Breast Cancer

Erection Protection: The Sexy Side of Heart-Healthy Habits

“You’re too young to be worrying about your heart health!” Hmmm . . . where have I heard that sentiment before? I don’t know about you, but as a young adult (YA) cancer survivor, I’m highly skeptical of anyone who tells me that I’m “too young” to worry about anything related to my health. 

Remodeling My Emotional Kitchen: Healing Through Cancer

Cancer changed my relationships with others by forcing me to face and process my trauma. Eve Ensler, the playwright of The Vagina Monologues and a cancer survivor herself, reported that she survived cancer by confronting her trauma, along with making lifestyle changes and using traditional Western medicine.

Everything Happens for a Reason…Or Does It?

I liken this phrase to “God gives you what you can handle”. The first time I heard it was after my grandfather had been diagnosed with lung cancer and my grandmother informed our minister and the congregation about his condition.

Trapped

Trapped in a bed. In a room. On the oncology floor.
Will they ever let me leave?

Anxiety Stream

There’s a lyric from Snoh Aalegra’s song “Violet Skies” that goes “I’ve always been a worrier, but I’ll always be a warrior”. For some reason, that lyric stuck with me when I started my cancer journey.

To you baba, I live

When my father was diagnosed with lung cancer, I knew I would also fall sick, very soon. Six months later, I started feeling a growing lump but thought that maybe it’s some sort of hormonal change.

What I Wish MyChart Notifications Told Me

I wish someone told me that doing my best each day is enough. I don’t have to be some superhero and maintain the capacity I had before cancer crept into my life.

I Wish Someone Told Me to Try to Go with the Flow

When I was diagnosed the first time around, back in 2017, I had a pretty idealistic view of how I would navigate chemotherapy. I was convinced I would successfully use the cold cap and keep all of my hair.

Young Breast Cancer Your Story and Mine: A Compact Guide

Due to the problem of omission of public breast health education, I believed that “it couldn’t be cancer.” I didn’t know my risk factors, and I believed I was too young. This belief fueled my own delay in seeking care for some months, which could have been detrimental to my survival due to the extra aggressive nature of my tumor being Triple Negative breast cancer.

Ode to H.E.R. (Holding Every Reality)

It feels like it took a lifetime to find you… this body of mine. All her shapes, curves, and ombre moods of brown.

I was sort of lost without understanding how powerful you are, so I’ve fought hard for you to stay.