How did we get here? 

Now, this is a story all about how

My life got flipped-turned upside down

And I'd like to take a minute

Just sit right there

I'll tell you I became the queen of no hair...

Back when I was 26 I felt a lump in my left breast. My OBGYN wasn't worried about it as 

my breasts were fibrous, and it felt like rope like texture, and because cancer doesn't run in my family, she wasn't concerned. At age 28 she re-evaluated the spot, and thought it was fine again. No recommendation of an ultra sound or mammogram. This is where I should have advocated for myself, but didn't think it was necessary. It didn't hurt, and my breasts looked normal. Here comes age 30. When my husband turned 30, he got shingles. When I turned 30, I was almost through the one year of having lost my dad back in May 2021. At the end of April 2022, I was kicked in the chest by a patient. Thankfully I had my bullet proof vest on, and didn't think much of it. Well, come mid May, two weeks before my dad's one year, I had a swollen lymph node on my left collarbone. I wasn't sick, and everyone told me that it would go away and not worry. Well, mid June it hadn't gone away, and I felt another little lymph node became swollen right next to it, and I went in to get it looked at. My left breast had also been a little swollen, and sore, but I thought it was from the assault. 

Of course the only day I could go in was the day of my husband's 32nd birthday. We had an entire lake day planned. The doctor did a needle biopsy and blood work. That night the labs were a little off but the doctor said don't worry, wait for biopsy results. July 1st she called and told me that the cells were positive for breast cancer, and that it was at least stage 3 because it was in my lymph node. It was on the same side as the lump in my breast. Our world was shook. How could this happen? I work 50 hours a week, I eat well, I do Crossfit, I sleep great. I was 30. So young for this diagnosis. 

Instantly we reached out to close friends and family and said "who do you know, I need to talk to them?" We were swamped with people that I call new "cancer friends". These women have spoke so much wisdom over me, encouraged me, and given me so much guidance. Unfortunately my mother was on her way with her professional choir to sing in Ireland. We had to break the news to her while she was on a layover in Dallas, TX. We encouraged her to go, as all we would have was more appointments and scans. She had a ton of support and one of her best friends on the trip with her thankfully, so she continued onward to Ireland. 

A week later and so many appointments, we were sitting in the oncologist office waiting to hear the "game plan" from the doctor. The "game plan" changed to, it's stage 4 because it spread from your breast to your sternum, causing bone lesions. The details of the rest of that appointment faded to black and were filed away in the "thanks for telling me but I'm not letting you tell me my future" folder in my memory.

From July 8th in that appointment we have only had incredible connections we strongly believe were coordinated by God who has His hand in my whole life. I believe that God answers prayers through people quite often. We said, alright God, where's the stage 4 women because I need them like yesterday. Well, one of the ER doctors at the hospital I work for found out my diagnosis. His mom created a mentor program at Rochester Mayo for women with breast cancer, 20 years ago. We had already connected from the July 1st diagnosis, but she had the number to my now mentor Julie, who also has battled and won against stage 4 breast cancer. I have so many other connections I could go on and on for, about the people that the Lord provided in our life, but please know, if you weren't aware right away, it wasn't because you weren't important. Let's just say those days weren't the brightest, and I physically could not fit any more texts or calls into my day between nightshift work, and doctor appointments. Julie became the shoulder I cried on and could vent to for the first week and that's who I needed most, to pick my chin up and direct me back towards a God bigger than cancer, and has a plan for me. 

Here we were July 22nd and everyone in my life has pretty much latched onto the concept, that a positive attitude, despite how hard it is sometimes, is crucial to daily functions. I know everyone is SO, SORRY. And NO, I have no idea what I need right now. But please know, I DEFINITELY will reach out to you when we need something. We got a second fridge and put it in our garage so that we could receive a meal or two to help me continue working in the ambulance because it's what I love to do, and meal prepping takes up an entire day for me most weeks. I learned of a new way of eating, specifically for cancer, from my friend who is a nutritionist. It's mind blowing when you learn how sugar feeds cancer cells, but yet when you are in the hospital in the cancer (oncology) unit, they offer you POP or JUICE! It's been a journey cleaning up my diet but I am so thankful for the education because my breast stopped swelling, and the cancer physically stopped being sore, it was incredible. It was my way of saying "I'm doing all that I can, don't panic." We believe in working with my body, and not against it. 

We aren't mad, we're a little confused, but also know that bad things happen to good people 

ALL. THE. TIME.

This isn't going to be easy. I am so thankful, so incredibly thankful, for the way the Lord has provided SO many people in our life to help carry us along this diagnosis and will continue to as we walk this journey. From my work, to family and friends, our Crossfit community, our bike shop customers, and new friends that we have gained who have walked the cancer journey before, THANK YOU SO MUCH. We wouldn't have the attitude to fight this with, without you. 

So if you've made it this far. Here's the plan. 

I got my port in on Friday the 22nd for chemo infusions. Not sure how many I need but probably 12-16 weeks, and will re-evaluate at some point. 

No surgery for me. The medical industry doesn't do a double mastectomy on stage 4 patients because they know it's elsewhere in the body, and so they leave the breasts and just kill it all with chemo. 

August 1st, I will have eggs taken out of my ovaries, and made into embryos and frozen for our future journey to have kids, through IVF one day. No, this is not covered by insurance. I have been doing daily shots for 2 weeks and on medications with every other day ultra sounds and blood work. Can't wait for this part to be over, it's exhausting. 

August 2nd will be my first day of chemo. 

After recovery of chemo I get to fly out to California with Tony for my best friend's wedding that weekend! SO thankful I will still have my hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes for this. 

August 8th, Tony and I will fly to Dallas, TX to be fitted for a DREAM WIG that I won in a contest thanks to the women from my Crossfit gym nominating me. I literally thought it was a scam when they said I won. 

More to come on all these new things in my life. 

I will continue chemo once a week, and will be shaving my head the third week of August, and losing my hair shortly after. I plan on continuing to work in the ambulance for as long as my body will let me. I have a plan in place with my chiropractor, Crossfit coaches, a physical therapist, nutritionist, herbalist, my work, and of course, my friends and family to stay as positive and active as I can. 

Please don't be afraid to reach out. I try my best to get back to everyone, unless I'm in the ambulance or sleeping. I don't get overwhelmed by people caring. Trust me. :) 

If I don't reply, just shoot me another text. Or text Tony! Ya'll gotta check in on him as well. 

So incredibly thankful for everyone's support so far. We read every message, every text, every donation, and are so, so, thankful for each one. We love you all. 

T & A

Link to our go-fund-me if you would like to support our journey to "cake-eater" children because they will be conceived in Edina...if you don't know this reference go watch out favorite movie Mighty Ducks. :) 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/q3wj8-alis-army?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR3lClv9fY8S-8fsuBe2IzmkcWBFJwiABfRAYv5XMZ2pnz0X-zGfS8kCZ1U