From Cancer to Queen

Looking at me today, you would never know I spent two years recovering from six months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and three months of radiation. I don’t think any cancer survivor ever expects to travel this road. It was the hardest three years of my life. However, when I look back now, I know I went through this journey for a purpose: to become well. 

I found the lump in my breast while doing a self-exam at home. This wasn’t the miraculous part: I had spent 30 minutes watching a breast-cancer program and saw something I never saw before, which led to my discovery.

I remember waking up early before anyone in my house that Saturday morning in June 2016. I turned on the television, only to find there was nothing on that I wanted to see, so I ended up watching a program on breast cancer. They showed pictures of what breast cancer can look like. I saw a picture of a dimple and decided I would take a look in the mirror. I did a double take as I lifted my arm and saw a dimple on my breast. It looked like a cellulite dimple. I felt around the area and knew it was a lump. 

On Monday, I immediately scheduled every test I needed that week, from a mammogram to a biopsy. By Friday, my nurse called me and I heard the words, “Candi, it’s cancer.” From that day forward, I began documenting my journey and shared it just so I could help another women save her life. After chemo, I wore a wig for a few weeks but soon stopped wearing it when I shaved my head. I got stopped throughout the day by women who just had to tell me they were a survivor or they’d lost someone to cancer. I never knew how many brave warriors I was surrounded by in my office alone. 

The diagnosis changed my life in more ways than one. I began researching day and night because I wasn’t getting answers from doctors. I switched up my family’s eating habits, incorporating organic foods and eliminating foods with preservatives. I started exercising and limiting stress. I finally arrived at a place where I truly valued my life enough to take care of me.

You see, I had hormone-positive breast cancer, stage 3. This wasn’t hereditary. I knew there were some things I could have done differently in my lifetime that would have helped me avoid cancer. At the same time, I felt angry—why didn’t anyone educate me as a young woman about wellness and breast health? I knew it was my mission to share my story so other women, young and old, would know the impacts of stress and poor diet.

I am thankful now for the journey. I know my daughter’s life will be marked by wellness and self-care because of what I’ve gone through. I know that by sharing my story, I’ll help a woman get the mammogram she has been putting off. I know I want to spread hope. My journey toward wellness is one that so many survivors experience, and we are forever changed by it.

About the Author | Candita Bryan

Candita Bryan is a mom of an amazing seven-year-old daughter, Jordyn, and wife to her supportive husband, Darren. She has devoted her life to women’s outreach, leading a women’s ministry called RENEW. She also hosts and produces her own podcast show to inspire women, called Good Morning Ladies. Candita was selected as Mrs. Corporate America 2019.

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4 comments to "From Cancer to Queen"

  • Rosa Hutchins

    Thank you for bravely sharing your story. Courage ensures deliverance from fear! Fierce warrior continue your journey, equipping others with the weapons to win. CONGRATULATIONS QUEEN!

  • Rose Barnett

    I am also a breast cancer survivor.I developed a second cancer from the drug tamoxifen.During that second I created a little booklet for sick children called The Joyville Station @yahoo.com .I am a retired pre school teacher of thirty years.I hope to raise the spirits of both young and old.My pastor is helping me start a special ministry.Blessings,Rose Barnett years

    • Candi

      Hi Rose this is so wonderful. I’d love to connect with you and also learn more about how Tamoxifen impacted you as that is what I’m taking. Thank you for sharing the story and your book! I can be reached at http://www.CandiBryan.com and subscribe to be on my email list.