With a heavy heart, I share this news and write this request on behalf of my cousin, Ben, and his wife, Emily.

My cousin’s wife, Emily, found a lump in her left breast in late October. Doctors initially dismissed her concerns as she was 32, with no family history and was currently breastfeeding their third baby at the time.

Because Emily works in the medical field, her suspicions of its abnormalities heightened with no changes or relief with recommended therapies for breastfeeding complications. In early January, she insisted on an ultrasound, which snowballed into a series of further testing, appointments, biopsies, and ultimately a diagnosis of an aggressive form of breast cancer.

Her official diagnosis:

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Triple Negative, Stage 2B, Grade 3, Nottingham Score 9/9, ki-67: 90%.

There is a significant concern for quick metastasis with this diagnosis as it’s very aggressive and actively increasing at a high rate. Although other body scans are clear at this moment, there are some lymph node abnormalities on the left side. Due to its aggressive nature, oncologists want to begin chemotherapy immediately to treat systemically and knock out what they cannot see on scans.

Within the last month, Ben and Emily have had their world turned upside down, yet again, with not only countless appointments, testing and genetic counseling, but also the loss of income and a quick turnaround into treatment. She had to abruptly cease breastfeeding her 10-month old baby, transitioning him quickly and unexpectedly. They also had to make unexpected decisions regarding future fertility.

Her port was placed on February 18th and she had her first chemotherapy treatment on February 23rd.

She will continue with weekly chemotherapy for 12 weeks along with immunotherapy and then another three months of a different type of chemotherapy, totaling six months altogether. Following chemotherapy, Emily with have a double mastectomy and likely radiation. Subsequent therapies after that will be determined depending on the response to chemotherapy and follow-up scans.

Through genetic counseling, Emily also discovered that she’s, in fact, positive for the BRCA-1 mutation. These findings were shocking as there is no documented family history; however, it has shed some light on why it struck her at such a young age. These findings are the reason for prompting a complete double mastectomy and further preventative surgeries in the next few years to diminish her risks of recurrence and other cancers in the future to ensure she remains earthbound for her family.

As my beautiful cousin-in-law fights for her life, her husband, Ben, will juggle helping Emily to her appointments, treatments and heal while balancing the work and parenting of their nearly 1-year old baby boy and 6-year old daughter.

With estimated out-of-pocket medical expenses, travel expenses for appointments as well as the total loss of Emily's income during these intense treatments, this family is in very much need of some prayers, love and financial assistance.

We know that so many families are suffering like them and that it has been a particularly challenging few years. We know too that every little bit helps, and if you’re in a position to contribute to this incredible family, we would be eternally grateful! In just six years, Ben and Emily have weathered through losing their business and losing their second baby boy, Ronin, at just 16 days old in 2018. As Emily and Ben navigate yet another devastating setback, helping alleviate their financial burdens would take some stress off what will already be an incredibly challenging journey for them this year. All of the funds will directly ease their medical, travel and monthly bills/expenses.

We ask that you please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

This is also a PSA to all women out there to get your annual mammograms and trust your intuition! Emily felt the lump while breastfeeding, and she’s only 33! Be your own advocate! Do not let someone dismiss you regardless of your known/unknown family history or age!! <3