In Her Fighting Era

Hi family and friends,

I’ve taken some time before sharing this, mostly because I needed space to process and find the right words. The past two months have been a whirlwind, filled with doctor visits, waiting rooms, prayers, and a lot of quiet moments with God.

This abrupt journey began when I started to feel that something was ‘wrong’ with my body – I wasn’t sure, but I was feeling off, not myself, and even though I’d been doing really good with regular exercise over the last year, I started to feel tired easily or short of breath when walking up stairs. I also questioned whether something felt wrong in my left breast, but I’d always been good about self-breast exams and keeping up on mammograms. So I proactively scheduled one on September 15th, feeling like my cousin/sister Kayleah’s voice was pushing me to get answers. It came back abnormal. A second one on Sept 23rd confirmed that something wasn’t quite right, which led to more tests: A biopsy, X-rays, ultrasounds, an MRI, PET scan, and more biopsies. On October 3rd, I received the initial diagnosis, Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Unfortunately, this type of cancer begins at stage 3, and spreads rapidly due to the fact that it is a tissue prominent cancer, rather than tumor prominent. Following a few remaining tests and delays due, I officially began chemotherapy treatment on October 30th.

Since then, I’ve been waiting for more clarity before sharing news publicly. Two weeks ago, I received my final diagnosis. The good news is that my cancer is the HER-2 positive subtype, which means it’s receptive to treatment. The harder news is that it has metastasized to my liver, and I am now Stage 4, and though considered ‘incurable’, it is treatment receptive, and the doctors are very hopeful, given my HER-2 subtype and because I’m overall young and healthy. They also have many treatment regimens in their belt, too, for me. My treatment plan is continually being updated, and while this is not what I expected to face, I feel a deep peace that only God can give. The doctors have also explained that should the cancer no longer show on scans after treatment, I will be constantly monitored for life making sure the cancer doesn’t come back and will maintain certain medications to keep it at bay. I feel very confident in my medical team that they’re doing everything they can for me and I’m receiving excellent care.

Through all of this, the word that I keep coming back to is “humbled.” My family has shown up in the most beautiful ways – I haven’t gone to a single appointment alone, and they’ve been my rock. My kids have comforted me in a way that I cannot put into words. They’ve carried me with love, strength, and faith that has reminded me daily how blessed I am. I already knew they were my earthly angels, but they’ve shown me an even deeper reflection of God’s love through their care.

More than anything, I’ve felt God’s presence in every step – in the small mercies, in the timing, in the people around me, and in the stillness of prayer. Sometimes I may not have the words to understand why this is my path, but I trust His purpose. I believe He will use this season, even the hardest parts, for His glory. I know this season will be difficult, it already is, but also know I will come out stronger from this, like I always have. I also want to be a voice of hope and encouragement to other women and mothers to encourage them to listen to their bodies, and to keep up with their mental and physical health. The doctors told me I basically caught my own cancer early.

Lastly, a phrase has been resting on my heart: “Even if.” Even if life doesn’t look like I thought it would. Even if the road ahead feels uncertain. Even if I have cancer, God is still good. I’m walking by faith, trusting that His story for my life and for my children is still being written, that His goodness and love will never fail me, knowing that I will beat this.

Thank you for every message, every prayer, every act of kindness – you have no idea how much they’ve meant. I’m holding on to hope, surrounded by love, and standing firm in faith. I’ll treat this hurdle just as I have faced every other in my life. Because Cancer? Fuck around and find out.

With love and gratitude,
Mandy