I'm Jess, a stage 1 breast cancer survivor diagnosed over 3 years ago.
The breast cancer was discovered after my sister advised me to do a mammogram because of my age . Now, having completed most treatments, I'm solely on hormonal therapy.
It was a surprise as I never experienced any symptoms.
Fear, sadness and grief struck me. I was frightened, nervous and worried. I felt very isolated and lonely as well.
After diagnosis, I stopped all alcohol intake and completely changed my diet and ate healthier every day.
My doctor recommended a treatment plan that included
I chose all of these options after thorough research and the doctor's advice. Currently, I'm only on hormone therapy.
When I first received my diagnosis, I felt very anxious and scared, but I trusted my doctor's expertise. I explored alternative treatments like massage and nutritional supplements.
Treatment brought side effects like hair loss, nausea, vomiting and pain. I managed them through increased exercise, better nutrition, and prescribed medication.
Post-treatment, I made permanent changes to my lifestyle, focusing on nutrition intake and exercise frequency. I shifted to a healthier diet, ensuring I ate nutritious meals every day of the week. Moreover, I became more diligent in exercising, twice as frequently as I used to.
Looking ahead, I've set plans for the next two years. which includes visiting my daughter studying in the States. Additionally, I plan to embrace life's adventures and travel with family and friends.
Personally, I aspire to retire comfortably and to be able to spend more time with friends. The thought of going back to my life, once cancer-free, motivates me. My biggest dream is to see my daughter graduate from college.
My biggest fear was of cancer coming back or spreading in my body. If it comes back, maybe it will be more aggressive and painful, and I'm not sure if treatment will work in that case.
Talking to my friends, church pastor, and daughter who gives me a lot of reassurance helped me to cope with this fear. Looking online or talking to my doctor if I notice anything suspicious also helps.
Reflecting on how I feel now, I simply feel neutral.
Cancer is scary but you must stay strong.
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.
Click here for more information.