On November 30, 2021, I was told I had metastatic breast cancer. The back pain I endured for months was not caused by my pregnancy weight gain but rather cancer cells that spread to my spine, resulting in metastases impinging on my spinal cord. At that moment, the life I had envisioned was shattered.

I had 10 rounds of radiation to treat the metastases on my spine, gamma knife surgery to ablate the cancer spots in my brain, pushed into menopause by medically induced ovarian suppression, injected myself daily with blood thinners to treat pulmonary embolisms, and began targeted hormone therapy. I experienced extreme pain, shortness of breath, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, cold sweats and hot flashes. I lost patches of hair, skin cells and muscle tone. Then, less than 6 months after my diagnosis, my partner of 8 years said he was 95% done being my husband despite never before voicing a desire to separate. He subjected me to months of his gaslighting antics, then eventually left.

Compassionate family and friends elevated my spirits beyond measure to help me regain my health and happiness. Whether sending constant messages of love, meal gift cards, flowers, care baskets, money to alleviate my stress, driving hours just to give me a hug, listen to me talk, share a meal or make me laugh, it has taken a village to get me to where I am today. 

I am so proud to join my besties in this walk to show my appreciation for all their unwavering love and support - and to support all cancer thrivers ♥