My Journey with Cancer An inspiring story of a journalist & writer The mother of two children

1. My Journey with Cancer An inspiring story of a journalist & writer The mother of two children

2. I have been struggling with breast cancer for over six years now and wanted to share with you the story of my battle. It is warfare between me and the disease always alert to track down the enemy and above all wanted be the winner; nevertheless, I found that the best way to fight against this devious enemy was to ignore it completely. I was 30 years when I was diagnosed with breast cancer , my tumor was so big that my attending physician decided to treat me with chemotherapy first afterwards I ended up losing the most outstanding asset of my femininity , when I had my mastectomy. During those agonizing months of chemotherapy treatment, I lost my hair, gained weight and at the same time lost my appetite .I surpassed in ingenuity using all possible subterfuges. To hide my baldness, I changed the colors and styles of my numerous wigs. It became my game and a fashion must within my entourage.

3. At work, my colleagues unaware of my illness, were amused and enjoyed seeing me changing continuously hair style and wig color, considering me a fashion guru. Soon it became fashion around me; all started buying extensions and fancy wigs. Rather than mourning for my lost breast, I also found a prosthetic bra with breast- like shape. While I was having my radiotherapy treatment, I ended up with skin burns, I found a miracle cream that softened the skin and helped me tremendously get better. To hide my nails turned black, I painted them with dark nail polish colors. At the end of both my chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I was released and so happy to be through with these agonizing treatments. I felt life was getting back to me and that the ordeal and accompanying threats were over. I even had a breast reconstructive surgery!

4. Unfortunately my euphoria did not last long; the shocking news came during one of the follow-up visits…. I had a relapse! yes , I passed through a period of denial , I experienced mixed emotions anger first(why me , I am a young women) sadness and fear of dying. Again I received several rounds of torturous chemotherapy, massive amount of shots and I.V infusions without much success, the tumor was resisting to all possible regimens, all increasingly stronger and more toxic with the worst possible side effects. You name it I had them all. Yes it was annoying to lose my mails, I found an alternative and I replaced them with acrylic ones. Dark hand skin was softened and brightened with creams and light nail polish color. Pale face could be disguised with superb makeup using creams, foundation, powders and blushes. Inexistent eyelashes were painted with eyeliner.

5. Bare eyebrows were embellished by tattoos. Baldness was superbly hidden with gaudy wigs, scarves and nice colorful hats. Sore tongue was almost eliminated by drinking large quantities of water. Lost appetite was tackled by going out very frequently to enjoy food and the company of my faithful friends. Instead of enumerating the long list of my miseries, I rather prefer to share with you their solutions. Having a cancer was a warning sign for me to fully enjoy life and every single marvelous moment of it. It was my destiny to have a cancer and I am grateful to God who gave me the strength to get over this ordeal. Having a cancer leaves you plenty of time to say prayers, bid farewell to your children and dear loves ones; in a word it is better than dying suddenly in a car accident or brutal heart attack!

6. Why be sad and upset, for what? for being sick! On the contrary, live with the hope that the discovery of novel drugs will otherwise improve your life or may be cure you to live for another 20 years or more. Do not be scared of your Cancer or it will get back fast at you. Think of Cancer as a common disease like diabetes or blood pressure and be thankful for being lucky to do things they cannot do. Do you want to cry over your fate and be in permanent depression ? Or do you want to enjoy life? The choice is yours! It is all a question of positive attitude. You may threaten Cancer with your God given immune system. Strong immune system is very efficient when your morals are high, on the contrary, it becomes inexistent when depressed weakening the body and allowing enemy cells to claim victory.

7. Our body is like our life, we are leading a daily permanent struggle where the most powerful combatant wins. Do you want to be a looser? Not me. I am fighting with all my strength and will fight the big C to the end. I am biting avidly into life, enjoying all my favorite hobbies. Whenever I feel bored or not in the mood, I write, listen to my favorite music or go for a drive, I feel much better after that. In such situations, try to remember what you like and do it. Occupy your whole day with various tasks to forget sickness and fatigue… I always dreamed of playing piano, but never did. I hired a piano professor to teach my daughter to play. She plays for me and this takes me to Paradise. I always liked to horseback riding with my daughter but I had to stop because of a hip problem and my metastatic bone disease. To watch my daughter ride alone made my soul and heart fly!!!

8. God’s mercy rewarded us with everything beautiful to enjoy. God almighty gifted us the grace of sight… if you cannot feel life watch it to see how much God loves us. Love is all around! Love yourself the way you are and be sure life will love you and will cherish you.