Describe your journey to diagnosis (What events led to your diagnosis? What was your initial reaction?)

My journey to my diagnosis began with me going in thinking I was having a cyst drained. I remember visiting the doctor’s office that morning, removing my shirt and without an examination or touch the doc took one look at me and stated “that is not a cyst.”

My initial thought was to hold on to all positivity but after a few tests  (ultrasound, biopsy, mammogram) fear began to set. My initial reaction was the thought of death and  my kids. Who would care for them should something happen?I started thinking maybe I was being punished for something I had done. There were so many thoughts running through my mind trying to understand and figure out why would something like this would happen to me!

It was so surreal. I was there and hearing what the doctor was saying but couldn’t comprehend it. This was the worst thing I could possibly experience in life and I kept asking “Why me?”

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was realizing my life would never be the same. Figuring out how to survive this thing and live beyond those words “You have cancer.” I overcame it by choosing to live.

From the moment I was diagnosed, I felt with everything in me I would be okay and I would survive this cancer thing. I did not allow it to get me down, I decided to take control, live outside of the box and challenge myself. I made this a personal battle and told myself losing was not an option!

What are you most grateful for?

Life, my family, my friends and their pure hearts in trying to understand even when they don’t always understand

What have you learned that you wish you knew when you were first diagnosed?

I’ve learned awareness. I knew very little about cancer and thought it had to be in your family for you to get it. I now know differently. I wish I was more aware as I knew I had a lump and was originally told it was a cyst, as time passed it got slightly larger, but because cancer didn’t run in my family that was the last thing to cross my mind.

In what ways do you think being a woman of color impacted your breast cancer journey?

Being a woman of color impacted my breast cancer journey by letting me know it’s okay to allow myself to be vulnerable. As black women we feel as though we have to take on the world and always be strong. I have learned it’s okay to allow yourself to let go and have a moment and that does not make me weak. It helps to build me back up and prepare me for more during those difficult times of my journey.

How did breast cancer impact your relationships with friends or family?

Breast cancer made me realize how valuable my friends and family are, I realized how much I am loved, cared for and admired.

In what ways did breast cancer change how you felt about yourself?

Cancer made me realize my inner and outer beauty. It allowed me to step outside of my shell and be HER. I learned to truly love my self and how to make myself happy. In a good but bad way, I have become selfish with myself because sometimes it is needed. It’s so easy to lose yourself in other things or people. Instead of allowing cancer to defeat me, I have learned everything I can be and can do in-spite of. I didn’t realize my own strength until it was tested.

If you could make people “aware” of one thing about breast cancer what it be and why?

We are in a time now where breast cancer does not discriminate, it does not have to run in your family, it does not only happen to older people. Become more aware of your body and if something doesn’t feel right, do not be afraid to go to the doctor and most importantly, ask questions.

What are your words to live by?

#LIVENOW This cancer thing gave me LIFE!

What advice would you give to a newly diagnosed woman?

Learn to live through your diagnosis and try not to let the diagnosis become you. Try not to lose yourself in worry, do what is needed to take care of yourself and do what is needed for your mind, body and especially your spirit. Living with this diagnosis hasn’t been the easiest nor has it been the hardest.