For months I had been feeling a small lump in my right breast. I ignored it because of course it wasn't breast cancer. Breast cancer does not run in my family. I was sure it was a simple cyst that we all have every now and then. One night I woke up feeling a sharp pain that ran from my underarm through my nipple. Still, I assumed it was nothing. That week I went to my best friend's house and she was feeling some weird pains too. We talked about it, she however was going to see a doctor about hers because that's what one should do. I was prepared to continue to ignore mine. Fortunately, I already had an appointment to see my gynecologist for something else and Kristina convinced me to just ask about it while I was there.

In true "southern" fashion, I asked my doctor about it while apologizing profusely for asking her about a topic that was different from the reason I was there in the first place. She, however, is incredible and did an exam immediately. She agreed there was something there and ordered a mammogram/ultrasound.

At my first mammogram appointment, I found myself being called back again and again for more images until finally the radiologist came in to tell me it was indeed not a cyst, but instead appeared to be an invasive mass that needed to be biopsied.

A few excruciatingly long weeks later, I received that call from my gynecologist confirming I had breast cancer. From there, I attended appointment after appointment. At each one I met people I never knew I needed - angels. Doctors, nurses that held me while I sobbed. I had to tell my husband and my family how sorry I was that they would have to go through this with me. Tell my friends that our walks, talks and dinners would look different. I learned I would need chemotherapy. That this was the most aggressive cancer one could have, but thankfully it was also the  most cureable. After chemo would come surgeries.

All I could think about was my two beautiful girls. Did I pass this along to them? How will I continue to be their mom while going through cancer treatment? How will I carpool them around? How will I cuddle them closely with a port in my chest? How will this affect them emotionally? At school? With friends? What if I die and they don't have a mom? It was a very dark place.

But God.

It was not immediate, and it was not without questioning. But eventually, I could palpably feel the arms of Jesus around me. My friends and family became my prayer army. Their prayers lifted me up in every way. Chemotherapy infusions came and went, the first two harder than the last two - which NEVER happens. The last two chemo sessions came in the thick of Christmas season and I was able. I attended every school event. I shopped til I dropped. I felt so normal to the point of me asking my oncologist if she was sure I was receiving the correct medicines. The only explanation is God. He was protecting me and healing me, in so many ways.

On every trip to the hospital I played "LION" by Brandon Lake. My battle cry as I walked into the fight of my life every 3 weeks for 3 months.