June 11, 2014

Julie Nyamande: Her Race for life

Phenomenal women do not come around every day and I felt that I had to share the inspirational story of Julie Nyamande, Wife and Mother of Amelia aged 7 years and Ethan 7 months who at 32 whilst pregnant with her second child Ethan at 36 weeks was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

Julie is my cousin’s wife and she is a soldier who has documented her journey to beating cancer through her Facebook page. I have never seen her down for long & she remains up-beat, strong and defiant to kick Cancers sorry ass!

Julie will be taking part in the 5K Race for Life at Clumber Park on Saturday 21^st June 2014 just days after completing her cancer treatment.

What I hope you take from Julie’s story is that there is a rainbow in every cloud and in all of us there is this unimaginable strength to take on life’s challenges. Breast Cancer can happen to any one of us even those as young as 22 (not to scare you) but it is important to pay attention to our breasts, get familiar with how they feel and look and if you notice anything unusual to speak to your GP.

Can you tell us how you discovered you had breast cancer and how you felt when you heard the news?

I found a small lump on the side of my right breast when I was taking my bra off. The more I felt it the more I knew something was wrong. I saw an on call doctor the next day and he advised me “it was nothing to worry about” and that it was natural changes in my Breast due to being pregnant. I insisted on a referral to the breast clinic. After waiting for 9 days I was seen by the breast specialist who again said it was nothing to worry about. However, I had biopsies done and an ultrasound scan. I then had to wait 2 weeks for the results and they were the longest weeks of my life as I tried to prepare my husband for the worst. Then the day came for the results. I sat in the consultant’s room being 36 weeks pregnant and was told “I am afraid the biopsy came back as cancer”. I was given the weekend to make a decision if I wanted a mastectomy or lumpectomy.  I also made a plan with my Obstetrician to be induced at 37 weeks-5 days after giving birth I was in surgery having a lumpectomy.

How did you manage to stay motivated throughout your treatment?

Everything happened so fast from giving birth and then having surgery to then being told I would be having chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Following surgery I became very low in mood and was scared I would never get to see my children grow up. My husband was amazing and helped me open my eyes and realise that I had to fight for my babies. I had many down days but all I had to do was look at my babies and my husband and that helped keep me positive. I also had a fantastic breast specialist nurse called Elsa and was able to talk to her if I needed advice or any questions.

Did you have a favourite song/s that kept you going when times were difficult?

I listened to a lot of music while I was going through chemo as my sessions could last between 2-5 hours. I would listen to a range of music from Eva Cassidy, Beyoncé, Joe Thomas, Jagged Edge especially as they recorded our wedding song- Lucky Charm. On my last chemo session I made a point of listening to Kanye West- Stronger because I knew that after this whole experience I would be stronger as a person.

Were there any positive quotes or affirmations that helped you throughout your treatment?

I watched my mum battle cancer and right up to the end she would tell me that she was never afraid. Mum was one of the strongest, most influential women I have had the pleasure of knowing. I was truly blessed to have had such a strong woman in my life. In my mind I could hear her telling me to never be afraid.  The quotes that gave me strength throughout my journey were

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

“The days you are the most uncomfortable are the days you learn the most about yourself”

What was the most challenging part of your treatment andhow did you overcome it?

It has to be Chemotherapy-it really does test your sanity. I remember the day after the 1st session I really thought I was dying. My whole body was in pain and every time I moved I was so ill. After my 2nd cycle my hair began to fall out. I couldn’t let my daughter play with my hair like she usually did as it would have fallen out into her hands.

I decided that if my hair was going to fall out, it was going to fall out on my terms, so I shaved it off!

Looking in the mirror for the 1st time after my husband had shaved my head was difficult. I think that was the 1st time I felt I looked like a “typical” cancer patient. I still looked like me but I had lost my identity with the loss of my hair and with it I lost my confidence.  As the weeks went on I became more confident and comfortable with my appearance.  My little girl would rub my head and tell me I looked beautiful and that’s all that mattered to me. I remember my 1st trip to the shops without a hat and the looks I got from people-the 2nd glances, the laughs from the school kids at the bus stop, the 80 year old man opening the shop door for me. It was hard but now I don’t even notice it.

How important do you think educating women about how to spot the signs of breast cancer is?

Educating young women about spotting the signs for breast cancer is so important and more needs to be done. I remember sitting in the breast clinic waiting room and looking at all the posters on the wall of older women and not seeing any women my age. Young women think that breast cancer only affects older women after the age of 50 but I have met so many young women on this journey from 22 years old. This disease effects every single woman- young and old- nobody is safe from it. I tell all my friends to check their breasts on a regular basis. If cancer is caught early then survival rates are high. Every woman should know their breast well enough to know when something is not right and you can insist on a referral to the breast clinic

Finally, you are running the race for life on the 21^st June 2014. Why did you decide to run so soon after treatment?

Cancer research saved my life. It has allowed my children to keep their mum and my husband still has his wife. I have met so many woman who were not as lucky as me but thanks to cancer research they are able to prolong their lives.

I am too weak to run but I am going to be walking.  I am walking for the next woman diagnosed with breast cancer, my daughter and for my mum who lost her fight to cancer. I am walking for every daughter, mother and grandmother to try and beat this disease. I am walking to prove that being diagnosed with cancer does not mean the end: My new life is just beginning.

If you wish to support Julie with her Race for Life 5K Run please visit her sponsorship page here:

https://www.justgiving.com/happy-feet16/

Written by Vanessa Sanyauke, Founder, Girls Talk london

@msvanessa