On June 27th, 2023, I found a lump in my breast. After a series of tests (exam, diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, and multiple biopsies), I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on July 18th. The type is "triple negative" invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3, stage 3 because it had spread to my lymph nodes on that same side. Triple Negative is one of the more aggressive types of breast cancer. 

On December 3, 2023, I was diagnosed with Central Adrenal Insufficiency as a side effect of Keytruda immunotherapy, which was part of my treatment plan. This resulted in a loss of consciousness, an ambulance ride and 4 days in the hospital. This is now a PERMANENT condition, which causes sudden, extreme fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and can quickly become an emergency, making it difficult to work with any sort of regularity. 

I completed IV chemo on December 26, 2023, and had my first of two surgeries on January 30, 2024. Pathology showed that I still had isolated cancer cells in 3 out of 9 lymph nodes that were removed. After I healed from surgery; I had 30 rounds of daily Radiation. I then started a 6-month regimen of oral chemotherapy, which gave me more intrusive side effects than the IV chemo. I discontinued treatment & had my second surgery in October of 2024. 

On January 20, 2026, I learned that the cancer is back and has spread to my liver. I am now Stage IV, which means a “cure” is no longer the goal, but extending my life and quality of life are now the goals. I will be restarting treatments and will be in some form of treatment for the rest of my life. I’m not done here. I appreciate everyone standing with me & donating. The challenges with the adrenal insufficiency make it extremely difficult to work with consistency. 

I need to take replacement steroids, wear a medical alert bracelet, carry emergency doses of steroids on me at all times, and I am looking into a medical alert service dog. The amount of this fundraiser will likely increase with this new development. 

A friend and cancer survivor recommended that I name my cancer, as it gives us more power over it. Our family has decided to name my cancer Larry (IYKYK).

I am fighting this with both traditional and alternative therapies, as well as a close-to-zero carb carnivore diet, which I started in October of 2022. This way of eating has healed so many of my other health issues and given me so much energy and motivation. 

I started the initial 20 weeks of chemotherapy on August 15, 2023. Chemo was once a week for 12 weeks (Taxol & Carboplatin), then every other week (Adriamycin & Cytoxin - The Red Devil) for 8 weeks.

Chemo was in conjunction with Keytruda immunotherapy every three weeks, which we stopped after the 5th infusion when my pituitary/adrenals shut down.

Surgery partial mastectomy 

30 rounds of daily radiation

3.5 / 8 cycles of Xeloda 

Breast reconstruction surgery

Next steps TBD

Many people ask about donations of money or what I might need. My income has been greatly impacted greatly due to my reduced hours to make time for all of the appointments I’ve had to have so far, and as I try to anticipate the side effects and recovery time. It is increasingly difficult to work regularly with the adrenal insufficiency, as symptoms often come on suddenly and can become very serious very quickly. 

I started a YouTube channel as a sort of video journal. I’ll be sharing video updates about my treatments, my carnivore diet, and my spiritual thoughts. Please subscribe if you are interested in keeping up with my journey (I hope I get better at editing).

Link: https://youtube.com/@ARefinedMe