About

In the Spring of 2012, while attending Towson University, I was a member of the track and field team. While running during practice, I was accidentally hit in my right leg with a lacrosse ball from the team practicing infield. I was immediately seen by a doctor because the pain was excruciating. After several MRI’s, I was left with a small knot on the side of my leg that was determined to be benign and considered a minor sports injury. With no persistent pain, I continued my track career, joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education. I began work as an elementary math teacher. I am currently a 3rd year 5th grade teacher and I lead several extracurricular activities for the students in my school.

In the Spring of 2016, I began to notice that the knot on my leg was steadily growing larger and more painful. By the time winter arrived, the dime-sized knot had grown to the size of a golf ball and I lost all sensation in my lower right leg. With growing concern, I decided to schedule an appointment with my dermatologist to have the lump evaluated. A routine biopsy resulted in a severe infection that kept me out of work and unable to walk for several days.

On February 2, 2017, one day before my 25th birthday, I received a call stating that the lump tested positive for cancer. After numerous trips to local hospitals and countless scans and tests, I was told that I suffered from Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans. This is an extremely rare form of cancer with roughly only 1,000 cases within the United States each year.

I am currently a 5th grade teacher who was recently diagnosed with Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans, a rare form of sarcoma cancer.  As a healthy and happy 25 year old, this sudden and unexpected diagnosis caught me and my family by surprise.  Despite having my life turned upside down, I have remained overwhelmingly positive and optimistic in the face of adversity.  I am currently being treated at The Cancer Treatment Center of America in Chicago, Illinois.  I have undergone six weeks of radiation therapy treatment as well as two cancer removal surgeries.

Throughout this journey I have had the love and support of family and friends as well as strangers.  I know that I have been blessed throughout my journey and with my outstanding medial team at The Cancer Treatment Center of America.  I decided to create this page to not only inform and update friends and family, but also to maybe inform and give hope to  someone going through the scary journey of cancer.  It can feel lonely, and frightening even when you have the biggest support system in the world.  I hope this page will help someone put a visual to the “monster” of cancer and get rid of some of the fears as well as have someone to contact.  I hope you enjoy my page!