3 year survivor.
Diagnosed: 2006. Age: 27.
It is your attitude that will heal you and you will only get this attitude from God as it is by His grace that we are still alive.
I was only 23 years when I found a lump on my right breast while I was taking a bath. I felt healthy, had no pain, no discharge and there wasn’t even any swelling. The fact that I was young and black, made it more difficult for the doctors to believe that there was something wrong. I was only given pain killers even though I never felt any pain. It was rather a feeling of discomfort that persisted for about six months that made me want to have the lump removed from my breast. This was in 2006.
On February 14, 2007, when everyone was out there getting ready for a romantic night out to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The thought of losing a breast, the thought of dying, the thought of leaving my child, was a nightmare. It filled my days with tears and that’s when I knew I had to put my faith in someone and it could only be God. I prayed daily for health and life and I got it, but this was afterwards.
Chemotherapy. I have never been so miserable in my life. The drugs where so strong and I felt like I was getting punished more because I have a tiny body. The distance from the bathroom to the bedroom was a lifelong walk. The loss of memory and the forgetfulness resulting from chemo, was very frustrating. You forget to eat; you forget you are a mother, until you see your child. You can’t even tell the difference between night and day, because all you ever do, is sleep.
Nausea. Even the pills that were given to me, made me vomit and feel dizzier.
Hair Loss. I thought I looked beautiful without hair, but I don’t ever want to go bald again unless I choose to do so of my own accord. At least there’s one less thing to do while you are on chemo and that is having to shave the hair on your legs!
I always tried to hide my hands and nails from people because they became so dark. The worst thing was not being able to taste food. I only ate grapes, oranges and watermelon. Dr G.S. Demetriou, you did a great job.
I had surgery on the 11th of January 2008. I had a mastectomy and Dorsey flap reconstruction, which means that they took some back tissue to make me another beautiful breast, which looks no different to the other one. Eish, but I’ve now got a scar on my back, so no backless tops for me. Alas, I also still have no cleavage because I never had big breasts initially. But I am so grateful for what I’ve got now. Small or not! I had a drainage pipe for 2 weeks and always went to hospital hoping that it was going to be removed, but was always told to come back another day. There was nothing special about me after all. Dr Carol Benn and Dr Gareth Edwards thank you very much. My new breast looks great.
Radiation. I had the coolest doctor, Dr Chetty. I blamed him for darkening my skin and yes, it was his fault, but it was worth it. He was the guy in charge so I could not argue about anything when it came to my wellbeing. The radiation team at Flora Clinic, thank you guys for your support - it was phenomenal.
Having cancer taught me to be wiser and mostly, it taught me that there is no challenge that one cannot overcome. Every situation is a lesson; it will either break you, or build you. I chose that it built my character, so that I can be there for other cancer patients and this I have found easy to do.
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