Before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I had no signs or symptoms. Just routine Mammograms and MRI's with contrast due to having dense breast tissue and a family history of the BRCA mutation. I was your average healthy active 32 year old, newly-wed who had just moved into their perfect home ready to build a family. I remember thinking that my life was truly picture-perfect.

I went for my routine MRI in January of 2022 when they seen a non-palpable abnormal lesion, thinking maybe it could just be an enlarged lymph node from a COVID booster shot I received in December of 2021. They scheduled a biopsy just to be safe. Two days after the biopsy, on 2/2/22, while away at work in Syracuse, driving in my patrol car heading to meet the rest of my co-workers for lunch, I received a phone call. I couldn't bear to hear what my OB Doctor had to tell me. "You have breast cancer." With no other further information. I froze. I broke down. My eyes were heavy. I don't even know how my patrol car made it back to the station.

This cancer diagnosis turned my life upside down in the blink of an eye. I was absolutely terrified. I thought this was it for me. My Husband and I had just gotten married and now I'm getting taken away by cancer, that's not what he signed up for, we were suppose to start a family. Why me? I never thought in a million years this could ever happen to me... so young, so healthy, so strong, I thought I was invincible. Cancer doesn't care who you are.

In less than a week, I was fast-tracked immediately set up with appointments, met my team of Doctors at Roswell Park, the particulars of my cancer were thoroughly explained to my Husband and I, we spoke about fertility and survivorship, soon a plan was established to get this cancer out of me! With so many questions still unanswered and so many unknowns, I was courageous and gained confidence in their treatment plan. Within 3 weeks, my breast surgeon had me scheduled for surgery.

Plot twist, the morning of my scheduled surgery I found out I was 4 weeks pregnant. Talk about a mix of emotions- every Doctor that came in to speak with me during pre-op congratulated me, nurses even patients walking by congratulating me. I could hear them talking about my situation down the hall. This couldn't be for real. I was adamant I was not leaving that hospital until that cancer was taken out of me. How am I going to tell my family? My breast surgeon suggested I go speak with my OB telling me "we have time". I trusted God's plan. All of my Doctors had meetings quickly getting on the same page. I had to patiently eagerly wait until I entered my second trimester to undergo lumpectomy surgery with lymph node removal due to the possibilities of anesthesia complicating my pregnancy. Surgery was successful and went just as planned, now I can focus on my (high-risk) pregnancy. Every OB visit I feared for the worst, but left each visit with a smile and a strong healthy heartbeat. Only 2 days past my due date, I naturally gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl, my miracle baby, with luckily not a single complication. Allowing my body to somewhat heal for approximately 4 weeks, I was then able to receive and successfully complete radiation therapy, which everything has and still is healing nicely as expected. Soon after, it was my time to ring that bell!!

My journey has taught me many lessons of endurance, strength and optimism. I know every scan from here on out will have my anxiety through the roof but I will continue to stay strong and fight. I'd go through this again over seeing anyone in my family or friends have to experience what I went through. I've created such a huge village receiving so much love and support during my fight.

This March, I'll be riding in Buffalo's coldest cycling event; IceCycle 2023 to help raise money for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. So please, consider donating to my team that will change the future of cancer research!