My first dose of chemotherapy treatment went through me like a tornado and ate a hole in my large intestine. Six weeks after I had a double mastectomy, I was back in the hospital with a White Blood Cell count of 0.3. They built me up with antibiotics, so I could withstand a bowel resection and colostomy.

After I was released, I resumed my chemotherapy, which took seven months instead of six due to numerous complications. The cumadin they prescribed caused critical nose bleeds. On one trip to the emergency room, the bleeding was so profuse that it ran from my eyes. I finally finished with my chemotherapy and then went through seven weeks of radiation. Compared to the chemotherapy, the radiation seemed like a stroll in the park. Although I was burned quite badly, eventually I healed and am only left with a couple of tan spots. I lucky to have good care and the radiation technician demanded that I get aloe vera gel and use it on my skin three times a day. This prevented a lot of pain and discomfort from the treatments.

I am scheduled to have my colostomy reversed on June 17th. It's been a very difficult and painful ordeal, but while I was in the hospital and so very close to death, I underwent a spiritual awakening. Since then, I have a whole new outlook on life. Even with the pain that I've gone through, it's brought me to a life that is better, in many ways, than what I had before.

Link to Sudie's website