Jewelene's Story

In 2021, I was 53 years old, newly remarried and enjoying a fulfilling 30 year nursing career supporting clients facing serious and life threatening issues.

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I recall the morning I noticed a lump in my left breast.

There was no history of any type of cancer in my family and I suspected it was likely just a fibroid.

Before I could get an appointment with my physician and schedule a mammogram, I noticed changes in the appearance of my breast.

This definitely scared me as I knew this could be much more than a fibroid.

I remember trying to rationalize there was another explanation for the symptoms other than cancer.

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But during my mammogram and ultrasound the radiologist came in and did not mix words; this was cancer.

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I was quickly scheduled for a biopsy and scans; the results were devastating.

I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer with metastasis to my liver, spine and scapula.

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I remember that I had to remind myself to breathe.

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Within a week, I had a port placed and my treatment started.

The treatment was very aggressive and challenging.

I worked as long as I could but I became so debilitated towards the end of my chemo, that I could not drive, and eventually became unable to walk or hold myself up.

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It had only been a few months since my diagnosis and I was lying in bed, unable to eat, taking fluids by IV and becoming weaker and weaker.

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One night as I struggled to get to the bathroom, crawling on the floor,

I just stopped and wondered if this was dying.
That night I realized I did not want to die.

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I had to find a way to support my body to heal.

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I wasn't going to survive by my medical treatment alone, nor was I going to survive by chance. 

I was going to 'Survive On Purpose'

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I mustered every ounce of strength and courage and committed to my recovery.

This required a focus on my body, mind and spirit.

I ate not because I wanted food, but to fuel my body.

I anticipated symptoms and proactively managed with both medications and herbal, holistic remedies.

I re-framed my mindset to be positive and uplifting.

And I maintained a spiritual awareness that I was part of a much bigger plan with many reasons to live.

After only 8 months from my diagnosis, I was showing no evidence of cancer!

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I continued to improve in my recovery from the cancer and the effects of the treatment.

Just as I had survived on purpose, I learned to 'Thrive On Purpose' as well.

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I took everything I had learned during my journey and knew my experience could support others in similar situations.

 

Even though with Stage 4 cancer I will always have the potential for recurrence,

I refuse to live in the 'what if'.

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I started Wellness After Cancer to share with others facing a similar road the skills and steps they too can take to give themselves the best opportunity to not only survive but truly thrive.

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Wishing you Wellness,

Jewelene