2026 Komen Houston Race for the Cure

My breast cancer journey began in 2016 when my very first mammogram at age 42 revealed DCIS. Though I was only two years past the recommended screening age, it was a sudden wakeup call. Thankfully, it was caught early, and after a mastectomy and reconstruction, I was cleared. Unfortunately, the peace of mind didn't last. Despite regular monitoring every six months, the cancer returned in the same breast as Stage I in 2018. After two lumpectomies to ensure clear margins, I truly believed that would be the last time.

By 2021, my regular scans were clear, but I began experiencing persistent, worsening pain in my sternum. After seeing multiple doctors with no real conclusions, my GP ordered a chest CT in early 2022. Additional scans confirmed my worst fear: the cancer had spread, and I was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer in my bones.

Years into this advanced diagnosis, I continue to stay positive and strong-willed. Now on my fifth line of treatment, I focus entirely on the present moment and enjoy it for whatever it brings—including getting back to riding my horse. Supported by my husband, family, friends, and coworkers, I share my story to remind everyone: please get your regular mammograms starting at age 40, or earlier if you have a family history. More importantly, listen to your body and advocate fiercely for yourself; don’t take no for an answer if you know something is wrong. And men, please encourage the women in your lives to get screened, and pay attention to your own bodies, too. Breast cancer awareness belongs in every single day of the year, not just the thirty days of October.