What happened, in summary

Zhan Shen Ya Dian Na, from Taiwan, was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in November 2016 after a sharp, localized pain woke her during the night. She was skeptical about the diagnosis and sought a second opinion so she could better understand her options.

Treatment brought significant effects, including fatigue, hair loss, nausea and vomiting. She also chose complementary approaches such as traditional Chinese medicine and massage therapy. Her breast cancer is now in remission, and she continues hormone therapy.

Recovery has included changes in daily life. She has worked on eating a healthier diet and exercising more often, while managing the physical and emotional effects of cancer. She is currently unemployed and hopes to return to work. She also wants to live healthily and support other people facing cancer.

Fear of dying from treatment complications was one of the hardest parts of her experience. She coped by following her doctor’s advice and focusing on hope, self-care and encouragement for others going through a similar diagnosis.