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Brendasbreastjourney

@blrios03

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Held by God through it all🤍 Becoming stronger daily. 🩷Breast Cancer Journey

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☢️RADIATION HAS STARTED! ☢️

I started radiation on Thursday, and today I completed my 5th session! 👏🏼✨ That means 5 down, 25 to go! 💪🏼 Only 5 more weeks to go!

Some of the most common side effects include skin irritation, fatigue, and the risk of lymphedema. Every new stage of this journey comes with its own challenges. ❤️‍🩹

The hardest part for me so far has been the breath holds during radiation. I have to hold my breath to help move my heart and lungs away from the radiation area and protect them as much as possible. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but I’m getting through it one session at a time!

Today, I also received my first Zoladex shot to suppress my ovaries and put me into medically induced menopause. 😔 Hearing about all the possible side effects is honestly scary, and knowing that my body is about to go through even more changes can feel overwhelming. But I remind myself why I’m doing this. I’m doing everything I can to reduce my risk of recurrence. 🎀

My mom came with me to my shot appointment today, and I’m so grateful for her support. My parents have been such an amazing source of love and encouragement, especially when my husband is at work. I’m so thankful to have them by my side through this journey. ❤️

Some days, the uncertainty is scary. But through it all, I continue to put everything in God’s hands. 🙏🏼#radiation #breastcancerfighter #healingjourney #earlydetectionsaveslives #breastcancerawareness taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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2 days ago

4 WEEKS POST-CHEMO UPDATE!

Slowly but surely, I’m starting to feel like myself again! 🥹💗

🍑 Peach fuzz is coming in but still bald 😫Still no eyelashes or eyebrows.
💢 Random bone pain still comes and goes.
💪🏼 My energy is slowly coming back!

One of the things I’m happiest about is finally having enough energy to start walking again! 🙌🏼 After more than a month without exercising because of the extreme fatigue and low hemoglobin from chemotherapy, being able to move my body again feels like such a blessing. Sometimes, it’s the little things we once took for granted that become the biggest victories. ❤️

Recovery is taking time, and I know I still have a ways to go, but I’m celebrating every bit of progress. One day at a time, one step at a time, and trusting God through it all. 🙏🏼

☢️NEXT UP: RADIATION — 30 SESSIONS! #breastcancerfighter #healingjourney #earlydetectionsaveslives #breastcancerawareness #chemotherapy taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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8 days ago

I never thought I would be the “1 in 8.” 🎀

Cancer was the last thing I ever thought would happen to me. But my husband saved my life. ❤️He noticed a small dimpling on my breast, something I would have missed until it would’ve been too late.

Looking back, I realize that feeling healthy doesn’t always mean everything is okay. Your body can be telling you something before you feel anything at all.

Please know your breasts. Check them. Pay attention to changes. Don’t wait because you think you’re too young or because you feel healthy.

If I can encourage even one woman to check herself or make that appointment she’s been putting off, then sharing my story is worth it. 💗Don’t ignore the signs.#earlydetectionsaveslives #breastawareness #breastcancerfighter #breast #healingjourney taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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14 days ago

Since the beginning of this journey, I have been blessed with cards filled with kind words, prayers, and reminders that I have never been walking this road alone.

I continue to receive cards almost every week, and I continue to wake up to text messages checking on me, encouraging me, praying for me, and reminding me that I am loved. 🥹💗

Every card, every text, every message, every phone call, and every prayer represents someone who took a moment out of their day to lift me up. 🙏🏼

Every single one has become a part of my story.

I am beyond grateful for everyone who has continued to stand beside me throughout this journey. I may have finished 16 rounds of chemo, but there are still steps ahead. And knowing I have so much love and so many prayers surrounding me makes all the difference.

Thank you for continuing to remind me that I am never alone. 🤍

God knew exactly who I needed beside me. 🙏🏼✨#cancer #earlydetectionsaveslives #healingjourney #breastcancerfighter #love taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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21 days ago

It’s been hard to get back on my feet after this last round of chemo. ❤️‍🩹 As I sit here, I find myself reflecting on everything I’ve been through—the moment I found out, the fear of telling my family, and all the emotions that came with hearing the words, “You have cancer.”

There were so many moments when I honestly didn’t think I would be strong enough to make it through this journey. My life changed in ways I never expected.

But through it all, I trusted God. 🙏🏼 Even when I was scared, exhausted, and uncertain about what was ahead, He gave me strength when I felt like I had nothing left.

I pray that everything I’ve gone through, and everything I may still face, has a purpose. I pray that this is the chapter that ends here—that I will never have to experience this again.

For now, I’m taking it one day at a time, giving my body the time it needs to heal, and trusting God with whatever comes next. 🙏🏼

I may never fully understand why this journey was mine, but I know I never walked it alone🩷#breastcancerwarrior #earlydetectionsaveslives #healingjourney #breast #breastcancerfighter taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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a month ago

I RANG THE BELL TODAY! 🔔

First, I want to thank God for carrying me through this journey and giving me the strength to make it through 134 days of chemotherapy. 🙏🏼❤️ There were days I didn’t know how I was going to keep going, but He gave me the strength I needed each day.

