MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 29
POSITIVITY ANGEL Advocate
was too high, and that preserving my eggs
would be too risky. I was completely disappointed
but felt I had no time for a second
opinion. The cancer was stage II grade 3. I
trusted my team of doctors to do their best
for my situation. As I was praying my way
through treatment, I also trusted that God
would be with my team, and that I would
receive the best care. I asked a lot of questions.
As a result of COVID restrictions, I
was alone for treatments and hospital stays.
It was emotionally hard going to treatments
alone, but the team helped get me through
it. The way the team responded to me made
me feel comfortable. There were difficult
times during treatment where I remember
the nurses coming in and rubbing my hand
and back as I cried. The navigators where
with me and are still helping me through
difficulties. When I had an issue with two
of the doctors on the team, I brought it to
the navigators' attention and saw a change
in those doctors. They pressured me about
my weight, which I felt was inappropriate
since I had already seen some success in
my weight loss and had a plan in place.
Further, I was not being treated for my
weight. Overall, I felt a connection with
my team of doctors, and I was learning to
advocate for myself. This piqued my interest
in becoming an advocate. Something in
me allowed them to see that connection as
well. I felt safe with my team; I trusted their
plan, but also felt I was an active part of the
plan. They catered to my needs and made
me feel heard. Surgery went well and I got
the bonus of a reduction. But I did not like
the drains, I called them the drains from
hell. Mine were painful. I was glad to have
them removed after two weeks. Radiation
was not fun either. I had trouble holding
my arm up for long periods of time on the
table for treatment, especially when they
had to take images. I had to go every day for
19 rounds. After all that, I made it through
with a story to tell.
TREATMENT DURING
COVID, SIDE EFFECTS, AND
THE SUPPORT OF FAMILY
AND FRIENDS
My plan was chemo/lumpectomy/radiation.
Treatment was hard at times, but I
kept remembering the words of my navigator
who said, " stay in your lane. " What
she meant is that everyone has their unique
MY LIFE MATTERS
TNBC PATIENT VOICES ISSUE 2022
29
stories. Your story is unique to you. You
hear about what others have gone through,
but that doesn't mean your story will be the
same. My cousin also shared that I should
not over spiritualize things (we grew up
very religious), she said to be open. Those
words increased my faith even more. I
continue to believe that I will get through
it all with a story to tell. I shifted my thinking
to finding the positive in it all. I began
to do new things-enjoying nature, support
groups, yoga, meditation, encouraging
myself, and I continued my worship. I was
diagnosed in July 2020 with TNBC invasive
ductal carcinoma II, grade 3. This was at the
time when everyone was figuring things out
regarding COVID-19. Again, it was hard
emotionally going to treatments alone,
but the team helped get me through it. My
husband didn't know how to be there for
me but supported me as much as he could
in his own way. My mom-who I cared
for-became my strongest supporter. I did
not know how to ask or receive help. The
additional support I received came from
unexpected places. For example, my job
and co-workers were a great support to and
for me. My company offered me long-term
disability; the HR director suggested it. But
I was going to work through it. I attended
virtual meetings while receiving chemo.
I struggled with hydration and still do a
little. I was dehydrated a lot throughout
treatment, which made me very weak. At
the start of my chemo, I developed a blood
clot in my jugular vein where my port was
placed. I had to be placed on blood thinners.
The team was very attentive to get me
over to imaging to see what was going on.
I also got a gentle slap on the wrist for not
reporting that side effect sooner. I feared
losing my hair, but my hair stylist made that
experience great for me. He prayed with me
before, took a picture, and cut my hair off
without letting me see it fall. My fear had
more to do with seeing it fall out. That was a
success. When I saw the shape of my head, I
told him to go ahead and cut it all. Fear was
gone. There were days that I mustered up
enough strength to shower only to become
so weak that I could hardly speak. Those
were my dehydrated days. Everything I
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
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MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 18
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MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 28
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 29
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 30
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MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - Cover3
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - Cover4
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