Hi Ms Philippa,

It feels great having a second chance at life and finally getting around writing you, to tell my story. I heard of you from a friend, Ms Donna Johnson whom I met at a breast cancer event.

I am Juliet Uzoma-Aguwa, a 35year old Nigerian and an American Citizen who has been living in the US, for 13 years and a cancer survivor.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 aggressive breast cancer September of 2008 within two months of my routine medical check. I can’t tell you the shock and disbelief of how my world spiraled out of control. The only thing I remembered saying to my physician/surgeon was “I want to raise my kids because nobody can love them better than I can”. I thought and acted like it was a death sentence, thoughts of my little angels - my daughters and my dear husband of 5years, flooded my mind and I thought I’d drown in my tears.

I ran a few more tests at the hospital to confirm the extent of damage and was advised the best treatment was to have a surgery, as the only way forward. It was the hardest decision of my life at such a young age, when I had so much plans for the future which included getting back into the movie world eventually; a passion that I had long left behind due to marriage and family but was constantly taunted by it! Well, I braved up to it and broke the news to my family; especially my twin sister and they were such pillars of strength and support.

I never knew how much of a financial load I was going to be going through with this disease, coupled with the fact that my husband had just then lost his job due to the economy challenges. I had few months of school before graduation, my being unable to work due to my surgery and ongoing chemotherapy and radiation became so hard for me to care for my then 3yrs and 18months kids as much as I would have loved to; like putting them into daycare to keep them away from partaking in my pain.

I felt that they were too young to grasp the whole ordeal and wanted them to enjoy the leisure of been around other kids of their age especially the days my chemotherapy weighed me down. Family and friends did their best to help, but they also had their own families and some resided in other states which made them unable to offer much help. I wished I could close my eyes not have to subdue my children and husband into this life changing disease. The crying sessions was done; I needed a reality check and the way forward. So I put all focus on life after the whole treatment by my graduating from school with a major in Medical case Management.

The surgery is done, chemotherapy and radiation over, though my body doesn’t quite feel likes it’s mine sometimes due to the healing process but I’m positive and strong on the fact that life holds so much more after these. It was a mixed and warming feeling when I heard those words “Cancer Free”, tears rolled down my eyes knowing that I was given another chance of life to walk through the stages of life together with my kids. I can only say that I am proud to be standing today.

In all of these Ms Philippa , I have learnt that life is too short and beautiful for one to worry on how it ends. Our lives are stories we must tell to inspire the world and leave a legacy. This also, you have showcased on your drive/effort and foundation. Inspiring stories, which have continually touched lives. I identify with your course and hope to get a chance to tell my story someday to your viewers. My legacy, I hope will be to inspire millions of people, African women who seem to have lost hope that there could be life after the diagnosis of Cancer, and women in general, who like me, will change their death sentences to a “ Life worth living to the fullest” .

Thank you for your time,
Sincerely,
Juliet Uzoma-Aguwa