Hi friends, family, and my Academy family,

Three weeks ago I had just come back from a camping trip to celebrate our first year of marriage when I was hit with the diagnosis of Stage 2 grade 2 breast cancer. We found the lump a few weeks earlier and the primary care doctor was not too concerned, however, when I went in for an ultrasound it was a done deal. A very clear 2 cm by 2 cm tumor was making its home in me.

The news was hard to hear and even harder to accept. At first, I wondered can I not simply talk this tumor to death, or boss it into remission. Unfortunately, these are not FDA-approved methods and at this point, I assume the tumor has grown ear plugs. The good news is there is a clear treatment path that will include a long road of targeted chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.

Another hard pill to swallow. The truth is it's intimidating and scary. I wonder, how will the side effects hit me, what will I look like, and how will it feel? I also realized just how much I love my work at the academy taking care of sick fish, birds, and herps. The thought of being on leave for 6+ months has been one of the hardest things to accept.

It's a tuff situation, but I plan to meet it head-on and with a ton of sassy and inappropriate jokes to laugh my way through it! I am also so unbelievably lucky to have such an amazing group of people around me sending me good vibes and support.

With all that said I intend to stomp this cancer out! Every chemo session and surgery will be a victory and I will be "trash-talking" the tumor the whole way.

How can you Help?

During treatment, I will have to take a leave of absence and go on state short-term disability which partially reimburses pay. My mother who is on a fixed income also lives with my husband and I so we will have to tighten the purse strings to make sure and cover normal bills. In light of cancer, it's hard to focus on money matters, but bills really are the one true constant in life they don't take a break!

No contribution is too small and any funds we raise will go directly to rent, gas, food, and medical bills.

If you prefer to donate other ways I do have a Venmo as well-@Jmoney-H

Thank you for reading my story. I am so grateful for your support during this time.