MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022 - 7

I am thankful for the care I have received, and I am determined
to make sure this standard of care continues for all patients.
I have had discussions with women who did not get the same
medical recommendations or were provided with available treatment
options, such as immunotherapy. Statically, Black women
are diagnosed at later stages, which is why their death rate is
higher than that of White women. Further, research has shown
that Black women are more disproportionately affected by aggressive
cancer types; TNBC and inflammatory breast cancer.
Research also shows that younger women are being diagnosed
with advance stages with no available resources. It is not acceptable
that some patients are not being offered available testing or
treatments. It is not acceptable that patient's facing cancer are
not offered support and resources, and are left with basic health
literacy to comprehend what is happening to them or a basic
understanding of the disease that is attacking their body.
What ignites me in advocacy is wanting to Be The Change. What
ignites me to be a voice for others and to advocate for change is
my love for people. It breaks my heart to see others being treated
differently. This could be due to race, gender, sexuality, income,
relationship status, etc. At the end of the day, we all came into
this world the same way, we all enjoy the same food, music and
clothes, we all have passions, we all love someone, yet we don't
all get treated the same.
HAVE FAITH ANGEL Advocate
For this reason, I want to be a voice and an advocate for someone
who doesn't have the strength, the courage, or support to do
it themselves. We are no different from each other, but society
still places us in boxes. I will be the voice to unfold the boxes.
I had wanted to go to law school to be a voice in the community.
I was looking to be a voice in the community on a different platform
such as community law, helping those who are unfamiliar
with their rights. Now, I see God has shown me a different community
platform that needs my voice more. I plan to do more in
the community for Women of Color and to share my journey in
hopes it will be an inspiration for others and encourage them to
allow their own voices to be heard.
My message of support to my MBC/TNBC friends and thrivers:
" Sometimes we come to life's crossroads. And we view what we
think is the end. But God has a much wider vision, and he knows
that it's only a bend. The road will go on and get smoother and
after we've stopped for a rest, the path that lies hidden beyond us
is often the path that is best. So, rest and relax and grow stronger,
let go and let God share your load and have faith in a brighter tomorrow.
You've just come to a bend in the road. " I love this melody
of words and poem by Helen Steiner Rice. It has resonated with
me throughout my treatment journey and provided me with a
lot of comfort and reflection.
The best way advocates can help is to come TOGETHER! As
a proud Tigerlily ANGEL Advocate, WE ARE THE CHANGE.
I stand strong with my MBC sisters, and when they do not have
a voice, I will talk louder, I will sing, I will shout, I will pray, and
we will stand together.
Our communities are what hold us together and the love,
support, compassion, and accountably we share for each other
becomes a beautiful and powerful force that grows stronger and
stronger.
Not one person can be a voice alone. I look at it like a song-
there can be one singer, but in some songs, it takes a beautiful
choir to make the message stronger and more elegant for people
to feel the message.
I want to share one of my favorite songs that got me through
some very tough times. The song is named " Hold On (Change
Is Comin') " by Sounds of Blackness.
This verse is what got me through some very dark days. I would
listen to it over and over and sing it in my head. When I was
feeling well enough, I would turn the music up loud and dance,
sing, and celebrate my faith.
When the troubles of life weigh you down
Just lift your head up
When the love you seek is hard to find
Don't give up, just be strong, and keep the faith.
And hold on
Change is coming.
The one constant I was able to keep in my life was my faith. I
felt comfort and love in knowing that I was going to be just fine.
My path is infinite, and my faith is larger than life.
I want women to hold on, a change is coming, and we are going
to make it. l
MY LIFE MATTERS
TNBC PATIENT VOICES ISSUE 2022
7
MY LIFE Matters: TNBC Patient Voices Issue 2022

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