It’s been 11 years since Nadja Peterkin was breast cancer-free, and she now has lymphedema (a condition that causes swelling caused by a buildup of lymph fluid) in her left arm and is losing hearing in her right ear. Side effects of chemotherapy treatment. Despite these new challenges, she still takes her exercise routine seriously, which has helped reduce the swelling in her left arm.
Peterkin, vice president of customer experience and organizational health at National Commercial Bank Capital Markets, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 at age 31. This was nine years before women were encouraged to get their first mammogram.
“The swelling didn’t happen 11 years ago. The swelling has been here since last year. I’m thankful I haven’t had any swelling for 10 years, but the swelling won’t come back. It’s been here forever, so I You learn to live with it,” Peterkin told Lifestyle.
She said the hearing loss she is currently experiencing is something she never expected at her current age.
“I never dreamed this could be related to cancer. I’ve had all the tests and can you believe the results? Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has caused me to lose (my hearing). . . . I actually just got tested four weeks ago,” Peterkin said, adding that she shares everything with her mother but didn’t tell her the news at first.
Peterkin has conditioned her mind to live with a swollen-looking arm and is also educating others to worry when they see her in public.
“I get questions all the time because people see me wearing sleeves (on my arms). I exercise a lot, so people tend to think that maybe it was the sleeves or the fashion that were related to the injury. Not at all. It’s lymphedema,” Peterkin explained.
The refreshing feeling of hearing her diagnosis still lingers in Peterkin’s mind.
“At the time, I can’t say that I knew anyone who had breast cancer other than my aunt, who was diagnosed about a year earlier, but she was 40. It didn’t feel “close”… I found it difficult to diagnose, especially because of my age. I didn’t have kids yet, and most of the people I was interacting with were over 50,” she said, adding, “The way we keep saying we’re not really testing… We have to be careful,” he added. Until age 40. ”
Peterkin said she always felt uncomfortable sharing her story, but after 12 years, she realized how important advocacy is to others and began to open up.
“I often only talk about October because I’m really emotional about it. It was 12 years ago and it still doesn’t seem like yesterday, but it feels a little closer.” I encourage everyone to get to know their bodies better. Men and women should do a self-breast exam.
When I first felt a lump in my chest, my lymph nodes were also swollen, so I believed what I had suspected, but I still went to see a doctor.
She was then diagnosed with stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer. Although this is a very aggressive and early-onset type of breast cancer, she is happy that the worst of it is behind her.
“Thanks to our amazing family, friends, doctors, and prayer warriors, and of course you need them too. We have gotten through some very difficult times. This journey has not been easy, but… I would like to declare that we need proper support.”
Peterkin is currently undergoing chemotherapy, surgery and radiation treatment, and is advising young women and men to get important health insurance.
“Important medical insurance isn’t just for the elderly. It can save your life. I spent millions 12 years ago, so millions more. So I I can’t stand here and not tell you that critical illness insurance is important. It’s not just important. It’s important to have it. When I got health insurance, it wasn’t because I thought I was going to get sick. It was because I was helping a friend who was a sales agent…I got that insurance and it saved my life. ” Peterkin said.
ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com
