I was actually lucky to be the unlucky statistic

I AM MORE THAN CANCER

Yes, Breast Cancer chose me, but I chose how I wanted to deal with it.

I thought I was doing all the right things. I applied sunscreen every day, I didn’t smoke, I did Pilates, I ate an apple a day, I laughed a lot and I was in a very happy and healthy place in my life. I had recently started shifting to an overall healthier lifestyle – incorporating superfoods and healthier alternatives in my diet, walking every morning and even shifting my cosmetics to natural products. So what happened?

Apparently, I was the unlucky 1 in 8 Breast Cancer statistic.

April 12, 2018 – 10:15 am, I read the words that would turn my life upside down: Invasive Ductal Adenocarcinoma. For a moment, I wished I didn’t know what that meant. For a moment I believed that if I don’t say them out loud, it would all go away. No words can describe what I felt that moment, and I will probably never find words, but I know now that what matters isn’t that moment, but what came afterwards.

It took exactly two weeks from the day of my diagnosis to begin my Chemotherapy treatment. These two weeks involved a whirlwind of emotions, denial, tears, critical decisions, and tedious doctors’ appointments and screenings.

These two weeks also included preparations for my engagement party, a total hair makeover, laughter, and so much love.

October 12, 2018 – 11:30 am, I was officially confirmed Cancer free; it took me 6 months to the day.

These six months involved 16 five-to-six-hour Chemotherapy sessions, more than 50 needle insertions, more than 50 trips to the hospital, 2 surgeries, 1 trip to the ER, fatigue, hair loss and many other experiences that are now a blur to me.

These six months were also full of laughter, befriending other patients and nurses, easier showers and less time getting ready; thanks to not having any hair, sharing my story and raising awareness on Breast Cancer on my Instagram platform MatchaAndMascara. I used my platform to try and help other cancer patients and fighters through educational posts and real-life experiences which I was living daily. I also got the opportunity to meet and collaborate with wonderful people and organizations on awareness campaigns involving the Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation.

Yes, Breast Cancer chose me but I chose how I wanted to deal with it.

At the time, I was 28 years old and I still had my whole life ahead of me. I chose to use it to push myself forward, appreciate every good and bad day, adjust my perspective on life, love harder, laugh more often, live fuller and use my experience to raise awareness on early detection, health, and wellbeing. In doing so, I found purpose, hope, and strength.

Patience, love, trust, hope, discipline, knowledge and a smile will get you through the best and worst days; they will help you grow in ways you never knew and find a strength you never knew you had.

April 12, 2018 – Little did I know that I was actually lucky to be the unlucky statistic.

[mashshare]

ABOUT Maria

Bio

  • Beirut, Lebanon

Diagnosis

  • Breast Cancer

Primary Treatment

  • Chemotherapy

Primary Cancer Center

  • Other

ENCOURAGE OTHERS!

Tell others in our community about yourself and your journey, and consider sharing great moments and lessons learned to help them become MORE THAN cancer.

>>Add your story & make a difference.

Learn

Read Our Stories

Experience inspiring stories from our patients, family caregivers, physicians and others.

Encourage

Share Your Story

Tell others about yourself and your journey; inspire them to be MORE THAN CANCER.

Act

Advocate For Change

Engage with others and advance important causes by advocating for change.

Donate

Help Fund Love

Share a gift in any amount to help our research and education missions.

Featured Stories

FundLove Presents: I Am More Than Cancer Campaign for

How My Body and I Are Meeting Cancer

Given the opportunity to heal, our bodies have superhuman powers.
by Katie Bobka

FundLove Presents: I Am More Than Cancer Campaign for

A Soldier's Fight Continues When She Returns Home

I would soon be putting my M16 down and picking up the harsh treatments of chemotherapy
by Brandi Benson

FundLove Presents: I Am More Than Cancer Campaign for

Lola's main priority was her family.

She made sure we celebrated any and all occasions together.
by Geronima Ambe

Community Stories

Breast cancer was hard but I was stronger.

I love who I am now and I appreciate my body like I never did before.
by Eddi Girardin

Life threw me a new challenge.

This is a challenge I'm intending to smash and come out stronger than ever!
by Jer Este

I will never take the little things for granted ever again.

Finally I made it to June 30th, 2020. I got to ring the bell! Finally this type of torture was done and I could move on to the next.
by Jamie Powell