I discovered a lump in my left breast when I was taking a bath, the general practitioner checked me and sent me for a mammogram, and then a biopsy, which was positive for cancer.

I exercised 50% more.

When I first started treatment, I felt angry, anxious, discouraged and scared. I started with chemotherapy which I tolerated well. Then, I had a mastectomy and lymph node removal. Afterward I had radiotherapy for 15 sessions, which also went well. After further tests I was sent back to chemotherapy for a year. After that, I started on tamoxifen for the next 5 years.

Thankfully, I was declared cancer-free in 2024.

I didn’t face major side effects.

I did have some financial difficulties, being the head of the family made everything complicated.

I’m from a village in Santander. For my family, it was a very hard process. I have three children and am a single mother who wasn’t working and relied on my son. Now, I feel very well and I hope to do many things with my family. Since my treatment, I try to keep exercising more as well.

Before I knew I had cancer

• Called/texted my parents 2 times a week
• Visited my parents 0 times a week
• Spent time with my children 2 times a week
• Went on 3 family trips a year

After knowing I had cancer

• Called/texted my parents 10 times a week
• Visited my parents 5 times a week
• Spent time with my children 10 times a week
• Went on 7 family trips a year

With my family, we plan to travel and enjoy life. For myself, I think about spending more time with my family and living life more fully. My biggest aspiration is just to pay attention to the little details in life. For my family, I dream of dancing, traveling and doing arts and crafts.

I had none. I was in the presence of God.

Now, I feel optimistic and thankful.

To others, I would say: “Don’t think about the word cancer, pray, do handicrafts and get out of the house, to spend more time with others.”