A concerning red patch on my breast prompted me to seek medical attention and led to the diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer.
Following the initial diagnosis, I sought a second opinion from a different hospital to explore more cost-effective treatment options.
The attending oncologist recommended a treatment plan consisting of mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. After some research, I also opted for a lymphadenectomy within the treatment regimen. In conjunction with cancer treatment, I adopted a keto diet and fasting as alternative treatment methods.
I sought medical help after noticing a red patch on my breast. This eventually led to my diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer at a hospital in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Following the diagnosis, I sought a second opinion at another hospital because I was seeking more affordable treatment options than those offered initially.
I was overwhelmingly fearful and sad when I found out I had cancer. My emotions were all over the place, ranging from helplessness, nervousness and worry, to grief, loneliness and vulnerability.
These feelings weren’t made easier by the fact that I’d lost my father and brother to cancer too.
I focused on managing my alcohol intake, going from 9 to 6 drinks a week, exercising more regularly and eating a healthier diet throughout the week.
Some of the healthy habits I adopted post-diagnosis became permanent lifestyle adjustments. For instance, I continued to exercise more frequently and adhere to a healthier diet every day.
For the next few years, my partner and I have plans to renovate our house and travel overseas. As for myself, I will continue working.
My greatest dream is to have a complete recovery from cancer. I want to live life to the fullest, and thanks to the healthy diet and lifestyle that I’ve adopted, I actually feel better now than before I had cancer.
As for my aspirations with my loved ones, I’d just like to be around them and enjoy happy times together.
My greatest fear throughout this cancer journey has been recurrence and whether I’d be able to afford treatment. I’ve addressed this fear head-on by formulating a plan for my finances just in case, and setting up a business to make more money and save up.
It’s been awhile since I was first diagnosed with cancer. Compared to the negative emotions I had then, I feel optimistic, confident and hopeful now because I feel like I have agency.
You have agency. Don’t let other people tell you what your cancer journey will be like. There are lots of healthy things you can do to support treatment. It has been three years since I was diagnosed, and these have also been the happiest three years of my life.
The oncologist in-charge of my care recommended the following treatment plan:
Trusting in my doctor’s expertise and having done my own research, I opted for a lymphadenectomy on top of the treatment options recommended.
Finalizing my treatment plan gave me some relief and made me feel a little hopeful.
Some of the chemo drugs I took over the course of treatment include
- doxorubicin
- paclitaxel
- 5-fluorouracil
- capecitabine
Apart from conventional therapy, I also adopted a keto diet and fasting as part of alternative treatment.
I experienced hair loss and peripheral neuropathy from the treatments but these side effects were managed with improved nutrition.
On top of the discomfort brought about by side effects, I struggled financially. The public system wouldn’t treat me and said I had a poor prognosis, so I self-funded private treatment.
This patient's story is published and shared with their full consent. Any personal data that can be used to identify the patient has been omitted.
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