It has been 3115 days since I was diagnosed with aggressive invasive breast cancer. That is 8 years 6 months and 6 days ago that my life changed.On that day when I was on my knees shaking, crying, my world crumbling around me I couldn’t imagine I would survive. I didn’t know how I could get through that very minute, that afternoon, the next day, and each moment that fell into my lap after that. I was broken and terrified and sure that I would not get to see my kids grow up, or get to love my husband the way he deserved.

Since my last update, I’ve had another 3 years of survivorship! I’ve said this before, and I will say again and always. I was terrified of my diagnosis, and of my fight to become a survivor. Positive I wouldn’t get through it. Though it was difficult and terrifying it was, for me, the easiest part of this life. Being a survivor is certainly more difficult for many reasons. There are so many resources, education, hell, even books on how to beat cancer. There is not enough information on how to be a survivor. The world thinks when you complete chemo, radiation, your mastectomy, and your hair starts growing back that your life just goes back to normal, that you’re through the hard stuff. Let me tell you, that’s not true. Each step in this is a battle, but the rest of your life is a war. To be clear, though it is hard to be a survivor, I stand 1000% behind the fact that I am grateful for my life and I am a better and stronger person than I could have ever dreamed of being because of my diagnosis. I’ve been pushed to grow in ways I never knew I could. To make an impact in lives around me. To accomplish more than I could ever dream. I believe that some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers and that everything happens for a reason. I am who I am supposed to be.

My last post I was newly diagnosed with diabetes. I’ve worked hard over the years with my providers to control the diabetes as best we could. Nothing helped us keep things under control. Everything we tried was so hard on my GI tract and didn’t help. In 2023 I started on Semaglutide which helped get my A1C in normal range for the first time in years, and I was able to lose 38 pounds of the lovely post chemo, post menopausal, hormone depleted weight I had gained. It’s completely changed my life.

I did 3 years of Zometa infusions which is a bisphosphonate drug that is given to post menopausal women to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. I ended up in the hospital for 2 days after the 1st infusion from the severe bone pain, but after the first infusion just dealt with on going bone pain that was manageable. One of the possible side effects is Osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is dead exposed bone in your jaw. I dealt with this for over a year with was a completely miserable experience. After all of the jaw bone debridements, and endless amounts of antibiotics I ended up in the hospital for 7 days. I was sent home with a PICC line for 6 weeks that I had to give myself antibiotics in every day. It was an incredibly painful road, but I made it through just like I always do, stronger than I was before.

Last August I went on my very first Breast Cancer Retreat with Casting for Recovery. This organization is truly a gift. It was an absolutely healing and amazing experience that I am so thankful to have experienced. Being surrounded by so many other survivors who have had similar journeys brings an exceptional amount of acceptance, understanding, support, love, and healing. I hope to find more retreats to attend in coming years to keep my cup full.

In September, I had an incredibly terrifying experience that resulted in a burst fracture of my spine at T12. I got up that morning to let the dogs go potty and got light headed. Next thing I knew I had blacked out, passed out, and woke up on the floor in the laundry room. When I woke up I was in excruciating pain and vomiting. The pain was so intense I couldn’t breath. My youngest son, came running to me and I told him to call for help. He was only 11 years old and so brave. He called 911 for me and went and woke up my oldest son to come help. My 15 year old came to my side to take care of me while we waited for the ambulance. He was able to wipe up my vomit I was laying in to help make sure I did not breath it in. I couldn’t move. They both saved me that day and did so with such bravery and confidence. The ambulance took me to the hospital where we found out after imaging I had a burst fracture in my spine. I was then transported by ambulance to another hospital where I stayed for a few days. The pain during those first few days was immense. I was in a brace for 5 months afterwards to allow my spine to heal. My spine fractured due to my osteoporosis.I have osteoporosis from the chemotherapy, and from being post menopausal since I was 29 years old. Having no hormones is very hard and damaging on your whole body in many ways. I’ve since been able to get out of my brace and somewhat back to normal. It can be defeating as I do have constant chronic back pain. Most days the pain is manageable, but on other days if I stand too long, or do too much I pay the price for a few days.

Most recently, I had a surgery to biopsy some scar tissue on my nose we wanted to make sure was not cancerous, and have a repair to my mastectomy site. Going in for another surgery brought back a lot of fear and anxiety. Leading up to surgery day I felt a lot of old wounds coming to the surface. I guess somewhat of a PTSD I am assuming. Pain, stress, worry, fear. But the day came and went and all went well. Of course the healing process can be painful, but nothing out of the normal. I received the good news that the biopsy from my nose, and the tissue from the mastectomy repair were all benign!

Okay, that’s enough with the medical updates. Now that you are caught up on the happenings, let’s get on to the good stuff! Through all of these things, I continued to grow and blossom into this person I’ve been shaped into. It’s amazing what you learn to value, prioritize, and appreciate through the hard stuff. My happiness, my heart, my feelings, my family, and myself are my priorities and I will protect them at all costs. I simply do not have room in my life for anything other than great things, great people, and happiness. I’ve learned how incredibly selfish people can be and how small my circle is. I’ve grieved a lot. It was difficult for me to understand and accept that many people are not good. But as quickly as I realized this, I learned that it was not personal, it was not me. I also know I cannot control other people but I can control how I react. To change any outcome you have to change your reaction. It is the only thing you can control. I have taken control of my life, the people in it, and I choose happiness each and every day. I am strong, I am beautiful, and I am happy. Not one person in this world can take that from me.

I continue to try to put my diagnosis to work and be an active part of the breast cancer community. In 2023, I earned the title of Top Taste Maker with Denver Fork Cancer. The Fork Cancer event raised funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society as well as providing direct access to care for Coloradans who need lodging and transportation to and from treatment. It was a great event and it was an honor to be the Top Taste Maker! I am also on my 3rd year of being the Personal Ink leader for both the Denver and Boulder locations. This, is what brings me the absolute most joy. As you know, I received my mastectomy tattoo in 2019 from Personal Ink which completed changed my life. It was the best gift I have ever been given. Now I have the absolute honor of leading the Denver and Boulder P.ink Days each year! I get to help coordinate these events and be a part of our recipients life changing tattoo sessions. Along the way, I get to meet the most incredible women, who quickly become friends. There is not anything that makes me feel more honored and proud.

December 4, 2025 will be mine and my husbands 10 year wedding anniversary. An incredible milestone. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 days after our wedding.We forwent our honeymoon to fight cancer together. We said we would have our honeymoon and renew our vows at 10 years, if I made it that far. As horrible as that sounds, I just didn’t know if I would be alive and make it to this anniversary with my husband. I wasn’t sure how long I would get to be here to my kids mom, to love my husband, and experience this life. I have fought through all of the hard things, and I continue to fight everyday for this beautiful life I have. I hope we get to plan our honeymoon and vow renewal, because celebrating this love and joy of our marriage and our family is worth every single second. I’ll just be over here fighting through it all and dreaming up our honeymoon/vow renewal/celebration of kicking cancers ass.

Thank you all for loving me through it all. Cheering me on, supporting me, and being there for my family. I am thankful for every moment I have here on this earth, and so incredibly proud of the woman I have grown to be.