"This year is going to  su*k." Those were the words one of my many doctors told me the day I went in to discuss possible treatments. Earlier that week, I had received the call that would change my life: “That lump you found is cancerous.”

Even as I write this now, those raw feelings are still very present. It’s hard not to tear up when I think about June 2025. Not only was my life about to change, but I was also beginning a new position at a new school. A different Andrea was going to walk through those doors. A woman I didn’t know and, quite honestly, didn’t recognize. The immeasurable fear and sadness I experienced affected not only me, but my family. It made it even harder for me to watch my parents, children, in-laws, aunts, uncles be affected by all of this. 

To get me through each day, Philippians 4:6–7 was written on my mirror. I looked at that Scripture every time I looked at myself and watched my appearance change because of the side effects of chemotherapy. First and foremost, and forever, I am so grateful that I know Jesus has been with me from the beginning and will continue to be with me this day and every day.

My husband was a ROCKSTAR. He never missed an appointment. He placed the neuropathy ice packs on my hands and feet during treatment. He cooked for me, helped me bathe, and put me to bed. There are simply no words to explain how much I love and appreciate this man.

My friends are my family. I truly and wholeheartedly believe I am here because they went to the throne of grace and asked God to heal me. When they would ask if I needed anything, my answer was always, “Prayer.” I knew they had a direct line to Jesus. The daily texts. The phone calls. The check-ins. The prayers. The love. They kept me going.

Now that I have finished all of the “icky” treatment, I can tell you that, yes, 2025 sucked. But I also have a healing God who saw fit to heal me from this ugly disease.

He placed me on the path of an AMAZING oncology team. My doctors and nurses were incredible. It would be terrible if I ever had to recommend them to someone, because that would mean someone I love was sick. But if you needed an oncology team, they are the team you would want fighting alongside you.

And then, at the end of my treatment, God gave one of my sisters in Christ a message for me. She simply “It’s done.” I believe it. I know I am healed.

I share my story not because it is easy to relive, but because I hope it encourages someone else who is walking through their own difficult season.

If you are able, please donate to breast cancer research. Breast cancer research has come such a long way, but there is still so much work to do. We need to keep fighting, keep researching, keep believing, and keep supporting one another until there is finally a cure.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 4:7