Stories of strength, women surviving beyond breast cancer. This month highlights the strength and resilience of breast cancer patients and survivors. Many people suffer from breast cancer. It’s one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women around the world. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is important to shine a spotlight on breast cancer, honoring the patients who keep on fighting, the ones we lost, and the ones who survived, and share their stories. It highlights the importance of routine screening for the early diagnosis of breast cancer and its prevention.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we interviewed Adrianna Abo Zeid and Yasmine Ghaith, two proud survivors who shared their story with us. Sharing the first time they got diagnosed, the challenges they faced, and the road to recovery.
Diagnosis and Discovery
The moment someone finds out they are diagnosed with cancer is a very hard and emotional moment. Adriana shares that her diagnosis came as a complete shock at a time when she was fully content with her family and motherhood. She expresses how seeing her family made her want to keep fighting for herself and their future together.
“You never think you’ll hear the word “cancer” connected to your name. I remember freezing in that moment, especially because I was alone at the doctor’s office. It felt like time had stopped. I cried right there after all, I was only 33 years old.”
Yasmine shares how she was confused and surprised at the time, scared to discover that she might have cancer, until she checked it out with a doctor to make sure before things could escalate. She says,
“When the doctors confirmed my diagnosis, I broke down in tears. All I could think about was wanting to live for my son and to be there to watch him grow.”
Fighting Through the Storm
Many challenges accompany cancer physically, mentally, and emotionally. The process of chemotherapy and its many side effects. From appetite loss, chronic headaches, to feeling out of control and depressed. Adriana shares,
“Every woman wants to feel beautiful, but during chemotherapy with hair loss, weight changes, and skin issues, it’s a real challenge to look at yourself and say, “I look beautiful.”
Yasmine shares how the whole experience was challenging, in addition to the toll of its side effects. She says,
“ The hormonal treatment was brutal too, as it put me into early menopause, shutting down all my hormones and making me deal with all the side effects at such a young age.”
Hope, Strength, and Resilience
There is always hope during difficult times, although it takes a different shape for everyone. Love and support from family and loved ones make a huge difference. For Adriana, Faith, her husband, and her children were her backbone. She wanted to see her children grow up.
“Gratitude became my weapon. Even in pain, I searched for something to be thankful for. I refused to let cancer take away my identity. I was still a woman, a mom, a wife, a sister, and a fighter.”
For Yasmine, her 4-year-old son and family supported her through this hard journey. She shares,
“My 4-year-old son would often give me hugs and kisses, which I told him always made me feel better. I received a lot of comfort from him during this time.”
Finding Strength in Every Step
Recovery is a long road, mentally, emotionally, and physically, for many survivors. Giving yourself space to slow down and rest, listening to your body’s needs, taking slow walks, and eating nutritious food. Adriana shares,
“Recovery isn’t linear. But choosing patience, self-love, and compassion each day became the most powerful form of healing.”
Yasmine expresses,
“I also strengthened my connection with God, became more mindful of my eating habits and improved them, and incorporated regular exercise into my routine.”
Healing Practices
Stories of the strength of women surviving beyond breast cancer give us hope for a brighter future. Adriana and Yasmine gained some healing practices and routines along their journeys. For example, Yasmine started writing, drawing, and exercising. She shares,
“Writing was never something I was particularly fond of, but I developed the habit during my journey. I also returned to drawing, which has always been my favorite hobby.”
Adriana incorporated different things into her healing process, like physiotherapy to rebuild her physical strength, therapy, and holistic medicine to help cleanse all past medications. In addition to something that became like a ritual in her family,
“I created comforting habits like Friday movie nights with my family and made it a point to go to church every week, which gave me spiritual strength and peace.”
The Hidden Struggles After Healing
There are many silent battles survivors battle in recovery. Yasmine and Adriana share some of the challenges they encountered during their recovery journey. Like, silent depression, survivor’s guilt, body image, and weight gain. Yasmine shares,
“Weight gain can be a side effect of chemotherapy as well as hormonal treatment. Unfortunately, the doctors did not inform me about these changes, which left me feeling quite frustrated.”
For Adriana, she shares,
“One of the most unexpected challenges is realizing that you’re not the same person you were before cancer, physically, emotionally, and mentally. You survived, but you’re changed.”
Messages of Hope
Yasmine and Adriana share a message to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, reminding them they’re not alone in this journey, who truly understand what they’re going through.
Yasmine says,
“I would encourage them to stay strong, reminding them that this too shall pass. I would also reassure them that it’s okay to feel weak at times; you don’t always have to be strong.”
Adriana says,
“First, take a deep breath. I know it feels like your world has just shifted, and in many ways, it has, but you are stronger than you think. Give yourself space to feel everything, but don’t let fear take over. You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story.”