Motherhood has always been portrayed as this messy, magical, all-consuming love story.

You imagine the baby cuddles, the tired eyes, the giggles, the growth.

You prepare for long nights , teething, tantrums, and heart-melting milestones.

But what I never prepared for was parenting while battling cancer. 4

I was diagnosed just weeks after giving birth to my second child.

At a time when I was meant to be soaking up the newborn phase, adjusting to life as a mom of two, and holding my toddler’s hand through her own big emotions, I found myself staring down a fight for my life.

Cancer didn’t care that I was a mom, and time didn’t care that I had cancer.

There were no days off. No break from being needed. My baby still cried for milk and comfort.

My toddler still asked for stories

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