I thought you were "just" a trauma surgeon?

I'd be remiss and frankly an awful human if I didn't take a brief pause and acknowledge the incredible support I and my family have received in the past week; plus a few people without whom I wouldn't have made it past that first phone call. The offers to help with anything and everything. The flowers. The food delivery services. The kind words, the thoughts, the prayers from all of our friends, families, coworkers, and other breast cancer survivors we've never met - we see, hear, and feel it all, and appreciate it more than we'll ever be able to put into words.

The donuts. My god we appreciate the donuts.

My OB doctor, who, along with Sadie, saved my life with her diligence. She performed my d&c after the miscarriage; she was the positive force that kept me from going to the dark places when I got pregnant a second time; she broke my water the day Sadie was born. And now this. She's been with me through thick and thin, and everywhere in between.

My husband Joe, who never, ever lets me down. Ever. I won't say much, other than that I thank God every single day that he's my partner in life. And let's be honest, I'm sure he does the same.

My mom, who has been lifting me up for 35 years, has been by our side every step of the way. And her place of work has been absolutely incredible, giving her all the flexibility she needs to be there for us. If you see her, remind her it's ok to let others take care of her too.

Lastly - and the whole reason for this post - the unsung literal heroes of my journey. The friends who you forget are brilliant doctors because they're humble and unassuming. The doctors who won't get credit on paper, but whose counsel mean more to me than words can say.

• My good friend's husband who I know as an ER surgeon (and unfortunately a Detroit Lions fan) reached out almost immediately, informing me that almost half of the work he does is breast cancer-related. "What? I thought you were just a trauma surgeon...?" More than happy to take a look at my case, I shot over my reports to him and within minutes he had reviewed it, along with three of his favorite oncologists, all of whom unanimously agreed on my treatment plan.

• Another good friend's brother, a prostate cancer oncologist, also offered his support in any way that would be helpful. Imagine working in finance for 10 years, and one day deciding that you're going to go to med school because you'd rather spend your life treating cancer patients and saving countless lives. That's a real-life person that I am so fortunate enough to know, who also reviewed my case, and reaffirmed the plan that's in place.

I'll never be able to repay them for the emotional support they so willingly offered our family during this time. But I will send my mom's world-famous homemade jam. Obviously.

The phrase "it takes a village" is for me, the understatement of the year. I know it will be a long road ahead, but it's the village around us that will carry us through. I can feel it.

Especially if there are more donuts involved.