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Keri W. on March 23, 2019
I was Diagnosed with:
Stage two breast cancer (Ductal carsonoma)
Employment Status:
Unemployed
Gender/Age:
Female/38
Type and Description of Treatments:
Went through six rounds of chemo, seven hr treatments, then had a bilateral mastectomy surgery in early-mid Feb 2019. Also learned from genetics testing I have the palb 2 mutation gene.
How do you feel today?
Almost three months after my mastectomy surgery I am now 100% cancer free.
Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your life?
There isn’t an area in my life that being diagnosed with cancer hasn’t and didn’t affect in some way, shape or form.
What is going well for you right now?
Knowing that I’ve already made an impact on quite a few women’s lives that I’ve met at CTCA and quite a few women that went and got a mammogram just by listening to my story.
What is not going well for you right now?
Just feel little minor med stalls/bumps in my road right now but not anything that God surely and my strong support group I have can’t get me through.
What has been the most challenging thing about having cancer?
Learning to be the patient when I’ve always been the caretaker and nurse to people that were sick and in need of care.
When difficulties overwhelm you, where do you go for support?
My spiritual mentors - prayer warrior group. And a biggie that’s really been one of the greatest of all therapies that’s helped me on my bad days, my pets. 😁
How have your long-term goals or life goals changed since diagnosis?
Yes but to and for the better. 😌😇
What is your work arrangement right now? What are your hours?
I’ve been unemployed since my diagnosis last year. I am currently seeking with the help of my lawyer to get my disability benefits started soon hopefully.
Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your work life?
Well there has been no work life, and that is an issue that bothers me a lot. I’ve always worked pretty much all my life since I was 17.
What has helped you continue to work the most?
Keeping my positive attitude through it all, the good and the bad days.
What advice do you have for others trying to work through treatment?
Stay as positive as you can, keep a strong support system and prayer.
How have you dealt with any side effects of treatment?
When I got sick usually on my third day after my chemo treatment I’d rest in the bed, stay hydrated and the next day pick my head up move along.
If "today's you" could give advice to "day-of-diagnosis you," what would you say?
Keep on being me, God had my battle already won before it started. 😇