This blog post was written by breast cancer survivor Raquel and submitted to NBCF as a Story of Hope to be shared with our community. All thoughts, opinions, and advice are Raquel’s own.
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When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, it happened in the most jarring way imaginable. I was at work in the middle of a work call when my doctor phoned to deliver the news. There was no compassion, no guidance, and no sense of care. He simply told me I had breast cancer while my camera was on and while a colleague watched my face as I tried to process what I was hearing. My heart raced, my stomach dropped, and I felt completely alone. The weight of that moment is something I will never forget.
Very quickly, I learned that navigating cancer care often depends on who you know. Every specialist I called had months-long waitlists. I was terrified, newly diagnosed and unable to get help. It was only through personal connections that I was able to see a surgeon immediately. I was lucky, but luck should never determine someone’s chance at survival.
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Once I finally had a team, the plan became clear. I had Stage 1 ER/PR positive, HER2 positive invasive ductal carcinoma. It was caught early, but the treatment would be long. A lumpectomy. Three months of chemotherapy. Twenty-one sessions of radiation. A full year of infusions every three weeks. I had imagined a quick sprint. Instead, it became a fourteen-month marathon.
Before chemotherapy even began, a friend began collecting donations for me, and the response was overwhelming. The money raised helped cover the many medical expenses that were not covered by insurance and allowed me to move through treatment without the fear of my diagnosis disrupting my everyday financial life. It felt like the entire circle of people I had ever known reached out with generosity and love.
During chemotherapy, twelve of my closest friends continued their support and sat with me through full treatment days. They stayed with me the entire time and then made sure I got home safely afterward. Their presence gave me strength on days when I felt my most vulnerable.
I realized something I had never fully understood. I had spent years moving through life, working hard, caring for others, and trying to make a difference, without ever knowing the impact I had made. This experience revealed it to me. I learned how deeply I was loved and how many people were quietly cheering for me. I learned the true meaning of friendship and sisterhood. I learned that the kindness we put into the world finds its way back to us when we need it most.
Over time, I began sharing advice with other women who were newly diagnosed. I want to share that same guidance here because, if you are reading this and you are scared, I want you to feel less alone.
You can be scared and brave at the same time.
Every woman I have met who faced chemo felt the same fear. Every single one. You are normal. Your feelings are normal.
Here is my advice for during treatment:
You can be scared and brave at the same time. You can cry and still move forward. You can feel overwhelmed and still be strong. You can do this. Throughout my journey, I used a phrase that became my anchor. I called it #OodlesOfOptimism. It reminded me that even in the darkest moments, there is light. Sometimes it is small, sometimes it is quiet, but it is always there. I hope you carry that with you, too.
You are stronger than you think. You are braver than you feel. And you will come out of this proud of yourself in ways you cannot yet imagine.
Life after treatment feels like stepping into a brand new world. I celebrate every second of every day now—not in some grand dramatic way, but in the quiet, intentional moments that make up a life. And every clear scan? I celebrate it like it’s my birthday because in a very real way, it is. It’s another year granted, another chapter I get to write.
I savor everything: the morning light, the taste of coffee, the laughter that catches me off guard, the simple privilege of being here. I live fully, fiercely, gratefully because there is no time to waste. Tomorrow can change everything, and because I know that, I refuse to let today slip by unnoticed.
National Breast Cancer Foundation is here for you as you navigate a breast cancer diagnosis. Visit our website to learn about NBCF breast cancer support groups, obtain free educational resources, or find a patient navigator in your area.
Donations are always appreciated, but there are lots of great ways to get involved.
