Most people know my story by now….. I was first diagnosis in December 2004 at the age of 30. Lots of chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy and I was back in remission. Yeah! After 3 years of remission we started discussing babies and starting a family. My surgical oncologist told us to freeze some embryos just in case anything went wrong and the cancer came back before we could have the children we wanted. So we froze embryos and then got pregnant naturally with our first child right away. We were overjoyed at the birth of our son. Then the cancer returned as stage 4 in my bones, liver, lung and lymph nodes. Round 2. I was given more chemotherapy and I kicked cancer’s butt again! Once again I was in remission. Yeah x 2! Then one year later the cancer had returned in my brain. Round 3. But once again a positive spirit and with lots of wonderful family and friends I was able to get back into remission. Yeah x3!! I am on a maintenance program that has me getting treatment once every 3 weeks, but it’s worth knowing that I am being watched and hopefully will never have to go through a battle #4. To make things even better we were able to use our frozen embryos to have a second child, a beautiful daughter, via surrogate. She turned one on November 4 and our family is finally complete –a bit chaotic – but we love it! Not to mention, I feel great!
Life can throw so much at you, but you just have to stay positive! Always remember that our attitudes and spirit are so important in fighting a battle like cancer. If you keep your head held high and keep your strong attitude, you can get through way more than you ever realized! I’m proof of that. I know the cure is coming, so we need to keep pushing to raise money for this cause. That’s why I will be riding in Tour de Pier again! For all the People fighting the battle, the survivors and in memory of those we have lost. Ride because Life depends on it!!