It's been almost two years since I was diagnosed, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a breast cancer survivor! My life will never be the same, but it is mine, and it is a gift. I am so grateful to my friends and family for all the support they gave me. To those who are newly diagnosed, it's ok to be afraid, but please don't be paralyzed by the fear. You are about to embark on a true journey.

My journey began in April 2006, the day I found my lump. Here I was 27, married with a two-year-old daughter and just about to begin graduate school. The moment I found my lump, I knew, I knew I had it ... I had breast cancer. With help from my BRCA1 positive family, I found my way to City of Hope, and I found hope. Since I was BRCA1 positive, I choose to have the bi-lateral free flap surgery and oophorectomy. This surgery was followed by AC chemo. I just underwent my final reconstructive surgery on March 5, 2008. The road has been long, but my new lease on life is sweet, I would not trade the experience.