BAHA’S LONG STORY:
My Breast Cancer Journey: Finding My Voice and Fighting for My Life
It all began in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic. I discovered a lump on the right side of my breast that immediately concerned me. I called my gynecologist, who scheduled me for an appointment and sent referrals for an ultrasound and mammogram.
That Memorial Day weekend was the longest of my life. When the mammogram results finally came back, the radiologist wrote “negative” in his report and casually added, “See you in six months.” But something didn’t feel right. I knew my body was trying to tell me something.
The whole time, I kept hearing a whisper telling me, “No, there is something.” My body kept warning me that there was something more than what showed on the imaging. I kept hearing the words “breast cancer,” and every time I heard them, I drew the cross sign, thinking it was the devil trying to put bad thoughts in my head. I later came to realize it was the Holy Spirit warning me that it was more than just dense breast tissue.
You see, where everyone else would have just listened to the doctor and believed what was presented on the imaging, I knew deep down that there was something more. That’s not usually me because I’m a very positive person who always looks on the bright side of things. But this time, I just felt it. I knew it. The whisper became so loud that it was more like a scream. I had to trust my inner voice. I had to advocate for myself.
I called my gynecologist again, requesting a referral to a breast surgeon. “You don’t have to,” she told me. “Your results came back negative.”
I stood my ground. “It’s my body. It’s my money. I want to see a breast surgeon.” Reluctantly, she gave me the referral.
The surgeon’s office initially wanted to see me via Zoom due to COVID restrictions, saying they were only giving priority to urgent cases. After many prayers, I received a call saying my case had been moved to the top of the surgeon’s list. When I finally saw her, she felt what she described as a swollen lymph node under my right arm and sent me for another ultrasound and mammogram.
The results came back the same day , negative again. The ultrasound technician looked me directly in the eyes and said, “Baha, I’ve seen thousands of these images, and yours doesn’t look suspicious at all.”
I looked her back in the eyes and replied, “I’m not leaving this room.” I sat firmly on the exam table and told her, “If you want to call security or the police, go ahead, but I’m not leaving without a biopsy order.”
She left the room and must have spoken with the radiologist, because they returned with a biopsy order for the following week. Nine needle biopsies later, I received a call from my surgeon’s office the next day with life changing news: I had invasive lobular intermediate carcinoma.
The surgeon immediately referred me to an oncologist and recommended a mastectomy. I decided to seek a second opinion at MD Anderson. My husband and I spent two weeks at MD Anderson , and their team recommended starting with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, followed by a double mastectomy, reconstruction, and radiation.
If I hadn’t listened to that voice, honestly, I don’t think I’d be here today. By the time they found the cancer, it was already in my lymph nodes. The tumor was about 8.5 cm. I’m thankful I was in tune with my body and grateful I listened to that whisper.
Ironically, by the time the original radiologist would have wanted me to come back for that six-month follow-up, I had already finished chemotherapy, undergone a double mastectomy with reconstruction, and was about to start radiation.
I remember clearly the first two weeks after my diagnosis. I cried almost every day because it felt surreal. It was hard to believe that me, Baha a healthy person who doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, and cooks most of her meals—was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, after those two weeks passed and before starting chemo, I made a decision: I had already beaten cancer, and nothing was going to stop me from recovering fully.
I put myself in the right mindset, surrounded myself with positive people, and put my fighting gear on. I started my battle. I remember the first chemo treatment was one of the toughest on me. However, after that first one, I believe God never left my side, and I was able to handle the side effects of the chemotherapy.
You see, I had already healed myself before I finished treatment. I believed that I was already healed. I used visualization and meditation to do so. I started something called “cell healing,” where I visualized every cell of my body working for me, healing me, restoring me. My cells became my biggest cheerleaders whenever I couldn’t be my own. Every single day, three to four times a day, I did my self-healing. I reminded myself, only positive thoughts, only positive people in order to heal.
I underwent 18 rounds of chemotherapy, had a double mastectomy with reconstruction, and completed 28 rounds of radiation therapy.
During my treatment, I had a strong feeling that there was more to me than being diagnosed with breast cancer. I felt that I had a calling on my life. God wanted me to do something more than just go through treatment, and that’s where the Giving Heart Foundation idea was born.
It started in my oncologist’s office. I remember clearly when I talked to my doctor and shared with him that we were getting a Lift Recliner chair for my recovery after double mastectomy and I was planning on starting a non profit and pass the chair from one woman to another after they go through mastectomy. I remember my oncologist telling me, “Baha, this is not your time now. Focus on your own healing. You’re not at a place to help other women yet.” After I left his office, I looked at my husband and said, “Yeah, sure, like I’m going to listen to him.”
After my double mastectomy, I passed that chair to my best friend’s mom, then to another friend, then another lady. So far, since 2021 I’ve helped over 40 women and counting and I have a total of 7 chairs now. This chair serves as a throne for these women, giving them independence and dignity back. These chairs are robotic with a button it helps you stand up and recline all the way down, especially helpful after a double mastectomy when you can’t put weight on your upper body. It gives you freedom and gives your loved ones freedom to take care of other errands while you rest comfortably.
The Giving Heart Foundation serves any woman in the Tulsa area and surrounding regions, free of charge. With every chair, we give a blanket of the woman’s choice of color. Every blanket is soft with inspirational words on it. We also give compression boots and a side table.
The Giving Heart Foundation is there for any woman regardless of her status. We believe we are there for each other during this difficult time, lifting one woman at a time, because a giving heart is a loving heart.
Throughout this journey, I learned the importance of advocating for yourself when something doesn’t feel right. If I hadn’t insisted on that biopsy , if I hadn’t refused to leave that room , my story might have ended very differently.
Today, I’m grateful for the strength I found within myself, for my family and friends for the medical professionals who ultimately listened, and for the calling that turned my pain into purpose. My experience has taught me that we must be our own strongest advocates when it comes to our health, and that sometimes our greatest trials lead to our greatest contributions.
