When I reflect on this year as the holidays are here and a little brighter, I praise God as I am cancer free and healthy as its a pure gift! I beat TNBC

When I reflect on this year as the holidays are here and we are celebrating, I am completely appreciative and relish in the miracles I have been bestowed.

Its nothing short of miraculous  for me to really grasp how far physically, and the health crisis I have over come is such a short time. To say its been a whirlwind is not effective in describing my experiences with TNBC.

I sit and reiterate as its beyond grasp

I was on vacation over July 4th enjoying my family and children feeling remarkably healthy to arrive home, scratch my ribs in the middle of the night only to graze a large tumor. I sat straight up, slapped my husbands arm and said "wake up and feel this". The next day I was visiting an OB/GYN whom examined me and said "this is a cyst and will be benign", however its time for your annual mammogram so we will have it ordered.

That Friday I walked in with a complete false sense of security and alone as in her opinion by feel it was benign. I endured three mammograms that day as I had a large tumor you could palpitate but dangerously did not show on any mammogram. Lesson number 1 of the next million to come.
I was then given an ultrasound and upon completion the radiologist walked in and said I am now doing a biopsy.
At this point my mind was spinning, however I still had hope and thought for certain the biopsy would show all benign and false scare. As the radiologist injected very small titanium ribbons and said " they are for the surgeon" I knew then what she could see and I did not need to wait for lab results on Monday.

When we where given the results, all we where told is its breast cancer and you need to see a surgeon. Shamefully I knew nothing about breast cancer and this new world I was entering.

When I sat down with my surgeon she said you have triple negative breast cancer and are only among 15% of all breast cancers. Its rare, its very aggressive, and surgery will come late in the treatment process as I need you to go to an oncologist and receive chemo as the first part of your long road of treatments.

I was then given a PET scan, heart mugga, MRI, breast MRI, brain scan, a surgical port placed  and countless blood test to be granted the all clear to begin chemo treatments. My treatment coarse was laid out and consisted on 4 AC very taxing chemo treatments then 12 weekly chemo treatments of different drugs.

As we all know I had a complete clinical response after only 2 treatments and upon ultrasound no cancer detected. I completed 35% of my chemo treatments and was an advocate for my own health,  Due to no cancer found, the heart and health issues initiated by chemo the bad now out weighed the good as God cured me and chemo would end. I was not going to endure the toxic effects because I was simply protocol and categorized. We are all unique as are all responses to treatment and we are in desperate need of individual treatment plans. We also need to have those plans adjusted according to treatment response.

I had a bilateral mastectomy one week ago, as it was the best health decision I've ever made. I woke up with a complete pathological response and no cancer or residual cancer found. This has now catapulted my prognosis from good to excellence. Its important to know many survive breast cancer!

The exspanders are a perplexing strange feelings I acclimate and adjust to daily as they remain approximately 1 year and I have several fluid (stretching of the muscle) over the holidays. Once that occurs I will have radiation (the easy part) 5 days a week for 6 weeks.


I will be monitored every few months for the next 3 years but in light of achieving a CPR (no cancer) I have the luxury of no worry every test result awaited.

The crippling financial medical bills, copay's and deductibles, cant and wont come close to minimizing my miracles! As God will provide and I have faith.

I do not worry as life is priceless and the holidays are brighter this year!

I sit here one week out of my major surgery requiring no pain medication, feeling energetic with minimal discomfort.

My daughters who patiently waited for dance classes while mom was sick and receiving treatment, where able to attend their 1st class this morning! As I will dance in the isle at their recital in June. As their mom is determined to celebrate every day and never forget the great achievements and miracles as how wonderful God is.

I will return to normalcy, put my house back in order and help my children chase their dreams. We will play as a family, love, laugh, never take for granted, help all we meet, thank God as the glory is his.

It is amazing to consider I was TNBC stage lllC mid July and in 4 short months am cancer free!

As God has cured me I will now help others and try my best to proceed on his path and fulfill what his will and vision is for me.

We plan of visiting Boone NC at Christmas and taking the kids tubing. Having Thanksgiving at home as my healing continues, as I find myself overly excited about putting up our tree and listening to the kids play.

I will dance at my children's weddings, and cry at their graduations. I will hold their hands and cheer at their games as life is such a rewarding blessing, as I have been given more than I could ever ask. A pure gift!

Patience is not my strong suite but funny the many lessons learned I appreciate and benefit from acquiring a little more lately.

The amazing people, friends, strangers who have become friends, family and church family have pulled me through given me strength and courage and always remind me of how wonderful life is.

The prayers have been answered and I look forward to many fun journeys next year. I look to great achievements accomplished, and many more silver linings to shine.

God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving as I hope your tables are full of food, family ,love,  fellowship,and Gods blessings!


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With all the prayers that rattled heaven you have help enable me to WIN THIS WAR ON BREAST CANCER AS WE HAVE DEFEATED IT!

I have never believed in a mere coincidence as instances happen for a reason~

I was not given a preference between hospitals as its simply who has OR time and can accommodate both of my surgeons schedules.

I was so blessed to have my bilateral mastectomy at Rex as not only did I receive excellent care, the medical staff go above and beyond and are very special angels among us.

My next phase in this  journey started last Friday as I had my pre-op at Rex and had the privilege to sit down with one of the most brilliant anesthesiologist I have ever met. I had general anesthesia seven years prior and was only under twenty minutes. I had a severe allergic reaction that lasted two days.
This surgery took four and a half hours and my anesthesiologist administered "opioid sparring non narcotic anesthesia" and has only been done in about 3-5% of most patients.
I did excellent, as I woke up fully awake (no hang over effect or nausea) and was in my complete frame of mind , a pure relief and blessing.

