I discovered I had stage II breast cancer on October 1, 2021.  

Ironically, that was also the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the U.S.  

After doing a self-breast examination four weeks earlier and going to have my annual mammogram, I was sitting in the doctor’s office, having a biopsy where the doctor found a lump in my breast and a lump in my lymph nodes.

I wasn’t expecting this. I had spent the last year and a half trying not to catch COVID.

And here I was being attacked by the other Big C: CANCER.

As I sat in the examination room with tears running down my face, I was shocked and disappointed.

I didn’t want to give cancer the time or the energy it demands.

But, at that moment, I remembered 1 Peter 5:8:

Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

I knew that the devil was coming for me.  

And, if I wanted to get out of that room and through my cancer journey, I would have to do three things to prepare for battle. 1) Adjust, 2) Accept, and 3) Align.

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See my faith, not my cancer.

First, I had to adjust.

When I went to church on the first Sunday in October 2021, God had a message waiting for me. 

And it was going to come to me, from God, through the senior pastor of my church, my spiritual father, Dr. T.L. Carmichael, Sr. The sermon’s title was “Making Adjustments.”

In that message, God said, “You are the perfect person to go through this trial.” 

This led me to ask myself, ‘Who better to go through this storm, but me?’ Not because I know so much about cancer. But because I KNOW GOD.

And the Spirit of the Lord reminded me that God hasn’t left me in the past and won’t leave me now.

By the end of the sermon, I had a completely different perspective. 

Not only had I been chosen to go through this storm, but I had a chance to be like the man in Mark 2, whose friends tore the roof off the house to lower him down to where Jesus was. And the word says: When Jesus saw their faith. 

I wanted Jesus to see my faith. So I decided to walk in victory before the battle was over.

On the morning I heard the sermon, “Making Adjustments,” I went to my church saying, ‘I don’t want cancer.’  

But I left saying, ‘By the time I’m done walking this thing out, cancer won’t want me, either.

My cancer diagnosis is part of God’s plan.

Next,  I had to accept my cancer diagnosis as part of God’s plan.

In the days, weeks, and months following that sermon, I was keenly aware that my cancer diagnosis was part of God’s plan for my life.

Every day I woke up ready to learn and grow according to God’s plan.

I went off to read about how Coach Ron Rivera went through his cancer journey, showing up to work every day with the Carolina Panthers.  

And how Amy Robach, the journalist, found out she had breast cancer after getting a mammogram on live television.  

Then, I attended a breast cancer awareness event last year held by my church. I listened to two brave women, Justina and Vivian, share their testimonies about their breast cancer journeys. From that moment, I vowed to one day have enough courage to share my testimony.

In addition, I surrounded myself with God’s word. I read and listened to healing scriptures morning, at noon, and as I fell asleep each night. God’s word inspired me to see hope.

David said it all:

I saw God before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side. I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope. 

Acts 2:25-26

My action plan aligns with God’s plan.

After I adjusted and accepted my cancer diagnosis, the only thing left for me to do was align with God’s plan.

Now, I must say that although I knew cancer was part of God’s plan for my life, I made a conscious decision as to how I would deal with cancer.

I decided, in the beginning, that I wouldn’t tell everyone in my life I had cancer. I had no intention of introducing my cancer to everyone in my life.

I only told a handful of people in the first few weeks. All prayer warriors who didn’t mind going into battle with me. 

Next, I created a battle strategy called: I won’t, but I will.  

1. I won’t fight in fear, but I will suit up for battle.
2. I won’t panic, but I will be prepared to pray. 
3. I won’t let the enemy control my mind, but I will renew my mind.
4. I won’t cower in the corner, but I will stand tall with other believers.
5. I won’t wave a white flag, but I will walk in victory.

When I met with my Oncology surgeon at UNC Rex, she mapped out a plan for my treatment, which was:

• Six cycles of chemotherapy;
• followed by surgery to remove the tumors;
• 30 rounds of radiation; and
• infusions every three weeks.

Ready for battle.

As part of my chemo treatments, I was asked if I wanted to use the DigniCap Scalp Cooling System, a medical cooling device that minimizes hair loss during chemotherapy. Because of the DigniCap, I only lost a small amount of hair.   

With the chemo, my tastebuds changed. My body was achy and tired. I had shortness of breath. My fingernails were dark. I lost my eyebrows and my eyelashes. At times, I was exhausted. But God gave me enough strength to work daily. I even managed to go for short walks every day and eventually returned to my workout at the gym.  

I got my last cycle of chemo the last week of January 2022. But I continued going to the cancer center every three weeks for my infusions.

At the end of February 2022, it was time for my surgery. The Friday before my surgery, I had to have a seed localization where they planted a seed on the lump in my breast and another seed on the lump in my lymph nodes.

As the radiology technician scanned in search of the tumors, she kept making funny noises. Finally, when the doctor came in, the technician said, “Doctor, God is in here cuttin’ up. I can’t find these tumors.”

As it turned out, after chemo, the lump on my breast was the size of the tip of my pinky finger. And the lump on my lymph node was just residue. 

After my surgery, the doctor informed me that the tissue and the lymph nodes she removed were all negative and had no cancer cells.

Next, as part of my cancer care roadmap, I completed my 30 radiation sessions in May 2022.

Lessons learned.

Every cancer journey produces lessons.

I learned a lot on my cancer journey. Early detection is key, so I encourage everyone to examine their breast monthly.

In addition to learning the importance of:

• Making adjustments
• Accepting life’s trials
• Aligning with God’s plan

I learned that my outlook affects my outcome.  

From the start, I wanted to protect my mind. I believed I could see God’s plan unfold with a renewed mind. And I was right. My cancer journey has been peaceful, and I witnessed God perform miracle after miracle. 

On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, I went to the UNC Rex Cancer Center for my last infusion.  

I am officially cancer free!

I am grateful for the outcome of my cancer journey. But to get here, I had to let God take control by allowing Him to fight this battle for me.

I also had to rely on God’s earthly angels to help me through cancer. I thank God for my husband, son, and the incredible women and men who came to my aid as Team Karen.

I also thank God for those who didn’t know I had cancer, like my work colleagues and church members, but still offered prayers and kind words that helped me make it through the day. I would also like to thank my doctors, nurses, coordinators, and receptionists at UNC Rex Cancer and Radiology Centers for their kindness and care.

My breast cancer battle left me with scars. But it also left me with a renewed mind and a deeper faith in God.

I honestly believe I am better after the battle.