I never wanted to become the story, but when I was originally diagnosed in 2011, I let myself become the story.  I thought it was a way to show people what it's like to have cancer, to live with cancer and to live beyond a cancer diagnosis.  It also lit a fire in me.  A fire to fight; to survive; to pay it forward.  Every.  Single.  Day.  Publicly sharing your story is daunting for many people.  It is empowering for me.  It puts cancer in its place.  Everyone has a cancer story.  If telling my story helps just one person, then it's worth it.  It is all worth it.  To anyone facing a cancer diagnosis, tell your story.  Tell one person.  Tell a friend.  Tell a stranger.  Tell me.  Tell 10 people.  Tell 10,000 people.  Just tell it.  Telling your story disarms cancer from being something sacred or secret and puts the power back in your hands.  It also introduces you to all us thrivers and survivors.  We're here and we can't wait to meet you.

Few, if any, people with cancer set out to be an inspiration to others.  It is amazing how sharing your story actually inspires people.  Having people call you an inspiration is a humbling experience--it lifts you & gives you a reason to fight through the dark times.  Telling your story can be the one thing that gets others through the night.  It can be an awesome feeling when something good can come out of something so terrible.  I never get tired of telling my story--

2024--My Story:  4 Words Plus 1

Many of you know my original story began on November 4th, 2011 with 4 words:

    You have a lump

    We found something suspicious

    You have breast cancer

    Lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemo, reconstruction

    You are a survivor

For 12+ years, I lived my life as a survivor.  I went to all my follow up appointments.  I followed all the rules.  I walked and walked and walked and walked.  I raised money for a cure.  I lived my life out loud.  But there was always a sword hanging over my head because breast cancer is never truly gone.  It hides.  It lurks.  It may stay hidden.  It may burst back into sight.  It is a dirty sneaky beast.

On April 13, 2024, my story became 4 words plus 1.  You have METASTATIC breast cancer.  And now there are 4 new words:

    There is no cure

    There are treatment options

    There are clinical trials

    I will fight this

    We will fight this

    I am a thriver

There are an estimated 168,000 women in the US living with metastatic breast cancer.  The 5-year survival rate continues to improve, thanks to advancements in treatments that help people like me live longer and with a better quality of life.

A lot can happen in 3 days--

13 years ago I could not have imagined telling people such personal information.  Breast cancer made me mad.  Mad enough to let everyone into my breast cancer diagnosis & to take everyone along with me.  5 years ago I could not imagine doing a 3-Day.  At the end of my first 3-Day I swore I was never doing another one.  This year will be #7. The 3-Day changes you in ways you don't even realize.  The love, the energy, the stories, the hugs, the dedication to a mission greater than ourselves is inspiring beyond anything I've ever known.  

We are making a difference.  Every step matters.  Every dollar raised matters.  Every blistered foot, aching back, sore muscle, tired leg matters. We are helping people we will never meet.  We are helping people we know & love.  We are helping people like me.  We are helping all of us.  The 3 Day will push us ever closer to a cure for this terrible disease that has impacted every single one of us.  

Thank you Pink Bubble.  No one ever fights alone.