I will never forget the words, “It will not be ok” although they may have been “you will not be ok”. My response to the doctor in the ER was, “it will be ok” and she replied “it will not”. My life changed in an instant. I was no longer in control of my life (my son just turned 1- how could I have cancer- let alone cancer that metastasized). My husband, my children, and my Mom’s lives will never be the same. Since that day, December 20, 2016, when I went into the ER with abdominal pains and came out with cancer that had already metastasized/spread to my liver, our lives have revolved around cancer and the fight to keep me here.

Over the past 28 months, I have learned that I will have some form of treatment for life. That statistically when I started life expectancy was 1 year but I was younger and healthier than those who are typically diagnosed. That my cancer (which took 2 years) to fully diagnose and identify the primary site (site where the cancer started), is incurable and inoperable. I have completed 16 cycles of chemo equaling 48 days of infusion which equates to over 11 months of treatment. So far, I have beat the odds and knocked the cancer down twice. But, it has come back again and spread more and I am back in chemo.

There is so much that I want to share, but I will take it slow… My life has changed monumentally- the only thing that is important is being here with my family, being present, and making memories.