Madhura Bale Part 2 (Breast Cancer)

Symptoms & Diagnosis

I am Madhura Bale, a breast cancer survivor. I am also a member of Anuradha Saxena's Sangini Group. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It all started when I noticed a lump in my left breast. I went to see my doctor and he told me that I needed to get an ultrasound done immediately. The results of the ultrasound showed that I had breast cancer, which meant that it had spread to the lymph nodes under my arm. It was a shock for me because I didn't have any family history of breast cancer and neither did any of my friends or colleagues. But then again, it can happen to anyone at any point in their lives! The next step was to get a biopsy done on the lump in my breast so that we could find out what kind of cancer it was. The biopsy confirmed that it was indeed breast cancer and not anything else like a benign cyst or fibroadenoma (benign tumor).

I felt like my life was over didn't know what to do next or how to handle this news. But my family and friends were there for me every step of the way; they helped me every day as we faced this new challenge together. It took time, but eventually, we were able to get through it all together! Now that I'm healthy again, I need to help others who are going through something similar because even though it's hard at times, there is always hope! You can beat this disease if you have support from those around you who believe in you and believe in your recovery too!

Side Effects & Challenges

It was tough for me to fight hard as a breast cancer patient and after ensuring that I faced every challenge with a great heart, it all turned out great for me. Finally, I am a breast cancer survivor. I am sharing my experience to help other people who have been diagnosed with the same condition. I aim to let people know that there is hope in life and they can overcome any hurdle they come across on their path to recovery.

There is no doubt that the news of your diagnosis will be shocking at first but do not lose hope because you are not alone on this journey! You have family members and friends who will support you throughout your treatment process by providing moral support every step of the way which will eventually help them recover faster than expected without feeling depressed or anxious about their prospects.

During my treatment phase, it was important to keep myself busy so that I didn't have time for negative thoughts about my condition which may lead to depression if left unattended for long periods (such as watching television, reading books, or listening to music). Engaging in hobbies such as knitting/crocheting etc can also help.

Support System & Caregiver

After the surgery, I went through treatment for two years. It was an intense time for me, but I am so grateful that I had the support of my family and friends to help me through it all. I'll never forget how my family would come over every day and bring me lunch. They'd take care of me when I was at my worst and make sure that I got everything that needed doing around the house. There were times when she'd be there so early in the morning that They'd bring breakfast too! My family also did their part to help out around the house. They made sure that all of our bills were paid on time and kept things running smoothly as much as possible so that we could focus on getting better.

And then there were my friends. They were with me every step of the way! They helped with things when we couldn't go for them anymore, brought over meals when neither of us felt like cooking (and even made those meals!). They were always there to lend an extra hand

I also relied on a system of support that made it easier to manage my care during the day. For example, I had someone who would make sure my laundry was done, so that when I came home after work, there were no dirty clothes just clean ones folded neatly on my bed.

Post Cancer & Future Goals

I am so happy to be here today to share with you some of the future goals that I have set for myself since my diagnosis. As you all know, I had breast cancer and it was detected at a very early stage. I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. After finishing treatment, I have been doing great! My last scan showed no signs of cancer and my lymph nodes were clear.

After going through such an experience, I feel like there are so many things that I want to do now that this is over! One thing that has always been on my bucket list is traveling overseas with my family. Another goal for me is getting into shape by working out regularly at home or joining one of those classes where you walk around in circles while holding weights overhead or doing squats while holding onto something heavy.

Some Lessons That I Learned

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Today, I am cured and living a healthy life with my family. My doctors have advised me to take annual mammograms and check-ups to ensure that no new tumors are developing in my body. My experience has taught me that breast cancer can be detected early through regular self-examination, Pap smears, and mammograms. Early detection can save your life!

I know what it's like to get a devastating diagnosis like this. It can feel overwhelming, and it can seem like the end of the world. But it's not! You can survive and even thrive with breast cancer. Here are some things I did that helped me get through my diagnosis and treatment: I took time for myself to grieve. Don't rush yourself through this; let yourself be sad, angry, or whatever you need to feel for a little while. The more we let ourselves feel these emotions, the more quickly we can move past them. I talked about my diagnosis with friends who had been through similar experiences. Sharing our experience helped us both feel less alone in this difficult time; it also gave me confidence that I could get through my treatment without needing to go crazy from stress!

We all have our share of struggles, and it's important to remember that we're all on this journey together. I've learned a lot about being a better person from my challenges, but here are also some more lessons I've picked up along the way: It's okay to ask for help. This is a lesson that I learned the hard way was so afraid of letting people down that I tried to do everything myself, even when it was clear that I needed help. It's okay to ask for help when you need it, and your friends and family will be glad they could help you out! Don't forget how much you love yourself! Sometimes when we're going through tough times, it's easy to forget how amazing we are just by being ourselves. Remembering how much we love ourselves can help us keep going when things get hard because it reminds us why we're fighting in the first place! Everyone goes through hard times at some point or another and that's okay! Everyone has their journey with which they must contend; there will always be something new to learn about yourself and others around you as long as you're alive on this planet.

Parting Message

I am very fortunate that my treatment plan worked, but I know that not everyone is so lucky. That's why I am passionate about raising awareness about this disease and helping other women who are going through it. Here are some symptoms to watch out for A lump or thickening in the breast or armpit area (usually on one side). Nipple discharge (not related to breastfeeding) that is bloody or pink/rusty colored fluid. A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast. Skin changes around the nipple (nipple retraction) or redness/irritation of the skin around the nipple area.

Breast cancer is a disease in which some of the body's cells begin to grow uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body via the lymph system or bloodstream. Although the exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, certain risk factors increase your chance of developing the disease. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump or mass in your breast, but it can also present as an ulceration (a sore), thickening, redness or scaliness, pain, or tenderness. If you notice any changes in your breasts that don't go away, see your doctor for an exam. Regular mammograms and self-exams are also important tools in detecting early stages of the disease. Breast cancer is diagnosed by biopsy and confirmed by pathology. Treatment options vary based on many factors including stage at diagnosis, hormone receptor status (positive or negative), HER2 status (positive or negative), and age among others.

My story is not an isolated case; thousands of people face this disease every year. But the good news is that some remedies can help treat and prevent breast cancer. I am happy to say that today I am a breast cancer survivor and am back to living an active life. But this journey wasn't easy, especially at the beginning when everything felt like a struggle.