At first, I had a lot of fevers, constant headaches, and lost a lot of weight. After my diagnosis, I was told my 5-year survival rate was 70%. Still, I did seek another mammogram done privately.

With the news, I felt a lot of things, from optimism to fear.

• Frightened, nervous, worried
• Helpless, powerless
• Overwhelmed, confused
• Confident, courageous
• Hopeful, thankful

I became calmer and looked at life with more love and courage. I tried to eat healthier when I could.

I started with a treatment plan for breast-conserving surgery by lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy at first. Once I started treatment, I felt happier and more hopeful.

Unfortunately, I did need to change my treatment plan because it wasn’t working effectively. After that, I started on immunotherapy and pain medication.

What affected me the most was the hair loss, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Still, what helped me was eating better and prescribed medication.

Unfortunately, I lost my job and didn’t have enough money to eat well all the time.

I tried my best to commit to eating healthier most days.

I found myself spending more time with my parents and kid. Unfortunately, intimacy with my partner did drop, but we did find time for each other.

For me, I especially want to discover more cities in my own country. I hope to continue to enjoy my life by traveling, and spending time with friends. My biggest dream is to be cancer-free. With my loved ones, I just want to see them happy and healthy.

It’s the fear of becoming bedridden. To deal with this fear, I try to look for more of God's love.

Now, I still feel optimistic, thankful, hopeful and courageous.

Still, I feel confused at times, but privileged for what I have now.

To others, I would say: “We cannot give up, everything will have a solution in time. A diagnosis does not make us less of a person. We must live one day at a time.”