'Hey Cancer, my name is Katharina and I was 25 when you came into my life'

We should probably start at the beginning: It was December when I felt the lump in my breast, I didn't worry a lot, I did not expect it would be you!

After imaging and biopsy, I became the call to come to the medical center to discuss results, and march 9th was the day I heard your name again. I will never forget the words “you have cancer”

I could not move, talk, think, I was completely paralyzed.

But now we had to fight against you before going on with life.

I have to admit you really blew me away the day I found out you came into my life, how did this happen, did I do something wrong?

I had already lost my dad a few years ago to cancer and that has been a lot to process, I wasn't even in the country the day you took him, it all went to fast.

Now I was about to begin my own battle against you, a lot of emotions came up, mixed emotions.

It was hard to process all the decisions that had to be made, regards treatment, to go to all the testings alone due to the Pandemic.

But I was in good hands I trusted my medial team with the decisions. After more testing we decided on lumpectomy and radiation, and now I am on a hormone blocker to hopefully keep you out of my body. It has not been an easy journey with you.

It took a lot of energy and time to get you out of my body, where you don't belong.

Every day now I wonder, are you still there waiting in a corner to sneak up on me?

But I had you, but you never had me!

It may seem like you have control over my life and my future, But you know what? You really don't!

You will never be able to touch, how I think, how I speak and how I love. Your presence has made me stronger, wiser, braver, kinder.

I realized how fortunate I am where I live and how I live, I am able to enjoy the nature, my surroundings and enjoy all the little things that lives brings!

Dear Cancer, You may have started this fight, but I will finish it!

Here is one of my favourite quotes that I like to share with all the fighters out there:

“You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live”