She first got the call informing her that she had breast cancer nine years ago.

Mandt, who was 43-years-old at the time, said there was “a lot of crying and a lot of disbelief.”

She was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer, which is a noninvasive and an early form of breast cancer. The cancer was at stage two.

After multiple surgeries, a double mastectomy and a reconstruction surgery, Mandt received a clean bill of health.

All was well, till Aug. 1, 2016, when she got the devastating phone call again informing her that her cancer never went away, and that now, it was at stage four.

Earlier in the year, Mandt noticed few red spots on her body and had few scans done. While the red spots weren’t dangerous, scans revealed a tumorous spot in her lung. According to her oncologist, the breast cancer had metastasized into her lung, automatically making it stage four cancer.

“I didn’t feel like it would ever come back,” Mandt said. “I felt like I was always getting the clear from my doctor’s office. I was totally devastated.”

And while facing cancer again was daunting enough, Mandt said telling her kids, ages 26 and 23, that her cancer had returned was actually the most difficult thing she had to.

“I didn’t want them to go through this again with me,” she said. “It’s harder on your friends and family to watch you go through this than it is on yourself because I worry about everyone else so much. It’s hard to see your kids in pain. They don’t want to lose their mom.”

Mandt says she is able to get through it all because of her supporters, known as “warriors.” A friend of Mandt’s created a private Facebook page called “Sonja’s Warriors” where friends and family express their support for Mandt during this process. The group now contains more than 200 people from all across the world who constantly update the page with encouraging notes.

“When I’m feeling down, I can go back and look at [the page] and see all the people who are fighting along with me. I know I’m not alone,” she said. “It’s a way for people to know what’s going on. I can let them know in one place what’s happening. I think that’s a good thing. It’s hard to make a bunch of phone calls when you’re feeling icky.”

Mandt, who has worked at Renton School District (RSD) for more than 20 years, says that the support form the district has been overwhelming as well. She said that many RSD staff have committed to donating their sick leave for Mandt.

“To work for this district where everyone is so caring and they are willing to donate sick leave means everything,” she said.

Another friend of Mandt’s has set up a GoFundMe page in case Mandt was to run out of money for medical expenses.

With so many friends and family who are lending a helping hand during this season, Mandt said she is filled with hope.

“When you hear stage four cancer, that’s when people are dying. But I’m not dying,” she said. “I’m not. It’s not even an option even. I’m not ready. I’ve got too much to live for. I’ve got so many things to do. I’m going to live till I’m 103. I’ve already decided. I’m not ready. Cancer is not going to win. I’m tired of it taking people’s lives. We’re going to fight it. I’ve got my warriors and everybody behind me.”

For more information about Mandt’s GoFundMe campaign, visit https://www.gofundme.com/2j4n89g.