When I started this journey to help women that have survived various forms of cancer, little did I know that these women would be so grateful for this small opportunity to have their portraits taken. So much is taken from them in the time of their diagnosis and treatment that I wanted to be able to give back something fun and exciting. All of these women have a story and I wanted to hightlight them and give them a chance to tell their stories. Tabatha Smith is the newest Survivor to grace my blog and share her story! You never know who you can help! Meet Tabatha...
I was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer at the age of 24. The date to be exact was March 24,2016, 3 days after I started a new job . While getting in the shower one day I decided to give myself a breast check, my right breast felt great , so I moved over to my left breast , as I went around my breast it felt great , I decided to touch my left nipple and I felt a lump right behind my nipple . I thought about it for awhile , as I started praying. Cancer came across my mind, I prayed "God give me strength". I finally stepped out the shower and went on about my day. I called my twin sister and I asked her what was the name of the Breast doctor.. she replied to me as she was giving me the information and stated to me you are ok, no worries, as I told her I found a lump in my left breast . I found the lump in my left breast in February 2016. I made an appt with the doctor, he did an ultra sound, felt my breast as well and stated to me I looked great and he was 100% sure it was no cancer and nothing to worry about! I went home after leaving the doctor still praying and talking to God! I prayed that God would guide me and lead me in the right direction. I arrived home and my gut feeling told me "something is not right" I Went back to the doctor and I stated to him you have to give me a biopsy , It's the only way you can prove to me you are right!
He stated to me he did not have time for that, that day and my ultra sound was Normal .. I stated "well I have all day so I am not going anywhere until I get one" so finally he did the biopsy...he then stated "Tabatha your breast look great with no signs of cancer." Weeks and weeks went by , and I heard the results "your results came back as cancer." I started talking to God, I called my mother and told her , she then hung up in my face. I never told my mom I had found a lump in my breast from the beginning. I then called Darius and he stated I'm coming to get you , I replied back , it's ok I'll make it home . I made it to my car and drove with tears just flowing and talking to God. I stated to God , if you bring me to it, you will bring me through it! I never even realized I was strong, I believe I surprised my own self.
I went for a mammogram the same day and my mammogram was 100% Normal, no cancer was ever picked up from my mammogram. The next day I went to get an MRI, my MRI did pick up the cancer. I say this to say, you must know your body because NO doctor knows your body as well as you do! I went on my life praying daily to keep me sane and to keep me from going crazy, not only was I devastated but I was more devastated that a doctor kept trying to convince me I did not know what I was talking about. I prayed through this whole process and God was truly my guide! My surgery was 8 hours long and I woke up very relaxed. I must say VCU did a wonderful job and I was 100% satisfied. My lump was about 2.1 cm. After getting all my results back my oncologist decided that getting 4 rounds of chemo every 3 weeks would be the best for me, due to my age and preventative reasons . I prayed that chemo would not take me down and thankful I must say, it did not. I did not get sick one time with chemo! Faith is the key to everything! Through it all I am a warrior and I know I can conquer anything that is faced my way with God on my side. What the devil meant for evil God turned it around and meant it for my good!! Today at the age of 25 I stand strongly as a breast cancer survivor !
