About

Hi! My name is Erin O'Dell!

I want to give you a little background information on myself! I was an X-ray Technologist at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, WV for 15 years before doing a 180-degree career turn into the financial world. I'm currently an office manager at a top financial firm in the US. I'm also a Christian, mom, wife, daughter, runner and a Breast Cancer Survivor!!

In 2021 at 38 years of age, I was diagnosed with Triple Positive Breast Cancer. My treatment consisted of multiple surgeries including a Double Mastectomy and a Hysterectomy, 6 Chemotherapy treatments, 17 Herceptin treatments, multiple diagnostic testing and many lab sticks.

When I look back at my journey thru cancer- up to this point in my life- I actually feel blessed to have gone through it. I know that sounds weird and maybe a bit awkward, but I can look back and see how God has perfectly orchestrated each step and the many blessings He's provided because of it.

Here's my story:

So here I am, 38 yrs old, 2 years prior to the suggested age for your first mammogram. However, having an understanding of medicine, I knew it was definitely something to get check out as soon as possible. Somehow I knew deep down that this was going to be cancer and it was going to change my life. But I'm trying to convince myself that it's just a cyst. I call my GYN and he orders a mammogram and an ultrasound and those results got me an appointment with a Breast Surgeon. She and the radiologist feel certain this is just a cyst but we all wanted to make sure with adequate testing before brushing it off.

After leaving the hospital, I took a part-time job with a small financial firm helping people learn to budget (yes, I'm a nerd!) because I was part-time, we no longer had a good medical insurance plan.

Fast forward to December of 2020, I was offered the full-time job that I have now which included a great medical insurance plan. I started my job in February of 2021, and signed up for the medical insurance in April, and then felt the lump in May!

I'm sitting at my desk staring out the window and I feel an itch on my right side, so I scratch it with the back of my nails and I feel something that feels like a small pebble. So of course, I press around a little to make sure I'm not crazy and sure enough- there's something there. Now, I need to mention, after this point- I can NOT recreate this same scratching motion and feel this lump. It's small, and fairly deep, close to my chest wall. Now tell me that's not divine timing and intervention!!

July 1, 2021-I'll never forget her words- "Erin, I'm so shocked to have to tell you this, but it's cancer.

That super scary word that NO ONE ever wants to hear. I get off the phone- I cry, I'm scared, and instantly full of questions. Am I going to die? How do I tell my family? Will I lose my hair? What about this job that I JUST started?

After the initial few days of freak-out mode, I had this peace come over me, "I've got this, give it to me". I could literally feel God's words to me. So in my shower, tears streaming down my face, I gave it to God. INSTANT PEACE

I knew this wasn't going to kill me and I knew He had an amazing path for me. Ya know earlier, I mentioned, I feel blessed to have gone through cancer? Don't get me wrong- It SUCKED- bad! Chemo Sucked, surgeries sucked, Chemo Sucked, Restrictions Sucked, body changes sucked. Did I mentioned Chemo Sucked?? And let's be honest- I hope I NEVER have to go through it again!!!

When I started this journey, I was seeking any and all info I could find, I read a statement that said- "Don't let cancer define you" and I thought- HECK NO! It's not going to be my full definition, but it is a part of who I am now and I want it to shape me into someone better.

I was sharing this part of my definition with a gentleman one day and he said, "I've had a few Cancer scares, but Thanks be to God, they were negative. I don't know what I would do if they had been positive.

Here's what you do:

Your spouse, bless his heart, learns to go to the grocery store and cook! BLESSINGS

You appreciate life and living just a little more- BLESSINGS

You find out your support system is way bigger than you could have imagined- BLESSINGS

You get to empathize and lift people up who are walking similar paths- BLESSINGS

You do things outside of your comfort zone like start a non-profit, speak at conferences, and do pageants!- BLESSINGS

You smile a little more, you love a little harder, and you realize just how truly blessed you are!!