the medicine wheel training, this completely transformed my lens on life and healing.
2024 Trauma-Informed Leadership · Pocket Project
Studied with Thomas Hübl, author of Attuned: Practicing Interdependence to Heal Our Trauma and Our World, and completed the Applied Trauma-Informed Leadership course with the Pocket Project.
2025 Usui Reiki Master · Levels I, II & III · Green Lotus Yoga
Received Reiki certification under Jennifer Stano at Green Lotus Yoga Studio, completing three Levels of Usui Reiki and bringing together all the threads of my healing training.
How I see the world now
Cancer put me in a liminal space — that uncertain, in-between terrain where the old life no longer fits and the new one is still taking shape. I have been learning to be comfortable there. To trust the not-knowing. To follow the nudge.
"The universe has me on a strange scavenger hunt. I find my way through by following my heart, one step at a time."
What I know — deeply, in my bones — is that I am still here so I can be of service. Aligned with peace, compassion, love, forgiveness, and presence. I am holding a new vision for what healing can look like, not just for individuals, but for our world.
I am very excited to share what has been working for me, and to inspire others to practice acceptance, change what they can, and adopt a thrivership mindset — even in the face of a diagnosis like cancer.
I would love to hear your story
If something here has resonated with you — if you feel guided to reach out — please do. I hold every conversation with care and without pressure.
"We can co-create a world full of compassion, kindness, and care. The work has already begun. Step into the circle of healing with me."
🕊️ 🙏🏽 ❤️ 💜 ✨
Many blessings to you and yours. Thank you for reading my story.