When Chemo Side Effects Forced Her To Stay Home She Tried To Remember “This Too Shall Pass”

Rays of Resilience: 31 Stories in 31 Days. So many people around the world have been affected by breast cancer, yet no two breast cancer journeys are the same. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re celebrating a new survivor every day. Their resilience is an inspiration to us all.

My name is Pam.

I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in December of 2017. After the mastectomy, they found tumors in the lymph nodes, so two weeks later I was back in again for another surgery for lymph node removal.

During this time, I saw a sign with the pink ribbon stating “This too shall pass.” I won’t go into the pain that came from that, but to say the least, it was intense. Every time I found myself getting down though, I would have a good cry and remember that this too will pass.

One more surgery for the port insertion, and then I was ready for the chemo infusions. Most days I felt horrible and forced myself to get up and get moving. I went back to work as soon as possible. Sitting at home made me feel that the cancer had me and I wasn’t letting that happen.

However, I will not lie, I was sent home at times because I tried too hard, too soon. I cried myself to sleep and cried every time I saw my reflection in a mirror.

With chemo done, I could move on to the radiation. This was supposed to get easier, right? That is what I told everyone, in hopes of believing it myself.

I am down to a small area remaining to heal from the burn that comes from the radiation.

People would say that I am an inspiration because I fought through it all with little or no complications, and if it wasn’t for the hair loss you wouldn’t even know. My hair is coming back now.

I know I have a long way to go, but no matter what the future holds, I know that this too shall pass.

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