I noticed a lump on my left breast. After that, my family doctor referred me to hospital for a mammogram, where I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

Post- diagnosis, I ate healthier every day.

My doctors recommended mastectomy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy, which I took up, after doing my own research as well. I also went for massages and took nutritional supplements. I felt a bit angry, and quite anxious and discouraged after deciding on my treatment. Unfortunately, my insurance didn’t cover trastuzumab.

In terms of side effects, the ones that affected me the most were: diarrhea, fatigue and hair loss. I dealt with them by eating better.

I continued to eat healthier every day, and kept in touch with my parents a bit more often.

Soon, I plan to fly out to NYC for my sister’s wedding. Other than that, I don’t have many plans. I’m thinking of going back to school to get my masters, which motivated me to recover as soon as I can. I want to see my parents and sister happy, and not worry about me.

It’s recurrence and pain. To handle it, I found a support group to talk to. I’m also now a lot closer to my sister since my cancer diagnosis.

I feel quite neutral nowadays.

To others, I would say: “Finding a support group can really help. You can get emotional support and also information about different types of treatment and what has worked for other patients.”