Portland cancer patient perseveres against all odds

It is just over a year since Mariam Tejada first discovered lumps under her left breast, but the Portland mother and grandmother remembers it like it was yesterday.

“It was Monday October 9. I was in the shower when I felt the lumps. I went to the doctor the next day, and two days later I went for a mammogram. The next Monday I returned to my doctor for the results. He just stood there and I could see on his face that it was bad news,” Ms Tejada recalled.

A week later, Ms Tejada was admitted to Vincent Pallotti hospital, for more tests and shortly after, she started with a six-month course of chemotherapy. She would get chemo for five hours at a time.

“When reality hits - it hits hard. You take that home run - it is not a nice feeling. One Friday after the oncologist called me to come in for chemo, I was in shower, preparing for jumu’ah and I just broke down crying,” she said.

Like many cancer patients, Ms Tejada experienced hair loss and heavy fatigue. In May, doctors reduced both her breasts surgically and successfully removed the cancerous lymph nodes. She is currently receiving post-operation treatment.

Ms Tejada said she never imagined that she would be diagnosed with cancer.

“In the five months leading up to October last year, I must’ve bought almost 20 bras because my breasts just didn’t feel right. But I never thought to check for lumps, until that one night in the shower. For five years before I was diagnosed, I would go for my annual mammogram and was due for another when I found the lumps,” she said.

Breaking the news of her diagnosis to her family, especially her children and grandchildren, was one of the toughest part of her journey.

“I waited until after my grandchildren wrote exams last year and called an urgent meeting. My one grandchild who was in Grade 11 broke down,” she said.

Ms Tejada said the support she received from her family gave her hope and a positive outlook.

“This journey is not an easy one, but if you have the support I had in my husband, children and siblings, you can take it where ever it must go. Their love kept me,” she said.

“When you hear the news that you have cancer, don’t stay away and ignore your body. Go for treatment immediately, so that you recover sooner,” she said.

October is marked as Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the world.