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‘LABISI: Chronicles of a Breast Cancer Warrior




Chapter 5


Journal entry by Karen Delgado — 6/11/2011

‘Just being who they are was enough to keep me going...but they went beyond that---from being "good" for the subs to all types of gifts and acts of kindness…

I hope that they learn at least one lesson from all this--that a kind word or being nice to someone may be just the gift that person needs.  When someone isn't as nice as you think they should be...think about how you can be kind--you never know what type of situation that the person may be going through!’

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We sleep and wake up, we do not know how.

Have you ever wondered, why sometimes we like to stay in the dark? As technology has advanced, so many of those things which were attributed to God’s secrecy were unraveled and with a simple click on your phone, you can find out various things which you didn’t even know in times past.

But sometimes, sheer laziness makes us ignore the fact that those things are now known, giving rise to the ‘God knows all’ syndrome.

I decided to start my own breast cancer journal 2 months ago. I mean, how else would I be able to remember all that has happened during this very defining period of my life?

Have I mentioned Mr. Okonkwo in recent times? He’s been so supportive. You know, after my diagnosis, I was told that I would have to get a mastectomy, and I was like ‘mastec-kini?’ Which one be that again? Them don start with all their big big grammar.

Well, I was filled in and that night, I cried my eyes out. Ah? They want to cut my breast ma ni? How would I face Mr. Okonkwo? How would I appreciate my body after all of that? Nah, I felt I couldn’t do it, it would be way too tragic- and think about the fact that I would have to see that scar for like, the rest of my life. At that moment, I felt like blocking out all of the knowledge I had about breast cancer, and just enjoy the solace of having both of my breasts. Please abeg, I no do!

Anyways, Mr. Okonkwo got wind of the fact that I was totally moody, and being his caring self, he kept prodding until I provided him with satisfactory answers.

You know, you never understand the value of your king until he does certain things for you.

Mr. Okonkwo went down on one knee, as if he wanted to propose to me and in my mind, I was like ‘what’s all this biko?’

And then he said ‘My wife, my queen; whatever happens, I’d still love you- breast-full or breastless’, I looked at him, shook my head and then we both burst into laughter. This man, was a clown. We ordered in some food, because I was in no right frame of mind to cook, and we ate. In fact, the next day, he took me out to a Chinese restaurant.

Well, I think that was enough stimulus to get the mastectomy. I had a good support system, and for that, I’m eternally grateful!

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