Siana Bennett , a married mom of two, learned she had breast cancer in January 2022, when she was 34. This is her story in her own words.
I was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma when I was just 34. My youngest child had just turned 1. My world had stopped. I remember just staring into space – I could hear my breath, I could feel my heart rushing, but I was completely still. Everyone around me was moving on with their life and I was just stuck.
Feeling Hurt & Angry
I fell into feeling like a victim, feeling hurt and angry, sad and scared. Sometimes we feel these things and let our thoughts consume us to the point that we stop living because we are scared, but I knew that wasn’t the right path. It’s an awful way to view life.
When I was down, I thought about a quote I love – “stop thinking what can go wrong and start thinking what can go right.” Life is the greatest blessing we are given, so I focused on my attitude. I could be stuck in this moment of learning I had breast cancer, or I could choose to live through it.
Accepting My Journey
It wouldn’t be easy, but this was my journey, this was my bump in the path, and I had to own it and accept it.
I had chemotherapy and a double mastectomy with reconstruction, followed by a year of hormone therapy. Then I learned there was another mass that had spread to my lymph nodes. This time, the cancer was stage 3. I had an axillary dissection and then chemotherapy, radiation treatments and immunotherapy.
Finding My Village
During treatment, I found my village and found out how much I was loved. My husband, my family and my friends all rallied to support me in what I needed. I was able to work during treatment.
Shifting My Mindset
Mindset for me was so important. If I put my mind in a better place, my body is in a better place. I’m able to show up, whether it’s for work, my kids, treatment or surgery. I told myself, ‘You got this.’ Every morning before chemo, I would run because I knew if I could do one thing to put my mind and body in a better place, that was only going to benefit me in how I handled my treatment that day.
Facing Life’s Trials & Moving Forward
This wasn’t always easy, but we never stop growing, and we face trials and hardship in life. I found the mindset of embracing the change and being open to it helped me. Remember, you are never broken, you’re never alone and you will get through it. Breast cancer can do a lot to a person mentally and physically, but I found with a positive mindset and my faith, I was able to see the beauty on the other side.
Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
