Natalia Smith is determined to beat breast cancer

It’s ‘Pinktober’, a time to raise awareness about breast cancer, and Natalia Smith knows all too well the weight of those four words: ‘You have breast cancer.’ A few years ago, after undergoing a double mastectomy, Smith was hopeful she had beaten the disease. However, her post-surgery pathology report brought both relief and concern. While her stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) was gone, the report revealed that she now faced stage 3A invasive breast carcinoma.

“The cancer had spread to my lymph nodes,” she told Lifestyle. In 2020 and 2021, Smith did two surgeries, “For about three years, both of my breasts were leaking, with the right one showing signs of blood as well.” Following the ultrasound and blood work, the oncologist informed her that surgery was necessary.

Because the medical team wasn’t able to figure out what was happening, the recommendation was made to get rid of the duct, in order to stop the leaking. “When I asked why we didn’t do both, they [explained that] the left one had stopped leaking and [that I] might want to have children in the future.”

Smith did the surgery in 2020, removing the duct from the right breast. And the pathology report came back saying everything was benign. “There was no cancer, everything was clear,” she said. And that was the case, until the following year. When she went to do the follow up in January of 2021, she shared that the left breast had started leaking. Her new doctor advised her to do the surgery to avoid any recurrence. Again, she was informed post surgery that the cancer had made its exit.

To her dismay, concerns re-emerged in March of this year when she began feeling a lump in her left breast. Smith explained that she didn’t pay it much attention at the time, as she was lifting weights and building muscle in that area.

However, over time, she noticed a difference as it related to the feel in the right breast, and by then, she had developed sharp pain in the left. “The pain would come for a minute, and it was sharp to the point that I would hold and put pressure on the breast in order to feel some form of ease.

Three months later, while showering and performing a self-examination, Smith noticed that the breast area felt harder than before. She also began experiencing intense pain whenever she removed her bra, prompting her to visit the emergency room. There, doctors detected a lump and referred her back to her previous physician for further evaluation.

After undergoing a mammogram and an ultrasound, she was referred for a biopsy to investigate the visible cloudiness and rule out cancer. “The minute the doctor said that, it’s like everything inside me just died. It’s hard. It’s painful. I’ve had surgeries and those are all signs of cancer.”

Smith recalled leaving the doctor’s office in tears. She immediately reached out to her mother, who consoled her and almost immediately encouraged her to pray.

Prior to her recent diagnosis, Smith, originally from Kingston, maintained an active gym membership, attending sessions three to four days a week. “Going to the gym is my therapy. I used to work out a lot and eat healthy, setting a desired goal and remaining consistent in achieving it.” She was halfway towards that milestone. Additionally, she also brought fashion to fitness with her clothing brand, Herfit.

Professionally, she worked as a caretaker for two boys and a supervisor at BJ’s Wholesale in New York while studying early childhood education. Since then, life has changed drastically, and the upcoming months are proving to be challenging.

“This diagnosis comes with chemotherapy and radiation. I am currently testing to see if the cancer has spread from my lymph nodes. I’ve had to take an extended leave from work.”

With the knowledge that it would be difficult to have children, the 34-year-old was given the option to freeze her eggs. But she won’t be able to afford it. “I’m okay with this decision. What is for me will be for me.”

The journey has already taken a toll mentally and emotionally, but she remains strong, resilient and positive. “I cry a lot at night. On those days where I don’t want to get up, I do it, take a shower and go out. If I sit in my problems, it’s going to drown me,” she said, adding, “Life is short. No matter what you’re going through, let it go. Tomorrow is promised to no man, if you’re not strong on this journey, they will take you off.”

She remains grateful to her loved ones, who stand by her side even when the going gets tough. Showing tremendous support to other pink warriors, she encourages those fighting breast cancer to stay strong, allow themselves to cry if necessary, find joy and beauty in life, and never give up.

Smith is currently seeking support for her chemotherapy and radiation treatments, with a fundraising goal of $18,000 USD. She has raised $7,057 USD so far through her GoFundMe campaign.

The link to Natalia Smith’s GoFundMe is https://gofund.me/33f5d484krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com