You’re here because you have questions. I hopefully have some answers.

Q: What is your official diagnosis?
A: I was initially diagnosed with stage 3a invasive lobular carcinoma, but as of October 2022, my staging was officially moved to stage IV with metastasis to my spine. My cancer is 80% ER+, which means my cancer is estrogen positive.

Q: When were you diagnosed?
A: I learned of my diagnosis on Monday, February 21, 2022 at approximately 2:40 pm in the afternoon.

Q: How did you learn there was a lump in your breast?
A: I was sitting at my desk at work on February 11, 2022 adjusting my bra and my sweater. My hand grazed the top of my breast and I noticed that it was hard. I ran to my friend and asked her to feel it and we both knew it was sketchy. I was able to get in to see a gyno an hour and a half after discovery. On February 15, I had an ultrasound and a mammogram. On February 18, I had a biopsy that later confirmed it was indeed a cancerous tumor.

According to my scans, my breast tumor was 2.8 cm (approximately 1.10236 inches) and my lymph node tumor was .9 cm (approximately 0.354331 inches.)

Q: What is your treatment plan?
A: I received 16 rounds of chemotherapy over the course of 20 weeks. My first four rounds I received every other week for eight weeks. Rounds one through four contained two drugs: adriamycin and cytoxan, also known as A/C or the street name “the red devil,” specifically referring to adriamycin because it is like red Kool-Aid and it is gnarly. I started my first round of A/C on Thursday, March 17. My last round of A/C was Thursday, April 28.

I began weekly doses of taxol and carboplatin chemotherapy Thursday, May 12. I completed my last round on August 4.

I had a double mastectomy September 15. I underwent 28 rounds of radiation between November 7 to December 20. I also received 3 rounds of radiation to my spine January 2023.

I completed one year of oral chemotherapy (Lynparza) February 2023 to February 2024.

May 31, 2024, I began what was supposed to be a two year stint on another oral therapy called Verzenio. I stopped treatment due to (supposedly) recurrence late March 2025.

I resumed Lynparza May 2025 and will remain on it indefinitely or until recurrence.

Q: Are you BRCA1 or 2 positive?
A: I am BRCA1 positive. This gene mutation is responsible for higher rates of breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers.

Q: What can you eat? (This information is outdated as of January 2023 but I am leaving it as an archive of my experience.)
A: Chemo has dramatically shifted my taste preferences and it changes literally day by day. As of right now, what I am comfortable eating is very limited including Bob’s Red Mill brown sugar and maple oatmeal, plain applesauce, peaches in 100% juice, Boost strawberry nutritional shakes, and plain wheat bread with cinnamon sugar and fake butter. Everything else as of right now is random. Sometimes I think of foods and they make me want to vomit. If you are wanting to bring me a meal, please ask me the day of what I might be able to eat. Sorry about this inconvenience! If you are wanting to feed Jose, he will eat anything.

Q: Can I come visit you? (This information is outdated as of January 2023 but I am leaving it as an archive of my experience.)
A: Depending on the day, I do allow visitors! I just ask that you please mask up and do not visit if you are sick, showing symptoms of becoming sick, or are around other people who are sick. Please text me if you would like to stop by at some point and we can make arrangements.

Q: Can I come to a chemotherapy session with you? (This information is outdated as of January 2023 but I am leaving it as an archive of my experience.)
A: If you are strongly interested in coming to a chemo session with me, I would love to have you! However, I want to be very upfront about what you might expect during a chemo session. You will be coming as my emotional support human. Jobs and duties may include, but are not limited to, driving me to and from my appointment, holding a puke bag, helping me steal snacks from the snack bar, decorating my chemo pod, advocating for me, sitting in long periods of silence, free form crying sessions, holding my hand, and the occasional joke. If this is something you feel comfortable with, then welcome!

Q: How can I help???
A: 1. Please check your breasts. Please. Stop what you are doing and do a self exam. Ask your doctors questions during your yearly exams on what to look for in a self exam. Ask your loved ones about disease and cancer in your family. I know this is an unpleasant conversation but having that information could make an impact on your healthcare down the road. I am not wanting to induce paranoia that you will get breast cancer (or any cancer) and maybe I am projecting my experience a bit on you all, but I have realized so many of us don’t do self exams at home. Let’s stay proactive together!

(This information is outdated as of January 2023 but I am leaving it as an archive of my experience.)

I have amazing friends who have already stepped up and set the foundations for providing care and additional support for me during my treatment. Yes, there will be a meal train at some point that a friend is leading. That link is to come.

– Miles For Madi: A Facebook group established by one of my childhood friends. This is her fundraiser for the month of March centered around running. It also sounds like she is putting together some raffle baskets! Click on that underlined link to find her Facebook group to learn more or search on Facebook, “Miles For Madi.”

– Amazon wishlist: Two of my wonderful friends have helped me establish an Amazon wish list of items that will help me endure treatment. This list will continue to grow as they help me identify my needs. Click on the underlined text to see the list.

3. Continue to text me! I may be slow to respond, but I do promise I get your messages and read them and then promptly cry. I appreciate everything all of you have done for me so far. I feel incredibly supported and loved on this shitty journey.