From the very start of this journey, I have always considered myself a survivor.

I was diagnosed in September 2016 and rang the bell in August  2018. In February 2019, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer –the cancer had spread to my lungs.

After just ringing the bell, I was looking forward to life changing.

I was looking forward to NOT being at the hospital 3-4 times a week.

I was looking forward to less side effects.

I was looking forward to being “normal’; spending time with my husband, my children, and my family.

I was looking forward to being an advocate in support of those who were still battling.

Being re-diagnosed felt like a major step backward. My hopes of having a “new normal” were taken away. I was thrown right back into the reality of the battle.

The second go-round was harder than I expected. Having to cut my hair (again!), losing my eyebrows and eyelashes, going through treatment again, it was all mentally damaging.

My emotions were everywhere. Even physically, I suffered.

I was not prepared for having to start all over again.

Being apart of the non-profit organization Cancer Who? and hosting my program, “Survivor’s Circle” has kept me going. Being a support for others helps me cope with my own battle.

On September 19, 2019, I went to the ER suffering from a headache, nausea, and blurred vision. The following day, I received a phone call telling me the cancer had spread to my brain with four small lesions and the possibility of the cancerous cells also being in the fluid surrounding my brain. I will now have to undergo extensive radiation to my brain, while putting the treatment for my lung cancer on hold.

As you would imagine, this has been extremely overwhelming. Dealing with a new diagnosis while still trying to be a wife and mother is very difficult. I still try to live my life as normally as possible. Being a caregiver for my family all while having to use a caregiver for myself has been challenging.

Even with those challenges, I still remain positive. I still get up everyday with a smile on my face.

Knowing that I may never ring the bell again, I still consider myself a survivor!

I am survivor because I beat cancer once, and I’ll beat it again!

I am a survivor because I still look for the light in each day!

I am a survivor because I continue to survive!