MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 28

ANGEL Advocate POSITIVITY
A Positive
Mindset
Will Help
You Get
Through It
BY RHEILA A. PARKER
PERFECT INTERRUPTION
IN MY LIFE
My triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
diagnosis came at a difficult time in my
life. I struggled with self-esteem, self-confidence,
and self-image. I was a very passive,
reserved person. I noticed the lump in my
breast and ignored it for some time because
I was a caregiver to my mom. I kept putting
off the need to pay attention to what my
body was telling me. The pain I began to
feel in that area is what got my attention.
So, I quickly made an appointment and
went in the see my primary care provider.
He confirmed he felt the lump and ordered
a biopsy, which happened within a week
or two. I was very nervous at my biopsy
appointment. I asked my nurse how the
procedure would go, and she thoroughly
explained what they were going to do. That
eased my anxiety a little. The procedure
went well but waiting for the results was
the next challenge. I got excited as Monday
finally approached, but I did not receive a
call by 5:00 p.m., as I was expecting. I felt
that since they didn't call me right away
it was not that serious, and I was going to
be fine. While I waited for the results, I
prayed and trusted that everything would
28
MY LIFE MATTERS
TNBC PATIENT VOICES ISSUE 2022
be fine. I heard the voice of God say I shall
live and not die. I pondered that for a bit
then asked God that if the lump was benign,
why would He say I shall live and not die?
I waived it off and kept trusting. I received
a call closer to 5:30 p.m. with the diagnosis
of malignancy and that the lump was
in fact cancer. I didn't know how to feel,
and I don't remember my reaction in that
moment. I decided to believe and trust what
I heard God say, that I shall live and not
die. Something ignited in me and my faith,
and I followed it forward. I shifted into a
more determined person. Today, almost
two years after receiving my diagnosis, I
stand more confident and braver-the
struggles I had before now feed my determination
for a better life. My goal is to love
myself unconditionally so that I can live my
life totally free. I am also more intentional
about working toward a healthy lifestyle.
TRUSTING THE TEAM OF
DOCTORS, NURSES, AND
NAVIGATORS
At my first consultation, I met with my
medical oncologist, surgeon, and radiology
oncologist at the same time with their
nurses. It was just me in the room with
all of them staring at me. I was nervous,
but faith took over. I was able to hear what
each doctor's role and responsibility for
my treatment would be. We were waiting
for more tests and labs to determine the
final order of treatment. After the consultation
I immediately met with one of my
navigators who helped me better understand
what was about to happen to me. I
later met with two other navigators who
gave me plenty of resources and their time;
I could text them and get an immediate
response. They connected me to Tigerlily
Foundation. At that time, I felt comfortable
with the team. As I explained to my family
and friends, doubt creeped in and anxiety
rose within me. I had a lot of decisions to
make and felt I had no time. Some family
and friends said, " get a second opinion. " I
was confused and not sure what to do. As
I began my appointments with my medical
oncologist the topic of egg preservation
came up. I deeply desired to have at least
one child, so we set up an appointment for
me to see a fertility specialist. He was retiring
and I felt he really did not have my best
interest at heart. He was nice and professional,
but he was disconnected already. He
told me that my body mass index (BMI)

MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022

Contents
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - Cover1
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - Cover2
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 1
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - Contents
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 3
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 4
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 5
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 6
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 7
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 8
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 9
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 10
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 11
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 12
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 13
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 14
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 15
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 16
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 17
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 18
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 19
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 20
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 21
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 22
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 23
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 24
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 25
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 26
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 27
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 28
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MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 30
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 31
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MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 48
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 49
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - Cover3
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - Cover4
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