Last October, while I was at work I received a call that changed my life. My doctor’s office called to tell me I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was terrified! My thoughts were scattered and my heart was heavily beating; I couldn’t stop the tears rolling down my cheeks. What would happen to my kids? My husband? A flash of the worst case scenario kept coming into my mind.
When I was finally able to pull myself together, I promised myself that I would be strong. I told myself that I was going to fight this with everything I have. I knew I was going to stay positive no matter what happened! And I was going to make sure my kids were comfortable, happy and safe.
What would happen to my kids? My husband?
So how did I find out? To be honest I got really lucky, I was about to turn 40 and my loved ones kept bothering me to get a mammogram done, not for any reason other than my age. I took it lightly because I didn’t feel any lumps, life was too busy for me to go get checked (full time corporate job, 2 kids and I help my hubby with his entertainment business) and I was sure I wasn’t at risk since I was healthy! After months and months of pushing, I went to get my mammogram done and didn’t expect the results I was given.
Fast forward to today, after undergoing multiple painful surgeries and continuous treatments, I’m very grateful to say I am now better and have had the breast cancer cells removed from my body. I am still taking pills to prevent the cancer from returning and I am still in the process of recovering, but I am headed in the right direction. I feel overwhelmed with the love, prayers and support I have gotten from my family, especially my hubby, Riz, and kids who have been just amazing throughout everything, my friends and community.
Why am I writing a post about breast cancer?
I’m writing this post with one objective: if you are over the age of 30, GO GET CHECKED! If you have any prior history of cancer in your family, your doctor should provide you with a referral and your insurance should pay for your mammogram. If you don’t have a family history of cancer, then please get checked at 40. If I had gone any later, the cancer could have spread and that is SCARY!
With this gratitude, I find it my responsibility to be an advocate for women to go get checked. Call your doctor and schedule a mammogram; you have nothing to lose. My life has changed forever because of this test! This was a traumatic time for my family and I, but we are stronger together. Everyone should have the opportunity to fight; 1 out of 8 women in America will have breast cancer in their lifetime. With regular check-ups you will be able to control and prevent the worst.
Once again, this is a plea to all the beautiful, powerful, and resilient women in my life: go get your mammogram. Get checked and spread the word. Even one life lost without a fight is one too many. Please share this post to create awareness!!
Many thanks to Sadaf for her guest post this month!
