My husband felt a small lump in my left breast, then they ordered me an ultrasound, but nothing was found. By the time I made an appointment, 3 months had passed. Initially I went to the gynecologist and during the consultation I showed him this laboratory result and told him that I had a small lump. I mentioned I did not feel pain but I’d noticed that it was very hard and that it was growing. At that point, he referred me to the mastologist who at first glance told me that it was something malignant, then he ordered me surgery to remove it and indeed the result came out cancerous.

Still, I felt that I did not receive sufficient information, and I sought a second opinion on my diagnosis. My previous doctor never told me exactly what it was. I had to Google it and he was very indifferent and rude to patients including me. He was only interested in getting the insurance to pay other patients’ overdue bills, including those with the same problem as me. Instead, a friend recommended a very experienced professional in the region and I went to his private practice. I also found out from my cancer foundation that my 5-year survival rate was 90%.

The news made me confused and perplexed. I thought it was not about me and that the test results were mistaken, that maybe they were confused with those of another patient. But I felt rather neutral too.

I started exercising at least 50% more and trying to eat more healthily most days of the week. Beyond that, I worked on improving my spiritual side. Now, I’m very conscious of everything that I do, and I listen to advice shared by specialists about cancer as well as psychological health.

After my diagnosis, my doctor ordered me a quadrantectomy (also known as a partial mastectomy) where the biopsy came out with bad news again. After that, I had an examination with the other private doctor where he confirmed that I had cancer and despite the two previous surgeries, I still had cancerous cells. He ordered me a mastectomy with lymph node removal.

The results were better because there were no signs of cancer cells, and he ordered me to start with the treatment of 6 rounds of chemotherapy, then 25 radiotherapy sessions. Afterwards, I started treatment of hormone blockers with tamoxifen.

However, this treatment plan had to change because the tamoxifen was hurting my uterus, so I switched to letrozole, another medication.

Finally, in 2024, I’m now in control as I was declared cancer-free on February 21 2024. Initially I saw my doctor every 3 months and now it’s every 4 months. I’m also taking calcium boosters as my calcium levels have weakened.

In terms of side effects, the ones that affected me the most were diarrhea, hair loss and hand and foot syndrome. To manage them, I relied on improved nutrition and prescribed medication.

Financially, I faced some difficulties. I had to pay for some examinations with my own money because my insurance was late in authorizing them. I had to file complaints so that I could get help and not delay my treatments.

Since starting treatment, I eat healthier all the time, but exercise less and less.

Apart from changes in my lifestyle, I also found myself spending more time in contact with my parents, and a lot more time with my child. We even go on a lot more family trips now.

With my family, we plan to travel, while I just want to go back to work.

My dreams are to enjoy life and health to accompany my 9 year old daughter until she is an adult. When I started the treatment, she was 2 years old. Other than that, I want to continue enjoying life with my husband who has been a great partner and a fundamental part of my entire cancer journey. I want to be able to help my family at all times, especially my parents who are elderly.

That the cancer would relapse. What helped me cope was reading about death, supported by talks on topics like nutrition, spirituality, sexology, death, mourning the loss of life of my colleagues and family members, yoga, mindfulness, helping other patients with this disease and volunteering.

Now, I feel more optimistic, confident and thankful. I’m happy to be alive and in good health and I want to help other people with different types of cancer.

To others, I would say that we must assume the consequences of this disease with courage, confidence, courage, optimism, trust in God, in the doctors and health personnel assigned to us. Also, give thanks for the treatments, medication and use all the tools that are within our reach to help us get through it. Above all, be very positive and thank our body for accepting the coming treatments with a lot of love. Have hope that all this will pass and that we must make adjustments to our daily lives and seek happiness always, always. If along the way, we feel alone, know that God never abandons us, and with that inner spirit, it brings out the best person in us to face the changes to come.