Hello Sisters! It’s October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This month is greatly appreciated by those who have been affective in some way by breast cancer. You may be undergoing treatment today, or have gone through treatment in the past or know of someone who has.
This disease first caught my attention about 20 years ago, when my grandmother was diagnosis with having it. And later my God-mother (one of my many mothers’) and some of my friends have faced this sometimes fatal disease.
Breast cancer awareness and fundraising, is extremely important. Not just for women, but men as well, who can have the disease. It helps fund cancer research, as well as, helps those living with the illness and their families.
According to U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics, in the US, they except approximately 246,000 plus new cases of invasive breast cancer to be diagnosis and about 61,000 of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer cases are expected to be reported in 2016. That’s about 12% of women in the United States alone.
SLU met Veronica Musie over the summer, who was sharing her story with a group of us, on surviving breast cancer. I reached out to Veronica, asking her to share her fight with the disease with our readers.
I personally, find her story to be compelling and uplifting. As she talks about how grateful she is to have been giving a chance to make a difference in the world. And the many blesses that she has received since winning the battle with breast cancer.
This month is greatly appreciated by those who have been affective in some way by breast cancer. You may be undergoing treatment today, or have gone through treatment in the past or know of someone who has.
This disease first caught my attention about 20 years ago, when my grandmother was diagnosis with having it. And later my God-mother (one of my many mothers’) and some of my friends have faced this sometimes fatal disease.
Breast cancer awareness and fundraising, is extremely important. Not just for women, but men as well, who can have the disease. It helps fund cancer research, as well as, helps those living with the illness and their families.
According to U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics, in the US, they except approximately 246,000 plus new cases of invasive breast cancer to be diagnosis and about 61,000 of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer cases are expected to be reported in 2016. That’s about 12% of women in the United States alone.
SLU met Veronica Musie over the summer, who was sharing her story with a group of us, on surviving breast cancer. I reached out to Veronica, asking her to share her fight with the disease with our readers.
I personally, find her story to be compelling and uplifting. As she talks about how grateful she is to have been giving a chance to make a difference in the world. And the many blesses that she has received since winning the battle with breast cancer.
SLU: Can you tell SLU, when you were diagnosis and at what stage? Veronica: I was diagnosis with breast cancer in 2009 at stage 3.
SLU: Did you suspect there was something wrong before the diagnosis? Veronica: Yes. Only one of my breasts would itch. So I went to have myself checked.
SLU: Did you have mammograms done annually? Veronica: No. I didn’t have them done regularly. That was my first time having one done.
SLU: How often do you have mammograms done now? Veronica: I get a mammogram done once a year now.
SLU: What were your concerns after being diagnosis with stage 3 breast cancer? Veronica: I felt no hope. I thought I would die the next day and I became very depressed.
SLU: What became your most concern? Veronica: Surviving the treatments.
SLU: Did you have a support team? Veronica: Yes. My family was very supportive; though I was hesitate to tell them in the beginning. Also, a nurse from the hospital took me to a breast cancer support center in Prince William County here in Virginia that really helped in my recovery.
SLU: What treatment options did you opt for or were advised? Veronica: I underwent a mastectomy, and chemo therapy.
SLU: Were there any other treatments you may have tried at that time? Veronica: None that I was aware of.
SLU: How has fighting cancer and coming out victorious changed your outlook on life? Veronica: My outlook on life has changed because of breast cancer. I live my life to the fullest and live each day like it may be my last. I am so grateful to be here today to share my story and to help someone else to win the fight against breast cancer.
SLU: Can you tell us what kept you motivated during that period of your life? Veronica: My faith!
SLU: What are you currently doing to help in the fight against breast cancer and to keep yourself healthy? Veronica: I have founded a breast cancer support organization called Alpha Breast Cancer Support Services (http://www.abcsr.org). After having the support during my trying time, I decided to help those in my community and started Alpha Breast Cancer Support Services in Northern Virginia. As for me, I am staying healthy with exercising, eating healthy foods and most importantly praising my Lord.
SLU: Besides helping in the fight against breast cancer, what else do you do? Veronica: I started and own a catering company called Vera’s Catering (http://www.verascatering.com/) in Virginia.
SLU: Tell us about your catering company. Veronica: The food is delicious. Its American food infused with the exotic Ethiopian cuisine.
Thank you Veronica for sharing that part of your life with SLU, we hope that it reaches someone who may be in need of an inspiring word.
Sincerely,
Dawn M. Dean
Sisters, please support women like Veronica. Who has fought or is fighting breast cancer by supporting foundations worldwide.
Veronica’s Alpha Breast Cancer Support Services 5K race against breast cancer is Saturday October 19th at 9:00am in Arlington, VA.
