My Personal Journey with Breast Cancer

You know I typically like to keep things light and fun around here,

but October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time that I want to take to reflect on my personal journey in hopes that I can inspire others who might be on a similar journey. Without a doubt, it has been the greatest challenge I have ever faced in my life. Being a Breast Cancer survivor is something that stays with me everyday, it’s part of who I am now. The silver lining of my experience is that it has shown me the power that resides in me (and all of us!) and the power that faith has in lifting us up even in our darkest hour.

I was diagnosed with stage 1 Breast Cancer in 2018 and after consulting with my doctors we decided the best course of action would be to have a double mastectomy performed. Cancer was found in only one of my breasts but seeing as it was stage 1, I wanted to be thorough in attacking this disease head on. To be safe, I decided a double mastectomy would be the best choice for me. It was during that procedure when the doctors found three 1.5 centimeter stage 3 Breast Cancer tumors. The tumors were hidden in the dense breast tissue in my chest wall right across from my heart. This news was even more devastating than the initial diagnosis. When I heard the words “cancer” be it any kind, it was like bombs going off in my head my first thought was, “I’ve got to live for my son.”

What do you do when you hear this news? You cry, you feel the fear...then you reach for your loved ones. I thank God I had my loving husband Jerry and our wonderful son Hunter there by my side every step of this journey. I know how blessed I am to have such an amazing support system in my family and dear friends and the absolutely incredible medical staff that treated me. Additionally, I know in the fiber of my being that I would not be here were it not for my faith and God’s grace guiding me through this horrible ordeal. Every time I thought I couldn’t go on, I knew I could lean on the Lord and I did. I knew what I couldn’t shoulder I could give to him to carry for me until my strength returned. I know how fortunate I am to have a loving family get me through the most difficult challenge I would ever face. 

There were moments when I look back to that time where I can hardly believe I got through it but I did and I discovered a strength from within that I didn’t know I had. That’s the funny thing about events like this -- you don’t know what you can do or handle until after you’ve done it. You can only take a diagnosis like Breast Cancer one step at a time. You keep your family close and hold tight to your faith knowing that God’s love is abundant and there for you and you just move forward one chemo treatment at a time, one radiation treatment at a time. What I find so amazing in this and in talking to other women who have persevered through this horrible disease is that the strength you need is there in you. I know that if, God forbid, you are dealing with this dreadful illness that you have the strength in you and that God’ grace will be there for you as you battle this, or any disease or hardship. What I hope others who may have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer can take from my experience is that you can take this battle on. It will be hard but I know you have the strength within you to get through it and that I’m here to help you through every step of the way. My hope is that you know that being afraid is not a sign of weakness but the first step of finding your strength. You can battle this or anything with God by your side and together we can face whatever comes our way. You are stronger than you know and you just need to trust it and if you ever forget, I’m here to remind you.

Health and happiness,
Kym