August 4, 2022 - the day my entire world stopped, and forever changed.

"You have breast cancer". Something that I never, ever imagined could happen to me, especially not as a 32 year old wife & mother to my 15 month old son. And knowing what I know now, it turns out that was a very naive & dangerous perspective to have.

When I was first diagnosed, I was very, very reluctant to share my story. Survivors guilt is a very real thing. But I decided to do so in the slight chance it can bring awareness to someone, anyone, maybe even someone else who was just like me; of the "ya but it will never happen to me" mindset. Because it can; to your wife, to your daughter, to your mother, to your best friend, even to your father or brother. To anyone; 1 of every 8 women in your world to be exact. Breast cancer knows no bounds.

As much as this experience has rocked me to my core, I don't for one second take for granted that I am one of the "lucky ones". To be on the path to leaving this chapter behind me, and to say that I am cancer-free. But if there is anything this chapter has taught me, it's this:

• Cancer does not discriminate. I am an example that age, bust size and a clear genetic history hold no bar when it comes to breast cancer. No lump is every "too small", or symptom "too vague" to ignore. 
• Fiercly advicate for yourself. You know your body best, and stop at nothing to get the anwers you need. "You are your own guardian angel, you saved your own life" were the exact words shared with me by my surgeon. 
• Health is the most sacred asset you will ever have. You owe it to your future-self and to your loved ones to make it a priority. More often than not, it is not taken seriously until it is in jeopardy. 
• As cliche as it sounds, do the self-exams (and do them often!), and be vigilant taking notice of changes to your body.

Being a breast cancer survivor has opened my eyes to a world that has no regard for the “good things happen to good people” mentality. Cancer has taken so much from from so many, in such a short period of time. It strips you of the person you once were, leaving someone hardly recognizable. Losing that sense of hope and trusting in the fact that sometimes good things do just happen - without always waiting for the ‘other shoe to drop’. And while my cancer journey did have a much more favourable fate than others, it is still something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

My hope in sharing my story, and doing my part to raise awareness, one day a preventative cure will be found. A day where we will all be able to stand together and celebrate, that no one else will ever have to suffer the same fate that so many of us have fought through.

Everyone who battles through cancer are superhero's in their own way, but I believe that mother's are built differently. Mothers are fierce. Parents who embark on the battle of their lives don't just have themselves to fight for. The will to push through the darkness and fight for the future - their children’s future - and all the memories still left to be made, is something only a parent will ever understand.

So please, if you have the means to - donate to my team "STRONG AS A MOTHER" to help reach our fundraising goal towards putting an end to breast cancer. 

• Donate to support those who are still on their breast cancer journey
• Donate to honour those who are on the other side of their breast cancer journey.
• Donate in memory of those who have lost the battle on their breast cancer journey. 
• Donate to bring hope to those will one day reluctantly embark on their breast cancer journey.