My world was shaken in September 2020, right in the middle of COVID-19. I had breast cancer at 32. I was stage III, my cancer had moved to my lymph nodes, and I was a unique case because of where my lymph nodes had drained with the cancer cells.

My life was in such a shift that adding the diagnosis was life shattering at the time. My husband and I were getting ready to speak to a fertility doctor because we’ve always wanted children. I was in the process of a career shift that was a great opportunity within my profession. I was devastated.

You’re EP+. You cannot try to have children for the next 5 to 10 years due to your results. I went through the motions, taking all the tests and seeing all the doctors needed to move through my care.

This was now my life. I was now a one in eight. I couldn’t think about children. I couldn’t worry about my career. I went through chemo, lumpectomy, and radiation.

For the past 9 months I was in survival mode, pushing through day to day. IT WAS HARD. I’m truly grateful for my cancer team and all they have done for me.

Now as the dust settles, I have to start dealing with and working through the trauma this diagnosis has caused in my life. I am a Christian who serves Jesus Christ. He is the only reason I am still standing here today. But, I still struggle. I still cry. I still need encouragement. I hope whoever reads my story will see I didn’t just survive but I’m victorious in my battle with breast cancer.

You are not alone. You are not selfish. You are right to feel the emotions fully and not be ashamed. There are days I feel good and have energy then there are days I don’t have any to get out of bed. My mind is still fuzzy. My body is still fatigued. My mental state is still a work in progress. But my heart is full because of Jesus.

I have learned in the past few weeks that I need time to heal before rejoining the working world and THAT’S OKAY. I shouldn’t be expected to turn around and just get back to who I was prior to September 2020. I am not that same person and I will never be. I hope whoever reads this will know, you are beautiful. You are enough. This too shall pass. God bless.