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Elizabeth Ugwoma Awo-Ejeh: No Two Experiences with Cancer Are the Same

Elizabeth Ugwoma Awo-Ejeh/X

Jan 8, 2025, 13:05

Elizabeth Ugwoma Awo-Ejeh: No Two Experiences with Cancer Are the Same

Elizabeth Ugwoma Awo-Ejeh, Advocate for Early Detection and Women’s Empowerment, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“No Two Experiences with Cancer Are the Same

Before I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 25, I didn’t know much about it. Like most people, I thought cancer was a death sentence. But going through it myself has shown me that no two experiences are ever the same.

When I first heard the words “You have cancer,” I felt like my world had ended. I was scared, confused, and overwhelmed. I didn’t know what to expect, and the fear of the unknown consumed me. Starting chemotherapy was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. Losing my hair, dealing with nausea, and battling fatigue took a toll on me. Some days, I felt like I was losing myself.

Each step of the process came with its own challenges. But what hit me the hardest was the financial burden. Cancer treatment is expensive. From chemotherapy to surgery, radiotherapy, and ongoing hormone therapy, the costs kept piling up. There were times when I couldn’t afford my medications and had to go weeks without them, hoping and praying it wouldn’t set me back.

I remember meeting other women during my treatment. Some looked so strong, smiling and full of energy despite the challenges, while others were visibly struggling, both physically and emotionally. I often wondered how they managed to stay so upbeat when I sometimes felt like I was barely holding it together. But I soon learned that it wasn’t about being strong all the time, it was about taking each day as it came and giving yourself permission to feel whatever emotions came up.

Even after treatment, the journey doesn’t end. Healing takes time~not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too. I’m still on hormone therapy, and there are days when the side effects make me feel like I’m still fighting. But I’m learning to take it one day at a time.

If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that cancer doesn’t define who I am. It’s part of my story, but it’s not the whole story. I’ve learned to be kind to myself, to give myself grace, and to keep pushing forward no matter how hard it gets.

I’m sharing this because I know how lonely and scary this journey can be. But you’re not alone. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, going through treatment, or recovering, know that it’s okay to feel scared, tired, or even broken. Healing isn’t always quick, but it’s possible.

No two experiences with cancer are the same, but one thing I know for sure is that we’re all stronger than we think.”

Elizabeth Ugwoma Awo-Ejeh: No Two Experiences with Cancer Are the Same