As opening up was difficult, she wanted compassion, but did not want to be treated with sympathy and empathy, but rather as herself. Having the people around her treat her as she is, helped in her processing everything in her timeline. Stephanie said, "My personality is very people oriented and I didn't want to let anyone down more than myself and wanted to stay as who I am because after the journey I will be different and will have to reintroduce myself." Stephanie shared that everyone going through a similar experience with cancer needs to accept their path and embrace their journey, allowing them to come out stronger from the experience and with a new appreciation for life. "Don't look back on who you were, just look forward and think about what happens next and how to turn this situation into new learning and embrace yourself as a new character," Stephanie says. While still balancing at times, Stephanie reminds herself to focus on the things that are in her control. Stephanie said, "We, the ones who have experienced the diagnose, should not underestimate how much the beloved ones, friends and family join in the suffering and feel helpless." As it is an experience that takes a toll on the person, the people around you watch the pain you go through and can sometimes feel helpless in these situations. Similarly, for Stephanie, she realised that the most important help you can get from the people you love is listening skills as well as communicating with them so that they understand how you are feeling, as you can go from happy, grateful to frustrated, depressed and demotivated very quickly. Going through breast cancer is a turbulent experience and is something that Stephanie now sees as a positive one and, since her experience feels that "everything in a journey like this, which people feel as a battle or a fight, is just a blessing to realise things, and makes you better as a person and more vulnerable to life, and realise you are on a visit." It has helped her find a deeper purpose, set boundaries, tell people what she wants rather than having expectations and, focus on her health and peace. Stephanie's advice to people going through cancer is, "Whoever is experiencing this journey, don't fight it, allow the thought of acceptance. Allow the feeling of embracing it and see yourself on the other side, transforming into that new you, because the more you are against and try to fight, let go because you will not have an answer. Instead of being stuck or going backwards, give yourself the power and the energy to move forward." Cancer for her is not a struggle but a gift to see how life can be and how you can come out stronger from the experience. As she changed her lifestyle for the better by incorporating a healthier diet and more activity, including spinning on the bike and going on walks, she has a happier lifestyle than ever before. Always be prepared as there will be constant follow-ups as well as times of uncertainty and listen to your body, as she was able to detect her cancer in stage 1 and get the right treatment. Stephanie now focuses on the daily small wins and knowing it is an ongoing chapter for the rest of her life, and takes the time to appreciate everything on her cancer journey. Health and Wellness Health and Wellness like herself. However, with all the pain and hardships endured, Stephanie never saw her journey with cancer as a battle but rather as another chance to start her life again with a greater sense of appreciation. Throughout her journey, prioritising her healing was more important than the aesthetic. With cancer, she went through the highs and lows and despite not feeling herself with all the changes, Stephanie started focusing on the positives and taking it from a minute, to a day at a time. Support is one of the main pillars in our lives and with the help of her family, friends and work, Stephanie's journey was manageable. As a mother, one of her biggest fears with cancer as well as the main motivation to get better was to be there to raise her child and guide her in life. Having her daughter reminded her not to slow down, her husband Mohamed being there at every appointment and her family and friends constantly keeping in touch, meant she got more moments with them which made the entire process worthwhile. Additionally, another motivator for her to stay busy was work, where she worked through most of her chemotherapy sessions and her love for her job made her go back to work a month after the surgery. Stephanie said, "The support of an employer and the personal community with family and friends and work colleagues helped tremendously on the journey." 32 33 CONNECTOR.AE CONNECTOR.AE
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