Still Fighting: Katie’s Story of Strength, Motherhood, and Refusing to Give Up
What Makes You a Beautiful Disaster?
I’ve been through a lot, but most recently, I discovered a significant change in my breast. Several tests and scans later, I was diagnosed with metastatic HER2-positive Stage 4 breast cancer.
I only found one lump, and my breast hurt. But it had already spread to my liver and lungs.
People tell me I’m so strong, but honestly, it’s because I have to be. I don’t have a choice. I have two kids and a wonderful husband who get me through all of this every single day.
Why Do You Identify with the Beautiful Disaster Brand?
The designs are gorgeous, and I feel like I randomly found this community at exactly the right time.
Tell Us Your Beautiful Disaster Story
Once I discovered the lump and realized something felt off, I immediately got scared. My brain always jumps to the worst-case scenario. My OB-GYN assured me it was probably just tissue.
It wasn’t.
After several tests and meeting my now incredible oncology team, I felt something shift in me. I became driven. Driven to fight this no matter what. Driven to do whatever the doctors told me to do because they’re the smart ones here—so just tell me what to do.
And honestly, a little dark humor goes a long way.
My husband came up with the idea to name my cancer “Walter,” after the main character from Breaking Bad. Somehow, that tiny thing helped us laugh and weirdly have fun with it in the middle of chaos.
People are always surprised by how positive I can be. But you have to be. Otherwise, you won’t get through any of it.
Right now, I’m fighting breast cancer with everything I have. I refuse to let Stage 4 cancer take me away from my children while they’re still so young.
The treatments are exhausting. The medications drain every ounce of energy from me. I rest when I need to, but life doesn’t stop—and being a mother definitely doesn’t stop.
Before cancer, I was constantly busy. I worked as a keyholder at a very popular retail store, but after starting treatment, I had to step back. It was hard admitting my body couldn’t handle the stress anymore.
Now, I put the energy I do have into my kids—taking care of them, getting them to school, and being present for them however I can.
Even on my hardest days, they help pick me back up.
I only have one chemotherapy treatment left. The battle isn’t over, but I’m getting through it.
What Happened for You to Turn It Around?
After my son was born, I started therapy and worked through my depression and severe postpartum depression.
Now my next challenge, after cancer, will be continuing to work through ADHD and the chemo fog brain that I’ll probably always carry with me.
But I keep fighting.
My kids are what keep me going. They are 6 and 2 years old, and I absolutely refuse to leave them behind. I plan to be here until they are grown adults with kids of their own.
And my husband… I truly don’t know what I would do without him.
We’ve been together for 21 years and married for 12. He comes to every appointment and has been my support system through the brightest days and the darkest nights.
He is my best friend.
Name 3 Things You’ve Done to Move Closer to Happiness
- Learning to take time for myself when I feel overstimulated
- Learning to let people help me instead of trying to carry everything alone
- Asking for help from professionals and prioritizing my mental health
What Is Your Favorite Beautiful Disaster Collection, Past or Present, and Why?
Right now, hoodies.
I recently did a closet purge after going on disability, and I’ve been treating myself to pieces that make me feel comfortable and like myself again