MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 30

ANGEL Advocate POSITIVITY
from the people you expected it to come
from. Take time and be patient with yourself.
Speak up and be involved with your
treatment plan and process. If something is
not right in your eyes, speak up loudly. Find
your voice and use it. Finally, self-care is
the most important care you can give yourself.
It is not selfish either! So, take walks in
nature, color, play with your kids and pets,
get massages, do everything that comes
to mind. Find things that make you laugh
until it hurts and stay in the moment. Do
not allow anyone to rush your process. It
is not easy, but a positive mindset will get
you through it.
would eat or drink tasted bland. Chemo
forced me into menopause. I had to end
chemo early because it caused neuropathy/
constant pain from my waist to my feet. I
also had neuropathy in my hands, which
caused me to drop things. I tried acupuncture
but didn't really feel that it helped me.
HOW I AM TODAY
Today, I am currently 91 pounds down
and in the best health of my life. I underwent
gastric bypass surgery with a mindset
that this would jumpstart my journey to a
healthier lifestyle. I finished radiation in
April and started the prep work for surgery
that happened in October of 2021. I was
immediately taken off diabetes and high
blood pressure medications. All my blood
levels are normal. I have joined a gym and
I have started doing high intense interval
training, or HIIT. I am playing softball with
my colleagues. During the last game, I was
so excited that I could run from second base
to home base without being out of breath.
I am still celebrating! I have lots of energy
30
MY LIFE MATTERS
TNBC PATIENT VOICES ISSUE 2022
now, I have learned to eat healthier, and I
am more confident in myself. I am loving
my personality. I would like to thank my
coaches for that. I love that I am doing the
hard work to better myself from the inside
out. But it's not for the faint at heart. I am
well on my way to that happy, healthy lifestyle
and living my life totally free. Yay, me!
I never saw this for myself, now the sky is
not a limit!
ENCOURAGEMENT
TO SOMEONE NEWLY
DIAGNOSED
Breathe, listen to yourself, honor your body,
trust the process, and ask a lot of questions
until you understand your diagnosis
and treatment plan completely. Record
your appointments if you must. Request a
patient advocate or navigator to help you
along the way if they were not appointed
to you. Ask about resources and clinical
trials and consider getting involved. Find a
support group to join. Accept the help that
comes your way, even if it does not come
BRAIN FOG/CHEMO BRAIN
I have some mental struggles since diagnosis.
I am not sure what to call them.
I struggle to remember things at times
which causes me to procrastinate. If things
are not on my calendar in my phone, then
nine times out of 10, I will forget about
them. I do not really know what to call it.
Brain fog, chemo brain, or menopause. I
feel I am in menopause for real now, before
it was chemo induced. It is really frustrating
especially with deadlines, hot flashes, and
night sweats. Sometimes I don't know if I
am coming or going. At times, it's hard to
form my words. I know what I want to say
but struggle to get the words to come out. I
take notes in incomplete thoughts, so when
I refer to them, I don't understand what I
have written. I understood the moment I
took the notes. I struggle the most when
I have to create something from scratch.
ENCOURAGEMENT TO MY
MBC TNBC SISTERS
I pray you find the peace and positivity in it
all. Take your time and give yourself grace.
Live everyday like it is your last and have
fun doing it. Enjoy your life to the fullest.
Do whatever comes to mind. You deserve
self-care. Have your day every day. Be in
the moment. I know it is not easy, but you
are here and that is enough. You are enough
and I love you. Go wild and create a life you
never imagined! Dream big! Enjoy your
loved ones. Create endless memories. Leave
a legacy of your greatness. God trusted you
with this to help others by sharing your
story. Be loud, bold, and intentional. We
need to hear your voice, so speak up and let
us know how you feel. You matter to me. l
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022

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