At least, that's what I was told the six times I tried to get someone to listen to me. 

I knew something was wrong. 

Six times, I pushed. 

Six times, I was dismissed. 

And then on February 20, 2020, I was told- Triple-negative breast cancer. Stage 3C- with a 40% chance of making it.  Not early. Not small (it was the size of a large orange, and was in my internal mammary chain deep in my chest- that couldn't be removed during surgery. 

So when I tell people to know your body and be a pain in the A$$ when something isn't right, I mean it. 

I had aggressive chemotherapy, 27 rounds of radiation, double mastectomy and was suppose to be on Xeloda for 6 months (oral chemo) . My heart decided it wasn't particularly interested in cooperating with that plan, so I couldn't finish the oral chemo. 

After all of that, I didn't get the magical words every cancer patient desperately wants to hear after treatment: Complete response. There was no neat little bow on my cancer journey. 

The part of my story I love most- is I am still here. Six years later pulling my life back together for the new norm. On my fifth year, I wrote a book/journal for newly diagnosed patients because I remembered what it felt like to suddenly be thrown into a world of pathology reports, treatment plans, acronyms and fear. 

I advocate because I remember being the woman who kept saying, "Something is wrong," and wasn't heard. 

I talk about breast cancer because somewhere right now, another woman is being told she's too young, it's probably nothing, or to come back later. 

And maybe she'll hear one of us being loud and decide to push one MORE time. 

That is WHY I am HERE!

It's also why I am incredibly proud to serve on the Executive Leadership Committee for the Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK walk in Hawai'i. 

Naturally my team is called- BREAST INTENTIONS- because if we are going to raise money to fight breast cancer, we are at least going to have a good team name while we are doing it. 

I am raising money because research matter to someone with triple-negative breast cancer or any breast cancer for that matter. 

Access to screening matters. 
Patient support matters. 
Advocacy matters. 
And being listened to matters. 

I am not asking you to write some enormous check- Give $5, Give $10- It all adds up!

If you can't donate, share this page. Tell someone you love to get checked. And please, please please remember this part of my story- YOU KNOW YOUR BODY BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE----- If something feels off, and you are dismissed, go back! Ask again! Find someone who will listen. Be annoying. Be difficult. 

Because I am here for the seventh conversation- As long as I am blessed to be here, I am going to keep making some dang noise and raise some money for those who are hearing the words no one wants to hear. Ever. 

With so much love, 
Theresa