When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, I felt like the rug had been swept out from underneath me.

I felt paralyzed, unable to function as a mom, wife, or human being.

Luckily, I was diagnosed during the summer, so I wasn’t working. This allowed me to lay in my sadness full-time. I would make my kids’ meals and then head back to my bedroom, where I would lay until my husband got home from work.

Those first couple of weeks felt like total darkness in my life.

Having the conversation with my girls was the hardest thing I had to do. They know what cancer entails from movies and shows. I knew I had to show them that I still had so much life to live and that sometimes those movies and shows are wrong.

Since being diagnosed, my life has changed

After speaking with my doctors, we had a game plan. I was going to do my treatments and live my best life. I decided to put my best face forward and try to face each day.

Getting back to work around that time was a big blessing.

I could wake up every morning with a purpose that was more than just being a mom and wife. As a teacher, my special needs kiddos needed me. I go to work every day with the purpose of giving my kiddos the dedication, patience and love they need.

I truly love the chaos of my job. That chaos brings me so much peace.

Strength in Community

Being a wife was definitely on the back burner with this new diagnosis. But little by little, my husband picked up the pieces and helped me to regain who I was.

But this time, I was better.

I was more grateful and more emotional. He understood that and helped lead the way. He became my voice at those initial appointments. Marriage was no longer both of us giving 100 percent. It became me giving 10 and him 190. He’s been my rock, and I truly cannot imagine how I would get through each day without his love and support.

A Message of Hope

Life doesn’t end when you get those dreaded MyChart results. Life actually begins.

The feelings of fear and sadness come in waves, sometimes at the most inconvenient times, like when you’re sitting on a park bench with your significant other while watching your kids play together. Those fears start to creep in.

Give them space.

And then remind yourself that you woke up today. Remind yourself that you have so much to live for and so much love to give.