Tarah

"When I was 35, I was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. My fear quickly turned into anger like I have never felt before. My youngest sister had died just two years before this and I couldn't understand how so much hurt and pain could even be possible. It didn't seem fair. 

I went through a year of chemo, lost my hair. had a bilateral mastectomy, five weeks of everyday radiation, a full hysterectomy (no more kids for us) and had four reconstructive surgeries on my breasts. Due to the radiated skin where my cancer was, my breast reconstructions continued to fail over and over again. Two days before Christmas the had to remove the implant. I woke up in the post op room with one breast gone and felt completely defeated. All of this mad me feel like less of a woman and I was angry.

Through all of this, I have been angry. I am so mad that this horrid disease that has already robbed so much precious time with my three year old son and my husband. I'm angry that my husband had to be both mom and dad as I was not able to get out of bed. I'm furious that I will have to live in fear that it will come back with a vengeance and take me out. I'm angry that it has already shortened and altered my life for the worse. 

Before my treatments began, I decided to use my anger to channel strength and motivation. I needed to do this for myself and for my family. With the help of my husband and my whole support system of family and friends, I began to heal both physically and emotionally. So many people have held my hand and seen me through this. From phone calls, to dinners, to sitting with me at chemo or staying with me in the hospital. 

I have come to terms with my new body and I'm so grateful to still be here. I feel stronger, healthier, and beautiful. I have realized how loved I and my by friends, family and my sweet husband, Colby. I have come so far from when I was diagnosed and I truly believe I'm a better person now. I don't take a single day for granted. I love my family harder than I ever could have imagined and I love my crazy, wild, unpredictable life." -Tarah