Hey y’all, welcome back! I’m sure by the title you already know what today’s blog is going to be about … my cancer journey. This will be a lengthy one so go grab some snacks and don’t worry, I’ll wait for you! Got them? Okay, let’s get started!

Let’s start off with some facts and statistics regarding breast cancer

• About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
• In 2019, an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 62,930 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
• About 2,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2019. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 883.
• As of January 2019, there are more than 3.1 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. This includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment.
• About 41,760 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2019 from breast cancer.
• About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. 

What Is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma?

The abnormal cancer cells that began forming in the milk ducts have spread beyond the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body. It is also sometimes called infiltrative ductal carcinoma.

• IDC is the most common type of breast cancer, making up nearly 70- 80% of all breast cancer diagnoses.
• IDC is also the type of breast cancer that can most commonly affects men.

How did it all start?

In June 2017 I found out I was pregnant so I decided to stop breastfeeding. Unfortunately the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage in August… Around NovemberI felt a small lump on my right breast which I didn’t pay too much attention to [I thought it was leftover milk from a clogged milk duct or leftover milk from breastfeeding]. It wasn’t until a few months later that I noticed that the lump was not only still there but had grown. By the time I got into the doctor’s office, I was in pain and was unable to fully stretch out my right arm. I knew something wasn’t right.

March 16th was my first doctor’s appointment. This was simply to confirm that there was a lump there and to see if it needed to be checked further. Eleven days later I was getting an ultrasound with inconclusive results that led to me getting a mammogram as well. I knew that when the doctor called me back, it wasn’t good news. Even though I had already somewhat mentally prepared myself for receiving the worst news, I was no where near ready….This is when I was told that it was cancer and that I would need a biopsy done to figure out what type it was. The first thing I immediately thought of was my beautiful girls. The second thought, was that I didn’t have insurance nor did I have the funds for treatment at the moment. The only thing I did know was that I was not going to let cancer take my life. A week later I had the biopsy done on my right breast and right axillary lymph nodes. 

On April 10th, I was informed that it was in fact cancer [Invasive Ductal Carcinoma – only stage 2]. 

I remember the doctor told me and he told me what the following steps were in order to begin treatment immediately. I was in disbelief. He was literally the worst doctor I have ever had. Not only did he not explain what was going on but he completely disregarded my questions and concerns. He just said to make an appointment whenever I was ready to begin treatment and gave me a list of things that needed to be done before then. I was told to go to the financial department so I could get a quote on what it what cost me since I didn’t have insurance at the time. As I left the appointment and began walking, I looked over at my kids and then back at all the paperwork I had just received. I felt completely overwhelmed, a million thoughts came into my mind and tears couldn’t help but run down my face. I had no idea what I was going to do or how I was going to do it. The girls and their dad left so I can get some blood work done and speak to the financial department. 

I signed my name and waited to be called. After what felt like forever, the woman called my name and she let me know how much the total would be for everything that needed to be done. This wasn’t even including treatment yet and it had already amounted to thousands of dollars. I remember looking up and just questioning in my head why this was happening to me… As I was about to leave I saw that this woman had something up on her wall. It was scripture that she had printed out and it was Jeremiah 32:27. 

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”

I felt peace instantly. I knew God was going to heal me. 

I knew this wasn’t the end for me. I knew He would use this for His glory.

I knew this would only be a part of my story.

& I have held onto His promise until now.

I felt peace instantly. I knew God was going to heal me. 

I knew this wasn’t the end for me. I knew He would use this for His glory.

I knew this would only be a part of my story.

& I have held onto His promise until now.

Let’s do a quick timeline recap!

March 27th 2018 – Breast Ultrasound & Mammogram

April 3rd 2018 – Breast Biopsy

April 10th 2018 – Biopsy Results & Blood work (Official Diagnosis)

April 18th 2018 – Appt w/ Breast Surgeon & Axillary Lymph Node Biopsy

April 20th 2018 – Genetics Testing

April 23rd 2018 – 1st Appt W/New Oncologist

April 24th – Blood work

April 25th 2018 – Port placement & Blood work

April 30th – CT Scan

May 1st – Breast MRI

May 8th – Brain MRI & PET Scan

May 9th 2018 – Iron Infusion

May 11th 2018 – Liver Biopsy & Blood work

May 10th 2018 – Breast & Axillary Biopsy & Mammogram

May 16th 2018 – 1st Chemo Treatment

May 20th 2018 – Hospitalized

June 6th 2018 – 2nd Chemo Treatment

June 26th 2018 – 3rd Chemo Treatment

July 25th 2018 – 4th Chemo Treatment

October 23rd 2018 – CT Scan

February 5th 2019 – CT Scan

August 13th 2019 -1st Appt w/New Oncologist

August  16th 2019 – 1st Appt w/ Radiation Oncologist

August 21st 2019 – Blood work & Chemo Treatment

August 23rd 2019 – Colonoscopy

August 27th 2019 – Nuclear & CT Scans

August 28th 2019 – Port Check

August 29th 2019 – Follow-up w/Radiation Oncologist

September 9th 2019 – Echocardiogram

September 10th 2019 – Follow-up w/Oncologist, Blood work &Treatment

October 1st 2019 –  Blood work & Treatment

October 4th 2019 – Cervical Spine MRI

October 8th 2019 – Breast Ultrasound & Mammogram

October 9th 2019 – Follow-up w/Radiation Oncologist

October 22nd 2019 – Blood work & Treatment

November 12th 2019 – Blood work & Treatment

December 3rd 2019 – Blood work & Treatment

December 13th 2019 – Genetic Specialist

December 24th 2019 – Blood work & Treatment

Head Shaving Photo Session

[September 2019]

After my first chemotherapy treatment, my hair started falling off within the next 2 weeks. My head was already in pain from the heaviness it felt from my hair so I decided to cut/shave it off with the help of my beautiful family.  Here are some moments that were captured and haven’t been seen by anyone else until now.

After my sister finished helping me shave my head, she told me she wanted me to shave hers.

I was in disbelief [especially since it was a few days before her 30h birthday]. As I started cutting her hair, tears were instantly shed by me. How did I get so incredibly blessed by such an amazing support system? They were tears of immense gratitude. My mom was with my girls in the room so she had no idea this was going on… I knew that I had to capture her reaction on camera.

After having my first chemotherapy treatment in August, my doctor decided to drop out the chemo part since my body had such an amazing response. Due to my mom’s reaction of my sister shaving her head, I knew I had to capture her reaction when she heard the news… So here it is, I hope you all enjoy it if you haven’t already seen it!

Now if you’ve made it this far, you’re the real MVP! 

Thank you so much for taking your time to read my blog.

Thank you for your encouraging words and continued prayers.

Thank you for allowing me to take you into this part of my journey.

Feel free to leave a comment below & don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already!

In a nutshell, my cancer journey began in April 2018 and I know it will end this year 2020. 

I have beat the odds.

I have gone months without treatment.

I am not only alive but I am thriving.

God is good, ALL THE TIME.

Stay tuned for the miracle…