Dubai: For Joanne the biggest surprise was the unconditional support she received from her friends and family.
"You find out you are not alone when facing this tough time in your life," she told Gulf News. The worst part was finding out that breast cancer can happen to anyone. "I was stunned as we don't have a history of cancer in our family," she said.
Joanne K. from Canada was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2006 in Abu Dhabi after finding a lump on her breast for the first time while getting dressed. After going to her local clinic for a mammogram, ultrasound and then a biopsy, Joanne received the confirmation that the lump was malignant.
"I went for chemotherapy at Tawam in Al Ain for three months from April to June. I did radiation for five weeks in July in Toronto, Canada."
One of the hardest parts of the treatment was the mood swings and the loss of hair caused by the chemotherapy.
"It happened so quickly that I hadn't bought a wig. It was just so sad to see yourself bald. With hair no one knows you have cancer, but bald you feel so exposed that everyone knows you have cancer."
Joanne reached her highest point at the first year check-up, when results came back clear. "I know that the cancer is gone, at least for now. Also having my hair back again and not wearing the wig or scarves is a good feeling."
