Débora Vendramini-Costa Reflects on One Year Cancer Journey
Débora Vendramini-Costa, Assistant Scientist at Henry Ford Pancreatic Cancer Center, posted on X:
“In 11/09/23 I was going through biopsies of suspicious breast lumps that turned out to be Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. 1y ago my breast cancer journey started and I didn’t know If I would be here today. It is bittersweet. The cancers are out but the fear stays. It never goes away.
It is a crazy feeling. While it is amazing that I am undergoing treatment, and probably will be ok, the ghosts are around. This fear is underrated for people like me, who did not go through chemo and physically showed my journey, such as losing hair, for example.
I talked to women in my situation, and this is a common feeling. I am not saying that we need compassion. I am exposing a feeling that we don’t talk about because most cancer warriors like me feel guilty to have this feeling. We “should” be thankful that ours was manageable.
Dealing with these feelings is tricky. It is almost like self sabotage. I just wanted to tell all of you going through this: I get you. Now, added to this fear, is the fear of losing the right to the treatment and screening we need, to reach that 5y survival. Good luck to us.
Finally, perhaps most people don’t understand the effects of hormonal therapy, like the one I am getting for 5y. Yes, it is all internal. But wow. What a mess.”
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