From time to time, I have followed or read some of the most harrowing stories about extraordinary women who survived and have fought breast cancer. In addition to watching them chronicled it on social media with so much chivalry.
The sad part about it, many have lost that fight as the cancer as usual metatasizes to vital organs. In recent years, I have seen some contacts share the story of Coqueace KoCo Powell.
And each year I have long to read up on how she was doing with her battle. Today I was sadden to learn that she has passed away from Stage 4 Breast cancer that had metatasized.
This was a post I had read that captivated me to want to promote awareness since 2015. Coqueace spoke out on social media on how it all started, and how her beautiful cherised life changed.
On March 30, 2011, I was diagnosed with Stage 3B breast cancer. Since that date I’ve had a double mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and others that total up to 9 surgeries. I’ve had 6 plus rounds of chemo, 3 plus iron infusions.
I now have to take tamoxifen (a small dosage of chemo) for 10 years. I have kidney failure, high blood pressure, and 2 lesions on my spine. Oh and a psychiatrist that says I have PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I have insomnia and mood swings. I’m on happy pills, sleeping pills, and xanax.
And ALL the residual illnesses and shenanigans that come from ALL surgeries and things I named above. Lol (it ain’t funny)
We’re not going to talk about the family, friends, and love relationships that walked away. Nor how breast cancer tore, hurt, and beat down the ones who stayed.
Behind the smile: YOU DON’T WANT to look like this and I DIDN’T wake up like this and You DON’T want to go through this!
EARLY DETECTION IS KEY! BREAST CANCER DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST RACE, AGE, GENDER, NOR ECONOMIC STATUS.
ITS NOT SELFISH!!!
Get a mammogram! Its worth the few minutes so you don’t have to deal with this unwanted temporary roommate name breast cancer for years.
October is Breast Cancer Month….but
I FIGHT EVERYDAY!
My name is Coqueace Koco Powell and I approved this message.
I must say, she didn’t want any pity and only asked for prayers and that women go get themselves checked out. Here this woman battling no chemo, then chemo working again, just to make sure others were aware.
I will say this much, I am so selfish in my ways, if I had cancer I would only be woying about myself. ‘Koco’ as she was affectionately called, was a soldier to the very end.
The overwhelming support that she had received in life and death will last forever. I am praying that these Top Cancer non-profits salute her well, like they do others.
My best advise to women of the world, including all the women in my family-life, get tested.
Here are the shoes I designed for my cousin who is a breast cancer survivor.
