A Conversation with a Breast Cancer Survivor
Breast cancer. We’ll hear these words over and over this month — and they’ll mean different things to different people: sadness, fear, courage, survival.
As a doctor, I can tell you about risk factors — like family history or the fact that Black women are more likely to have aggressive subtypes. I can quote statistics, list guidelines…
But Lifestyle Medical Services' first blog, I felt we needed to start with what matters most to us — our patients.
Last year I received a beautifully written email from one of my patients thanking me for encouraging her to get a mammogram. She talked about being diagnosed with cancer, her treatment and how she was doing (thankfully, she’s doing great). I knew immediately that her story needed to be shared.
And we made it happen…
The Lump
“I felt a hard, smooth area under my skin and it was different from how my breasts usually felt”
Dr. C: Hello Ms R. Thank you for agreeing to this interview.
Ms R: Thank you for the opportunity.
Dr. C: Can you share how you first discovered something was wrong, or what led you to get checked?
Ms. R: My partner asked me about it first. It wasn’t visible and there were no changes in the look of my breast but when I passed my hand over the area I felt a hard, smooth area under my skin and it was different from how my breasts usually felt. Before any of that though, a doctor I had seen months earlier mentioned feeling a lump but at the time the area didn’t feel any different to me.
I always do annual mammograms so once I felt the lump I had a mammogram and ultrasound but nothing showed up. After a couple of months, the lump felt bigger to me so I spoke to my doctor again and I had another ultrasound which confirmed what I was feeling. I visited a surgeon thinking I was just arranging to get a lump removed. From that first visit he told me that he suspected that based on my age, and his examination that a biopsy was a good idea and there was a possibility it was cancer.
Dr. C: What did the biopsy show?
Ms. R: After the biopsy I was diagnosed with DCIS*, stage 0 cancer which in my layman’s understanding is like having “pre-cancer.
*(DCIS stands for ductal carcinoma in-situ. It’s a non-invasive form of breast cancer where abnormal cells are confined to the lining of the milk ducts and have not spread to surrounding tissue. It is precancerous or Stage 0 but if left untreated can progress to invasive breast cancer.)
Dr. C: What was your first reaction when you heard the diagnosis?
I did cry at the time, and at times after I felt hurt/sad that it was happening. I definitely needed some alone time at first to digest what was happening. I wasn’t panicked though because the surgeon had prepared me that it was a possibility and reassured me that it was caught early which makes a difference. We discussed my options lumpectomy versus mastectomy. Based on the surgeon’s feedback and advice I opted for the mastectomy.
After the mastectomy my diagnosis was updated to stage 2 cancer, and I was treated as having triple negative breast cancer, which is an aggressive form. My reaction to that update was more crying but from the beginning I remember feeling “ok, I have to deal with this”. The surgeon reinforced that we would take everything step by step which helped me to stay calm and manage each phase.
The Journey
“The adjustment to losing a breast was at times disheartening. I grieved the loss sometimes...”
Dr C: What kind of treatments did you go through, and how did you cope with them?
Ms. R: The mastectomy was the first treatment which removed the lump and a few lymph nodes for testing. I did 6 months of chemotherapy to ensure that any remaining cancer cells were destroyed.
Losing my breast was not easy but it also wasn’t as traumatic/devastating as I thought it would be. I was apprehensive before surgery but I had made my peace that it was necessary.
The adjustment to losing a breast was at times disheartening. I grieved the loss sometimes and in the beginning was self-conscious and tried to find ways to cover the area so people couldn’t see, but eventually my approach became “it is what it is” so I started going out without my very handy breast prosthetic and not feeling overly self-conscious. I definitely wear the prosthetic a lot of the time when I have to go out but there is a fair amount of time that I don’t feel that I need to.
Physical recovery from surgery was ok. I was able to move around on my own the day after surgery. I followed the instructions given to me and made sure to move around periodically and not just lay in bed. When I could safely do the recommended stretches I did them because I wanted to ensure that I didn’t have any issues post-surgery.
Going through chemo was a mixture of experiences, physically I had the expected side effects, fatigue, loss of appetite, altered taste, hair loss. I was able to work for most of the time while I did chemo. Closer to the end of treatment I did go on sick leave when it was physically harder to keep up. I tried not to be too sedentary but I also rested when I needed to. Food was not enjoyable at times but certain foods like lentil and chicken soup made me feel much better. Cold soda water and ginger in my drinks or food became my go-to for handling nausea.
Dealing with hair loss was a challenge. I cut my hair really low after I noticed strands coming out but I didn’t shave my head. I think that was the right decision for me in terms of coming to terms with the hair loss because it felt more gradual rather than a completely bald head from the beginning.
Dr C: What helped you to make the final decision on the type of treatment ?
Ms. R: My surgeon’s clear explanations about the treatment options and the degree to which each would help was helpful. My oncologist was very thorough in discussing the types of drugs that would be used, the likely side effects, the foods I should avoid, the measures that would be taken to reduce the side effects of chemo and the purpose of the treatment. I also read as much as I could and watched videos from persons with similar diagnoses so I felt confident that I was making informed decisions.
Dr C: Were there moments that felt especially challenging or overwhelming?
Ms. R: Yes definitely - telling my family about my diagnosis was hard, I didn’t want them to worry.
During the 2 weeks that I had to manage the post-surgical drains and make the mental adjustment to losing a breast there were moments when I felt overwhelmed with dealing with everything.
The chemotherapy drugs left me very exhausted sometimes and during those times the extra effort it took to do ordinary things coupled with brain fog was more than I expected. I felt the need to just push through to do the ordinary things, in part just trying to keep things as normal as I could.
