I felt a lump in my breast, and there was yellowish liquid coming out from my nipple. At least my doctor told me my 5-year survival rate was likely 100%.

I changed my diet, and eliminated alcoholic drinks, canned food, processed meat, sugar, foods with preservatives and saturated fats. In terms of physical exercise, I kept active as much as the treatment allowed me to. More than that, I’ve worked a lot on my mental health with professional help.

My doctors recommended a lumpectomy, lymphadenectomy, chemo- and radiotherapy, which I followed. Deciding on it made me happy, hopeful and motivated.

For chemo, I took

• paclitaxel (Taxol)
• cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
• carboplatin (Paraplatin).

I’m undergoing the surgery now.

The side effects that affected me the most were: hair loss, appetite loss and weight changes.

To manage them, I relied on exercising more, eating better and medicine from my doctor.

In the long term, I made an effort to keep eating healthier, exercise more, and cut out drinking completely. I started spending a lot more time with my kids, but couldn’t go on family trips as often as before. Since the cancer was discovered, intimacy with my partner fell as well.

In the next two years, I plan to move to a new city, change jobs and focus on surviving cancer.

My biggest dream is to heal from cancer, travel, move to a new city and find a better-paying job. The disease has made me see the power I have as a human being in the face of adversity. I want to enjoy every moment of my life. Cancer has been a break from my overloaded pace of life, where stress was dominating my existence. Now I focus on living each moment with love and faith.

For my children, I dream for them to be able to complete their studies and to live their lives independently, purposefully and with a peace of mind.

It’s whether the treatment was timely enough, and if I’d lose my inner strength. To deal with it, I’ve worked on my fears with therapists. Mental and spiritual health has been vital for me.

Now, I feel more hopeful, inspired and thankful. I’m optimistic, and I feel more confident and courageous.

To others, I would say: “This disease has a scientific cure and it’s hopeful that you can be treated. However, to help heal the body, it also takes mindful patients with an empowered mindset, in combination with medical science. We have inner power to heal our body, which can be activated with the mind. Our mental health is a strong source of empowerment for those of us who live through this journey.”