"If I hadn't found my cancer early, I wouldn't be here today." by Linda O.
My cancer diagnosis.
In 2007, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. I had visited my family doctor because I wasn't feeling well. She ordered some lab work, and the results showed up as cancer. I went to go see a surgeon with my mom on my doctor's recommendation. I was scared to death.
Life with chemo.
My journey started in 2008. I had surgery, and they removed all the cancer. I was able to keep my breast, and I started chemotherapy. I was told that the cancer I had was very fast pace, and if I hadn't found it, I probably wouldn't be here today. But God is good.
I got so sick during chemo.
Lost weight.
Couldn't eat.
Was hospitalized so many times.
I heard that the chemo drug that I was using, Taxotere, was pulled off the market because it had terrible side effects. My hair never grew back, but I am alive. Thank God.
When I was going through chemotherapy, it was good days and bad days, but it got better. To cope with chemo, my doctor would give me the right meds for my side effects, like nausea and vomiting, not eating or just couldn't sleep. Each cancer patient has different side effects from chemotherapy. I was told from a cancer patient that she wasn't feeling any side effects from chemotherapy and that she was still working her job so you see the side effects vary from person to person.
I had some wonderful doctors that told me the were going to get me through this. My doctor made sure I had a mentor, someone that had been through cancer before. They could help me code, and she was a Godsent. I thank God for her every day.
Just when I was fighting for my life, my mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer as well, so it was even more stressful. But we managed.
By supporting each other, and with the help of my mentor.
My mom recovered with just radiation, and I was doing well. I did my radiation, and I was cancer free for 8 years.
My cancer came back.
But then my breast cancer came back in 2015 in my left breast. Stage 2.
This time I did not have my mom with me. I had lost her in 2013 to a heart attack. I was devastated.
I went through cancer hurting for my mom because she wasn't here to go through this with me, and I had to do it by myself. But I did it, putting my trust in God that He will get me through this.
And He did. I am now a 2x cancer survivor, and I am always thanking God.
My advice to caretakers and warriors.
If you know someone who is going through cancer, and they are struggling with their mental health, please inform their cancer doctors. They will get them in contact with a social worker, and she/he will then refer the patient to a mentor to help them get through. Please speak up.
The cancer society will help in any way with resources as well as your social worker.
3 comments
Hello reading your story gives me hope ty 😊 I’m currently battling lung brain and liver cancer stage 4 it’s just the beginning for me and I’m scared and lost but my family is my biggest support group I’m just going day for day positive 💯👌
Hello reading your story gives me hope ty 😊 I’m currently battling lung brain and liver cancer stage 4 it’s just the beginning for me and I’m scared and lost but my family is my biggest support group I’m just going day for day positive 💯👌
Ty for help and listening to me hope to hear from you soon ty my angels I’m on ssi I get 794 a ms my lot rent is 613 a ms not including my bills
