Sabrina Conley

Living with MBC

As my 5 year-old son started his first week of kindergarten, I was beginning my journey through surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and survival. I was diagnosed with stage 3B metastatic breast cancer.

Once the backbone of our family—working mother, wife, caretaker of all family ordeals—I became the one who had to be taken care of. My husband of 10 years was my rock and my strength. He took over and did all that I could not do, and never missed one of my appointments or treatments. He worked nights and came home each morning to take our son to school. He then took care of the housework, shopping, cooking and, of course, me.

What a life-changing event for me. I am the type of person who plans for everything, every detail, but my long-range plan did not include the “C” word. Through this trial I gained strength from every smile, hug, card and prayer. Never had I been so full of fear, yet so blessed at the same time. I found solace in prayer and witnessing to others. I went through six months of chemo and 33 radiation treatments, and now I am in remission. I am taking another chemo drug in hopes of preventing a recurrence. I went through all the hair loss, nausea, fatigue and pain, but never once accepted that I would NOT survive.

It has been more than a year since I was diagnosed, and while the fear of recurrence is in the back of my mind every day, it does not overtake me. I take one day at a time, enjoy my family and friends and count my blessings from God. I have come through the storm and the rainbow is beautiful. I have faith that if I face another storm the rainbow is going to be even more special.

While I was undergoing my treatments, the mother of one of my best friends was also diagnosed with breast cancer. With the knowledge I gained during my ordeal, I can help her though hers. Share your storm with someone else, and your rainbow may help them get through their storm.