I would be remiss if I let the month of October pass by and not post about the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness for women & men too.
Statistics show that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. About 30% of all cancer diagnosis for women are breast cancer diagnosis. Having a first-degree relative with breast cancer will double a woman’s risk which, is exactly what happened to my sister-friend Jennifer Wright.
Her sister Missy was diagnosed in 2015 with breast cancer which put her and her husband; Corey on a heightened level of awareness to any signs of physical changes that may arise.
Corey was the one who discovered the lump on a Tuesday afternoon, and on July 27, 2016 it was confirmed that like her sister Missy, Jennifer would soon battle breast cancer as well.
She was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer whose tumors are very aggressive leading to lower survival rates.
Life as they knew it had changed unexpectedly and the first and probably one of hardest task would be explaining it to their daughter; Amari.
The doctors suggested jumping right in to attack those cells back so on
August 3, 2016 Jennifer started first round of chemo, once a week for 12 weeks
November 2016 she started second round every other week of Red Devil Chemo
October 2016 she had a blood transfusion
December 20, 2016 Jennifer has her last chemo
(Corey’s post on Christmas Day)
January 26, 2017 she had a double mastectomy
February 2017 she started expanding (lasted 4 weeks)
March 29, 2017 started radiation
May 2, 2017 she had her last radiation
and is currently anxiously anticipating November 15th when she will have her reconstruction surgery!
Through it all Jen as I call her fought like only a girl can and continued to work full-time and take care of her family! She acknowledges that her strength through that time came from God and credits him for her victory over the battle with cancer.
I asked Jen some questions about her experience so that she can share with you all in her own words how Cancer has impacted her life.
How did you learn that you had breast cancer? My husband found it *wink* on a Tuesday. I had a biopsy Thursday and the doctor called me at work with the results on Monday.

What were your initial thoughts? I had already expected it since my sister was diagnosed the year before. My first thought was “how do I tell my family, they just went through this?”

What would you say has changed the most since your diagnosis? My attitude and faith. I am more positive and just happy to wake up every morning. My relationship with God started getting stronger right before my diagnosis and it was easy to see how he had already prepared me for this battle. It was kind of amazing how things had lined up prior to my diagnosis.

What was the hardest obstacle during your fight? Keeping my feelings to myself, I was so concerned about my family’s emotions/reaction about my cancer that I kept my bad days to myself.

What would you do differently if given the chance? I would’ve kept a journal of my thoughts and emotions during treatment. I would’ve kept it for my daughter because unfortunately she may have to go through this too.

Any suggestions for others battling breast cancer? Never compare your journey to someone else’s. Everyone is affected differently. Stay positive but understand its okay to have a pity party or two.

Anything else you would like to share? After treatment you never feel like the person you were before and no-one ever tells you that. You never feel 100% normal. People think your journey is over but it never really is.

Sum yourself up in one sentence: I am genuine and unbothered!

Battles are designed to mold us and to change us so that when we come out of them, we are not the same as when we entered into them. We come out stronger, wiser and most importantly victorious!
Jennifer is no exception, although this battle was lengthy and life changing, she has emerged just as fabulous as ever!

The takeaway here is do the monthly exams! Listen to and pay attention to signs that your body gives you and get to the doctor immediately. Ask lots of questions and get as much information as possible so that you can make knowledgeable decisions in regards to your health.
Like in Jennifer’s story, should you ever get an un-welcomed diagnosis and a not that great prognosis, remember that God has the final say!
You don’t have to lay down and wade in self-pity and depression, you can and you should fight on your knees in prayer and on your feet never giving up hope!
You may lose a battle here and there but victory has already been WON on your behalf so just give it all you got rest assured that God will make a way!
Jen has been a source of encouragement as she kicked cancer’s butt!
When times get tough, Fight like Jen!