Surviving Breast Cancer My Story
I am currently three years out from my diagnosis with Stage IIA Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (Breast Cancer). Loosing both my parents and four of my sisters was extremely difficult, but non of these experiences prepared me enough for my diagnosis with Breast Cancer! Diagnosed at age 38, I knew very little about Breast Cancer, had no known family history of Breast Cancer and no known risk factors.
I felt a 'lump' in my left breast while having a shower one day - I assumed it was a swollen milk duct because I had just stopped nursing my son Michael II. A few days later I felt it again and after about 3 weeks, it was more defined. I told my husband Michael about it and he suggested we get it checked right away. I ignored it for a few more weeks, hoping it would just go away! Eventually, I had the mammogram. After a second mammogram, an ultrasound and Biopsy, it was confirmed that I had Cancer. I was shocked! I read the pathology report in disbelief and for a while I just stood there - and then my whole life flashed before my eyes!
Physically, I recovered well and fast - I forced myself to work everyday to keep my mind off the Cancer. I had been through a myriad of feelings - the worst being constantly worrying about leaving my kids if the worst happened.
My husband was and continues to be the greatest source of my strength. I would have not made it half way through this journey without him.
For a while, I suffered a deep sense of regret - I felt like I had let my children down, because I could not be there the way a mother is supposed to for her kids. My oldest son Kwame was only 9, Candice was 6, Michelle 3 years old and Michael II less than a year old. I owe gratitude to the Principal of Somerset Academy Charter School, Davie (Mrs Dina Miller), who was kind enough to ask the teachers to take turns helping my kids with their homework while I was going through treatment. That sure meant alot to me. I was intoxicated for months and my "chemo-brain" couldn't have remembered how to sum up one and two!
My sisters Irene and Diana were the first I told of my diagnosis. They have been extremely supportive. I remember one day, while holding myself a "pity party", I called Irene and cried like a baby over the phone - she came running to my house and I couldn't explain to her why I was crying:)) Sometimes, I hurt for my sisters because my journey with cancer has been theirs to bear.
I've done extremely well so far, thank God - but while appreciating how fortunate I've been, to have had care and support at all levels in the treatment process, I am aware of how difficult it is for a woman in Zambia going through an experience like this one - with such limited resources. People from the most under-served rural communities do not even get the chance to fight. They die before they are diagnosed. If they do get diagnosed, its usually in the late stages when its too late to help them. I am exceptionally grateful to the Medical Professionals in Zambia, like Dr. Chifumbe Chintu of the University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Dr Nachor Bunda of Ndola Central Hospital and Dr. Nkomba Chamileke of Kitwe Central Hospital, Mrs Dorothy Mwambazi (Nurse and Breast Cancer Survivor) for their professional support.
I am now on a different kind of journey - a journey that is not for me - but for the many people in Zambia facing cancer without any resources to fight it. I thank you for choosing to take this journey with me - a journey I know will not be easy but one that is worthwhile taking.
Doreen Chulu Mwenya-Grant
Breast Cancer Survivor
March 2009
Advocate/Member/Volunteer:
American Cancer Society
Susan G Komen Foundation
Avon, Army of Women
Sisters Network (African-American Survivors)
Young Survival Coalition (YSC)
