February 2024 was when my life changed forever.

It was the beginning of February when I got in the shower. I started the day like any normal day until I felt the lump. Immediately I started thinking the worst. Breast Cancer. I called my OBGYN and asked if I can come see him. I was so nervous of what he’ll say. But, when I got there, he checked me. He prescribed me an antibiotic just in case it was an infection. I felt a sense of relief for a bit. But, he also referred me to a Breast Surgical Oncologist. It was then that made everything feel even more real. 

I went to my appointment all scared. The doctor was so nice. She made me feel so relaxed and told me that I shouldn’t worry until the final results came out. She did a punch biopsy right then and there at my appointment. I was so scared. I’ve never had a biopsy done before. As soon as it was over, they sent the samples to the lab. It was a waiting game after that. The doctor told me to wait for her call. It felt like the call took forever to receive. It was the longest 3 days I’ve ever had. On February 19, 2024, I got the call. It was still early in the morning. I was helping all my kids get ready for school. It was the results I was dreading to hear. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC). I broke down crying. I was still on the phone with my doctor. I immediately was thinking that I won’t be able to watch my kids grow up or grow old with my husband. The doctor then told me that in the coming days I will be busy getting phone calls and going to appointments. Boy was she not kidding. I started receiving phone call after phone call to get ultrasounds, see an Oncologist, get additional biopsies, MRI’s, get blood tests, you name it. 

March 6, 2024 was when I first met with my Oncologist. It was then that I would find out exactly what type of breast cancer I had and what stage. It was stage II, ER+, PR+, HER2+ Breast Cancer. My oncologist had prepared me for what was gonna happen in the next steps after my diagnosis. Her plan was for me to have Chemotherapy + HER2 Targeted therapy, Surgery, possible Radiation, and take Anti-hormone pills.

On March 11, 2024, I had a fever and chills. Thinking it would go away, I just took medicine and tried resting. Unfortunately, I got worse. I had a hard time breathing in addition to my fever and chills. In the middle of the night, my husband had to call for an ambulance. I found out that my fever was over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The paramedics took me to the hospital right away. And because I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I was seen quicker. I thought I would be able to go home after they gave me medication. They ran tests and found out I had a kidney infection as well. I was in the hospital for 3 days. I was scheduled to get a port inserted on the 15th, but since I was recently in the hospital for an infection, the port insertion was delayed. Therefore, delaying all my other treatments. I finally got my port inserted the following week.

March 28, 2024 was my first chemotherapy treatment. I was so nervous. The nurses that work in the cancer center are so nice. They made me feel so relaxed and well cared for. At the end of my treatment, I felt fine. But, as the day went by, I started to feel pain in my legs and I was weak and tired. I went to bed and didn’t get up until dinner time. This went on after each of my treatment. By my second treatment , I started to lose my hair. And by the third one, I think I had lost half of my head of hair. I mustered up the courage to shave what was left of my hair off. By doing that, it felt better than seeing hair in my hand as I comb my fingers through it.

September 13, 2024 was my surgery date. One day after my younger daughter Skylar’s birthday. I decided that I would do a Bilateral Mastectomy. At that time, I thought that getting expanders put in was a good idea. Doing so, I would feel more feminine. But, it wasn’t meant to be. On September 25, 2024, I was declared Cancer-Free! But, the joy would change by the time I got home. I started getting chills, then eventually got a fever. I went in to the ER later that night with continuous fever and chills. I had developed sepsis. I needed to get emergency surgery right away to remove the expanders. I was again so scared. Surgery scares me. Especially after getting one less than two weeks ago. It was time to recover again. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I missed my kids so much. It was hard for me. 

Fast forward. My treatment continued on until March 20, 2025. I was finally able to remove my port. My life started to feel more normal now. I still have my frequent checkups and appointments to make sure I’m healthy. My hair is also starting to grow back..curly at that. lol. 

This year, I registered for the Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk. This will be my second year participating. I am dedicating this walk to not only myself, but to all that have been affected by Breast Cancer. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today in support of my fundraising efforts.

Ending breast cancer needs all of us, and your generosity can make a real difference. Together, let’s show breast cancer patients there’s a whole community standing by their side.

Will you please join me in this fight by making your donation today?