Be Strong and Courageous

Nichale’s Story

Written by: Nichale Allen

Where do I begin. It was a beautiful day. That same day I heard on the radio that Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, had died. Then, I got a call at one o’clock on the nose. The doctor said, “Are you sitting down?” I said yes. “Sorry to tell you this but you have cancer.” I did not hear anything after those words. I did not cry over the phone. I had tears running down my face. I couldn’t eat or even talk. Hearing the news was bad, but telling my children was so, so, so hard. I had to tell my kids over the phone. You could hear them cry out loud. They said, “I don’t want my mom to die.” I was just silent after that. I told my kids I would beat it. We would get through this. Actually, I wasn’t sure myself.

I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stage 3 Grade 3. Now, that was hard news. The big pill I had to swallow. I knew I was going to be in the fight of my life.

Then came the visit with my oncologist. The doctor told me everything that was going to take place. My hair falling out. I was not going to like being baldheaded, and I couldn’t have imagined it.

I told cancer, “Sorry buddy you can’t even stop me.”

My first day of chemo treatment I was nervous and scared. My first treatment had me so sick I went in to the hospital. After my first round I said I was not going back ever! I had lost my taste, my sense of smell, and even a couple of pounds. But, I was still sexy. Yes, I had to say it! I had stopped going to treatment. A couple of weeks later I decided go back on my treatments. Yes, I was scared and nervous. During my treatments I learned and planned how long I would be sick. Two hours after my treatment I was sick. There were nights I couldn’t sleep. There were times I got frustrated. I knew I hated cancer.

While I was going through my treatment, I decided not let the cancer control me; I had to control it. I couldn’t walk a long distance, and I was short of breath, but I was still TOO SEXY! I kept smiling, laughing, and dreaming about my future. I was in a long fight for my life. I was enjoying life. I refused to stop being happy or trying new things. “Chemo do suck as hell.” But I had so much to life to live; I refused to give up. My cancer fight was no longer about me. It was to help others and to keep participating in things I love: my hobbies, driving a truck, but that was my job. Yes, I did it during my treatment. I told cancer, “Sorry buddy you can’t even stop me.”

On April 15, the doctor removed my big tumor from my body. Before surgery I was not scared or nervous. I was dancing in waiting rooms. Laughing with nurses. Talking to people who were scared and nervous. People told me they wish had my spirit and courage.

I do not ask how the spirit and courage got in me. But they always have been in me. Yes, I am still going through treatment. It is not quite over. I still have a long road ahead, but I still love my life. I would not change anything, not even the cancer. I live by the Three S’s: Strong, Survive, Sexy.