I had a mass in my right breast that started to grow and change the shape of my breast. That made me go see a doctor at first. Since then, I also noticed redness, swelling, nipple itching and throbbing pain.

I felt fearful, frightened and sad. There was a sense of hopelessness, and fear of treatment and what the consequences would be. The diagnosis left me feeling:

• Frightened, helpless, insecure, worried and nervous
• Overwhelmed, powerless, remorseful and vulnerable

In general, I distracted myself, I went out more to enjoy with my family, walks, meetings, distraction. I stopped working, so the stress went down. I tried to eat healthier every day.

At first, I was recommended for a few surgeries: mastectomy, bilateral breast flap reconstruction and oophorectomy. My doctors also recommended chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy.

I eventually did the mastectomy, breast flap surgery, chemo, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Since deciding on my treatment, I felt a bit happier, more relieved, motivated and hopeful. Right now, I’m in remission, but still continuing hormone therapy and my pain medication.

In terms of side effects, the ones that affected me the most were:

• Hair loss
• Mucositis
• Peripheral neuropathy

To manage them, I relied on medicine from my doctor.

Unfortunately, I did not get disability payments, and I was stressed, because household funds were scarce.

I tried my best to commit to a healthier diet. However, when I came out of chemotherapy, I only ate what excited me and never stopped eating protein. Once the effects of chemotherapy passed, I ate very well, including healthy vegetables, protein and fruits.

I found myself spending more time contacting my parents, and went on even more family trips each year.

For my family, I want to save for a passport and travel to Europe. This was a dream postponed by the pandemic and cancer. I hope to not carry burdens that don't belong to me, and want to dedicate more time to myself. I hope to spend time on what I enjoy the most, like hands-on activities, and working on being an entrepreneur.

My dreams are to travel with my family. I would like to undertake everything I have learned. My hope for my loved ones is for them to be healthy, achieve their dreams, make them happy in whatever way I can, enjoy my time with them and travel.

It’s dying, not making it and leaving my husband and daughter alone. Yes, I have tried overcoming it. I don't think about death. I try to enjoy every day. I know that anyone can die at any moment, so I try to leave my mark and make them happy while I live.

Now, I feel happy and positive. My journey so far has made me:

• Courageous
• Hopeful
• Inspired
• Thankful

For others on their cancer journey I would say: “That they look to God with full confidence that he listens to us. That they do not allow themselves to be depressed by sadness, that they look for activities that make them happy, that they learn things, whatever they want. That they follow the treatment, and do not combine therapies as the medicines may react with each other and can be harmful. That they do not absorb everything that the people who love us tell us because of their desire to see us recover, that they are always positive and see chemotherapy as what will help us and not as the worst thing that happens, that they pray a lot.”