From Diagnosis to Survivorship

Journey: From Breast Cancer Diagnosis to Survivorship

I was a young mother with three children aged 10 and under when I when I found a lump and was later diagnosed with an almost stage IV breast cancer.

Diagnosis

My marriage broke down at the same time.

This happened over the summer so access to appointments was delayed due to the holidays.

I had just completed a post graduate in education and was due to start my induction year on the same day I received the diagnosis based on the tests results.

Treatment

Hence my journey with Oncologists, Breast Surgeons, Phlebotomists, Breast Care Nurses, Breast Cancer Care and MacMillan support started.

After being very afraid, I was able to bring myself to a place of complete peace and utter trust in God.

I simply told God that I had 3 young children, my marriage had just ended, I lost my own mother at the age of 14 and even though we had a very loving, “present” and hands on Dad, nothing beats a Mother’s love.

Yes, in that long sentence.

It was even written on my hospital file “patient has 3 young children 3.5, 6 & 10.”

I was then able to bring myself to a place of peace.

A friend’s husband (a Medical Doctor ) who took me for my Chemotherapy assessment told me as we entered the unit “ Yetunde, so many times, it’s not the cancer or the treatment that kills, it is the attitude one adopts towards the illness.”

He also mentioned that if you are given 6 months to live, you have a choice to go home, lie in bed and wait for those 6 months to come, or face right up up the diagnosis and decide to beat it”.

Those were very powerful words. I still remember them almost 20 years after. If fact I still remember exactly where we were when he said these words.

After Treatment

The treatment I had left me always tired and listless with hardly any strength to do anything. Two years after treatment, my Doctor told me I would be disable for life and I had to get used to this. ( I termed it my sad, tired life).

I however decided to help myself. I changed my lifestyle including adapting the way I cooked my meals, I incorporated freshly made vegetables and fruit juices and smoothies into my meals. I became a 75% Raw Fooder. I lost 21kgs in 6 months, felt lighter and happier and di not have to renew my disabled badge once it expired. I documented this journey in this book; A Guide to a Healthier Lifestyle – Living Foods and Exotic Tastes.

That lifestyle change helped me a lot. Even my Doctors were and are still happy with the way things turned out for me.

In conclusion the truth of the matter is that the attitude we adopt to such  illnesses most times than not, have a great impact on survival.

I hope you are able to draw some strength from this too and you look forward to sharing your own testimony too.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through diagnosis, treatment and survivorships. I hope my story has inspired and supported you in your own experiences with breast cancer.

Together, we can create community of strength and resilience.

If you have any questions or would like to share your own story, please leave a comment below or reach out to me directly.

Let’s continue to uplift and empower one another on our paths to healing and growth.

To Your Healthier Lifestyle

Yetunde