It’s hard to believe we have made it 365 days since that dreaded phone call.

If I would have known what I know now then I would have felt so much better about what I was jumping into.  There has not been one day that I felt like I was fighting this fight alone! My friends and family have been my backbone, my strength when I didn’t think I had any and most importantly the support I needed through this journey.

What have I learned in the past 365 days?

Above all, it has been so much more than a cancer diagnosis.  I have learned just how strong I truly am! Every day I wake up and fill my cup by exercising and eating healthy and I have been able to share that with others through my personal training and coaching business.  Giving back to the same community that held my hand through all the ups and downs. You see when you are diagnosed with cancer you gain another family! A family of fighters and survivors!  I can sit here today and say that I am grateful and appreciate what my cancer diagnosis has brought me!

To Julie 366 days ago, thank you for knowing your body, feeling the need to call the doctor, and for saving my life!  Life is so much more than looks and what you have is about the people you are surrounded with during the difficult times! Family and friends are what life is about and living life with them!  You also see how strong the people are around you! My 6-year-old son has overcome the tick that he developed from the stress and anxiety of seeing his mom go through the tests, surgeries, and recovery of cancer. My husband, Mom, Sisters, and Aunt showed up for me every day helping with life’s daily tasks when the didn’t have to but they were fighting right beside me.  From the day of that phone call I knew I wasn’t going to have to face this alone! Family is everything!

I would not be where I am today without these amazing doctors!

To Dr. Liu thank you for everything! You are one of the best doctors I have ever had and I am so thankful to have such a skilled and loving surgeon like you. Dr. Prichard and his amazing staff that continue to help me through the reconstruction process! You are amazing! You are a true artist when it comes to breast cancer reconstruction. Dr. Shukla I will consider you a life long friend! What you do for the cancer community is truly unbelievable. I can’t thank you enough for the love and support you have provided me with through this journey!

Warrior

God doesn’t give the hardest battles to his toughest warriors, he creates the toughest warriors through life’s hardest battles. Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, remember how far you have come, remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome. We are unbreakable, wise, courageous, brave, and strong. You are a warrior

Cheers to the next 365 days of living life fearlessly and enjoy the journey’s good and bad!