A SURVIVOR’S STORY

Having seen my granny and younger sister battle breast cancer, I knew the importance of performing monthly self breast exams. In October of 2007, at the age of 25, I found a lump in my left breast. After discovering the lump, I was in a state of denial that the lump even existed. At the time, I was a college student and had started to bury myself in my studies. I ignored the lump until it began to hurt. Finally, after about a month, I was convinced that I should see a physician.

Because of the strong family history of breast cancer I was referred to the breast care center. I went in to what I thought was a scheduled appointment only to find out I had missed my originally scheduled appointment. At that time, I was asked to reschedule. This is when I realized behind all of the denial there was some anxiety of knowing the truth. The good thing is that I was eventually seen that same day. Two days later on November 28, 2007 I was told that I had grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. And thus began my journey. Upon receiving the diagnosis, a low white blood count was detected and I was hospitalized immediately. That was the worst experience ever. There were so many thoughts and emotions going on in my head. I was thinking that I just received this devastating news and I am isolated in this hospital room. I cried with my nurses, I cried to my sister. I was overwhelmed! Even though I had seen the effects of cancer, nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to go through. I chose not to have surgery right away because when I was diagnosed I was just weeks away from graduation. I wanted to enjoy that moment in my life and spend time with family and friends. Contrary to what my oncologist suggested, I decided to follow my little sister’s footsteps and request a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. My goal at the time was to be proactive and beat breast cancer. Although there was still a chance that the cancer could reoccur I wanted to decrease those chances. Shortly after surgery I began chemotherapy treatments. Little did I know this would be the most trying experience ever! I also knew this journey would be a test of patience and perseverance. I remember my first treatment; I thought I was superwoman or something and thinking this is it, I can do this! By the end of the day, I was hugging the toilet and becoming totally unaware of all my surroundings. Each treatment got harder and harder to endure. I wanted to give up so many times. Constant encouragement from my mother and thoughts of my daughter living without me kept me going. I spent a lot of time journaling, reading the bible and developing my relationship with the Lord. There were times when I was frustrated because I wanted to be at a different place in my life, but that wasn’t the plan God had for me. I had to accept what was happening to me, endure this particular experience in order to grow as a person, and share my story with others who have been impacted by breast cancer. My name is ShanQuiesha Robinson and I am a Survivor