It's hard to believe that just over a year ago, I was typing the words "I have cancer" on this Caring Bridge page. I have replayed February 11, 2020, over and over in my head. Getting the call from the doctor; frantically leaving work; calling my husband and parents; telling my 5 year old and 3 year old that mommy had some yucky stuff in her; crying so many tears; praying so many times.

The weeks that followed were a bit of a blur - doctors appointments, scans and more scans, telling friends and family the news, wig shopping, googling "triple negative breast cancer" a thousand times, and then...taking that first round of chemo...and the next...and the next...until 16 rounds later it was time for surgery in July. Then surgery, and then the most beautiful news..."you had a complete response to the chemo. there was no more cancer left!!!" BEST. NEWS. EVER.

But as I said then, my story doesn't end there. So today I'm writing this post to share some more of that story from the past 9 months. I wanted to share this update since I haven't been able to connect with many of you personally and I know many have reached out to check in. It's also taken me a while to be comfortable sharing this very personal journey and some of the details of my diagnosis with a broader audience. However, I'm sharing now - not because I want anyone to feel sorry for me, but because I hope to be able to inform and inspire other women through their journeys.

During my cancer journey, I learned that I have the BRCA1 gene. Prior to February 2020, I had no idea what that was. Since then, I have learned that it's a genetic mutation found in less than 10% of women. But those who have it have up to an 80% chance of developing breast cancer and as high as a 40-60% chance of developing ovarian cancer. Not statistics you want to hear. Nevertheless, those were the facts. 

These facts informed how I approached my surgery in July - instead of a lumpectomy, it was recommended I do a double mastectomy to reduce the chance for reoccurrence due to the BRCA1 gene. In addition, my doctors recommended a complete hysterectomy before the age of 40 to reduce my chances of ovarian cancer back down to 2-3%, which is the average woman's chance of developing ovarian cancer.

While these surgeries seem daunting to any woman, especially a 37-year-old mom of two young children, it's amazing how cancer changes your perspective and you realize that losing your hair and having to have some pretty major surgeries is really not that bad if it helps reduce your risk of this terrible disease coming back.

My journey has also led my mom and four sisters to proactively get tested for the gene and make decisions about their health based on those results.

So here I sit in in March 2021 with my surgeries complete and feeling much more my "normal" self...just with some shorter hair - HA! I had scans back in January as a follow-up and everything was CLEAN!!!! Praising the Lord for His infinite mercy and grace in my life, and His healing power. I will continue to see my oncologist every three months, but no further treatment or scans at this time.

It's easy to look back at 2020 and think "whew, glad that one's over," but  as I continue to have more time to reflect on 2020, I see not only pain and hardship, but also hope, healing and strength. I have learned and grown so much during this journey. I have been reminded of just how precious life is. I have also felt the deep sorrow of losing a friend and colleague to cancer. But even in that pain, I found hope and encouragement knowing that he was home with our Savior and walking into the arms of Jesus. 

And throughout this entire journey, I have been surrounded by so much love and encouragement. To all of you who have supported me and my family - THANK YOU!!! I will probably never be able to fully express what your texts, cards, gifts and prayers meant to us, but I can promised you EACH ONE MATTERED. A special thanks to my Colts Family who has been so gracious and kind to me and my family every step of the way. Looking forward to the day when I can start giving out hugs to all of you. 😄

I don't know what the next chapter of this story holds, but it is my sincere hope that the Lord will use my journey to inspire and encourage others, and bring glory to His name.

Here's to the next chapter.