Three years ago, today was the day my life changed forever
I received the call that no one ever wants to get from the Doctor, I heard the words too many people hear, “I’m sorry your biopsy results are back, they tested positive for cancer, it’s malignant”. My doctor told me it would be a long year, but I would be okay.
I was in a bad dream I couldn’t wake up from
For the first few months, it really didn’t sink in. I had a lumpectomy in March of 2020, had surgery in April to implant a port, and a few days later I started chemotherapy. I shaved my head in May after my hair started falling out. All this is in the middle of a global pandemic.
I had to live, I wanted to live, especially knowing my sister lost her battle with cancer. I wanted to continue as a healthy person, being with my children, my friends, my family, and my work and church kept me focused. I walked every day because I knew I had to continue my life, and needed things to look forward to, so I kept going.
In June I continued chemo and immunotherapy, luckily the side effects were minimal, and I continued to work. In July, I celebrated the end of chemotherapy with my friends and my family showing up at the hospital to surprise me with gifts. In August I traveled to Miami, then to Tampa where I began radiation. In September, I finished radiation and traveled home to Cayman, and was quarantined for two weeks.
Since I can’t change anything in the past 3 years, I have decided not to let anything get me down
In October, I attended my first Breast Cancer Foundation Gala where the keynote speaker was Selita Ebanks, then the following day I celebrated my 50th birthday with a fabulous party. From November to April, I continued immunotherapy, and all this brings me to today, my cancerversary.
I will continue to think about the good that has come from my cancer
I will not ignore the day that changed my life, I appreciate every single person in my life, and I know now what it means to be thankful for each day. While I have worked all my life to be the best version of myself, I know I will celebrate many more cancerversaries, and I hope every person diagnosed will too.
I can proudly say that I am in full remission and living my best life
Other people always talk about the chemo and the radiation therapy, but they don’t speak about the side effects of the medication you have to take after. For me, the chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy were easier, and the side effects that I have to live with have been challenging. The insomnia, lying awake praying for morning to come, hearing remarks from people that you’re overeating, lazy, gaining weight, and the anxiety and depression make me want to be a recluse and not interact with other people. Instead, I put on a brave face. Live and thrive every day.
Support from my loved ones and the community was invaluable.
I don’t think I could have done any of this without my loved ones, even though on many occasions they could not be there with me physically, I know that they were there supporting me and cheering me on.
I also reached out to the Breast Cancer Foundation the following week after my diagnosis. The support received was invaluable. Even though I had never met these ladies before, they made me feel like family. They embraced me and reassured me that I would be alright. Shortly after my diagnosis, the world went into lockdown due to the pandemic, and I was doing chemotherapy. The BCF was there for me, with nutritional juices, and meals were delivered twice a week. After surgery, they provided bras, support groups, and wellness support. Having someone to talk to meant the world to me. If you or a loved one are going through your breast cancer journey, know you’re not alone and get in touch with the BCF team.
Know your body, get your yearly screenings done, they could save your life. I would encourage anyone going through their journey, to find the time every day to go for a short walk; believe me, it helps.
Inspirational quote
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
– 2 Timothy 1:7