I'm Kelli. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in 2009 at the age of 26. No family history and I genuinely thought I was too young for breast cancer. I was mistaken. Fast forward through 3 surgeries including a bilateral mastectomy and 6 months of grueling chemo including a 2 month dance with the red devil, and I was declared NED (no evidence of disease) at the end of the year. In September of 2013 I felt an increasing loss of sensation in my arm. An ultrasound revealed a mass around the sentinel lymph node biopsy site. A biopsy confirmed the cancer was back. PET scans showed involvement in my internal mammary node but no distant metastasies. Still, good news all things considered. My wonderful boyfriend at the time, Zac, stayed with me through surgery to remove the 4 cm tumor in my axilla and held me up as I began chemo. We married on October 18th (not the original plan, but we were so in love so why wait?) I have 5 weeks left of chemo left then begin 6 weeks of radiation and need to consider having my ovaries removed. One more lost season fighting thus dreadful disease but I have so much to live for. I want my young stepdaughter to see my determination to get well. Next Autumn (that's also her name) we'll have a beautiful ceremony and I'll get to wear a fabulous wedding dress (light pink, of course.) I'll dance with my husband..with my father, and my old friend NED. That's what I'm fighting for. Our first year together will have so so much to celebrate.

Kelli Parker
Bella vista, AR