Na’Diah Smith

Survivor

On March 28, 2016, at the age of 33, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer after an excisional biopsy. I was in shock and disbelief as there was no family history of Breast Cancer, I was training for a marathon and ran the 2nd half marathon of the year with personal record time only 6 days before the diagnosis. After careful evaluation of all treatment options, I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy with breast reconstruction on May 26, 2016. I recovered quickly and scheduled my permanent implant placement procedure for a few months later but my Breast Surgeon encouraged a consultation with a Radiology Oncologist .The Radiology Oncologist recommended radiation treatment 20 min a day, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. During the treatment planning visit all the risks were carefully outlined and I heard the word “infertility”. I was devastated. I knew I could live a happy life after Breast Cancer but I wasn’t ready to give up on having children. With medication assistance from LIVESTRONG Fertility, I completed egg harvesting and freezing, only harvesting one egg. I went on to complete 5 weeks of radiation during my daily lunch break while exercising regularly. On March 31, 2017, I finally received permanent breast implants. Although I opted out of nipple reconstruction, I received 3D nipple tattoos in October 2017. I decided to share my journey to inform others that Breast Cancer does not discriminate, portray the reality and unknown obstacles of treatment, prove the diagnosis does not cancel your future and encourage someone battling the disease. My journey is my testimony and my testimony is my ministry …the message “God is good!”