The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

EVEN after feeling a lump in her breast and taking a mammogram, the possibility of having breast cancer was the last thing on Sharine Symonette’s mind since she had no family history of the disease. Unfortunately, her doubts, did nothing to change the test results.

“I thought, ‘Me, cancer and no family history?”’ she said. “My mind immediately went on a friend who died from cancer. I remember how her body deteriorated and I pictured myself in that state. Then my mind went on my children and I thought about leaving them behind. Right then, I snapped out of it and made a decision to fight this disease.”

In August 2011, Ms Symonette was diagnosed with breast cancer after undergoing an excision biopsy to remove the lump from her breast for testing.  

“This was my first surgery,” she said. “After my second surgery, more bad news came when ten lymph nodes were removed and nine tested positive to be cancerous. They were like soldiers getting ready to invade my body.

“I travelled to Fort Lauderdale to have a PET-CT (medical imaging) scan done and the results showed that it had not spread. Just a few were seen under my arm pits and treatments would kill them. I knew the Lord had a plan for my life for I trust in God and I know he cares for me.”

Ms Symonette’s treatment at the Cancer Centre consisted six chemotherapy treatments, once every three weeks, followed by six weeks of radiation treatment, five days a week.

“The side effects were strong as I lost all my hair during the first treatment. I am talking bald like the palm of my hand. I had to be humourous about it and said, ‘thank God I am used to wearing wigs’.”  

“In addition to this, I had other complications and was so weak that I blacked out and had to be rushed to the doctor. I thank God for loving and supporting family and friends who were always there for me. With God on my side, he brought me through the remainder of my treatments. Some were smoother than others,” she said.

After two years of being in remission Ms Symonette underwent an annual mammogram and though the results were good, she felt pain in her body. Another PET-CT later revealed that the cancer had not only come back but it also spread to her bones.

“It was not a good report. Even though I did not question the Lord, I had lots of questions for my doctor. I had noticed some weight loss but cancer was the last thing on my mind. I again had to immediately begin treatments.

“One month prior, I had taken out my port-a-cath and had to undergo surgery to put it back in four weeks later. I never would have thought to have to do chemotherapy again. This time I had to do five months of treatments once per week for 18 consecutive weeks. This treatment was much stronger than the first but the dosage however was smaller so it was more tolerable.

“Again back to losing all my hair. The pain was still unbearable so I had to undergo ten days of radiation that eased the pain. My eating habits also changed tremendously.”

As a result of the treatment, Ms Symonette said when she looked in the mirror she saw a “stranger”. She lost a tremendous amount of weight, her skin grew darker and broke out with acne.

“I looked in the mirror and saw a total stranger, but regardless of how my body looked on the outside my faith was strong on the inside. I quoted healing scriptures every opportunity I got. I memorised some and spoke life and trusted in God.

“Again death was not an option for me. When many people gave me up to die, the Lord was there with me every step of the way. After I completed my treatments I did another PET-CT scan and the results revealed that no cancer was seen anywhere in my body. Not even a spot. I know that it’s only God. The Lord proved that he is an awesome doctor that still heals and delivers. I give him praise and thanks every day because I know it is only because of his grace and mercy that I am here,” she said.

Today as a three-year cancer survivor, Ms Symonette is also a member of the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group, which she said has helped financially, spiritually and physically.

“I made the decision to go public within one month of being diagnosed with breast cancer when most people probably would have hidden, not knowing that the more people knew, the more people prayed for me,” she said.

Ms Symonette also completed a book about her journey with cancer entitled “Candle In the Wind”.

She also took the time to thank several people including Dr Locksley Munroe (Surgeon) of The Southern Community General Clinic, and Dr Stefan Gluck, (Medical Director) of the University of Miami Hospital and Dr Nevein Girgis (Medical Oncologist), Dr Osama Kellini (Radiologist), Nurse Sylvia Butler and Professor Karol Sikora (Medical Director), all of The Cancer Centre of the Bahamas.