July 30, 2025

This month marks my living with metastatic breast cancer for 6 years.

Six years with a terminal illness.

I’ve been reflecting a lot this month both on this unwanted journey and life overall. I’ve had the privilege of:

• 2,190 days including sunrises and sunsets
• 312 weeks
• 72 months
• 6 years

And that included:

• 1 Hospitalization
• 2 Support groups I created
• 4 Lines of treatment
• 6 Cancer related surgeries
• 7 Cancer related conferences attended
• 50+ Scans of my body or parts thereof
• 106 Blog posts
• 150+ Doctor appointments
• 170+ People connected with in support groups I started

That is a lot of cancering! There have been highs and some very low points. Fortunately, my cancer only got somewhat out of control once. For the most part I’ve been fortunate to tolerate medications well, have minimal side effects, and be surrounded by an amazing medical team and an incredible new group of friends I’ve met because of cancer.

As you all know, cancer is but one part of my life, even though this blog is cancer-focused. I’m proud of all I’ve accomplished over the last 6 years. The big moments and the small ones too. Every moment adds up to life. It wasn’t always easy, but who ever said life was easy?

Some highlights:

• 1 Global pandemic
• 2 Countries visited
• 4 Graduations attended
• 5 Colorado weekend getaways
• 6 Nutcracker ballet performances attended
• 13 States visited
• 30+ Visitors here to Colorado
• 34 Trips in the U.S.
• ? Meals out with friends = too many to count

I will never say that cancer is a gift.

Cancer also did not change the way I live my life and how I prioritize. I was already doing that just fine thank you!

It has pushed out opportunity to do some things and so the choices I make on how to spend time is especially important.

I hope you reflect on your last 6 years and find it filled with amazing experiences, wonderful people, and quiet moments.

Onward to the next 6 years!

A few photos from the first 6 years of living with MBC –