Life After Cancer

For years (maybe longer), I have dreamed of starting a blog. Writing feels so much more natural to me than making videos or posting pictures. As we rang in 2025 with a remission bell, Dustin and I decided this was our year of adventure. After a long year of battling breast cancer, all we wanted to do was LIVE.

Little backstory- I grew up on a cattle ranch in Wyoming. I have always dreamed of having some land & animals and allowing my children to experience a piece of my childhood. We ended up closing on our house the same days as my first oncology (cancer doctor) appointment. I can still remember the discussions we had trying to decide if this was the right time to buy. Did God really want us to buy a house if I was dying?

It's been a year since I first found a pea sized lump in my breast. I can still remember I was 98% sure it wasn't cancer, but the looming "what if" caused me to call a friend. Had she not expressed concerns, I know I wouldn't have caught it when I did. Yet another sign of God's love for me, he didn't want me to die.

After 8 rounds of chemotherapy + hormone therapy and a few surgeries later, I was cancer free. I still have 11 infusions to complete (5 is on 4/9), hormone injections every 28 days and soon a daily hormone pill for the next 5 years. So, to top everything off, I'm in menopause at 31.

Going back to this idea of living... what does that even look like? 

1. The Blog

I want to share about my/our life and God's goodness. It's hard to put into words the things he had done and continues to do. Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me. I felt and saw God's presence the entire time. The holy spirit let me know I would healed in the very beginning. I felt overwhelming, indescribable peace often. I would burst into tears (and still do) at the power and love of God.

Partly this blog will be an update about my/our life- Life after Cancer. I'm not exactly sure what that will look like, but it sounds much more exciting than life during cancer. I have a new zest for life. I want to experience as much as I can with the people that I love. Cancer shook my world to its core, and mostly for the good. I woke up and realized how short life truly was. I realized God's plan for me vs. my plan for my life. I realized WHY I am alive. I realized my calling each and every day to the people God sends my way. I am eager to do God's work. 

2. The Homestead

As I mentioned earlier, I'm a ranch girl. In the mists of me starting my blog, we also "officially" started our homestead. We welcomed 4 chicks into our home and patiently wait for the arrival of the other 15. Navigating chickens as a family for the first time has brought so much joy into our home. I can hear them chirping as I type. 

3. New/ Adventure

This zest for life has opened us to learning, growing and exploring. We are working hard to expand this idea into everything- from food to experiences! God has created so many wonderful things that we have never experienced, and it gives us a sense of excitement and newness in our life. 

4. My Relationship with God

I have had a relationship with God for as long as I can remember. This season of life changed our relationship. I can confidently say I trust God, in all seasons, in all things. I eagerly desire to know him and to do his will in all things. I look forward to this "mature" relationship with him and hope to provide encouragement to others in their walk with him. I pray that others may come to know him through my testimony and life, that his goodness will be evident in all things. 

Lastly, I hope that whoever you are & whatever you are going through, you feel less alone. Life can be so incredibly painful and hard. I share my story, openly and authentically to give others hope. God has a calling on your life. 

I invite you on this journey with me and my family. It's been unexpected, messy & hard, but beautiful ♡