Practicing Medicine

As I embarked on my journey through breast cancer treatment, each day brought forth new challenges and emotions. Today was no exception. I woke up feeling the effects of the treatment coursing through my body. It seemed as though my system was in overdrive, expelling fluids and leaving me feeling parched and drained. Despite the physical discomfort, I knew I had to present a composed front today, especially for my daughter. The home going celebration for her role model was scheduled for this morning.

As I got dressed, I made a conscious effort to select an outfit that concealed any outward signs of my health struggles. It was important to me to maintain a sense of normalcy, even in the face of adversity. Seeking a boost of confidence, I enlisted the help of a makeup artist, someone I had worked with on numerous occasions. I knew she would paint on the face that I once had. I didn’t want to look like what I’ve been going through.

As she applied makeup to my face, she couldn’t help but notice the dryness of my skin, a cue of the battle raging within me. She mentioned her discovery to me without even knowing my story. I decided to open up to her and share my story. As I spoke, I could see the emotion welling up in her eyes. The impact of cancer was not only on the individual, but also on those who cared for them. Despite the gravity of the situation, I tried to maintain a sense of positivity, sharing that this was a blessing in disguise rather than a tragedy. There are a number of ways that this could have been worse. My body had not shown any red flag signs of the disease that lurked within. I could have gone years without knowing, only to find out about its presence when it was too late.

I’ve learned the importance of embracing change and finding strength in the face of adversity. Each day presented its own set of challenges, but I refused to let them define me. It won’t define me and it won’t keep me from being me. With the love of my family in my heart and the determination to keep moving forward, I pray to emerge from this stronger.