For the past 8 years I’ve been fighting this bitch of a disease called breast cancer. The first 5 years I was stage 2. I went through a double mastectomy and then 8 rounds of chemotherapy. I was going to my follow ups first every 3 months, then 6 and then yearly. That was until 2019. I started having some excruciating pain in my lower back. I made an appointment with my PCP. They brushed it off as musculoskeletal pain and ordered physical therapy. I did not agree with that assessment as I knew it was something more than that. I had a yearly follow up with my oncologist shortly after so I waited to hear what she thought. She agreed with the PCP because as she put it, “Bone Mets don’t usually travel there.” So I scheduled physical therapy hoping it would help. It didn’t. After 2 sessions, the therapist could see how much pain I was in and knew PT would not help. So he messaged my doctors and asked them to order imaging scans. I had a CT and bone scan that showed something suspicious that’s consistent with metastatic disease. I had a biopsy that showed it was indeed metastatic breast cancer that spread to my bones. Since then, I’ve had progression to my liver and brain.

I wanted to start this fundraiser because I’ve been through so much over the last 8 years, it’s time to start having fun and taking time not only to myself, but with my family. My daughter is going to high school in the fall and time is slipping away. I want to create memories with her in the event my cancer continues to progress and eventually takes over and there are no more treatment options available. So many of you have said, “Let me know if I can do anything.” Well here it is. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Thank you for all your continued love and support.