From Natalie…

I pride myself on being an extremely open book to the people I welcome into my life. Good times, hard days, celebrations, sadness, mom-guilt, etc , ALL of it is shared with the people I know & love. With that being said, this is an extremely hard and vulnerable post to write. So for those of you who know me (and love me) and for those of you who are just going to screenshot this post to share with people who have been cut out of my life for a reason - I feel like I wouldn’t feel like myself if I wasn’t as transparent and open as possible…. when my husband and I were comfortable sharing. This is going to be a long, uncomfortable, heartbreaking ride - so BUCKLE UP!

Back on December 29th, Keith and I found ourselves in the emergency room at Memorial Hermann in the middle of the night. I was eventually diagnosed with a minuscule kidney stone, prescribed meds, and told to call them if fever or more pain occurred. Exactly one week later (January 8th), I felt like I was at death’s door. I let the hubs convince me to head back in, especially considering my almost 40lb weight loss in 6 months (that *I* chalked up to stress due to our courageous fight for my bonus babies, a lay off, starting a new job, watching friends walk away, etc) - so off we went to rack up another BS hospital bill after insurance. We scrambled for an emergency sitter (big props to the people who answer the call & make no complaints in a true emergency) and headed off. They ran the same tests, scans, labs, & blood work………. and then closed the door to my ER room to deliver the hardest news I’ve ever been hit with in my almost 40 years - CANCER.

Since then, through more tears than I can even conceive were possible, I’ve had numerous hospital stays, surgeries, procedures, labs run, tests completed, etc. I’ve been under the care of the most amazing oncologist and truly believe she will save my life. We recently found out that I am at Stage 3 in the journey - but that makes me even more determined to be another exception to the rule. I have fought for so long in my life to get to where I am and to become the person I am. I am determined to beat this disease and leave MY NAME as a bad taste in its mouth. I start my treatment regimens the week after next, and I’m already counting down the days for them to be over. I will be doing chemo, radiation, & immunotherapy via a port.

We recently broke the news to our children, and through LOTS of tears and questions, we have decided to face this head-on and as a team (as we do all things in our crazy, loving, chaotic home). We aren’t scared to answer any of their questions, but would appreciate it if you see them, to limit your questions OF them. Keith and I are more than willing to have a conversation and give updates if you want them! After the emotional rollercoaster that was 2024 for our family, this is just another bump in the road that we will navigate through, together.

I have lived for my babies, bonus babies & husband since the day they came into my life and I plan to continue doing so for an extremely long & annoying amount of time. I’m also writing this to say, your circle MATTERS. We have 6 kiddos & I can’t tell you the amount of times in the last month that we’ve had hardly anywhere to turn for help with them at a moments notice. The people you think will be there, may end up being the ones who let you down the most. And the ones you don’t think you can trust with something, may be the ones who become your closest confidantes & champions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and if/when you see that call coming through - even if it may be inconvenient - you never know who you may help heal in the process. I am so thankful for our families who have literally dropped EVERYTHING to pick up the pieces when Keith and I just… can’t. When I literally can’t even get out of the bed to wash my hair, or move the laundry over, or I work from bed & Keith finds me propped up and passed out after waking up just an hour or so before. They have picked up the slack in more ways than you can imagine and more ways than either of us can count. I’ve become accustomed to being the backbone for so many people, so watching them come to my aid - unabashedly - brings out more emotions in me than I can articulate. You know who you are and you know how much we love and appreciate you.

All of this being said - I’m writing this to say to everyone that somehow stumbles across this post: Pray for my family & loved ones. Pray for my healing. Pray for peace. Pray for me. AND NEVER forget what truly matters in the long run.

We will not stop fighting. I’ve finally found my peace & home with my husband and this will not be the end of our story. Not by a fucking long shot.