My journey began in May 2023, right after I was laid off from my job and concluded my season as a senior dancer with the Golden State Warriors Hardwood Classics team. With my medical benefits about to expire, I scheduled all my routine doctors’ appointments, including a mammogram. By June, I had completed these appointments, but then came the unsettling news: something unusual had been detected in my left breast, and a biopsy was needed to determine if it was cancerous.

The biopsy was a painful process, and the wait for results felt agonizing. On July 5, 2023, I received the diagnosis: Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer (ER+, PR+, HER-2+). I was overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. My mind raced with questions: Would I die? How would I break this news to my daughters, family, and friends? Why was this happening to me when there was no family history of breast cancer? Would I ever dance again? The questions were endless, and the future seemed daunting.

Navigating this new reality involved a whirlwind of appointments with cancer specialists, social workers, surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists. I also had to deal with unemployment and disability claims, all while facing the stress of no income or medical insurance. Despite the overwhelming challenges, I chose to stay positive and keep pushing forward. I reminded myself to "Let Go, Let God" and saw this as a deep hole to climb out of, not just a bump in the road.

My treatment plan was extensive, spanning over a year to five years. The first step was surgery on July 21, 2023, to remove the cancer and a lymph node. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and no cancer was found in the lymph node. On August 23, 2023, I underwent a second surgery to install a port in my chest for the upcoming treatments, which included three months of weekly chemotherapy and a year of targeted infusions every three weeks.

Chemotherapy was grueling, with side effects like fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, sleepless nights, neuropathy, hair loss, weight gain, and more. After the three months of chemo, I began radiation therapy on December 11, 2023. The radiation treatments were quick and manageable, and completing them right before Christmas felt like the best gift ever. I celebrated by ringing the bell and savoring all the foods I had missed, even if my taste wasn’t fully restored yet.

Throughout this year-long journey, I have been blessed with immense love and support. From visits, care packages, and food deliveries to calls, texts, and financial aid, I am deeply grateful to my family, friends, HWC, and Fab4. A special thank you to my children—Nikki, Kiele, and Joven—who took turns accompanying me to appointments. Their support was unwavering.

I am thrilled to share that, as of my recent mammogram on July 17, 2024, I am CANCER FREE and in remission! I have a month left of targeted infusions, followed by starting an estrogen pill for the next five years. I am hopeful to have the port removed in September 2024. My goals now are to heal fully, help others, advocate for breast cancer awareness, pursue a new career, and live a life full of happiness, love, and health.

I invite you to join my Faithful Warriors team and walk with me to support breast cancer research. Any donation, big or small, would be greatly appreciated. No one should face cancer alone, and while I was fortunate to overcome it, many others are still fighting. Please help spread awareness and support in any way you can. Feel free to reach out for support or with any questions you may have.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sending you all big hugs and wishing you many blessings ahead!

My favorite quotes: "Tomorrow is never promised, so live life to the fullest! Happiness is a choice, so be happy! Do what you love with the people you love! Attitude is Everything! Make it Happen! Let Go, Let God!"