The news came on January 15, 2025—a date now etched into my memory. “You have breast cancer”, words that changed everything in an instant. Life, once filled with the predictable rhythm of raising two kids and managing the everyday chaos of family life, suddenly felt like it had fractured. Doctors’ appointments, treatment plans, and an avalanche of medical terminology swiftly became the new normal.

Through it all, I carried the weight of it quietly—because I didn’t think anyone could

understand. There were still lunches to pack, homework to supervise, and bedtime stories to read. My children, with their boundless energy and innocence, remained blissfully unaware of the storm swirling around me. And perhaps, in a way, their laughter became an anchor—a reminder that there was still joy to hold on to, even in the shadow of uncertainty.

Even though you gather all of this new information, join support groups and speak with people who have traveled this journey before you, you still have questions. How will my life change? How will I be able to continue being a mom, a wife, a daughter and a friend? The only answer I have consistently come to is that I choose to keep moving forward. I choose to be a great mom, a loving wife, the best daughter and friend that I can be.

I’m no stranger to medical issues, trust me when I say I’ve had my share of medical issues thus far in my life. Some with acronyms that doctors have never heard of. What has always gotten me through each of my journeys, has always been my support system. My friends and family who help when it’s needed. They make me smile when I’m sad, they make me laugh when I feel like crying. Throughout everything I have endured with my medical history, my friends and family have always been constant.

While my journey with breast cancer is just beginning, I find comfort in knowing that I am not on this journey alone. Cancer may be my diagnosis, but it is not who I am. I choose to be me, I choose to be a friend, a daughter, a wife and a mother. I expect there will be days that I fall short and on these days I know that my support system will be there to help. Whether it be a home cooked meal for my family or taking the kids to a school event, I know that I am not alone on this journey.