Hi there, I’m Mery from Colombia. I’m currently in remission after stage 2 breast cancer.
My cancer was only discovered during a medical check-up and an examination.
I felt grief, like I was isolated and powerless at the time. I was also confused and surprised by the news.
I ended up eating unhealthier every day.
My doctors recommended me for mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, chemo-, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, which I took. Still, I did look for a second opinion for more options first. After deciding on this plan, I felt more relieved, motivated and hopeful.
For now, I’ve completed my treatment, as I’m in remission. Still, I’m on hormone therapy just in case.
I wasn’t majorly affected by side effects. However, I struggled with affording transport to treatments. A cancer support foundation helped me with transport vouchers.
Afterwards, I continued eating unhealthily every day. I started spending a lot more time with my children, and we go on around 10 trips together as a family each year now, rather than just a few.
Unfortunately, intimacy with my partner after my diagnosis did fall, but we still managed to find time for each other a few times each month.
My plans for myself and my loved ones are to travel. My biggest dream is for cancer to not be synonymous with death. I want to watch my loved ones grow, and just be with them.
I was afraid of dying, but in the end, I didn’t. I kept going, and kept being optimistic.
I’m optimistic and thankful.
To others, I would say: “Be optimistic, and have faith and trust in God.”
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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