*Editors note* In October 2010, Franya lost her battle with Breast Cancer. She will greatly be missed.  R.I.P. Frannie. I love you!!!*

On Friday, January 26, 2007, my life changed forever. At about 9am my phone rang and on the other end was a doctor telling me I had cancer. I looked at my husband and without a word he knew our worst fears were knocking at the door. I had breast cancer. I was 26. And I had breast cancer.  I can’t say I was shocked though.  I always thought this journey would be mine, just not so soon. 

 
The next few weeks are a blur. I know I met with my doctors the following week, and I instantly loved them and trusted them.  Everything seemed to fall into place, all by the grace of God. Within a week of being diagnosed I had my first chemo treatment. I had treatment every other Thursday for 16 weeks totaling 8 treatments.  I was never sick, thank God, and I was able to work the entire time.  I had my last chemo about two weeks before my 27th birthday. It was bittersweet, because I wanted to be nursing a baby not drawing on my eyebrows. After chemo came surgery. I did have lymph node involvement so I wanted to be very aggressive. I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction to follow. I was always very confident with my decision, but you never realize how important your breasts are until they try to kill you!

About a month after surgery I began radiation treatments. By now I am totally exhausted but almost finished with all treatments.  I finished radiation on September 11, 2007. OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!! Finally I was no longer a “cancer patient”. And even better I had hair!! I was done. Everything went well! I was happy. My doctors were happy.

Three years later, I almost don’t even feel like it was me. I actually don’t think about cancer very much at all. I do however always remember how blessed I am. I survived! By the grace of God, and with the support of my husband, family and friends, I survived!  I must confess. Life is better after cancer. I know my journey is just beginning; I have a long way to go. But for now, today, I know I didn’t get cancer to kill me, but to make me a better person.