How did you find out you had cancer?

I found a lump doing my first monthly breast exam after I stopped breastfeeding my nine-month-old daughter. I got it checked by ultrasound a month later and was told it was nothing, mostly because 25-year-olds don’t get cancer. Six months and two more doctors later, I had a lumpectomy and got the call the next day telling me that it was cancer. 

Who did you tell about your diagnosis first and how did you tell them?

My mom. I just called her and said that the doctor had called and that I had cancer. I was numb and in shock.

How did you cope with the diagnosis?

I rested heavily in my faith and in prayer. I knew that God had not allowed this for no reason and I tried desperately to rest in Him. I had lots of people praying for me and sending me cards and emails and that was a huge encouragement.

How long have you been cancer free?

One year

How has the experience changed you?

I will never be the same. Life is more frail now, but also more invigorating. I love more and harder, I try not to let things go unsaid or undone with people I love. I want to live and love and to be all that Christ has created me to be.

How does the threat of recurrence affect your life?

I could easily live in fear day in and day out, but I continuously give it to the Lord. Every day is a battle for life and peace and joy and I have to give it up to the Lord daily.

What advice would you give someone battling cancer right now?

Honestly, I know I could not have gotten through this apart from my faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t know how anyone can, so first and foremost, I would say that if you don’t have a personal relationship with Him, you should ask Him to come into your heart and be your Lord and Savior. His love is deeper and wider and longer and higher than anything we can ask for or imagine and His love and His plan are the only things that make life worth living at all, but especially life with cancer.

How did you get through the tough days?

Some days I cried, some days I tried to distract myself, mostly I talked to my husband and other family members and prayed, prayed, prayed.

How would you answer “If I knew then, what I know now I would have…”

Mostly concerning my double mastectomy, I wish I would have just laid low for a while. Every time I tried to get up and get moving it threw me back for another several days. Be prepared for the process to be two steps forward, one step back and don’t get discouraged. Use it as a time of rest and let people take care of you.

Did you do something to pamper yourself during treatment? What and why?

During radiation my husband and I got free massages and that was AMAZING. I am forever grateful for that little bit of pampering during my treatment. It definitely helped ease some of the worry and stress.

Who is in your support system?

My husband, parents, siblings, a few close friends, and my church.

What is the most extraordinary thing someone did for you?

My grandma’s bingo group gathered money, a total of $1,000, to help pay for our bills. She gave this to us on the day of my mastectomy and it was a huge unexpected blessing.

Tell us a little bit about your life today.

Well I’m still a stay-at-home mom of my two beautiful children: son Cayle (4) and daughter Alaya (2). As part of my new mentality of seizing life, I started grad school this semester and plan on completing my Master of Arts in writing and hopefully using that to teach college students. So I’m busy, as usual!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully teaching and maybe having published my first book (which I’m writing now about my cancer experience). I plan on being involved heavily in my children’s education and further along in my journey with Christ than I am now.

What is your greatest passion, favorite hobby?

My greatest passion is Jesus and my favorite hobby is writing. A great day for me is when I get to write about Jesus and what He means to me.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be?

I would go on a second honeymoon with my husband to somewhere warm and tropical.

 How would you describe yourself in three words?

Live, love, Jesus