I Have Breast Cancer

It was hard news to hear, and it continues to be tough for me to talk about.

I am sharing this personal journey because I want to encourage every woman reading this: Do not delay your mammogram. Stop what you’re doing, call, and schedule it.

Here is what I learned: No family history? Me neither. Eighty-five to 90% of breast cancer cases are not hereditary.

No lump? Same. That’s why routine mammograms are vital.

I received my diagnosis during our May 6 County Council meeting. It was a moment of total shock and fear, like the floor dropped out from under me.

But here’s the good news: I am incredibly lucky that it was caught early, and it is very treatable. I had a lumpectomy May 16 and started radiation June 10. I’m now partway through 20 treatments and am doing fine.

The experience has shaken me, yes, and it’s also reminded me what true support and resilience look like. I’m incredibly grateful for access to healthcare and insurance that reminded me to get screened; for early detection that made timely and relatively easy treatment possible; for my amazing care team; and for the outpouring of love from my family, friends, and community.

Please, encourage the women in your life to get their mammograms.