Getting diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in my 30s was never part of my plan. In a season of life where I was supposed to be building, growing, creating, and dreaming — everything suddenly shifted. But along this hard, unpredictable road, I’ve learned some things I never would have understood otherwise. Today I want to…
When you’re going through something as physically and emotionally intense as cancer treatment, the smallest gestures can feel like lifelines. A warm smile, a thoughtful message, or in my case—seeds. Zinnias. Dahlias. Snapdragons, etc. More than I could count, all gifted by someone who barely knew me, but somehow knew exactly what I needed. That…
When I was first diagnosed, I was overwhelmed. The tests, the appointments, the uncertainty—it all came at me like a tidal wave. But in the middle of all that fear, a small package arrived in the mail. Inside was a beautiful scarf and a handwritten note from a woman I had never met, yet somehow,…
What It’s Like Living with Lymphoma — and Why Medical Research Gives Me Hope I never thought I’d be writing this. Like most people, I went about my life assuming that things like cancer happened to other people. Not me. Not now. But life has a way of shifting in the most unexpected ways. A…
When I was 20 years old, I became completely hooked on Desperate Housewives. The women of Wisteria Lane were dramatic, flawed, relatable, and unforgettable—but none more so, to me, than Lynette Scavo. Lynette was the definition of strength under pressure: a mother of four, a working woman constantly trying to juggle it all, and someone…
Two weeks ago, my world shifted. I was officially diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Even though I’d been dealing with symptoms for months—flu-like illness, swelling, and pain in my groin—hearing the word cancer was still surreal. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of appointments, scans, procedures, and moments of…
Back in March and April, I started seeds indoors with excitement and a plan. I was dreaming big this year—more rows, more blooms, a bigger cut flower garden than ever before. I pictured myself out in the sun, barefoot in the soil, planting beauty with my own two hands. What I didn’t plan for was…
What I Thought Was Anxiety Turned Out to Be Cancer “I spent months trying to calm myself down… when what I really needed was a biopsy.” For most of my adult life, I’ve dealt with health anxiety — the kind that turns every twinge into a search term, every new symptom into a rabbit hole…
I never imagined I’d be writing this post—especially not at 37. But here I am, doing something I feel compelled to do: share my story, not just for myself, but for my children, for those silently struggling, and for those who might one day find themselves in this terrifying unknown. How It Began: Panic, Pain,…