Dr C: Who or what helped you the most during this time?
Ms. R: My family, the friends that I told about my diagnosis, my partner, my surgeon and oncologist were a tremendous help. My family, friends and partner helped me to maintain some normalcy throughout this experience. A sense of normalcy was very important to me because it made this experience manageable. My family was there during every chemo session so I had company and help during and after each session. Friends checked in and kept me encouraged. My surgeon and oncologist were compassionate and knowledgeable and I felt comfortable and confident in their care which I think was invaluable.
I think what helped me a lot when it came to chemo was that I prepped for chemotherapy as if I was studying for an exam lol. I watched Youtube videos of other people with similar diagnoses, videos by doctors who specialised in breast cancer, and spoke to a relative who had gone through a similar experience. When I started chemo I had my “chemo bag” ready and I took it with me to each session. It had my cold therapy gloves and socks which I wore to help with the potential side effect of losing feeling in my hands and feet due to chemo. It also carried a water bottle, pillow and blanket to be comfy during each session. I bought a special shampoo specifically for chemo and it helped my scalp so much when it became sore due to chemo.
The accommodations at work that allowed me to work remotely during chemo made a difference because it contributed to the sense of normalcy.
Overall though I feel like God kept me grounded and not feeling so overwhelmed that I shut down. I was able to live through the experience and not merely cope.
Dr C: How are you doing now? What are you follow ups like?
Ms. R: I’m doing really well. I’m over 6 months post chemo and my follow-up test results have been good, no signs of cancer! I’m pretty much used to having one breast and think about it much less than in the beginning. I do follow-ups every 3 months and will have to do so for a few years. I feel really fortunate. I’m looking forward to doing breast reconstruction.
The Lessons
“I now have a greater appreciation that waiting for a special occasion isn’t all that important - it’s more important to live in and enjoy the present, especially when you are in good health.”
Dr C: Looking back, what do you wish you had known earlier?
Ms. R: If anything I would say, knowing how quickly a lump can grow and to not be surprised if a mammogram doesn’t pick up something that I could so obviously feel. I think I took for granted a mammogram and ultrasound would be 100% reliable but now I have confirmation that knowing what is normal or not for your breasts is just as important.
Dr C: Did your diagnosis change the way you see your health or life in general?
Ms. R: Yes and no. I now have a greater appreciation that waiting for a special occasion isn’t all that important - it’s more important to live in and enjoy the present, especially when you are in good health.
Dr C: Is there anything that surprised you about the journey (positive or negative)?
How much can be done to help you manage the effects of chemotherapy.
I remember one day about 6 months after chemo feeling so clear mentally and physically better, it was remarkable. Up to that point I thought I was doing pretty ok, but when the chemo was fully out of my system the difference was noticeable, that surprised me.
The Message
“I tell anyone who asks or says they are too scared to do a mammogram - do the screenings, check your breasts so that you know what feels normal and what doesn’t”
Dr C: What advice would you give to other women about screenings or paying attention to their bodies?
Ms. R: I tell anyone who asks or says they are too scared to do a mammogram - do the screenings, check your breasts so that you know what feels normal and what doesn’t, speak up again even if the tests say something else because maybe they need to be repeated. The result/diagnosis is not going to change because you were too scared to do the tests or face treatment. Avoiding it just means that you may be delaying the treatment that could help you. Also a mastectomy is hard but you can adjust, you can live with a new normal.
Dr C: What message would you like readers to take away from your story?
Ms. R: There are a few messages - The early diagnosis of my breast cancer made a difference. I feel very grateful that was the case.
My treatment is over, I’m in a monitoring phase and so far everything is going well. Every time I go for a check there is a tiny thought, what if the result isn’t good this time or cancer shows up in my other breast, but I remind myself I can’t live in “what if” territory. If the result isn’t good one day, I have to deal with it, whatever it is. When you’re the one dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis, there are others who can relate but they’ll never know exactly how you feel and that’s ok.
If you’re supporting someone going through breast cancer, listen out for what kind of support they need, I had that experience from my family and friends, no-one assumed or insisted that they knew what was best for me, they offered help, they were there if I needed it and let me figure it out if I didn’t. It was clear from the beginning that my diagnosis was not just going to affect me, yes I was going through it, but my family and friends were also along for the ride and had to manage their own emotions. I’m so grateful for their patience and support.
Dr. C: Thank you again Ms R for sharing your story.
Ms. R: Thank you for asking me to do this. I hoped to find a way to be a resource to others who found themselves with a similar diagnosis and this was one step in that direction.
As a woman, a doctor, and the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, here are a few lessons from Ms. R’s story — and from every woman I’ve met who’s faced breast cancer with courage.
Breast cancer screening starts with you. You and your partner (yes, your partner) know your breasts best. Both of you will be the first ones to notice a change in your body. Examine. Your. breasts.
No screening tool is perfect. None. That's why we advocate for breast self exams and mammograms/breast ultrasounds.
If you see something, say something. Advocate for yourself and your body. And don't ignore changes like lumps or skin changes. Imagine if Ms R. ignored the change in size of her breast lump. Early detection is still your best protection.
Preventive care is a must for women in the Caribbean. We need to abandon the “go to the doctor only when I am sick” mentality that has been a part of our culture for decades.
Prevention begins with awareness — not fear.
Book your annual visit, schedule your screening, and start the conversation about your health today
⚖️ Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every individual’s health situation is unique — please consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or before making changes to your care plan. The views expressed by the interviewee are her own and shared with permission. Lifestyle Medical Services respects patient confidentiality and upholds all applicable privacy standards.