Firstly I want to thank everyone one of my family and friends.  I have had the wonderful chance to make so many wonderful relationships over the years.  I consider myself rich with friends.  I don't think that I could count how many people who given me love over the years.  While this is a fundraiser, it is also an ask for support.  I hope that you will think and pray for me.  I welcome love letters and cards, stories of people you know who have beaten this too, or just an "I love you" text. 

I am so thankful for all the lives I have had the honor to touch with my massage and wellness practice, helping people has truly changed me over the years in ways I had not foreseen, all of them for the better.  Also everyone over the years I got to serve and become friends with as a bartender at a small neighborhood place.  You guys!  I have this huge chest of memories in my mind of all the crazy nights of laughs, and dancing, and even helping each other through tough times.  I really consider you all a part of my family.  I wish I could call and tell each one you this news personally but I would be one the phone for weeks if I did, LoL! 

I had a suspicious lump for about a month.  I put it off because I am young and healthy so there's no way it could be a big deal, right?  I thought of plenty of excuses to put off going to the doctor but thankfully my loving partner Micah ignored my irrational excuses and lovingly encouraged/demanded I go. 

At my manual exam my provider clarified this is definitely something to be concerned about.  That was the beginning of a whirlwind of tests and appointments.  March 9th I got "the call".  "Liberty you have breast cancer and it is also in your lymph nodes."  I don't think there's any way to really describe how hearing that feels.  I wave of ice washed over me.  I thought all of the thoughts in a few moments. "Does this mean I will die? Will I be able to work?Will it hurt? How do I tell my family?....and the list goes on.  

The type of cancer I have is a Triple Negative Breast Cancer.  It is a an aggressive growing cancer  that will need aggressive treatment.  That is why I am asking for help.  I was recently laid-off from my long time job at The Lair and was left scrambling a bit anyways and now I will have to take large chunks of time off from my massage practice to fight this cancer.  I don't think anyone is really prepared to deal with an illness but this is hitting me very unprepared financially.  I am asking for help so that I can pay any medical bills that may not be covered.  This is such a time of uncertainty.  I don't know how much time I will have to take off of massage to recover from the surgery also. I have my first appointment with my Oncologist on Thursday and will be starting chemo very soon.  After a few months of chemo they will remove the breast tissue and infected lymph nodes, most likely a mastectomy and then radiation.   This will be a long process and I am ready for the fight!

I understand that things are up in the air with everyone but I really appreciate any amount you can give.  If you can't give there are lots of ways you can help.  Send me a card, send me a love letter, share this fundraiser so that others may be able to help too!  Please don't hesitate to send me some love.  I will do my best to reply to everyone but it may be delayed.  I have in my mind all of the wonderful faces I know surrounding me like angels through this.  I will need all the prayers and thoughts and good vibes so don't hesitate to do a  dance move for me and air punch cancer in the face! Follow me along this journey. I will be doing some cool fundraiser events too!  I will be posting regular updates on my treatments and progress.  I want people to know that they can beat this and I want you to see your love and support working! 

If you'd like to send a letter or card DM me for my address and I'll happily send it to you.