Maia’s Journey – Updated December 2020 Maia was an IVF baby, and I was pregnant with twins and lost one at 11 weeks and five days. Maia was perfect, but I was so sick through my whole pregnancy that she came into this world 9 weeks early. HOWEVER, she was …
Read More »Early Detection Can Save Your Life – Breast Cancer
Many of you may have heard at some point about how early detection of breast cancer (or any cancer) can save your life. It may seem like smoke and mirrors, but I am proof positive that early detection can save your life. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer, …
Read More »Julia’s Story (Breast Cancer)
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and here is my long story. I found my lump when I was 21 years old, and had finished nursing my son. I went to my doctor and he told me not to worry about it because I was too young. At …
Read More »Nicole’s Story (Breast Cancer)
I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 35. I found the lump myself when the underwire from my bra had cut me. After I found the lump, I saw two doctors who told me I was too young to have cancer. They added that sometimes you get these …
Read More »Fear
I had an incredible dream early this morning. My dreams are typically interesting; vivid and in color, but on a rare occasion I’ll experience a dream that I know I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. This particular dream was about fear. I wasn’t running from monsters, …
Read More »Abby’s Story (Thyroid Cancer, Hypoparathyroidism)
I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer when I was 12 years old. I had a total thyroidectomy and left neck dissection with removal of 20 nodes, and declared NED (no evidence of disease). However, I went on to develop hypoparathyroidism, which is now permanent. I am now 15 years …
Read More »Amorelle’s Story (Lupus -S.L.E.)
In 2009, when I was 19 year old, I had the hardest pregnancy I’d ever heard of. I could barely keep any food down, I was losing weight every week, I’d get light headed and dizzy every time I stood up and I was exhausted all the time. At 37 …
Read More »Heather’s Story (Kidney Disease (FSGS) Kidney Transplant)
I was diagnosed with FSGS, a chronic kidney disease when I was 19 years old. Fast forward to when I was 41 years old… after many doctors, medications, hardships, but also beautiful events, my kidneys were finally in complete failure. I received a kidney transplant on January 9, 2017! My …
Read More »Dealing with the Holiday Season
Feeling a little 'bah humbug' about the holidays this year? The expectation to deck the halls and be jolly is overwhelming, especially when you're going through cancer treatment, just finished treatment, battling a chronic illness, or struggling with mental health. The last thing you feel like doing is
Read More »Celeste’s Story (Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer, Adenocarcinoma Metastatic, Lynch Syndrome)
In 2015, I was dying. Unaware that adenocarcinoma was growing in my colon, I thought I had the stomach flu. However, when I got to the hospital, the doctor said I had a hole in my colon. I was becoming septic and if I didn’t allow them to do emergency …
Read More »