Cancer Free!

"I am strong, not because I want to be,

but because I have to be."

Photographer: Julio Uyesugi

Location: Downtown

Hair & Make up: Melody Lai

“You haven’t lived until you almost died.”

Never in my life would I have imagined that I would have to get tested for cancer at 24 years old. So many thoughts ran through my head. What if the test results came back positive for cancer? How would I be able to afford this? I was honestly praying for the best, but expecting for the worst and trying to remain positive as best as I could throughout the process. Luckily, my prayers were answered and my results came back last week as fibroadenoma or a benign (non cancerous) breast tumor.

Flash back to 2016

During my college career, I noticed there was a small lump on my right breast. In 2016, I scheduled an appointment for a visit with a nurse practitioner. One appointment led to the next and resulted in appointments I didn’t have the courage or finances to follow up with.

Flash forward to 2018

My grand uncle passed away this February due to cancer. And three months later, I also found out my grandmother passed away. Heart broken and devastated, getting tested was the last thing on my mind. My depression came back and each day became a constant emotional minefield. But through the encouragement of a good friend, I finally built up the courage to reschedule these appointments.

It started with a visit to the obgyn, which led to a follow up appointment with an ultrasound technician. The results came back a few days later and I was informed there is a small nodule. In order to check if the nodule was cancerous, they needed to take a biopsy sample. I was then scheduled for a procedure where the doctor inserted needles into me and placed clip markers to notate which areas have been prodded. Mind you that I was not under anesthetics and was fully aware of my surroundings throughout the entire procedure. It was both mortifying and intriguing to witness all at the same time. I was then instructed on how to take care of the wound and sent on my way. A week passed by and I received the good news over the phone and I am scheduled for a follow up appointment in six months.

A huge mahalo to Dr. Diana Huang and staff, Hawaii Diagnostic Radiology Services, and Queen’s Medical Center Women’s Center for your hospitality and patience throughout this extensive process. Thank you to all the friends and family “cheerleaders” and to those that constantly checked up on me, especially when the times got tough. I am strong, not because I want to be, but because I have to be and thank you for letting me confide in you. This was something I needed to go through because it showed me that I really can overcome anything.

This experience has taught me to live life to the absolute fullest because tomorrow is never promised. Life is too short. Let go of the things and people holding you back. Live in the moment and enjoy the journey. “You only life once, but if you do it right, once is enough” -Mae West

Previous blog post: http://marshmelodyy2.blogspot.com/2017/12/self-love.html