About

Mother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, friend… and now breast cancer survivor!

I went from the best shape of my life walking over 100 miles a month to the worst shape of my life barely making it through the house in just a matter of weeks.

At 44 years old I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was notorious among my circle of friends and family for having “bad luck,” but this is the first time anything happened with my health. I lost my mom to cancer when I was in high school, but it was not breast cancer. In fact, it was a donated liver so my oncologist said it didn’t even count as having a “family history of cancer.” My doctor tested over 30 genes which all came back clean and I didn’t check any boxes for even being at risk. I was barely old enough to start getting mammograms when I went from having a “lifetime risk lower than the average person” at my first one to stage 3 cancer at my second one.

10 years ago I got a degree in radiography and I specialized in mammography. Soon after I was accepted into a program for radiation therapy and was very intrigued to learn about this from the patients perspective. I feel like I set myself up for this. haha I should have clarified that I didn’t want to be the patient! Soon after I was accepted into the program my military husband got family orders to move overseas so I wasn’t able to complete my specialty.

I am urging everyone to get checked. Even if you’re unconcerned and “not at risk,” even if you’re busy, even if you’re scared of the machine, even if you’re scared of the outcome. Get checked! The earlier the diagnosis the better. Treatment is hard, but its easier than losing a life or a loved one!

This is simply, my story. I am sharing my story so if you do have to go through it, or know someone who does, you might not feel so alone. Everyone’s experience is unique, but having someone who’s been there and a story you can follow might make it just a little bit easier. If I can help just one person through then sharing my story publicly would be worth it! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!