Thursday we arrived at 10 am and I had my dye injected behind my nipple around 1 pm. This procedure is only a very quick (few seconds) sting and is over. My surgeon whom I'm eternally grateful did not remove my sentinel lymph node and do a dissection at all. This is due to her excellent knowledge and skill. A small area was sent to pathology while I was under and they where able to see 5 lymph nodes ALL CLEAR NO CANCER~
So she spared me any further, as God is great and yet another miracle rushed into that OR as my prognoses is excellent and God has healed me.
My reconstruction surgeon is remarkable as well and has started what will take a year, as I have faith the end result will be good as he is what I consider the best in reconstruction.

My surgery was due to start at 2:30 and much later Rob and my Mother where given an update as to they where just finishing on one side and now moving to the other. Rob did the math and that doubt crept in as he felt this may indicate many lymph nodes removed and cancer found. My mother said she felt the connection and knew there was no cancer and surgery simply was taking a long time and may not of started on time.
I would not of traded them as it was far easier to be asleep than to sit and wait. I am told my surgeon walked out looked at them and "high five" them and said no caner found and all clear!

When I woke up and was in recovery around 9 pm there was no room available, we where fully aware speaking to the nurses what a full miracle and all the blessings I have been given. Its simply remarkable and Gods grace as I went from triple negative stage lllc mid July to 4 months later cancer free!

When we where taken to my room late we had many visits from nurses telling us this is why they chose nursing and medicine for the silver linings and healing cases like me.

I woke up and truly felt like I hit the lottery and that my cheer section, all the prayers that where sent up where answered!

I was sent home and currently have tubes attached to plastic shaped containers the size of your palms on each side of my body. I have what looks like a corset that remains on and is wrapped around my breast and ribs. I am maintaining   the pain as its a very small price to pay and only lasts a short time. My tubes are expected to be removed Tuesday as everyday I am healing. I have plenty of feeling and sensation on my skin.

The hardest part of this journey is now behind me as not only did I concur chemo, now major surgery all I must do is heal and sail through radiation as I'm told is the easiest part of treatment.

Its the best gift to be able to say "I'm cancer free and no longer have breast cancer"

With all the prayers that rattled heaven you have not only helped carry me through this ordeal you have also enabled me to WIN THIS WAR ON BREAST CANCER AS WE HAVE DEFEATED IT!

My treatments with radiation and more surgery will last into late next year, however are truly far less taxing and easier as the difficult parts of treatment are over.

My parents are here as I could not heal without them. Between my Dad and Mom taking care of the kids and Robs endless laundry to the hugs and their emotional wisdom I'm a very blessed lady.

My words of gratitude are not enough as I'm truly blessed, humbled, and so fortunate to have you praying for me you have helped assist in my children having a healthy mother. God Bless you all from the bottom of our hearts!

Know I will heal everyday and get stronger, I can drive in 2 weeks and lift Maxson in 4. My support team are filling in great as my kids are getting plenty of hugs.

The holidays this year are cause for celebration and I will forever have my perspective changed in life and only see all the silver linings~

I will pay it forward and have big plans and ideas how to help others as I will always remember all that have helped me!

Know your mental strength is half the battle and faith will carry you if life's challenges and you to will prevail~

God Bless

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When breast cancer knocked on my door with its "A game" I truly believe not only was it ill equipped it had not done any research on its opponent.

When breast cancer knocked on my door with its "A game" I truly believe not only was it ill equipped  it had not done any research on its opponent.

I have many say to me "I cant do it" or I would of just quit and thrown in the towel.

Here is what I say, Absolutely not, as when you are faced with any adversity in life your inner strength and fight bubbles to the surface and I believe you would be surprised how strong you really are!

We all have our strengths and weakness and for some it takes a challenge to bring out their strength. Just because you may not of needed to use it does not mean its not there and doesn't exist.

I have had a fight and resolve my entire life, as I have faced death my third time now. Not only am I here for a purpose I'm determined to not take a moment for granted and to help others as God intends for us to do.

I have a full complete support system as "team Fox" is a state of the art very efficient machine as we have had years in the making to perfect. I'm profoundly proud of my husband and children! When you add family, church family, friends and God its full proof.

When people ask me why I'm choosing a double mastectomy in light of no evidence of cancer its very simple.
I have been a rule bender my entire life and always up for the gamble if I thought the odds where in my favor. This is the first time I have ever not been willing to play the odds in spite of them in my favor. I wont gamble with something I'm not willing or prepared to lose, so the decision was a very easy one to make.

I will be meeting my radiologist Friday and then the hospital for all my pre-op admittance test. Surreal as my surgery is next Thursday November 13th the day after my father and sons 16th birthday. The anticipation is not fear, its only my wanting it to be over so my healing with Godspeed can start. I am ready to enjoy the holidays and pick up my toddler again.

I am told no driving for two weeks and no picking up my kids for four weeks. My parents are coming for a long visit as I'm very blessed! They will be a great help with sustaining normalcy and add lots of hugs and love to the kids while I heal.

As for my treatment it requires stamina as it is a process, however I have already accomplished great achievements with Gods grace.

I will start radiation in January for six straight weeks at five days a week and have two additional surgery's late next year. I will be closely monitored for the next 3 years and have complete faith I will be considered cured in five years! I'm am completely steadfast in my resolve to be a survivor, live a long life and share Gods blessings!

Please pray for my pathological report to come back clear and no evidence of cancer hiding in my lymph nodes! Please know many women have twenty plus lymph nodes removed due to microscopic cells detected and are twenty plus year survivors too! This is the entire point of the surgery to look and remove any lingering cells. Please also pray for my swift recovery.

I will report and update after surgery as it takes several days for the path report to come it.

God bless

Prayers are working!!

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