Hi, I’m Nelly, and I’m from Colombia.
This is how I dealt with stage 2 breast cancer. After a mastectomy, chemo, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, I’m now in remission. I’m still taking hormone therapy for now.
After hearing the news, I felt quite:
- Frightened, nervous and worried
- Disappointed, remorseful and vulnerable
I started eating healthier some days, trying to change my lifestyle.
My doctors recommended mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, chemo, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, which I chose to follow. At the time, I felt angry and scared, but still relieved and motivated to move forward.
Currently I’m in remission but still taking hormone therapy.
I wasn’t majorly affected by side effects. Still, during my treatment I struggled financially to support my family members as well as elderly care.
After my treatment, I worked on eating healthier every day, making a permanent change to my lifestyle.
Before I knew I had cancer
- Called/texted my parents 2 times a week
- Visited my parents 5 times a week
- Spent time with my children 3 times a week
- Was intimate with my partner 1 times a month
- Went on 2 family trips a year
After knowing I had cancer
- Called/texted my parents 5 times a week
- Visited my parents 5 times a week
- Spent time with my children 8 times a week
- Was intimate with my partner 1 times a month
- Went on 4 family trips a year
My biggest dreams are to travel, and spend more time with my family. I plan to do so in the next two years. Beyond that, I hope to return to work, and start a small business.
It’s death. What kept me going was trusting in God rather than suffering the pain.
Now, I feel optimistic, courageous and hopeful. I’m inspired and thankful.
To others, I would say: “Trust and surrender to God, and befriend the disease.”
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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