In April 2025, my life changed in a way I never could have imagined. It started so simply—after participating in a group fitness class, I felt a lump. At first, I tried not to panic. But after a biopsy, a mammogram, and what felt like endless doctor appointments, the diagnosis came: breast cancer. In that moment, everything became very real, very fast.
There was no time to sit with the news or slowly process what it meant. We had to move quickly. One of my biggest fears was whether cancer would take away our chance to build the family we had always dreamed of. Before treatment could begin, I went through IVF, fertility treatments, and egg preservation. It was an emotional roller coaster—hope, grief, fear, and determination all wrapped together—but it was a step I knew I needed to take for our future.
Soon after, chemotherapy began. IV treatments stretched from spring through September. Those months tested me in ways I didn’t know were possible—physically, mentally, and emotionally. But when September finally came and I rang the bell, it felt like a victory. A moment of relief. A breath I didn’t realize I had been holding for months.
That relief, however, came with another difficult decision. To reduce the chances of ever facing this again, I chose to undergo a double mastectomy. Surgery, followed by reconstruction, became the next chapter of this journey—one that is still ongoing. Healing hasn’t been linear, and some days are harder than others, but each step forward feels meaningful.
Today, I am thankfully cancer-free. I continue to take chemotherapy pills as a precaution for six months, a reminder that while the worst may be behind me, the journey isn’t fully over yet. I know the day will come when I can live a “normal” life again—when cancer doesn’t sit quietly in the back of my mind. Until then, I am choosing to stay positive, remain strong, and push forward for my family, believing brighter days are ahead.
Through it all, the love and support I’ve received has been overwhelming in the best possible way. Friends, family, and even strangers have lifted me up during moments when I didn’t know how I would keep going. That kindness has carried me more than words can express.
This experience has changed me, but it has also shown me just how strong I am—and how much love surrounds me. For that, I am endlessly grateful.
Each one of us have been affected by cancer in one way or another. Whether it is you who has battled or is battling cancer, or that of a dear family member or close friend or even a charished pet. We may not be able to stop the disease at this point but we can try to help those with this awful disease. This is why I have decided to join the 11th Annual Purple Plunge. This great charity is raising money to help those affected by cancer. Please help me by making a donation, joining my team or coming out to the great event on March 7, 2026.
