MEET TAMYRA
My name is Tamyra Kelly and I’m a 6 year cancer survivor! My journey began when I visited the Francine’s Friends mammography unit in January of 2016. Shortly after that, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in my right breast. When first detected, the tumor was 1.5 centimeters. By the time of my lumpectomy surgery in February, the tumor had grown to 1.7 centimeters. It was a very aggressive cancer.
In March, I began an even more difficult journey – six rounds of chemotherapy ending in June and 45 rounds of radiation from August to September. It was an extremely tough journey and was physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. However, I didn’t go through it alone because of my incredibly supportive family and friends. When I couldn’t pray for myself, they prayed! When I couldn’t feed myself, they fed me. When my faith was weak, they held me up with their faith.
One of the biggest obstacles I faced was losing my hair. Anyone who knows me knows that I take pride in how I dress and how my hair looks. Not having hair took an emotional toll on me in a couple of ways.
First, I didn’t feel attractive even though my husband, kids, and other family members told me I looked amazing.
Second, because my hair was such a big part of me, I had to realize I “made” my hair, my hair didn’t make me. That still stands true today!
Finally, knowing that people would automatically assume I was a cancer patient because I was bald, caused some anxiety for me.
I learned so many valuable lessons throughout my cancer journey:
Screenings are important! Had I not been screened and had early detection, I may not be here today.
Breast cancer doesn’t have to run in your family.
Appreciate data and research because it helps medical providers know how to treat different types of cancer.
It’s okay to not be okay.
Cancer is not a death sentence.
Think positive!
I found hope because I had a strong support system that believed I could endure this journey. I also had a knowledgeable medical team that stayed on top of my progress, called me regularly, and encouraged me. That meant a lot!
If I were to give advice to someone with a recent diagnosis today, I would say that cancer is not a death notice. Because there are so many innovative ways to treat cancer, there is hope. My breast cancer diagnosis changed my mindset to love more, live free, laugh as much as I can, and treat people the way I want to be treated!
