Stacy Murray-Medcalf: How Breast Cancer Changed My Life | Features / Entertainment

The process for me began in February 2004 when my tumor was found on a self-examination. It was in August that I was diagnosed with the first image reading error. I had a formal diagnosis on Friday and started the treatment process the following Monday, but only in April 2005 I was allowed to continue my life.

Note that I didn’t go back to my normal routine. Breast cancer has brought about new normal conditions such as a healthier life, changes in sleep patterns, anxiety, and wardrobe changes. Due to my changes, the routines that existed before the diagnosis changed significantly after the treatment protocol. I have now faced life with a new perspective on many things. I now face the restless life of doctors and nurses and call whenever I have any questions. Most importantly, I am now facing a physically altered life. My body no longer had all the parts I was born with. So I had to learn to deal with all the emotional aspects I have just experienced. It’s still a process because every day I see the scars that exist to remind me.

I was still healed. In the process of healing, I learned that not only the body needs to be healed, but also the mind and emotions need to be healed. I didn’t focus on myself because I was focused on being okay for everyone else. At that time, I felt it was good to divert my energy to other people and things because I couldn’t concentrate on the fact that I had cancer in my body and every day people die with the same diagnosis. It took me a while to balance my experience with what it taught me. It took me years to be able to fully handle what I was able to witness during my experience and that journey of health. The biggest point for me was to understand how blessed I was. There was no treatment due to reaction or illness due to hospitalization. I have witnessed the impact of breast cancer on others and some of the struggles they faced to secure medication, transportation and support networks.

Having breast cancer ignited me and became a source of support, knowledge, resources, and prayer for others facing health problems. It is very important to know what is going to happen when you are newly diagnosed with the disease. I was informed about what would happen daily, weekly, and monthly, but not all the other “small” things that were important when they happened. I was not informed to contact breast cancer organizations, cancer organizations, community health departments, or hospitals for resources, information, and even medications. I was unaware of the emotional and psychological distress I could experience after all treatments were over. But a few years after the cancer was gone, I began to immerse myself in as much information as I could to make sure I knew someone else.

Ten years ago, my husband Larry and I, along with friends Lewis and Marcella Harvey, joined The Cause Inc, a non-profit organization to prevent these “little things” from becoming a heavy burden. Was established.

We sought to partner with organizations, businesses, healthcare providers and local hospitals to provide a wealth of information available to individuals outside the clinic. These individuals spend their time joining the community, presenting resources, providing free screening, educating, and allowing free Q & A sessions. Local restaurants, hotels, cinemas and entertainment venues offer free services to help patients and their families escape the stress associated with health problems.

So having breast cancer stirs up the gifts that were in me to use my experience for others. Sometimes no one understands, like someone who has experienced what others are experiencing. My breast cancer wasn’t in vain if my cancer experience helped someone to achieve better results, or just have a good day. I believe that God intends us to be a source of power and support for our peers. Someone was there for me. I have to make myself available as well.

I am grateful for my trip because it gave me a different perspective on life and life. I encourage those facing a healthy journey to remain as positive as possible, handle what they are experiencing, and not be afraid to write down, speak, and ask questions.

For those who have not experienced any health problems, know your body. Listen to it. It tells you something is wrong. Do not blow away sudden pain, blemishes, lumps or pain. Please check out. Probably don’t let anyone say nothing. Do your self-examination. Observe your doctor and regular routines as this establishes a baseline that allows you to determine if something is happening to your body.

And finally, I forgot to say the important thing, I live every day for your purposes. Try to accept the changes that are coming. Not all changes are bad. For me, change clarified the purpose and called on my life to advocate awareness of health resources. “If I can help someone while traveling, my life will not be wasted.”