My journey began in 2018 when I was diagnosed with stage 1A breast cancer at the age of 37. My care was quickly entrusted to Dr. Paige Teller for my left lumpectomy, and then to Dr. Chiara Battelli and her team for my subsequent oncology care. I was scared and overwhelmed. My mind raced: Why? That was the first, crushing question. Then came the next: What happens now? The rigorous medical phase started with a left lumpectomy, followed by six rounds of chemotherapy, administered every three weeks. Next came four weeks of radiation treatment, five days a week. However, the real challenge began when those treatments were finished. People often assume that once treatment is done, you are "all good," but for me, that is when the lifelong struggle of living with this new way of life truly began. I am a breast cancer warrior, here to show this disease who is boss. Strength is not something I was born with, but something this journey has taught me. I get stronger every day with the indispensable help of my entire care team—my dedicated doctors, my family, and my friends.