Hi, my name is Alicia, and I never imagined I’d be in this situation to start a Gofundme…

I am a newly engaged, a mom to two amazing little boys, and currently 5 months pregnant with another baby boy. My family is my entire world. Just like most families, we were living our normal everyday lives- working, raising our boys, preparing for our new baby, and making plans for our future.

Then, in a blink of an eye, our lives changed.

I started experiencing excruciating side pain that led me to being admitted into the hospital for 4 days, undergoing tests, scans, labs and a biopsy of my liver. To be followed by an appointment with an oncologist 4 days later. That day I felt hopeful, "maybe it’s nothing and my pain isn’t the worst thing it could be." I was wrong.

“You have stage 4 cancer.” -My oncologist

I remember his mouth moving, and my mom’s voice in the background asking questions and all I could think about were my kids, and what did this mean for their mom. Were my kids about to lose their mom? Snapping out of shock, I just cried in my mom’s arms telling her " I don’t want to die.”

That day, I was readmitted into the hospital for another 7 days because all we knew was I had cancer in my liver that had spread, but we had to find out the origin.After MULTIPLE tests, they found the origin in my thymus.

I was diagnosed with Thymic Carcinoma, that has metastasized to the liver.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is terrifying on its own. Receiving that diagnosis while pregnant with our rainbow baby (whom we tried so hard for) and raising two young children has just brought a new level of fear, uncertainty, and emotion that is difficult to put into words.

Suddenly, instead of only thinking about baby names, appointments, our children, work, and the future we were building, we are also navigating oncology appointments,medical decisions, treatments, medications, bills, and the uncertainty that comes with cancer.

Through all of this, my biggest motivation and support has been my family.

I want to be here to watch my boys grow up. I want to meet my baby growing inside me. I want more ordinary mornings, family dinners, birthdays, holidays, arguments over bedtime, hugs, laughter, and all of the little moments we sometimes don’t realize are so precious until life suddenly feels uncertain.

I am creating this GofundMe because the financial burden that comes along with a serious diagnosis can quickly become overwhelming. Donations will help our family with medical expenses, appointments and treatment-related costs, medications, travel when necessary,household expenses,and unexpected costs that come with trying to keep our family stable while I focus on my health, my pregnancy, and my children.

If you are able to donate, no matter what the amount, we are incredibly grateful.If donating isn’t possible, sharing our story means JUST AS MUCH TO US. ❤️

None of us expect cancer to be apart of our story, I know I certainly didn’t.

Please LISTEN to your body when something doesn’t feel right. My experience has taught me anything can be something. A pain, a change, a symptom that doesn’t feel right- EVEN IF it feels like you’re overthinking it- it’s worth bringing up to your doctor. Take it from me, advocate for yourself, ask questions, just get checked.

Right now, I’m taking this journey a day, an appointment, a cycle of chemo at a time. I’m holding my babies a little tighter,appreciating the ordinary moment especially more, and doing everything I can to keep fighting for the life and family I love and cherish sooo deeply.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my story, for sharing it, for donating if you’re able, and most importantly, for keeping my family and I in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate what’s next.

With all my love and gratitude,

Alicia❤️