Erin is 52 years old and a wife and mom of 2 girls and here is her story.

 

Diagnosis

In 2016 my oldest daughter was graduating high school and my youngest would soon be entering high school. Life was exactly as it should have been. July 16th is the day I got the cancer diagnosis.  I had invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 1 (breast cancer).  The nurse told me that this cancer was the good kind to have.  Most curable and in the early stages.  

I was glad to hear that.  I was sitting alongside a dirt road when I got the call.  I had to sit there for a minute and figure out how I was going to tell my family.  I worried how it would affect my daughters. How was I going to break the news to them?  There were tears and hugs . I reassured them we would be okay and make it through this and God would guide us .  

In the weeks leading up surgery , your mind can take you to some dark places, because you really don't know what you are dealing with. 

To my surprise, my tumor was bigger and had also spread to my lymph nodes.  I had just come to terms with having cancer and having to go through radiation only.  My new reality was 16 weeks of aggressive chemo , doxorubicin, cytoxin and then taxol.  Followed by 6 weeks of radiation, every day. 

Truthfully, the hardest part of having cancer is waiting for the surgery and for treatment to start .  I wanted this cancer out of my body!'

I had many conversations with God.  I prayed for strength for me and my family. I was scared and I knew chemo sucked.  I had to get through this and I was ready to take on the challenge.  

 

I lost my hair after 3 weeks of chemo.  My girls stood by me and held my hands as my husband shaved my head.  I think he enjoyed it.  Now we were both bald .  My husband has been bald for a few years and he always said to me " I had hair when I needed it." 

I guess I did too.  Losing my eyelashes and eyebrows was more difficult for me.  I felt stripped down to nothing.  My husband went with me to every treatment.  Often times he was the entertainment for me and some of the other patients sitting near by.  He took over the grocery shopping and my oldest , Corynn helped with the cooking and cleaning. My youngest Tara was always there to cheer me up and make me laugh.

 

I found the best way to cope with my cancer was to have a sense of humor.  Laughter got me through the tough times.  And my girls giving me a unibrow when I had no eyebrows helped  me too!  Cancer is a horrible thing .  I chose to appreciate the  positives of having cancer. My relationship is stronger with God and with my family. I am stronger than I ever realized .  I also look good without bangs.  

 

I am cancer free!  I have so many people to thank .  Friends , family and complete strangers.  Your kindness will never be forgotten. 

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My Crown experience

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I am not one to draw attention to myself. I'm a photographer and not used to the focus being on me. I am very comfortable being behind the camera. It felt very awkward being the subject. As I  received my crown, I realized how powerful  and beautiful I felt.  The moment I saw my crown I felt like a butterfly breaking out of my cocoon!  I feel more confident than I ever have .  Even though cancer is a negative, there is something positive to be learned about oneself after fighting so hard a persevering, and SURVIVING.