In the last week, I have gone from being a single woman with breast cancer to a married woman that is officially cancer free! To say it has been the biggest week of my life would be an understatement.

Saturday, May 21, the best day of my life.
Saturday, May 21, the best day of my life.

Luke and I got engaged Labor Day weekend last year and we began planning our wedding right away. Shortly after the planning began, we started building our dream home as well. Everyone said we were nuts but it was all so much fun. Then, on April 1, just weeks before our wedding and weeks after a suspicious mammogram, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

My diagnosis was ductal carcinoma in situ, called DCIS, stage 0. It is the earliest possible catch you can make for breast cancer. The first course of action was a routine lumpectomy, a surgery where they attempt to remove the cancerous cells. That first attempt was not successful so we tried a second time and again, they could not achieve clean margins. After two attempts that exposed a cancer that was more involved than the doctors thought, Luke and I made the decision to put off our honeymoon and I underwent a double mastectomy this week, the Tuesday after our wedding.

Wednesday, May 25 - the morning after surgery. That neck pillow was and still is clutch.
Wednesday, May 25 – the morning after surgery. That neck pillow was and still is clutch.

Over the last couple months, Luke and I have received love and encouragement from every corner of our lives along with many questions regarding how we caught this, how the surgeries have gone, my genetic testing, family history, my decision to have the double mastectomy and more. I feel called to answer those questions and to share my story because it is finding the personal stories of other women that has provided me so much comfort throughout this journey. Additionally, it was my own fortitude and determination, coupled with the backing of my partner, that helped me make this early catch and I am hopeful that hearing my story can help other young women do the same.

So with that, welcome to my blog. I look forward to sharing my story with you and encourage questions, comments and feedback either on these posts or via email at katecatlinpayne@gmail.com.