March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month.

This is my open letter to the woman who just got diagnosed.

Dear Tee,
(my newly diagnosed self)

Girl… I know you are scared out of your mind right now.

The tears will not stop.

You cannot even process the words
“You have cancer.”

Multiple myeloma.

You are wearing a back brace
because your T9 and T12 are broken.

You have twelve appointments this month.

New doctors.
New language.
New fear.

You think your life just ended.

It didn’t.

You are about to discover strength
you did not know lived in your bones.

You are about to advocate louder
than your fear.

You are about to build community
from your pain.

You will still laugh.

You will still travel.

You will still love deeply.

You will still stand.

And one day…

You will tell this story.

This is why I speak.
This is why I advocate.
This is why I refuse to be quiet.

Love,
Tee

Tee Talks