My name is Katelyn Burrell and I am 29 years old. In 29 short years I have found an irresistible passion for health and wellness. I have always played sports and been active. I have completed: 2 marathons, 2 half ironman’s, 6 half marathons, 10 CrossFit competitions and many other fitness events. In 2017 I married my best friend and we have created a life together that I am so proud of. We have always wanted to be parents but were never in a rush. We wanted to enjoy being married and have always talked about who our babies will grow up to be. In August of 2018 we welcomed our first fur-baby, Rye. She’s a beautiful yellow lab and all we ever dreamed. We have loved being her Mom & Dad and are excited to make her a big sister. On August 28th our dream of being parents had come true with a positive pregnancy test. I have always said from the day a woman gets pregnant she becomes a Mom, and we were so excited. On September 21st we lost our baby. Although we know God was saving us from an unhealthy baby, the pain was deep. We tried very hard to keep positive and prayed to fill our sadness and fear with faith and support.
As my hormone levels were going back to normal, I found a lump in my breast on a self-examination in October. I went in for a follow up appointment where my Dr checked and advised we should get an ultrasound just to be sure. That day I did an ultrasound, mammogram and second ultrasound where the radiologist came in to request a biopsy. On 11/20 I had two biopsys, one in my breast and the other on a lymph node in my armpit. On 11/21 at 4:35 PM I received the call. I was driving home from work and had no idea what was about to happen. That phone call will be the call that has forever changed my life. She said, “your lymph node looks okay, however we weren’t so lucky with your breast.” I immediately told her I was driving and asked if I could call her when I get home. I called my husband and asked him to talk to me for the next 10 minutes to get me home safely. I cried, hard. We called her back and we got the news: “you have Triple Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.” WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? Since this diagnosis I have been through CT, MRI, Genetic Testing, Echocardiogram, Bloodwork after bloodwork and because we were trying to get pregnant, we have taken additional measures to try to ensure this will still be possible someday. The amount of emotional, physical and financial drain this has had on us over the past few weeks has been unbearable.
I know God gave this to me because I am strong enough to beat it. I know God wants me to be a survivor and to be able to help others facing something similar. I have no doubts I will beat this, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck. It doesn’t mean I don’t cry. It doesn’t mean I am not scared.
All I have to say is, BACK OFF CANCER, I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/zxghhz-katelyn-strong 
