Hi. My name is Chelsea and I have (or do I say had?) breast cancer.

The facts are simple. Diagnosed at 46 after a routine mammogram and ultrasound in December 2023. Stage 3 HER2+/a touch of ER+ with lymph node involvement. Clinically diagnosed inflammatory as a kicker. 6 rounds of chemo. Single mastectomy with lymphatic bypass surgery in June. 20 rounds of radiation started in August. Multiple T-DM1 infusions for the rest of the year. Then planned reconstruction in Spring 2025.

The emotions are difficult. Breaking the news to our three kids. Clumps of hair falling out. Wigs…everyday. Missing a family trip. Dry mouth. Joint pain. Dry eyes. No, watery eyes. No, dry eyes again. Everything tasting weird. Ginger chews. Port sticking out. Where are my lashes? Drawing on eyebrows. Saying goodbye to a pretty damn good body part. Having to look down. Drains…gross. Mobility issues. Burnt skin. Are we done yet? Nope! You’ll have to ask me again in 5 years!?!

I have hiked many mountains but this is by far the hardest. Every little push helps. I can almost see the peak. Thank you for helping me reach it.