I bent over to pick my shampoo up in the shower and noticed my left breast was an odd shape. I palpated it and found a lump. I saw my GP the next day, who then agreed and referred me to the breast clinic. I had a biopsy 2 weeks later and my diagnosis was confirmed the following week.

I did not experience any other symptoms.

After the diagnosis, I made changes to my lifestyle, focusing on exercise more frequently and nutrition intake and diet. I ate a healthier diet at least 3 days a week.

I am currently undergoing treatment. I opted for mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy based on my own research and my doctor's recommendation. As of now, I am undergoing radiation therapy.

The decision on my treatment plans left me angry and anxious, but I still felt motivated to go for treatment.

The treatment journey has been tough, with side effects like fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and peripheral neuropathy.

Unfortunately, since starting treatment, I’ve had to stop all of my usual exercise. Another drastic change is within the sexual relationship with my partner. The frequency of intimacy has decreased by more than half.

Additionally, family time has decreased since I was diagnosed with cancer. Prior to my diagnosis, I spent time with my children very frequently, but nowadays the time spent with them has been much less often than before.

My biggest dream and aspiration right now is to live more than five years. I want to see my children have children. Other than planning trips and holidays, I have work goals that I’m planning toward for the next 2 years.

For me, my biggest fear was that I wouldn’t make it to my 50th birthday. That my partner will be left alone. That my elderly father will have to bury me. That I won’t be able to work and we’d lose our house. That my kids will be left without a mum, like I was.

Right now, I still feel fearful, especially scared of reoccurrence. I am still nervous and worried. I try to overcome my fear in several ways: I use dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills to help, exercise when I can, and educate myself on triple negative breast cancer.

For those fighting the same battle, I’d say: “Everyone’s journey is different. Take others' advice and tips, but find your own way to cope. You will come out the other side and have plans in place to look forward to.”