One Year Ago This Week

A year. This week marks one year from my 16 week appointment where I brought up a suspicious lump to my midwife. If it weren’t for the calm, but serious, encouragement of that caring midwife, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Dismissing my concerns and letting my cancer fester until after delivery is something that I can’t even wrap my mind around. On the first appointment with my oncologist, she wrote in her notes “your midwife saved your life”. She’s right. After 4 Rounds of AC chemotherapy, a double mastectomy while pregnant, Step 1 to my reconstruction surgery, 4 Rounds of Taxol chemotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation, and months of expansion—it all leads to this. This is the day I’ve been waiting for. July 17th. Tomorrow morning I’m going into surgery to have my tissue expanders removed and permanent implants replaced, along with some scar revision. I’ve always been a private person and this diagnosis and treatment have caused me to be more open about myself and my body than I ever thought I could be. If it weren’t for the support of Ryan, I don’t think I could have made it out on the other side feeling as positive and full of love for life. Also, knowing that I work for a company that values my professional efforts and also my personal well being was such a piece of mind going through this. After going into an active lifestyle so quickly after treatment, I assume the one month hiatus on exercise will be somewhat difficult, but I’m prepared to cope with the difficulties both mentally and physically. This isn’t the “all clear” that our friends and family wants—cancer will never leave my mind and there’s no guarantee it’ll stay out of my body. But I’m confident knowing I did everything in my power to take on this disease, half while pregnant. We are cautiously optimistic about this surgery, as my choice to complete radiation therapy could cause issues with the skin healing. My doctors are feeling good going into surgery, and I’m going to take their feel good energy with me as I drift into that lovely sleep. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, donations, and meals over the past year—and especially tomorrow.




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Be your own advocate. Know your body. You're not too young to be at risk for breast cancer, or other diseases. Speak up to your doctors if you feel like something isn't right!