So excited this beautiful lady is sharing her story with us. I love her attitude. And can we talk about her infectious smile? So beautiful!
Meet Jewel!
Health has always been my burden. I was born with Sickle Cell Anemia Disease, a genetic blood disorder that has kept me in and out of pain and hospitals my whole life.
In 2017 I was diagnosed with Stage II Triple Negative Breast Cancer at the age of 30. I was completely shocked as I don’t have a history of breast cancer in my family nor did I test positive for the BRCA1 gene.
I endured 8 rounds of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and lymphadenectomy (removal of lymph nodes) and 6 weeks of radiation. At completion of treatment, in February 2018 I was declared to be in remission.
It wasn’t 7 months later did I spot a white mass growing under my armpit, at the site of my last surgery. I immediately knew that it was back and sure enough a PET scan confirmed that it was. The cancer had come back with a vengeance spreading to the lung, brain, liver and bone- this was Stage IV Cancer. This time it also manifested on the outside of my breast causing a large wound. I currently have no skin on my right breast.
So, I’m back in the fight! I receive chemotherapy 3 times per month and wound care once every 3 weeks. I know the Lord is healing me.
One thing I have learned in this fight is that my burden makes room for my blessing. I knew that the Lords intent was to be glorified through my illness and that His people be loved, encouraged and blessed. My burdens is what launched Jewel’s Rhema, a nonprofit dedicated to providing resources and encouragement to young breast cancer patients. We provide chemotherapy care packages to clinics for their patients.
To all my Warriors in the fight: Keep the faith- you CAN beat this. You WILL beat this.”
-Jewel
You can follow Jewel’s story on Instagram.
IG: @jewelsrhema
Tata to Cancer 
Jewel, you are an inspiration. May the Lord bless you and heal you!
LikeLike
Wow Jewel! You my sister warrior are an inspiration.
This morning as I woke and was feeling frustrated that I’m still dragging around a drain 7 months post bi lateral mastectomy, my joints feel like what I imagine an 90 year old arthritic woman would feel like (I could add more to the list as it just goes on), I started getting mad at the fact that I had cancer and I still battle daily with so many ailments and fears. Then… I read your post as I was standing out front of work. My whole attitude changed because of reading how positive and strong you are and continue to be everyday. It made me realize that I had gotten my cup of coffee with a house full of my family this am. Surrounded by the laughs of my adorable little daughter, the smile of my 3 year old son and a kiss goodbye from my amazing and supportive husband. I got to get up, get dressed and go to work! Some people don’t get to do that daily. Life doesn’t get any better than that. So today and everyday I’m going to continue to put one foot in front of the other and march through the fight to stay here and live, actually THRIVE!
Cheers and Hugs to you my friend!
Thank you for being an inspiration.
LikeLike