It was an unintended discovery during a routine health examination. I didn't have any family history of cancer, so it was a complete shock when they told me I had stage 3 breast cancer. I sought a second opinion because I wanted to consult a more experienced and prestigious doctor. I wanted to make sure I had the best possible advice and treatment options.

When I first got the news, I felt fearful, sad, and surprised. The fear was overwhelming—I was nervous, overwhelmed, and worried about what this meant for my future. The feelings of grief and powerlessness were equally intense. I was also confused and perplexed. I experienced no symptoms whatsoever.

After the initial shock wore off, I realized that I needed to make some significant changes in my life. One of the things I did was to improve my nutrition and diet. I ate a healthier diet every single day. However, I exercised a lot less after being diagnosed.

When it came to treatment, my journey was far from straightforward. After the shock of the diagnosis, I went through multiple stages of treatment. My doctors recommended quadrantectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. After discussions, I ended up opting for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Initially, the treatment plan wasn't working effectively, so I had to change it. It was frustrating, but I knew I had to do whatever it took to get better.

I’ve since completed most of my treatment and am in remission. For now, I’m still undergoing hormone therapy.

By December 2023, I was finally declared cancer-free. It was the best news I could have ever received. Despite the challenges, the side effects, and the emotional toll, I had made it through. And fortunately, I didn't face any financial difficulties during my treatment, which was a huge relief.

I experienced some side effects from the treatment. The top three that hit me the hardest were diarrhea, hair loss, and nausea and vomiting. To manage these side effects, I focused on improving my nutrition.

I felt really good after deciding on my treatment plan. I was happy that I changed my treatment plan and felt relieved, motivated and hopeful overall.

After completing my treatment, I knew that some changes had to stick if I wanted to stay healthy. One of the biggest adjustments was to my nutrition and diet. I made a permanent switch to eating healthier every single day, making sure my meals were packed with nutritious foods.

One of the things I plan to do in the next 2 years is to go to the beach. It's a simple joy but something I look forward to.

I want to see my daughters achieve their goals and eventually meet my grandchildren. I also want to see all my loved ones doing well.

Throughout my journey to recovery, my biggest fear was dying, though I have tried to overcome it.

Today, I feel optimistic. There's a sense of courage and hope that I didn't have before.

First live through the grief, then take a deep breath and continue to hold on to God's hand.