The Beginning
As I step into this new chapter, my heart knows one thing for certain—I’m meant to share it. My prayer is that through my story, I can bring awareness, offer hope, inspire courage, and most importantly, shine a light on God’s grace and love in every moment. There will be days that feel heavy, and days where I have to search hard for the good—but I want to share it all with you.
First and foremost, I give all glory to God. Since beginning my walk of faith a couple of years ago, I can now look back and see how He has been preparing and strengthening me for this very season. “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:6). I could spend my time asking, “Why me?”—but instead, I’ve found myself saying, “Not my will, Lord, but Yours.”
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” — Luke 22:42-44
His Word is my truth and my steady anchor. I’m determined to keep drawing closer to Him through it all.
How It Started
Like many women, I had put off my yearly exam—four years had passed since my last one, shortly after Colter was born. My results had always been normal, and I was told I wouldn’t need a mammogram until age 40, so I didn’t think twice about delaying.
Then one morning in May 2025, I again give God all the Glory! God spoke so clearly as I lay in bed, I heard Him say, “Check your breast.” I thought, Ok, I just do a quick self exam and in just a few moments, my fingers found it—a small, round lump in my left breast. It didn’t hurt, but it was there.
I called to schedule my yearly exam, but the earliest opening was in August. I didn’t mention the lump at the time, still assuming it was nothing. Then, during a July appointment with my general doctor for routine labs, which all turned out to be normal, they were actually able to move my yearly exam up to July 10.
July 10th - I finally told my doctor about the lump. She suggested we give it a couple of weeks to see if it changed after my cycle. It didn’t. I emailed her again, and she recommended we get it checked.
The Day Everything Shifted
On August 6, I went in for my first mammogram and ultrasound. The mammogram was easier than I expected. During the ultrasound, the radiologist said we should take a biopsy—and that he could do it immediately.
They numbed the area, took three samples, and placed a tiny titanium marker in the tumor to show the spot for any future procedures. My body trembled with nerves, tears came and went, but I was grateful it wasn’t painful and that it could be done that day.
When I asked what he thought, his words pierced through me: “It’s not a cyst. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s a small breast cancer.”
I can’t say I was completely shocked. Deep down, I had already felt God preparing me for this possibility. Still, I reminded myself—don’t jump ahead. Wait for the confirmation.
After the biopsy procedure was done, I was shaking between my nerves and the numbing medicine. The nurse did say this was normal and that juice helps. So they gave me grape juice to drink. I then went back to the mammogram room where they would take a picture with the marker that was placed in the tumor.
This is where the other nurse bandaged the area and this is where I broke down. The tears came fast and the overwhelming feeling. She gave me a hug and comforted me. It was going to be ok.
So began the waiting game… The biopsy was on Wednesday, Aug. 6th ; the results wouldn’t come until Monday, Aug. 11th . I stayed fairly calm—until Sunday night, when the weight of the unknown started pressing in.
NEXT: Monday morning finally came…
The Diagnosis
Monday, Aug. 11th—the day I received my final diagnosis. It was also the first day of teacher work days, and honestly, I was thankful for the distraction of school to help keep my mind occupied.
Around 10 a.m., my phone rang. The number flashing across the screen made my heart race, and deep down, I already sensed what was coming…
The radiologist confirmed what I feared: breast cancer—specifically invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common type that begins in the breast duct. He explained that my surgeon would go over the details, treatment plan, and next steps. For now, he was simply calling with the pathology report. My appointment with the surgeon was set for the very next day.
When I hung up the phone, my whole body trembled and broke down in tears. I still was hoping that somehow the report was wrong because it all felt so unreal. But after my moment of breaking, I reminded myself I couldn’t stay there. I chose to go on with my day at school, to keep busy, and to focus on the things within my control. I told myself it was okay to have moments of grief, but I wasn’t going to sit in them.
