wellness
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In Her Voice. I Need Time... Sandra Mantellini (cancer fighter)
“I need time.” Those were the words that I kept saying to
myself. “I need time” because it’s impossible to prepare to hear
words that will dramatically and completely change your life.
The words hang in the air like a death sentence without an
electrocution date and I was devastated.
My journey started not that long ago when I found two
small lumps during my shower. Had I not been in the midst
of checking for any signs of irregularity I would have missed
them. Naturally, I was concerned so I made an appointment to
meet with my doctor.
Hoping that he would calm
my fears, I presented my
symptoms only to be told I’d
need a biopsy. While the word
biopsy frightened me, I was still
confident. I was young and healthy. I just knew it would be
explained.
and see the world. I kept my diagnosis to myself though and
attempted to weather my storm the best I could.
The treatments caused me to lose my hair so I’ve been forced
to wear a wig. The double mastectomy was hard to absorb
for a Venezuelan woman, but I’m recovering. I really hope to
have reconstruction one day.
Even the dreaded Chemotherapy is in my very near future.
It would seem that at this point in my life all I could feel was
dread, but amazingly that isn’t the case. Where I lacked faith
in myself, my faith in God
couldn’t have been stronger.
And my relationship with Him
helped me to overcome the
sorrow in my heart.
“You do have Breast Cancer”
The days and weeks following that doctors appointment were
the longest of my life. No matter how much I tried to ignore it,
the thought was always there.
Then, on February 21 st the news came and I was not prepared.
“You have breast cancer,” says my doctor. I honestly can’t say
what happened next. I couldn’t hear anymore. I later learned
that my breast cancer was called Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.
The emotional breakdown that started in the doctors office
lasted for a while. I experienced bouts of anger and rage with
a life that needed more time to accomplish goals, love foolishly
I now face every oncoming challenge equipped with the
knowledge that God’s plan is the right plan.
My journey is like so many women with one major difference.
I’ve placed my healing in the hands of God. Each treatment of
Chemo or whatever else my team of doctors throws at me is
met with a renewed spirit of triumph that only a relationship
with God can give.
Before my health crisis, my relationship with God paled in
comparison to what is now and for that I am forever grateful.
While I continue to face a very serious condition I do so with
a renewed faith in God and a hopeful heart that I will have a
testimony of healing to share with the world one day.