Cancer Taught Me To Live Without Regrets

With Her Healthy Lifestyle And No Family History Of The Disease, Plaxedes Makura Never Gave Much Thought To Breast Cancer. That Is, Until A Routine Gynae Appointment Led To Her Diagnosis...

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After noticing some swelling near her breast in 2018, Plaxedes ‘Plax’ Makura, 36, suspected the worst. When her doctor confirmed that she had breast cancer, Plax wasted no time and began intense treatment that included radiation, chemotherapy, and two lumpectomies. While she’s been in remission for 10 months, she isn’t in the clear just yet and will have to be monitored over the next five years.

The Diagnosis

Getting ready for work one morning, I noticed a swelling above my left breast. I tried to shrug it off, but over the next few days it kept worrying me. While at lunch with my friend, Justine, I mentioned what I’d found and she pushed me to get it checked out. I was reluctant, but decided to get it seen to at an upcoming gynaecologist appointment, which Justine offered to come to with me.

At the check-up, my gynae didn’t seem too worried, but proposed we do some tests. I was sent for an ultrasound and a mammogram, and was happy when both came back negative. The radiologist then suggested I do a biopsy, which I didn’t think was necessary, but Justine convinced me to do it just in case. During the biopsy, I was joking and laughing with the nurses, who reassured me and told me I’d receive a call with the results.

Five days later, with no update, I called up my gynae, who promised to hurry the lab. He phoned me back, asking me to come in. Panicking, I begged him to tell me the results over the telephone, which is when he informed me that I had tested positive for breast cancer.