I was diagnosed in May of 2022 with a malignant tumor in my right breast
or Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in doctors’ terms. I underwent a
Lumpectomy, eight rounds of Chemotherapy and nineteen rounds of
radiation. In March of 2023, I was told I was in remission after much
testing to confirm the outcome. I was overjoyed to receive this news! I still
have medicine to take for a while and a surgery to do (partial
hysterectomy). But I thought the worst was behind me. Unfortunately the
after effects of treatment can be just as bad as the treatment itself. I have
developed fears that I never had before, such as dying earlier than
expected from the treatments, what the treatments did to my body and of
course what if the treatments didn’t get all the cancer. I have anxiety
around scans and doctor offices. I have developed lymphedema in my arm
where the lymph nodes were taken out. I have neuropathy in my legs and
fingertips. I have memory problems otherwise known as Chemo Brain. I
have struggled emotionally, physically and mentally because of the
treatments. I am in no way saying that I am not thankful for my treatments
that saved my life but I wish, hope and pray that one day cancer
treatments can be as effective without the after effects. This wish extends
to my three daughters and anyone facing breast cancer in the future.
-Crystal Watson, survivor
