Long post…be patient .
I can’t believe it has been six years since I received the most scariest news in my life: You may have breast cancer. To hear that is like getting hit with a MAC truck with no brakes, especially when you are on TDY (temporary duty for my non-Military folks) and halfway across the Country from those closest to your heart. I didn’t know what this journey was going to entail; one day I am partying it up with my Battle Buddies, enjoying life, the next day I am sitting in front of a doctor trying to understand why I have a lump the size of a grapefruit in my breast. It’s funny how you see on tv all these women going thru hell combating to overcome death’s touch. Some will lose the battle, while others will win the war but walk out with battle scars. I for one wasn’t even sure if I had it in me to do this. Here I am at 28 years old looking at my mortality like it is a piece of fruit with an expiration date stamped on it. I mean, who the hell can go thru all of these painful tests and not say they aren’t afraid? Who is willing to get poked and prodded by a group of doctors trying to find out what your status is? You have to be one crazy chick to keep a smile on your face while the surgeon tells you that you have a better chance of survival by getting a mastectomy than going thru steroid therapy. But….I did it. Even where my weight and my emotions went thru a roller coaster cycle, I conquered my fear and fought the biggest fight of my life. I am happy to say that after having a lumpectomy and 9 months of intense medical treatment I was able to get thru the worst of the storm illness-free. I have to first say that I will always be grateful to God for putting certain people in my life that helped me when I wasn’t strong enough to move on. My Battle, @cebethomas was instrumental in helping me get thru my journey. This Military Diva was not only there for me during my surgery, but afterwards as well. Instead of having me go to the hospital every day, She volunteered to come to my room every morning before work to change my dressing and make sure my needs were taken care of. Now, you may think that is nothing, but when you have a 3 inch hole in your chest that need to be constantly cleaned & filled with gauze, you would rethink your answer. This Diva truly showed me that Soldiers take care of their own. She is the epitome of the Soldier’s Creed, a walking example of how Military Sisters take care of each other. I do what I do because of her and women like her. I will be forever grateful to her for that. ️
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This Military Diva of the Week is dedicated to all the women who have had to overcome an illness while on/off duty and for Soldiers like SFC Thomas who steps in and provides that support when we need it most. Tag a Military Sister whose been thru the journey. #donttakelifeforgranted #knowyourstatus #
