My journey started when a small lump was detected in my right breast. After I saw a doctor, they eventually diagnosed me with stage 2 breast cancer.

I couldn’t help but be fearful and sad at receiving the news. I felt helpless, worried, empty and lonely.

I worked on improving my health, and focused on eating healthier every day, and exercising more frequently.

My doctor recommended the following plan:

• mastectomy
• lymphadenectomy
• chemotherapy
• radiation therapy
• hormone therapy
• targeted therapy.

After doing my own research into these options, I followed the proposed plan. Still, I felt quite anxious and scared. After completion of active treatment, I’m currently on hormone therapy and targeted therapy.

Some of the chemo drugs I took were

• paclitaxel
• docetaxel
• antibody drug conjugates (ADC).

Over the course of treatment, I did face diarrhea, fatigue and loss of appetite. I self-medicated to cope with these side effects.

On top of the discomfort brought about by side effects, I struggled with some financial difficulties. I’d been out of work for some time, and my income was very low.

The healthy habits I adopted during treatment became a way of life. I continued to eat a balanced, more nutritious diet and exercised more regularly.

My experience with cancer has changed other aspects of my life. With my partner, intimacy has fallen quite a bit, but we still find time for each other.

Right now, for the foreseeable future, my plans with my loved ones are to simply enjoy life and spend as much time together as possible. For me, I want to start becoming familiar with myself again as well.

My biggest dreams are to: excel in work, watch my son grow up, travel, and make plenty of fun memories.

It’s dying and leaving my son without a mother. It’s hard to overcome.

Even though it’s been almost 2 years since I was first diagnosed, the fear and sadness still linger today. From time to time, I still feel helpless, nervous, overwhelmed, lonely and disappointed.

Keep your faith, and reach out to someone if you are struggling. You are not alone, and cancer is not your fault.