After having noticed a few other medical issues in 2018, I decided to go and see my late grandmother’s doctor that I had seen a few years prior. I was thankful she knew so much about my family history and how much I loved and still love my grandmother. I had noticed a lump in my chest, purely by accident. I wasn’t supposed to go have a mammogram until 35. I had hoped I wouldn’t have to face what so many have faced before me...but I bravely went through all the steps. I was surprised at how very costly it all was, even with insurance and I couldn’t imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t had it.

Fast forward through what seems like ages ago I received a Diagnostic Mammogram (my first mammogram ever) with Ultrasound, and I was told it did have red flags that prompted a Biopsy. The weeks flew by in a blur, and I was ready for everything in my life to return to normal. However, on Friday, February 1st I received a call stating I had a positive result for stage 2B breast cancer at 33 years of age. I went through all the stages of grief, denial and shock, before I realized I owed this to myself, my family, my friends... but especially to my grandmother to beat this awful disease, because she did not. She was a fighter and I am too, but it brought up so many memories that are still etched in my mind. I had just begun a budding career designing for California Closets less than a year before, and quickly realized this wouldn’t be a quick process whatsoever and would be very costly.

I have been diagnosed with HER 2+, which is a more aggressive type of breast cancer.  With this news, my life has transformed into full survivor mode. I was forced to put everything I had planned on hold, and I began to build a plan to treat with a team of oncologists to fight this at MD Anderson. I am in the early stages of treatment as of now. They anticipate it will last about a year at least, as long as everything goes smoothly. They also told me that the nature of my job would be hard to maintain. They recommended I take the year off if I could. I hope to kick this with flying colors and help other young women like myself detect it early in the future. Early detection is key!

I never dreamed I would have to ask others for help.  However, I am learning quickly that cancer survival is a very expensive and exhausting endeavor, and I am humbly asking for whatever donation you can make to help my family and me face this challenge.  Anything will be appreciated and prayers are always welcome. :) I will keep everyone posted of my medical progress along the way, either directly or through Facebook. I know with God’s help I will get through this, and I look forward to life on the other side of this trying time in my life. I have learned to find the silver lining in everything and pay attention to all of the little things even more now and look forward to an even brighter future. Even though it will get more challenging before it gets better, I have hope and faith nonetheless. Jeremiah 29:11