My Story: Fighting for Answers, Healing, and My Family

Hi everyone,

My name is Holly, and this is the hardest message I’ve ever had to write.

2025 was supposed to be the happiest year of my life. In March, I welcomed my beautiful baby into the world. I imagined the first year of motherhood being full of sleepy cuddles, messy days, and all the tiny moments you never get back.

Instead, life took a turn I never saw coming.

Not long after giving birth, I started experiencing a series of symptoms that kept getting worse and more frightening. What began as discomfort slowly became hospital stays, emergency room visits, and moments where I honestly didn’t know what was happening to my body. There were days I couldn’t hold my baby the way I wanted to. Days I felt like everything was slipping through my hands. Days I felt afraid in a way I’ve never experienced before.

After months of confusion, scans, swelling, painful procedures, and more fear than I can explain, I was told I might have ovarian cancer. I had to sit with that possibility — with a newborn in my arms — and try to stay strong.

Recently, after further evaluation, I learned that I do not have ovarian cancer… but I do have cancer. And right now, we still don’t know where it started. 

Hearing the word “cancer” in any form is devastating. Hearing it when you’re a new mom, still healing from childbirth, still trying to find your footing in this new chapter of life — it breaks you open in ways you can’t prepare for.

But through all of this, I have not been alone.

My husband has been my rock. He has held me when I cried, fought for me when I couldn’t advocate for myself, stayed up through sleepless nights, taken care of our baby, and carried the weight of our world when I didn’t have the strength to. His love has kept me standing on the days I felt like collapsing.

My family has supported me in every way imaginable — from showing up for sleepless nights at hospitals, to helping care for the baby, to reminding me over and over again that I am not facing this alone. Their encouragement, their strength, and their presence have been a lifeline.

Now, as I continue testing and begin the process of figuring out where this cancer started and how to treat it, I’m facing the financial reality of what this journey will require — medical expenses, travel, time away Ryan has spent from work, childcare, and the unknowns that come with a long road ahead.

I never wanted to be in a position where I had to ask for help. But right now, I need support — emotionally, spiritually, and yes, financially — so I can focus on healing and being here for my baby and my family.

If you’re able to donate, share my story, or even just keep me in your prayers, it means more than I can ever express. Every bit of support lifts a piece of the weight off my shoulders. Every message, every prayer, every act of kindness reminds me that I’m not fighting this alone.

Thank you for reading my story. Thank you for showing up for me. Thank you for helping me fight.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Holly