I Was 41 and Running 5Ks When I Was Diagnosed With Terminal Cancer

Fast-forward to today, and at age 47, my MBC has been stable. I’ve had scares (new discoveries in my brain, bones, and lungs) but they’ve remained stable or dissipated with my treatment plan, which has allowed me to live the best mom life: hiking, going to yoga classes, and eating out with friends when I’m not running the kids to soccer, baseball, basketball, cross country, or football. My kids are now 9, 11, and 13. There was a time when I could only dream of being the mother of a teenager—and now, here I am.

From the outside looking in, my life might look “normal” and my disease remains invisible. That being said, I have not forgotten. I have not forgotten that I am five years into a disease that generally takes one’s life in three. I have not forgotten how lucky I am to be in the trenches with my kids and watch them grow. I am continuously reminded of my disease when I go to UCLA every three weeks and sit for two hours of infusions plus shots. I know that I could mostly ignore my disease but I have decided to become an advocate. One year ago I founded the Met Gala SCV, a fundraising gala in my hometown to raise money for MBC research. All of the proceeds from the event go to Metavivor, which funds metastatic breast cancer research and fosters support and awareness. I chaired the inaugural event along with a high school friend, Amy Steffe Lohmann, who was in remission from breast cancer. We were the best of partners and friends and, after raising more than $160,000, vowed to repeat the event annually. But just five days after our first gala, Amy was diagnosed with MBC—on October 13, 2022, which is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Imagine the irony of not only the date but the fact that Amy had been fundraising to help end a disease she didn’t even know she had. Amy was mercilessly stolen by metastatic breast cancer on August 14 of this year, leaving behind two children, two golden retrievers, and countless loving family members. I had seen her just four days before and didn’t realize it would be our last time together. This is a perfect example of how things can change on a dime with MBC.