That evening, however, was much harder. Once everything quieted down, my thoughts wouldn’t stop racing. The reality of the diagnosis echoed in my mind over and over again. I also knew it was time to share the news with my kids. I had wanted to wait until I had the final report before sharing anything with them. After the older kids got home from work and volleyball practice, I asked them to come upstairs. I didn’t want to fall apart in front of them—I just wanted to be honest.
I kept it as simple as I could. I told them I had found a lump, had it checked out, and that the doctor shared today it was breast cancer. My daughter Addyson immediately started to cry. I held her close and reassured her that it was going to be okay-that we caught it early (Glory to God!). Through tears, she said she didn’t want it to happen to her, and I reassured her that she didn’t need to carry that worry. Before the conversation ended, I even added a little humor-because sometimes keeping spirits lifted is just as important as tears. Overall, they handled it well, though I know as time goes on things become more visible, it may get harder.
Even in the heaviness of that day, I hold onto God’s Word. The mind is considered a battleground and the enemy will be fighting for it. God’s Word reminds us that we don’t need to take hold of every thought and actively choosing to focus on what is true, noble, right, and pure (Philippians 4:8)
2 Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Philippians 4:9
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, what is pure, what is lovely, what is admirable-if anything is excellent of praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
NEXT: Visit with the Surgeon..
Meeting with the Surgeon
Today, Aug. 12th, I met with the surgeon, Dr. Garry, in Yankton. This was the day I would finally learn more details about my results, treatment options, and the next steps in a plan. When I first arrived, the nurse explained what the day would look like: some photos of my upper body, an exam by the doctor, and then a conversation about options and planning.
The first step was the pictures—side and front views of my upper body for surgical purposes. Let’s just say, not my best look (haha). Next, Dr. Garry came in. He asked me to share how I had found the lump and about my health history. I explained how I found it one morning, right around the time I had my yearly blood panel drawn. He explained that this type of cancer does not show up in blood work—which surprised me, but made sense once he said it. I also mentioned that we don’t have a family history of breast cancer.
Then came the heavier part: going over the results in more detail. He confirmed it is invasive ductal carcinoma, about 1 cm in size, likely stage 1, and triple negative. He explained what that meant—that the tumor tested negative for estrogen, progesterone, and HER2. At first, “negative” sounded like it should be good news. But it’s actually the one you don’t want, because it means the cancer is more aggressive and not fueled by hormones. That broke me. I couldn’t hold back the tears. I told him, “Okay, let’s just get it out!” But he reminded me that while that’s the natural reaction, the best plan is the one that will help me long-term.
We went over the options:
Lumpectomy – removing the tumor and surrounding tissue, followed by radiation and chemo.
Mastectomy – removing the entire 1 breast, followed by chemo, reconstruction
Double mastectomy – an option given because of the diagnosis, chemo, reconstruction
No matter what I chose, chemo would still be required because of the triple negative. I will also have genetic testing done due to the fact that I am under 50 and have the triple negative.
I was overwhelmed and drained. I cried off and on, my mind spinning with the unknowns. The doctor explained that oncology (appt. wouldn’t be till Friday..more waiting) would help decide whether surgery or chemo would come first, but either way he gave me a timeline within 28 days of diagnosis. He reassured me that nothing would drastically change overnight in that window, but my anxiety still struggled to rest in that answer.
One relief—he didn’t feel any enlarged lymph nodes, which suggested it was still contained. Later that day I also had an ultrasound of my lymph nodes, and while the radiologist reminded me it wasn’t 100% conclusive, he didn’t see any enlargement. Thank you, Jesus! All glory to God! That was the hope I clung to as I left.
That night was another restless one though. My thoughts kept racing, so at 3 a.m. I called my mom. I broke down crying, confessing my fears and worries and just thinking about my kids. Talking with her for an hour and a half calmed me enough to drift back to sleep for a little while before getting up for school.
Through it all, I hold onto His promises:
Isaiah 66:13
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; “
NEXT: Meeting with the Oncologist…