If someone had told me in 2017 that I'd become an entrepreneur because of cancer, I would have either laughed or cried. But life is full of surprises, isn't it?
Three days after Christmas 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer (Ho! Ho! Ho!). What followed was a year-long marathon of treatments: 6 rounds of chemo, 7 months of infusions, surgery, and 31 radiation sessions. I thought I'd bounce back between treatments. Instead, I was knocked flat for five solid months, barely able to walk, constantly sick or asleep.
The real challenge? Managing medications. I had pills, liquids, and creams for every side effect imaginable, all on different schedules. Even with my husband and daughter helping, keeping track was a nightmare.
In a moment of desperation (or inspiration), I started making color-coded sticky note labels: daily, twice a day, hourly. It became our lifeline. We even used it for our dog Ella’s ear medication!
One day, I searched online for a pre-made version of my sticky note system. Nothing. Zip. Nada. Just pill boxes and complicated apps that didn't fit my needs. That's when the lightbulb went off - if these humble sticky notes had been our lifeline, maybe they could help others too.
And just like that, Tooktake was born - not in a garage (okay, it was a garage) like some tech startups, but during my cancer battle.
We fine-tuned the system throughout my treatment. By my last infusion on Dec. 26, 2018, Tooktake was almost ready to go.
Now, I'm on one daily medication to keep the cancer at bay. You'd think that'd be motivation enough to remember one little pill, but nope.
I still use Tooktake every day.
So here I am, an accidental entrepreneur with a little product born from one of life's toughest challenges.
My hope for Tooktake is simple: that this little idea, born from sticky notes and struggle, will make your life or your loved one's life a little easier.
-Leeanna
