My journey with breast cancer began in June 2021 after a long conversation with my primary care physician. Prior to meeting Dr. S. Sheikh I was rejected at every turn with my requests to have a cancer screening. Thankfully when I sat down with Dr. S. Sheikh she felt that a screening was needed after reading my previous lab reports. It was with her help and guidance that I began to see Dr. S. Navqui who cleared me to take the cancer screening. The results found that I am positive for an aggressive type of cancer that is rare. It is the MSH6 also known as Lynch Syndrome. Thanks to these two beautiful women I was able to find and have removed a benign tumor in my colon, and a have had a complete hysterectomy that was proven to be a true life saver. After these tests I felt in my heart that it was time to have a double mastectomy because I suffered with fibroid cystic breast disease which is a great masker of breast cancer. On February 14, 2023 I started with a breast reduction in preparation of my double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery. This procedure went smoothly, and without any complications. Finally, on May 17, 2023 I went into surgery for the completion of my double breast mastectomy. Similar to the previous surgery everything went well, until post-surgery the next day. On May 18th I encountered complications which caused my heart to stop for fifteen minutes. I was rushed to the hospital once my heart began to beat again. I was in the hospital for one week, but once I was home it did not deter me from attending my last son's senior graduation. He cried so hard because he was there watching as I laid on the bed fighting for my life. It is a moment that I will never forget because it was difficult for the ones I love.
I want to say this because it is the truth, and it is the one event that prepared me mentally for everything that transpired that May 18th. GOD spoke to me the day before my surgery and HE told me that I would experience this. However, I did not let those words scare me away from what I know needed to be done. I trusted HIM because he has always taken care of me.
Please donate if not for me, for someone you love, or someone who may need the support that is often hard to find.
Love Always,
Shantesa Terrell
