CG's Story: My Family's Love Got Me Through
CG Brown is a Breastcancer.org Community member in Waggaman, Louisiana, USA.
If you’re newly diagnosed stay positive. You should always look for the good in each day. I was fortunate to have family and friends who prayed for and with me.
I was diagnosed in 2016 with ER/PR positive and then triple negative. Chemo and radiation the first diagnosis, and then triple negative.
I immersed myself in the care of my children and grandchildren, being thankful. I would tell people, "Cancer is what I have and not who I am." So many people would say, "You are always smiling."
My challenges included side effects from treatment. Mouth sores, diarrhea were expected but when I lost my finger- and toenails it was painful as well as embarrassing – they turned black and people would stare.
Even today, I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction failed on right side, so I get strange looks when I am out. I joke and make light so people don’t feel uncomfortable. I wish people understand that when you have cancer you need support after treatments as well. You carry the effects with you after treatments. It's like having PTSD. You remember and it can affect you long-term.
I listened to music to help me through the painful days. I stayed active to avoid depression: going on outings, family activities. I kept a smile on my face and as I smiled, my family stayed positive and that kept me going. God gave me strength and as I awakened daily, I focused on the will to keep moving and fighting. I worry some days cancer may come back in my life but I am ready.
