It's still shocking to even think or write this - in early April I found some lumps in my right breast. After a series of doctor's appointments, I was officially diagnosed with breast cancer on May 6.
My cancer is Stage 3, it’s large, aggressive and has spread to my lymph nodes, but a PET scan found no distant spread (thank goodness). Because of the size, aggressive nature and lymph node involvement, I will be getting 20 weeks of chemo, a mastectomy, radiation and hormone therapy. We started chemo on May 26, so surgery will happen this fall. My treatment is through the U, with some help from the Mayo Clinic.
Beyond getting healthy, my biggest concern is of course Mae and Cal. While I haven't told many people yet, I am so grateful for the outpouring of love and support. I am so lucky to have the best husband, family and friends to lean on, and I know that my children will be well taken care of as we figure this out.
It's going to be a hard road ahead, but I know I can do hard things and I will beat this.
Love, Anna
*Edited to say: Because we’ve received many inquiries, a GoFundMe has been set up, along with a MealTrain page - linked above in the ways to help section. Please know your thoughts and prayers are more than enough.