What was your journey to diagnosis? Initial symptoms?

I found a lump in my left breast along with chest pain and left-sided numbness. I was also fatigued when doing something as well as always wanting to sleep.

What was your treatment plan?

As of today, I have completed three of six chemotherapy treatments. Next is surgery to remove the tumors. I will then move on to radiation for a total of four weeks and finish one year of HER2+ hormonal medication.

I hated chemotherapy, but I still pushed myself to go through the treatments because I wanted to give myself every opportunity to get better. After the third session I said, “Nope, I’m done!” and of course, my doctors did not agree with my decision. I’m pretty sure, at this time, they thought I was crazy. One doctor even said, “If you don’t want chemo, you’re better off being on hospice!”. I did not finish chemotherapy treatments. I knew in my heart, I could not handle it.

How did your diagnosis change your life?

Two years after my mother lost her battle to breast cancer, I was diagnosed with stage IIIA infiltrating ductal carcinoma. I cried for hours and hours with my husband, who also broke down with me when we received the news. It felt like our lives were going to change for the worst. My heart cried out for the little family I created and was blessed to have. But deep down, I already knew I was not going to let those tears hold me back.

All of the losses I already endured throughout my life prepared me for what I had to face. God was already working in me. As I took in the news of my cancer diagnosis, I knew I was going to fight. No matter what I went through before, I never understood just how important life was until it was my own life that was on the line. I appreciate life so much more now. I know that my boys need me and that no one else could ever love them as I do.

What has been your biggest challenge thus far?

My biggest challenge has been learning to live with symptoms such as fatigue and tingling in my arms, feet, and legs. For the rest of my life I will have to do scans to make sure cancer does not spread or ever come back, even once I am declared cancer-free.

I took it upon myself to follow my heart and did what was best for me. I took a four-month break from treatment and I was honest with myself. Many nights I prayed and many days I tuned in with my Heavenly Father.

What do you know now that you wish you knew before?

Everything that we put into our bodies is eventually what we become. So the food that we eat and is not healthy for us, may cause some illness in our bodies. If we eat right and feed our bodies with the right kind of food, then our bodies will treat us right.

How do you want to be an encouragement to others going through this same journey?

My hope in sharing my story with others is that they will also be able to persevere through their struggles.

Here are a few of the main lessons I’ve learned through my lifelong journey with cancer that I hope will bring comfort to others:

First, you see, the way we think and feel about ourselves, including our beliefs and expectations about what is possible, has an impact on determining everything that happens to us. Do not be surprised when life hits you with something you never could have imagined. But instead, find it within yourself to see the beauty in life because it will help the most when all you feel is helpless.

Second, the most simple and well-known message during tough times and the best reminder to never give up and keep pushing forward. Dig into your inner self and believe that God will help you through whatever you feel is impossible. You will discover that whatever you’re going through is transforming you into something even more beautiful than you envisioned.

Lastly, it might be difficult to believe this when you’re constantly facing hardships, but life will get better. You have to trust yourself and your process. Let me be a testimony to follow your heart and also still listen to your doctors. Work with your doctor on what is best for you.

Never give up hope or your faith and continue to kick CANCER BUTT!!!