"Stage 4" is an overwhelming phrase for many reasons, one of which is there is no stage 5.

With this new diagnosis my life changed immediately. While I had absolutely NO symptoms of cancer, my disease proved to be very advanced. At my time of diagnosis I actually was feeling better than I had in years! I had more energy, was teaching yoga and exercising regularly.

First we found the cancer in the lungs, which on average for this type of cancer can mean 2-3 years of life expectancy. After that discovery, my oncology team decided to do a baseline brain MRI. Unfortunately, the MRI found 3 tumors in my brain which are most likely triple negative breast cancer. This could decrease the average life expectancy significantly.

Life expectancy is just an estimation. No one has an expiration date on their foot and I absolutely believe in miracles. I have a lot of things in my favor. I am young with no other health conditions. I have INCREDIBLE support through my family, my future in-laws and husband, our incredible friends and community.

The first step in the journey for treatment was 10 days of whole brain radiation. I had a very unusual response with significant side effects. I became very dehydrated and had to spend much more time in the hospital than I wanted. Unfortunately, it took my team much longer than normal to be able to control the nausea and vomiting. In the span of 10 days I lost 17 pounds and felt much more ill than I ever have even through last year's chemotherapy.

Luckily, my nausea is now controlled, I've stopped losing weight and am feeling almost 100%! The first MRI post treatment showed good results from the radiation and it is possible that the radiation will be able to stabilize the cancer. It is also possible for a best case scenario for the radiation to actually get rid of the tumors. We will know better what the full impact of the radiation will be in two months or so.

This week I should start chemotherapy, specifically Gemcitabine and Carboplatin. I will be receiving it once every 3 weeks. We will monitor how the chemotherapy is working to determine how long I will be on it.

Our community is incredible and we hope that we can keep you all included and updated. It has been great staying connected and I feel so loved!