CANCER

While on break, I read about Shannon Doherty's passing, and I started to weep. I followed her ongoing breast cancer battle, and it hit me hard. Her struggles were documented, and her final days with family and friends were shared with the world. Cancer doesn't care about race, gender, or age-none of that matters. I remember when I found out about my diagnosis, it was shocking. Automatically, you hear cancer and think it's a death sentence. I pushed aside my personal feelings and returned back to work, addressing the cancer after work.

Everything happened quickly for me—the tests and the cancer removal. It felt like I was looking at someone else's life. I was lucky to be insured at the time. I think Shannon was without insurance and diagnosed late. Early detection is the keyto fighting cancer. Honestly, I don't know how long I walked around with cancer. Still, I was lucky to have it removed and treated. My doctor told me that the treatment was new. The tech radiated the site with radiation to kill the cells, followed by chemotherapy.

I refused chemo because my veins are small, and I thought the process would harm me more than help. My oncologist chewed me out about my decision. At the end of the day, it's my decision about my treatment and care. She said some awful things about cancer returning and what a mistake I was making. Cancelling the chemotherapy treatment was difficult. I didn't gloss over the ramifications. I had a plan to fight cancer with holistic remedies versus chemicals. I knew the risks and took them. I was lucky and have been in remission for 12 years. I know it's not the same for everyone.

Running can also help with breast cancer, according to what I read. After discovering that article, I was in full swing. For five years, I ran before and after work, determined to take advantage of all running benefits during my breast cancer battle. In addition, I changed my diet, consumed health smoothies, and cut out carbs. During that time, I also suffered greatly from fibroids. They grew back after I had surgery to remove them, so I decided to have a uterine artery embolization. Tiny particles were injected into my uterine artery to block blood flow. I fought battles on two fronts and won both.

I knew how much Shannon aspired to beat cancer and lost her fight in the end. At the time, I was also a caregiver and never told my mother about my diagnosis. I didn't want her to worry about me because she was weak and frail. I wanted to protect her from bad news about my health issues. As caregivers, it's key to care for yourself. It's difficult but necessary. Thinking back, I don't regret not telling her. Her state of mind and well-being were paramount to me.