Leigh Morgan

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2017, I had no idea the journey that lay ahead of me. While it has been hard and incredibly heartbreaking at times, it has taught me so many beautiful things. From the beginning I was determined to face this like I’ve always done things with learning from it and trying to find the good in it. I’ve always stressed over things and worked hard to make things “perfect”. Having cancer has taught me it’s the things we do and memories we create that make a difference, not that it’s perfect. 

I’ve tried to let go of the insignificant things. Enjoy every day that I’m given and find at least one thing to be thankful for each day. Having cancer has helped me find my true passion and live it. I’ve taken chances don’t think I would have without being ill. Taken more time to enjoy those around me and not taken them for granted, because none of us know how long we have on this earth. 

I’m learning in the end it isn’t what you’ve accomplished, the things you’ve owned, or the amount of money you’ve made. It’s the things you find true joy in. I love to travel and after my diagnosis I have taken two vacations to Italy that were the dream of a lifetime. I went back to school and found inside me a true passion for learning and finished my masters degree. I worked out and found I had a physical strength I didn’t know I had. I have made new and amazing friends during this time. 

I’m still learning to depend on others and be okay with excepting help. I’ve always been very independent and fiercely stubborn. However, God keeps putting incredible people in my life and telling me to trust and be grateful and accept the help. I can’t do all things on my own. God has a funny way of trying to teach me this over and over! 

The end of my story is what started as Stage II breast cancer, over the last three years has become Stage IV metastatic cancer. I have more rounds of chemo and radiation; more incredibly painful procedures and more hospital stays than I can remember. I have tumors in my brain, spine and hip bone. Most days I’m in pain and it’s exhausting to even take a shower. All this to say, I still look at it as “il mio bellissimo viaggio” which means my beautiful journey in Italian. 

Thank you so much for your support and love. It’s amazing that perfect strangers spend time praying for me daily. I am truly blessed! 

Love always,

Leigh