Editor’s Note: We asked breast cancer survivors to share their journeys with our readers. Today we feature–Teresa Hough. We hope you will be inspired by her story.
By Teresa Hough
I will never forget January 5, 2004…this was the day my life changed. While performing self-examination, I felt a lump in my right breast. I went to have several tests performed and every test came back with positive results of having Stage 2 Breast Cancer. I was only 38 years old at this time. I began to ask the question, “Why me?”
I ended up having the lump removed from my breast and the doctor said I needed to take Chemotherapy and Radiation. I took eight rounds of chemotherapy and then 36 days of radiation. While taking the treatments, I had every side effect the doctors said I would have. Because of this, there were many times I wanted to give up. However, I had to remember I had beautiful children and a wonderful loving husband. Although it was a challenge, I had to fight this battle to the end, and I was determined to win it,.
Once my treatments were completed, I then began taking a pill for five years. As the months, and then years went by, I began to realize my hair was not growing back. I went to many specialists in hopes of regrowing my hair. Unfortunately, no one could provide an explanation as to why my hair had not grown back. I became dismayed and hopeless because I was one who helped grow others’ hair, as a cosmetologist, but I could not regrow my hair. As I grew stronger and stronger in the Lord I began to realize that it was more valuable for me to be alive rather than have hair. It was better for me to be alive with no hair than for me to not be here at all.
Ten years after being diagnosed I decided to have breast surgery. Having breast reconstruction was a difficult decision for me. The surgery was not successful. If I could do it all over again, I would not have made the decision to do so. I was trying to find happiness and beauty in having my breast replaced, but it only left me feeling worse physically and emotionally. I have constant pain in my back from where they removed skin to make a new breast.
Having a good family and church family was and still is an immense help through the journey. You can’t underestimate the importance of a solid support group. As I grow older, I am grateful for the smallest things. I am grateful for my grandchildren, whom I once thought I would never live to see.
Being the owner and operator of The Right Touch Beauty Salon for over 35 years has been a blessing. There have been so many obstacles, but I did not allow the hurdles to stop me. Most of all, I have God, and I know he has kept me and is continuing to keep me every step of the way. No matter how hard it may seem, trust God with your life! When you are weak, lean on Him for His strength. For all of the survivors and those currently going through this test, take a look at me! I am a living witness that you can make it. If you can take it, you make it!
I give Him all praise for glory and honor belongs to Him. To God be the Glory!!
