Cancer Story Summary
My cancer story begins on a day in April 2020. As you read my cancer story remember that you are not alone in this battle. The good Lord has laid it on my heart to encourage others walking this journey – to give them hope. You have God who promises to never leave nor forsake you. Let Him fight for you. You have family, friends and others in the same boat as you. It may feel like you are alone but you are never alone. This is not the time to shut yourself in, nor keep cancer to yourself. Let others in. Remember “no man is an island. ” So, here goes.
l woke up to a pain in my breast but did not take it seriously. I just brushed it off and went about life as I normally would but, the pain lingered and l felt it again the next day. I said to myself, l need to check it out. The following day, l went to the Health Center and the doctor who was present told me, l must go to a private doctor because COVID-19 was in full blast and she could not tend to me.
I scheduled an appointment to see Doctor Thomas Theodore. After the examination, he said that I needed to do surgery to remove the lump in my breast. A few days later the biopsy showed cancer. I had a follow up with him the next week and then told me that I would have to remove the breast that was infected. It was at that moment that every thing sink in and I just broke down.
My head felt light, my body was weak and my nerves were a total mess. Talk about being depressed! I did not keep the news to myself because it was too heavy a load to carry alone. A cancer story is not something you keep to yourself. I went home and started calling family and friends because this was a time that I needed their support, help, advice, and encouragement to get me through this dilemma. A GoFundMe was set up on my behalf and God sent earthly as well as heavenly Angels to go to bat for me. To them I am forever grateful.
The transition from feeling the lump to getting breast cancer surgery went by pretty quickly within a span of weeks into a month. After the surgery, there was time to heal and gather strength and nourishment in preparation for Chemotherapy. l was scheduled for eight treatments of chemo, and it was not all bad except, for the last few rounds where side effects were present. I suffered bouts of nausea, lack of appetite, discomfort, weakness in my body and pain in my feet. My hair disappeared and the weight loss began. I was unrecognizable but I stood firm and continue standing because I serve a God who has promised never to leave me alone.
After chemo was done, l had to travel to Guyana for Radiation Therapy. This was a grueling trip but thank God!!! I am back home and enjoying the comforts of being here.
With God on your side anything, and all things are possible. Trust Him with your life. He makes the crooked paths straight and guides us so gently. He definitely is a way maker. Matthew 19:26, Isaiah 43:16, Isaiah 45:2
Here’s one particular scripture that I have always comes to mind while going through life and its many different journeys : Philippians 4:4-8, I will rejoice always and no matter what comes, I will not be anxious and always think on things that are true, have good reports and His peace surpasses everyone who has understanding. I will always seek His peace, everyday and all day.
So grateful to God for His hands on my life. Grateful to The Cancer Association for their aid in the many ways they helped through this process. The Government of Dominica and their assistance. I am also thankful for the abundance of support from my church family, (RCUC), my immediate family, friends, and those who don’t even know me. Thank you for your help whether it was monetary or through words of encouragement.
I shall continue to pray on your behalf and ask God’s blesses on you and your loved ones in ways that you can not comprehend. Many thanks for your acts of love toward me and thank you for reading my cancer story.
If you have cancer, know someone who has cancer or is a cancer survivor as bleak and unpromising as the future may seem this is no time to feel sorry for yourself nor curl up and wait on death. You must trust God – pray without ceasing, push yourself, and continue living. When the doctors tell you, we have done all we can and can’t do nothing more; don’t settle. God gave you mother nature start putting her gifts to good use. Continue living your life as you normally would and do not give cancer a second thought. You want to win and remain a winner so do all you can. If it means changing your diet, doing some form of exercise taking the natural route then, do it!
You can continue help Katie by purchasing cancer related (stronger together ) merchandise redbubble.
Thank you!!!
Leona-Sis Kate, Richards.
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