MY LIFE Matters - Health Literacy - 15

M
y name is Michelle AndersonBenjamin,
and I am a wife and
mother of two from New York City.
At age 36 during the pandemic, I
was diagnosed with stage I triplenegative
breast cancer (TNBC).
Unfortunately, at the age of 38 in
cancer. After being diagnosed, I realized the
lack of representation for Women of Color. I turned my pain
into purpose and started The Fearless Warrior Project, LLC
in 2021. I am currently in a clinical trial for stage IV TNBC
and empower others to know the importance of knowing all
options of treatment. I am a metastatic breast cancer Warrior
and Advocate. I founded the The Fearless Warrior Project,
LLC, and the Fearless Warrior Organization. I am a Certified
Mental Health Advocate/Coach and Instructor. Since becoming
a Thriver, I have become a Certified Grief Coach and Death
Doula, as I feel that supporting mental health and well-being
in this life and beyond are so important in your cancer journey.
Learning and improving my health literacy along with the health
literacy of others has become my calling. Here is how it all began.
FAITH OVER FEAR Powerful Patient Stories
I am often asked how does one cope with living with metastatic
breast cancer? My answer to that question is that it
is a daily process of acceptance. For me, I had to stop saying
2022, the cancer returned. I am now
a Thriver living with stage IV breast
" Why me " and say, " Why not me " and repeat it daily in my
head, my purpose is much greater than me. Once I understood
my assignment, I had to put in the work to educate myself
on my illness while also being a voice for the voiceless. I did
intense research on my cancer subtype-TNBC-and learned
how it affects Women of Color more than any other ethnic
group. I then broke down my pathology reports and scans
and connected with other advocates within the community
to learn more about the make-up of my tumors and mutation
findings. Once I had the blueprint of my illness, I was able
to have deep discussions with my medical team and advocate
on different treatment options and find a clinical trial
that matched my case. Once I was able to check this task off
my to-do list, next was making sure my support team had a
support team.
Cancer doesn't just affect the individual; it affects the whole
We love so strong and so unselfishly
And I tell you now that I made a vow
I'm giving you the best that I got, baby
Yes I tell you now, that I made a vow
I'm giving you the best that I got, honey
- " Giving You the Best That I Got, " Anita Baker
Ever been in a position where the only option you have left
to survive is by fighting with your eyes closed? I learned at
an early age that the only thing I could control in life was my
reaction. So, hearing the words " Michelle, you have breast
cancer, " in 2020 at the age of 36, and then again at the age of
39 " You now have stage IV, " I knew my only reaction would
be to fight with everything I have.
In life the unexpected can happen at any time, and often
we are never prepared with how to handle things that are
out of our control. I was fortunate enough to come from a
family of fighters. My entire childhood, I was able to witness
five generations of living relatives that were women. My
grandparents were married for 64 years before my Grandfather
passed and had 10 children. I was raised by both of my GreatGrandmothers
and benefited from the wisdom they instilled
in me. They were the true definition of strength, compassion,
and determination. My parents taught me resilience and
self-confidence, and my father taught me the importance of
knowing my worth. I am firm believer my foundation was
designed just for me, and that it prepared me to overcome
any obstacles, even cancer.
family, so it is important that your caregiver has a supportive
village too. This process started with me planning and
arranging support for the ones that mattered in my life, my
kids and husband. I knew for me to focus on just fighting,
they needed to be secure. Once that was done, I made
sure my affairs were in order and even took things a step
further and arranged my own funeral. This was my way
of taking back control of things I could control.
Being prepared is one of the hardest obstacles when
living with an illness that is unpredictable. I remember
in the beginning of my journey, my medical team and I
sat down and mapped out how my treatment plan would
go. The expectation was for me to be done with surgeries
and treatment in one year and then I could focus on rebuilding
my life. Unfortunately, cancer is unpredictable,
my one-year plan turned into two and my cancer returned
after only being in remission for a couple of months. I had
to learn to pivot my mindset and except that being flexible
is key to survival.
HOW DOES ONE BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH
CONSTANTLY FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE?
Being uncomfortable for me was a mindset that I really needed
to work on. Although I work in healthcare and have knowledge
of medical terms and processes, things feel different
when you the healthcare provider are now the patient. I had to
" People often complain
about the spilled milk
on the floor but forget
that it needs to be
mopped up. "
- Michael Anderson Sr. (Dad)
MY LIFE MATTERS
HEALTH LITERACY ISSUE | SUMMER 2023
15
MY LIFE Matters - Health Literacy

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