What happened, in summary

Mery, from Colombia, learned she had breast cancer during a medical checkup and examination. The diagnosis left her grieving, confused, isolated, and powerless, and she sought a second opinion before deciding on treatment.

Her care included mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. After the plan was agreed, she felt more relieved, motivated, and hopeful. She completed the main treatment and said she was in remission, while hormone therapy continued. She did not describe major side effects.

Travel to treatment created financial pressure, and a cancer-support foundation helped with transport vouchers. Cancer also changed her relationships: she spent more time with her children and took more family trips, although intimacy with her partner declined. Her fear had centered on dying, but optimism and faith helped her continue. She hoped to travel, watch her loved ones grow, and help change the belief that cancer is always synonymous with death.