In December of 2020, at age 33, I was nursing my youngest son when I felt an oddly-shaped lump. I assumed it was lactational and nothing more, but my husband urged me to have it checked out.
On December 23rd, I paused my family’s holiday plans and left my husband and our three little children to see my OBGYN. What started as a “quick check” at 8am developed into a day of scans, bloodwork, and two invasive biopsies.
By Christmas Eve night, I was diagnosed with HR- in situ breast cancer -- a diagnosis that left me simultaneously devastated and thankful for early detection. I was advised to stop breastfeeding so scans would be more accurate, and my next appointment was scheduled. That appointment was cancelled due to Covid; it would be another 7 months before I’d see my doctor again. (And it would be another two years before a family member would be permitted to attend an in person appointment or surgical procedure with me.)
This year, 4 years later. I have had the last of my surgeries and am on my way to remission. The road has been so long and sharing my story has helped me so much but hopefully others see the importance of advocating for your health and maybe another woman will read this, who has been putting off going to get their mammogram, and they’ll go! That is my hope with my work as an advocacy advisor for Komen.
I am extremely lucky to have been diagnosed so early by my wonderful care team, and I'm forever grateful to have such an amazing support group, not only within my family, but also throughout my community and my intensely supportive group of friends.
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. This means your wives, best friends, mothers, and sisters will at some point have to fight this. I want this road to be as bearable as possible for them. I ask you to join me in supporting these future women so they can benefit from ongoing cancer research and live long, healthy, fulfilling lives.
Race for the Cure Alumni
Team Captain
