In the beginning. . .
God created an eleven pound, eleven ounce, 24 inch long “infant”. I put infant in quotations because I know that’s what they are called when they first come out, but I’m pretty sure wearing six-month old onesies from the get-go isn’t normal. Anyway, my life since birth has been anything but normal, and that’s the point I am trying to get across. Born into a divorced family, my sister Candace, my brother Kenny, and myself spent most of our time with our mother, since she had the majority of custody. We would go see my Dad on the weekends or other holidays; he got remarried to my now step-mom and my mom remarried my now step-dad. I have seven siblings in total, with two older half brothers and one older half sister on my dads side. Plus my two full siblings, and a younger step sister and half sister on my moms side. My family is very confusing so it’s best if you just don’t overthink it.
God created an eleven pound, eleven ounce, 24 inch long “infant”. I put infant in quotations because I know that’s what they are called when they first come out, but I’m pretty sure wearing six-month old onesies from the get-go isn’t normal. Anyway, my life since birth has been anything but normal, and that’s the point I am trying to get across. Born into a divorced family, my sister Candace, my brother Kenny, and myself spent most of our time with our mother, since she had the majority of custody. We would go see my Dad on the weekends or other holidays; he got remarried to my now step-mom and my mom remarried my now step-dad. I have seven siblings in total, with two older half brothers and one older half sister on my dads side. Plus my two full siblings, and a younger step sister and half sister on my moms side. My family is very confusing so it’s best if you just don’t overthink it.
We moved to. . .
Montana when I was seven and that is where I was raised. Attended third grade through senior of high school in Missoula, which I am so thankful for. I played sports all of my life but soccer was my absolute favorite. But I started growing to be very tall, and my parents thought it would be best to pick a sport where my height is an advantage. So, naturally, I chose cheerleading. Mostly because my parents basically told me I couldn’t play soccer anymore. When I realized there was no way I was going to be a cheerleader (never danced, couldn’t touch my toes, was SO tall and lanky), I started playing volleyball; I was about 11. It turned out that I was actually pretty good!! Started to play year round and then, all of a sudden during my junior year of high school, someone wanted to give me a full-ride scholarship to play for their school. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would play Division 1 college volleyball; obviously I said yes.
Montana when I was seven and that is where I was raised. Attended third grade through senior of high school in Missoula, which I am so thankful for. I played sports all of my life but soccer was my absolute favorite. But I started growing to be very tall, and my parents thought it would be best to pick a sport where my height is an advantage. So, naturally, I chose cheerleading. Mostly because my parents basically told me I couldn’t play soccer anymore. When I realized there was no way I was going to be a cheerleader (never danced, couldn’t touch my toes, was SO tall and lanky), I started playing volleyball; I was about 11. It turned out that I was actually pretty good!! Started to play year round and then, all of a sudden during my junior year of high school, someone wanted to give me a full-ride scholarship to play for their school. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would play Division 1 college volleyball; obviously I said yes.
I attended Cal Poly. . .
In beautiful San Luis Obispo, California. Besides Disneyland, this is considered one of the happiest places in the U.S. I had an amazing coach (RIP JTS), met some of my best friends, and learned so many things about life and myself in general. During my junior year, I found out I had a tear in my right shoulder and I would need surgery. After the season finished, and I had gone to a U.S. Women’s National Team tryout, I had the surgery on my shoulder. I spent a lot of time rehabbing and exercising to make sure I would return in full health. A week after I was cleared for my shoulder, I found out I had a broken foot. I rushed into surgery to try and make it back for my senior season, but the surgery failed and I had a second surgery. I missed my senior year of volleyball and after having three surgeries in a year and a half, I pretty much gave up on the sport in general.
In beautiful San Luis Obispo, California. Besides Disneyland, this is considered one of the happiest places in the U.S. I had an amazing coach (RIP JTS), met some of my best friends, and learned so many things about life and myself in general. During my junior year, I found out I had a tear in my right shoulder and I would need surgery. After the season finished, and I had gone to a U.S. Women’s National Team tryout, I had the surgery on my shoulder. I spent a lot of time rehabbing and exercising to make sure I would return in full health. A week after I was cleared for my shoulder, I found out I had a broken foot. I rushed into surgery to try and make it back for my senior season, but the surgery failed and I had a second surgery. I missed my senior year of volleyball and after having three surgeries in a year and a half, I pretty much gave up on the sport in general.
That next summer. . .
I graduated from Cal Poly and started work in San Luis Obispo for the summer. I heard about a “tour” in Europe, where you go play for ten days. Pretty much a tryout and teams all over Europe can pick you up from there. I packed my bags and flew to Maribor, Slovenia for the tour and after only two days, I was off to Rovaniemi, Finland where I would play my first professional season.
After Finland. . .
I came home for the summer and would train twice a day, five days a week. Focused on my diet and health and prepared for the next season. Later that summer I signed with a team in Brno, Czech Republic for a season. That was the routine: volleyball in Europe from August to April and then back home to California and Montana for three and a half months. After the Czech Republic I went to Munster, Germany and then immediately went to the Philippines for a summer league. While I was in the Philippines I signed with a team in Wiesbaden, Germany. So, I came back to the states from the Philippines for about a month and a half, and then immediately left for Germany. This was a hard year, because spending time with my friends and family is so important; I was very homesick while I was in Wiesbaden.
I graduated from Cal Poly and started work in San Luis Obispo for the summer. I heard about a “tour” in Europe, where you go play for ten days. Pretty much a tryout and teams all over Europe can pick you up from there. I packed my bags and flew to Maribor, Slovenia for the tour and after only two days, I was off to Rovaniemi, Finland where I would play my first professional season.
After Finland. . .
I came home for the summer and would train twice a day, five days a week. Focused on my diet and health and prepared for the next season. Later that summer I signed with a team in Brno, Czech Republic for a season. That was the routine: volleyball in Europe from August to April and then back home to California and Montana for three and a half months. After the Czech Republic I went to Munster, Germany and then immediately went to the Philippines for a summer league. While I was in the Philippines I signed with a team in Wiesbaden, Germany. So, I came back to the states from the Philippines for about a month and a half, and then immediately left for Germany. This was a hard year, because spending time with my friends and family is so important; I was very homesick while I was in Wiesbaden.
Here and now. . .
In the middle of my time in Wiesbaden, I had a multiple bombs dropped on me. My brother was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and after hearing that, all I wanted to do was go home and be with him and the family. But I couldn’t do that because of my contract. THEN, I started having weird problems with my body: my shoulder was bothering me, my legs, my stomach. I had no idea it was because I had a huge tumor on my ovary. After this diagnosis, I chose to come home; there was no way I could stay in Germany without my family or close friends. And that’s where my little adventure started! And that’s where we are now: I am a 26 year old that was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, trying to make it through life while also stressing about being alive (isn’t that hilarious?). But I am thankful for every day I am able to breathe on my own, walk, talk, see, etc. Because you never know when that could change.
In the middle of my time in Wiesbaden, I had a multiple bombs dropped on me. My brother was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and after hearing that, all I wanted to do was go home and be with him and the family. But I couldn’t do that because of my contract. THEN, I started having weird problems with my body: my shoulder was bothering me, my legs, my stomach. I had no idea it was because I had a huge tumor on my ovary. After this diagnosis, I chose to come home; there was no way I could stay in Germany without my family or close friends. And that’s where my little adventure started! And that’s where we are now: I am a 26 year old that was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, trying to make it through life while also stressing about being alive (isn’t that hilarious?). But I am thankful for every day I am able to breathe on my own, walk, talk, see, etc. Because you never know when that could change.