In December, Jessica found a lump in her breast while showering. As her mind began navigating the "what-ifs", she contemplated how breast cancer had hit a few of her family members. She then considered how much younger she was than the other women who had been diagnosed (36 vs. mid 50's - late 70's). She concluded that what she was feeling was likely due to hormones because up to that point in time, she hadn't exercised as frequently since her early teens. She had committed herself to a kickboxing studio ((KickHouse)) about a year prior and she was about to begin an 8-week fitness challenge. Through those following weeks, she went back to counting macros, focusing on daily activity goals and abstaining from unhealthy behavior. When she came across that lump again, it felt bigger than before. She decided to make an appointment with her doctor to get checked and was told it was likely a fluid-filled cyst that would just need to be drained. Feeling reassured, she scheduled the mammogram and didn't think to mention anything to friends or family. It was not until the day of the mammogram that she realized how frightened of the possibilities she actually was. When asked the reason for her visit at the registration desk, her eyes began to swell with tears and she vowed to not go alone to these types of appointments again. During this appointment, the mammo dictated the immediate need for an ultrasound. With a combined 25 years of experience, the doctor and tech both relayed that what they saw was likely cancer. The next step was a biopsy, where additional masses were found. The cancer cells were right up against the lymph nodes in her armpit. An MRI would later show a mass extending the entire span of her breast, affecting the nipple and possibly the chest wall muscles. Her formal diagnosis is hormone-positive/HER-2 negative breast cancer, grade 2/3 (fast moving); stage is TBD upon surgery where lymph nodes will be removed and tested for cancer cells to determine spread. Jessica will be undergoing a double total mastectomy on June 15th 2023... five days short of her 37th birthday. Her need for chemo and/or radiation is still TBD. She will be placed on hormone therapy and pushed into menopause in her 30s. She will undergo a second surgery for reconstruction, with the entire process spanning about a year from initial surgery, wrapping up in mid-2024. Jessica is a strong woman who was once riddled by the triumphs and tribulations of her life experiences. After extensive work on herself through the help of therapy, she has worked hard to create a happier life for herself, her two boys (9 and 13), as well as their dog/ESA, Ollie. She now uses the growth she gained through her hardships to educate and empower others to live their best lives by being authentic and unapologetically true to themselves. She works in real estate in the Denver metro area as an investment agent and independent contractor for mobile notary loan signings. She plans to use her down time to complete her blog which has been in the works for months. You can catch it when it goes live at brokedownbeautiful.com Thank you so much for your support, love and encouragement through this journey and chapter. It will never go unappreciated or taken for granted.