- Can you share your breast cancer journey, from your diagnosis at 26 years old to where you are now?
I first discovered a lump in my right breast when I was 26 years old. After an ultrasound, doctors reassured me that it was nothing due to my young age. However, a year later, I had to repeat the exam, and this time, doctors decided to surgically remove the lump without suggesting a biopsy, despite the fact that both my mother and grandmother had battled breast cancer at a young age. During the operation, it was revealed that it was indeed breast cancer.
At that time, Lebanon was grappling with a severe economic and social collapse, and COVID-19 had just made its initial appearance, making everything even more challenging. I married my husband, Anthony, in a small, intimate ceremony. In June of the same year, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy after receiving genetic exam results that indicated a gene variant of unknown significance, raising my risk of recurrence.
Less than a year after the surgery, Anthony and I made a bold decision to sell all our possessions and move to Paris, a dream we had always harbored but never dared to pursue. We both pursued our MBAs, and today, we are happily settled in Paris, a city we now proudly call home.
- Facing a cancer diagnosis at such a young age must have been incredibly challenging. How did you navigate the emotional aspects of this experience?
I was fortunate to have a wonderful support system that included my partner, family, and friends, which made everything more manageable. Part of my journey coincided with quarantine, so I took the opportunity to focus on self-care, nurture my body and mind, spend time in nature, exercise, and cherish quality moments with the people I love.
When I decided to share my story with the world on Instagram, I was overwhelmed with love and support from both complete strangers and people I had lost contact with, which was incredibly inspiring. One thing that made a significant difference was connecting with individuals on the internet who had experienced the same challenges, providing a sense of familiarity and relief.
- Breast cancer often forces individuals to discover inner strength they didn't know they had. How did this experience change your perception of your own resilience and beauty?
I believe that everyone possesses courage and strength within themselves, and these qualities emerge when one feels the need to fight for their life. As a Lebanese person, from the moment you are born, you learn to navigate life with resilience because sometimes that's all you have. So, when you’re face with difficult situations, you fight back, thanks to the profound love we have for life.
- How did you incorporate wellness practices such as exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness into your treatment plan, and how did they contribute to your overall well-being?
After my diagnosis, I was the healthiest I've ever been in my life. I adhered to a very strict vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and alcohol-free diet. I'm not suggesting that following such a diet guarantees you won't get cancer, but it certainly helps align your mental and physical health. These two factors play a significant role in recovery and prevention from various diseases. I was the slimmest I've ever been, but I was also the healthiest and happiest.
- Moving to Paris and fulfilling your dreams post-treatment is inspiring. How did your cancer journey influence your perspective on chasing your dreams?
Before cancer, I constantly postponed my dreams out of fear—fear of judgment and failure. However, once you experience something as terrifying as cancer, you truly grasp that you only live this life once, and it's yours to decide how you want to live it. It teaches you to trust your instincts, follow your intuition, say 'yes' more often, and live life as if there's no tomorrow, because that's the reality. Once you embrace this mantra, everything falls into place, and you realize that you are always deserving of your wildest dreams.
- How has your outlook on life changed since facing and overcoming cancer? Are there things you now prioritize differently?
Since the diagnosis i learnt to prioritize myself, because loving and taking care of your body and mind is the purest form of unconditional love. I am also very grateful for Anthony and my family and friends and i make sure to always show them how much i love them and how important they are in my life because life is too short to hold back these feelings.
- Is there a mantra or piece of wisdom that you've adopted through your journey that you'd like to share with the audience?
Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams, and don’t wait for something as big as cancer or any near-death experience to realize that you are worthy of your dreams and that almost anything is possible if you put your mind to it and start saying yes more, you’ll be surprised of all the opportunities that will come up.
- If there's one takeaway you hope attendees remember from your story, what would it be?
Breast cancer doesn’t not differentiate. Learn to love your body and notice the little things and changes because no one know you better than you.
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