Breast Cancer Survivors
Hello, Dear Hearts
Although October is coming to an end, we are still celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every October, you see a wealth of information about breast cancer and that is very good. Awareness is incredibly important to me because I have friends who lost their battle with this deadly disease. I want to ensure that we all have early detection through self-examinations and screenings because the earlier it is detected, the better.
We continue to spread awareness to the community to ensure that we are treated early. Please trust your decision-making, trust your intuition, and trust your discernment when you think that something is wrong with you. We must be advocates for ourselves in getting the right treatment. Join us as we highlight two beautiful women, Dianna White and Nicole King, whom I had the opportunity to interview as they shared their stories of being cancer survivors. I chose these women because they are recent cancer survivors, and I was eager to hear their stories because they are fighters!
Dianna’s Story
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: When were you diagnosed and at what age?
Dianna: I was diagnosed officially on 4/20/2018 at the age of forty-eight. I had already found the lump months prior. I no longer had health insurance and had been waiting until a friend told me to go to Grady Hospital
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: What stage were you diagnosed with?
Dianna: I was diagnosed with stage 3
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: How was cancer initially detected? (i.e., through a BSE, a CBE, or an annual mammogram)
Dianna: I had my yearly exam and was cleared. None detected. About 6 months later, I noticed a reddish spot on my breast. I performed a self-exam and discovered a lump. As time went by (no insurance) the reddish area got bigger and formed a scab on my breast. I knew something was wrong.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: How did you feel when you first received the news?
Dianna: When I was given the official news, I was hurt and scared. I did not know what to say and said nothing for days afterwards. I felt alone in the world.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: Is there a family history of breast cancer?
Dianna: There is a family history of cancer from my paternal side.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: Did you have a support network? If not, how did you overcome it or find it?
Dianna: I had my family and a few friends’ direct support.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: Tell me about your treatment process.
Dianna: My treatment consisted of immediate surgery, a month later I started chemo, and a month after I finished chemo, I started radiation. Now I am currently on Hormone Therapy.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: Were there any programs or services offered to you that would help with the treatment process?
Dianna: I did not receive any programs or services.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: Did you face any obstacles during your treatment process? If so, how did you overcome these obstacles?
Dianna: I had a bad allergic reaction to the chemo on the second round. I still suffer some of the same pain issues as I did while going through chemo. I know I have nerve damage and severe arthritis throughout my body.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: What message would you like to provide women in the community?
Dianna: Get your yearly mammograms, check your breast every month. Do what you can to have a healthy lifestyle.
Nicole’s Story
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: When were you diagnosed and at what age?
Nicole: I was diagnosed in 2019 at the age of forty-four.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: What stage were you diagnosed with?
Nicole: Aggressive stage 1
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: How was the cancer initially detected? (i.e., through a BSE, a CBE, or an annual mammogram)
Nicole: I went for my annual mammogram beginning of March 2019 then Dr called and asked me to come at the end of March for a biopsy because they detected a spot.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: How did you feel when you first received the news?
Nicole: I got a call from my OB Dr to come in for my biopsy results while on my way to OB Dr the Dr that performed the biopsy called and informed me that I had cancer I was stunned at first then I was like let me get to this office and see what she has to say and was informed that I did have cancer and was referred to cancer Dr. As I was leaving Dr office and walking back to my car, my cousin contacted me, and I told her she busted out crying and I was like girl why you call I am not dead.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: Is there a family history of breast cancer?
Nicole: Yes, there is a family history on both sides of my family my maternal grandmother was diagnosed when she was 80 years old. I also have a maternal aunt and paternal aunt that has battled breast cancer.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: Did you have a support network? If not, how did you overcome it or find it?
Nicole: Yes, I had an awesome support system from my family, friends, co-workers, and church family; after my initial diagnosis I cannot remember going to any other Dr appointment alone. I never went to chemo treatment alone one of my treatments my cousin that lives in Valdosta surprised me and meet me at the Dr office. I had to stay in the hospital for a week my mother came and stayed at my house with my kids; my dad would take off from his job and come all the way to Griffin from Conyers to take me to the Dr; my sister would take off also and sometimes she would be off without pay and she also made sure that me and my kids had something to eat on the days I wasn’t feeling my best; I always had someone by myside through my entire battle with cancer; one day sister, niece, kids and a friend of mine presented me with a breast cancer cake they made me get out the bed to come sit up in the living room with them; on the day of my surgery I had several family members come be with me we had the waiting area full and even had shirts made that they wore the day of my surgery; my kids and I was shown so much love during my cancer fight we never went lacking for nothing; I don’t think I would have made it without my support system.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: Tell me about your treatment process.
Nicole: April 30, 2019, I had my port put 1n about 2 weeks after that I went to Dr and was given the treatment options, I was to have 6 rounds of chemo every 3 weeks after chemo treatment was completed would determine if I would need radiation. I informed the Dr that I did not want to go through radiation because I saw how it affected my grandmother and didn’t want to go through that; by the grace of God I didn’t even have to have radiation. I took my first chemo treatment on 6/12/19 and the last one on 9/25/2019 went to the breast surgeon in Oct and was informed that I would not have to do radiation but would have to have surgery to remove my breast. Praise, GOD, for small favors; I informed Dr that I wanted both breasts removed because of the chances of developing cancer in my right breast so on 11/11/2019 I had a double mastectomy and double breast reconstructive surgery.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: Were there any programs or services offered to you that would help with the treatment process?
Nicole: I did not have anything that directly help with the treatment process, but I did have AFLAC insurance that help financially with my hospital bill and household expenses.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: Did you face any obstacles during your treatment process? If so, how did you overcome these obstacles?
Nicole: The only obstacle that I faced was in July 2019 when I was in the hospital. That hospital stay prolonged my chemo treatment because I was not able to get treatment while in the hospital.
Matters of the Heart by Adriane: What message would you like to provide women in the community?
Nicole: Even if you do not have a history of breast cancer in your family, please make sure you get your annual mammogram because early detection can save your life as it did mine.
I encourage those who are undergoing treatment, to keep the faith and have hope that your healing is in God’s hands. Do not give up, KEEP FIGHTING!!
I am praying for you always!
If you're having trouble seeing beyond your current struggle and you're determined to live a transformed life then join me for your initial clarity call! Here we can make a plan for what your next coaching sessions will look like!
Here’s what you can expect to gain from each coaching session:
• Growth Mindset
• Reduced Stress
• Greater Clarity
• Better Communication Skills
• Work-Life Balance Strategy
So, are you ready dear hearts?! Sign up for your clarity call here!
Be Blessed,Adriane
I AM Matters of the Heart
Comentários