The power of support

Since losing my father to cancer at age 58 and my mother to breast cancer at age 48, I have always been aware of breast cancer and vigilant with yearly ultrasounds or mammograms. I am incredibly thankful for understanding the importance of being breast aware because in January 2021, with the world still reeling from the impact of COVID-19, I found a lump in my right breast. I was only two months overdue for my routine check-up.

Everyone goes through their cancer differently. For me, the initial couple of weeks after receiving a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer were daunting. While I was aware of breast cancer and had been there for my parents’ journey, it was completely new to experience it myself. There was so much information that I struggled to comprehend. I would ask myself “why me, why did I get this?” But, as time went on, I have learned that it’s important to always remember and have trust that you’re in experienced and professional hands.

Nevertheless, the chemotherapy was difficult. As everyone’s body reacts to chemotherapy in different ways, it was challenging when my blood or body would not cooperate normally, meaning there would be delays in my treatment.

It was specifically confronting to lose my hair – though it was helpful to know that it would come back after treatment.

My chemotherapy also meant that my brain sometimes felt cloudy, making it hard to concentrate. This is why I was happy to have my husband with me for consultations, both in person and by phone. If he was unable to attend due to the pandemic, it would have been extremely hard as he could retain a lot of the information.

Having that support in place during such a confronting time was so important.