I was diagnosed for the first time on the left breast when I just turned 34. I was diagnosed as ER/PR negative and HER2-Positive. This was back in 2020. My treatment lasted for 18 months. I have undergone 8 chemotherapies, 12 targeted therapy treatments, 30 radiations, and a surgery, plus hormonal therapies.
During my second chemo, COVID happened. Unfortunately, I had to spend all my treatment tenure at home while taking care of my 6-year-old baby boy.
After all the treatment, six months later the joyful news came and I was capable enough to take out my chemo port. It was 2nd December and I was the happiest that I had won this war over cancer as I was diagnosed with stage 3-B, which is severe.
My life started coming back to normal: I had wonderful hair, and I started getting back to my daily chores. Everyone in my family had forgotten what we had gone through till 2021, December. But God had other plans.
He thought I was the strongest of all the women out there and tested me once more.
The devil appeared again on my right breast. Now, within two weeks a lump developed and I didn’t ignore it this time.
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer and started my treatment in June, 2022, again, at the age of 36.
I had a chemo port insertion surgery again and started with 6 chemos, 2 lumpectomy surgeries, 12 hormonal therapies, and 20 radiations this time.
I completed my treatment in September, 2023. I chose lumpectomy both times because I did not have the courage for a mastectomy.
I was broken during the second diagnosis, but the spirit to survive encouraged me to move forward. And here I am, back to life, with 5-6 inches of grown hair.
My agenda to live now is to help other cancer patients and to talk to them about their mental health and well-being, and talking to caregivers about how to make them stay strong.
In the end, I would say I am His strongest warrior. I am tested more than ever. I lost a lot, I learned a lot, I failed, I cried, I laughed, I loved, but most of all – I am still here and I did not fall.
