Post #1: How did I get here...

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Feb. 11, 2025. It was a phone call that I never imagined that I would get... hearing those words makes the whole world freeze. I was numb... what do I do next. I told my husband who also was working from home and just at that moment we had to hurry off to pick up one of the kids and head somewhere. I wanted to just break down and cry, but I couldn't. We were picking up my daughter for a doctors appt for her. We drove to the school to pick her and up didn't have words to share, but the tears were mounting. From that afternoon on, my life changed. My perspective changed, my faith changed, and my view of the world around me changed.

Going through this experience has been a rollercoaster of emotions. The waiting in between test results is agonizing, telling our kids what was happening was heartbreaking, wondering and being scared is constant. All along I have had every range of emotion, from the highest of highs, to some really low moments. But a few things have also deepened for me... my faith. When the darkness comes in, I look for the light. I pray constantly. I talk to God constantly. I know He has a greater plan in me. For some reason, this is my chapter and I plan to write it.

Another aspect of my life that has deepened is my gratitude. I've always been a grateful person, but this diagnosis has strengthened my sincere appreciation for what is happening around me. The support and love from family and friends has been incredible and some days it is what gives me the strength I need to reset my mind during some dark moments. From the texts, to the gifts, to the meals, to the hugs - all of this has helped me through this journey and for that I am so eternally grateful. Words can't even begin to express how much I appreciate my village of support.

The past several weeks has involved many doctor appointments, biopsy procedures, tests, lots of waiting for results, and worry. Although, I also feel so grateful that God has put this amazing medical team in my journey. Meeting with the breast surgeon, oncologist, radiologist and plastic surgeon, everyone has been incredible. It has brought me incredible peace believing that God carefully coordinated my team of doctors to be on my path for a reason. I wanted to do something to for these caretakers to express my gratitude for their knowledge and their care for me. This is how Grateful Hearts originated. I wanted to give a keepsake that could reflect my deep appreciation for the sacrifices they have made in their life to be where they are today, and on this journey.

I have my first step in removing the cancer from my body on Tuesday. I will be getting a double mastectomy to remove all the breast tissue from my body. After that is removed, my plastic surgeon will reconstruct my antinomy with either implants or expanders. These two surgeons and their team of support will have my life in their hands for 5-7 hours on Tuesday. For this, I am eternally grateful that I am in their hands and that God is working through their hands. They will be the 1st recipients of my Grateful Hearts.