Even though I don’t feel completely finished, and I still have some difficult days ahead, I know God will continue to walk beside me and give me the strength to keep fighting. This has been the worst I have ever felt, but I will fight until the very end. 💪🏼

I want to thank my incredible support system who has been by my side since the day I received my diagnosis — my husband and my girls, my parents, siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews, our extended family, church family, coworkers, friends, and every single person who has kept my family and me in your thoughts and prayers. ❤️🙏🏼

I truly could not have done this without all of you. Your prayers, love, encouragement, messages, and support have carried me through some of the hardest days of my life.

Today, I’m so happy to close this chapter of my life. 📖✨ This chapter was not easy, but I made it through. I’m ready to slowly begin restoring my body, healing, and preparing for the next steps — radiation, port removal, and eventually reconstruction surgery#chemotherapy #breastcancerfighter #healingjourney #earlydetectionsaveslives #rangthebell taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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a month ago

One More 🤍

This 15th round has been tough since day one. The nausea has been manageable, but the weakness, fatigue, no appetite, indigestion, and then the bone pain that comes a few days later have really taken a toll.

And now, a new symptom… dry eyes. I can’t even wear my contacts anymore. My eyelashes are almost nonexistent in one eye, and the other eye’s lashes are holding on for dear life. 😭 My eyebrows are also slowly disappearing.

Just knowing I have to do this one more time makes me feel uneasy. My body is tired, and the thought of going through another round is hard. But I’m so incredibly grateful that I’m almost at this BIG milestone. 🙏🏼💗

I pray that God continues to give me strength, carries me through this final treatment, and gives me the health and blessing to NEVER have to go through this again in my lifetime. 🙏🏼#chemotherapy #breastcancer #earlydetectionsaveslives #healingjourney #breastcancerjourney taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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2 months ago

Chemo Update 14

I absolutely hate this chemo and the way it makes me feel. 😩 It takes me a few days to fully recover, and some days it’s honestly hard to even get off the couch.

This past treatment, we also had to wait about an hour for Alteplase to help unclog my port. Thankfully, my platelet count had gone up enough for me to continue with treatment—otherwise, my chemo would have been postponed. 🙌🏻

These days can be exhausting, frustrating, and emotional, but I keep reminding myself that this is temporary. I pray to God that these last 2 chemos fly by and that soon I can finally close this chapter and put it behind me. 🙏🏼

Two more. Just two more. I’m tired, but I’m still fighting. 💪🏼💗#healingjourney #earlydetectionsaveslives #chemotherapy #breastcancerfighter #breast taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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2 months ago

As I walk into another week of chemo, I’m reminded of just how far God has carried me. 🤍

I have to remain strong—not only for myself, but for the people I love who are walking this journey beside me. My family is my reason to keep pushing, even on the hardest days.

God, keep carrying me when I’m too tired to carry myself. Give me strength, peace, and courage for whatever this week brings. I trust You with every step. 🤍🎀#earlydetectionsaveslives #healingjourney #chemotherapy #breastcancerfighter #breast taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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2 months ago

I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in the Power of Pink event, even though I wasn’t feeling well from chemo, I chose to push through. It reminded me that even on the hardest days, there is still so much beauty, love, and hope to be found.

Lately, I haven’t felt pretty. Losing my hair, my body changing, and everything cancer has taken has made it hard to recognize the woman in the mirror. But, thanks to the incredible people who poured their time, kindness, and love into making this event so special, I felt beautiful again. Their compassion gave me more than a makeover, gave me a reminder that cancer doesn’t define my worth or my beauty.💗🎀#earlydetectionsaveslives #breastcancerawarenessmonth #chemotherapy #healingjourney #breastcancerjourney taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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2 months ago

First A/C chemo… ✔️

I knew this chemo would be different from the 12 weeks of Taxol, but I still wasn’t fully prepared for how it would hit me.

Day 1: Weakness, extreme fatigue, nausea, no appetite, and an upset stomach. I honestly felt the worst I have since starting chemotherapy.

Day 3: The nausea eased up some, but the weakness continued, my appetite was still low, and the bone pain started to kick in.

And then… my WBC booster (Udenyca) injector caught me completely off guard. 😅 I had honestly forgotten I was even wearing it until it suddenly stung and started injecting.

This first round has been tough, my body may be tired, but I’m trusting God to keep giving me the strength to make it through one day at a time🙏🏼.#chemotherapy #earlydetectionsaveslives #healingjourney #breastcancerfighter #godsplan taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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2 months ago

After my very first A/C chemo, I’ve honestly felt the worst I’ve felt since this journey began. I made it through 12 rounds of Taxol, but this new chapter has been so much harder than I expected. This morning, I woke up to the sweetest surprise… flowers from my husband. 🌸💕

If there’s one piece of advice I could give, it’s this: marry your best friend. Marry the person who will hold your hand on the hardest days, love you when you don’t feel like yourself, and keep showing up—even when there’s nothing they can do to take the pain away.

Thank you, my love, for being my safe place, my biggest supporter, and my constant reminder of God’s love through you. I thank God every day for giving me a husband who carries this burden with me. I couldn’t do this without you. ❤️#chemo #earlydetectionsaveslives #breastcancerwarrior #godisgood #marryyourbestfriend taken in El Paso, Texas by @blrios03

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3 months ago