Warrior mom wins breast cancer battle

“Had it. Beat it. Am Free.” was the message on the shirt Warrior Mom Tara Montaque wore as she greeted our Gleaner team. It has been one year since we met under these circumstances, and she is in even higher spirits, basking in the joy of being on the other side, breast cancer-free.

Describing life after-treatment as a new normal, she takes it all in stride and constantly reminds herself that her body has been through an enormous assault. “Recovery is a big thing, and I’m going to have to bite off small pieces each day. But I’m maximising on life and spending quality time with loved ones,” the warrior mom of two told The Sunday Gleaner.

The first thing Montaque did post-chemotherapy was to celebrate. She was approaching a personal milestone, so she went straight into planning mode for her 30th birthday party, setting up a photo shoot for the special occasion as well. The virtual event, Tara’s Triumphant 30th, was a success, and for everyone, it was a big deal for Montaque to reach her 30th.

On the matter of feeling like herself again, she confessed that she still hasn’t achieved that step in her road to recovery, “I’m still fatigued. I don’t feel like how I used to feel before, but I know that I’m on my way. I feel the closest to my old self now.”

Because she took a short break between delivering her baby and starting chemotherapy, she was able to breastfeed her baby. Montaque was given a four-week window, and she took it because it was important for her to share in that nourishing bonding experience. “That is my most memorable experience in the journey because I felt fulfilled for a mother. Even though it was for a short time, I know it was beneficial for him. And I’m so so happy I did,” she said proudly.

OBVIOUS PROGRESS

Speaking of elation, Montaque was excited to see hair growth, but not the obvious progress of the hair on her scalp, which was once bald. It was witnessing the restoration of her eyebrows that that did it for this champion fighter. With the chemicals of the chemotherapy leaving her system, her hair was coming back in; her nails were no longer dark; these were signs of a great sense of normalcy sneaking its way back into her life, and she revelled in the improvements.

“When I went to thread my brows, I was so excited. It was a challenge every morning to get my eyebrows [done] before I left the house. The brows frame your face. But the hair [on my head] is also coming in nicely, and it’s back to the texture it once was, so I’m happy,” she reflected.

Spending more quality time with family, she now has structured weekends – worship and devotion with family time on Friday nights; games night on Saturdays and movie night on Sundays. If you’re not intentional with life, it will slip by, she says, adding, “I love watching my children grow. I’m in awe. The conversations, the singing, it’s so amazing to see. I am thoroughly enjoying motherhood. Just mind-blowing.”

With that same energy for her maternal duties, Montaque had jumped back into her daily routine, returning to work in the pharmaceutical industry while building the family business alongside her husband in real estate, Montaque Properties. He was holding down the fort in her absence due to her illness, but she is happy to be working as a team with her beloved once again.

Additionally, she has drawn closer to God, noting that He has been her source of comfort through blessings and support.

Among her new living regime is a healthier and cleaner diet. She is currently on medication and will be taking Tamoxifen for 10 years.

NEW APPROACH TO LIFE

Getting diagnosed with cancer so young has allowed Montaque to grow up pretty quickly. She now faces life in a new way. She is grateful for her journey and all the lessons it has taught. The biggest so far that cancer highlighted was the important people in her life. Family and friends, she revealed, really showed up for her.

“Breast cancer taught me what it really feels like to be loved. But it also taught me the definition of fear. And optimistically, the definition of happiness. Nothing will ever make me happier than a healthy life with Joseph and my boys, Yuri and Kyrie, and of course my family and close friends.” She also learnt that there are no bad days; every single day is so much better than no days at all.

And as far as myths go, she did admit that chemo brain is real. “Chemo brain is nothing like pregnancy brain, but I have suffered from both. So my memory is jacked. I have a hard time remembering and recalling stuff, so that’s what I’m working on right now,” she shared. She exercises her brain each day, that way, she can be efficient. Writing down important things and becoming more organised are a big help because relying on recall is a thing of the past, she admitted.

FIND YOUR REASON AND FIGHT

For those struggling with breast cancer, Montaque says, find your reason and fight. Also, find an outlet. She found solace in gardening; it became so therapeutic. If you are faith-based, connect with your creator. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer was particularly life-changing because it is so rare, so if you see any irregularities, Montaque advises that you check with your doctor; pregnant women, she said, need to be extra vigilant.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com