The Fight Returns: My Second Battle with Cancer

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Part 2 – The Second Time

In May of 2023, I was visiting my cousin who lives in Plymouth, New Hampshire. We were having a wonderful time—shopping, going out to eat, and just enjoying each other’s company. During one of our conversations, I remember telling her that my left breast hurt, and I also felt pain under my arm.

As soon as I returned home to Maine, I immediately called New England Cancer Specialists. Thankfully, they got me in quickly. After a thorough examination, they scheduled another mammogram and biopsy at the hospital.

When the results came back, it was the news I had been dreading—cancer. Again. This was my second diagnosis (read Part 1 of my story).

My heart began to race, pounding so hard I could barely breathe. A massive panic attack hit me out of nowhere. I called my doctor and counselor right away. I was terrified and angry. Why? I kept asking myself. I was so very scared.

In June, I had surgery. This time, they removed 23 lymph nodes—10 of them were cancerous. I felt completely deflated. My anxiety was spinning out of control, and a deep depression set in. I withdrew from everything and everyone for a while.

But the love and support from my family and friends helped me through the darkest moments.

When chemotherapy started, I became incredibly sick. Managing my mental health during this time became one of the biggest challenges of my life. Keeping up with my medications and counseling sessions made things more tolerable, but the side effects were brutal.

Losing my hair was another heartbreaking blow. I had prepared with wigs, but nothing could truly prepare me for the emotional impact. What brought me to tears—and comfort—was seeing my family members shave their heads in solidarity. Their love gave me strength, even through the pain.

Then came radiation—five days a week, for five weeks. My skin became raw and sore. The exhaustion and emotional toll weighed heavily on me. Depression crept in again, but I knew I had no choice but to stay on top of my self-care.

Thanks to the unwavering support of my husband, family, and friends, I made it through the worst. I’m still continuing with preventative chemotherapy, and my journey isn’t over yet—but I’m standing.

More to come.

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Despite encouragement to follow a college-prep track in high school, I chose a two-year Health Occupations program instead. After working summer jobs and various other positions, I eventually found my calling as a Social Worker. Later in life, I returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Welfare.

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