We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Myra Harris a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Myra, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Who knew that June 9, 2020, would forever change my life? On that day, I was diagnosed with Stage 2B – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (Breast Cancer). Unfortunately, at the beginning of March 2020, I experienced blood leaking from my right breast, which I knew was abnormal. However, because of the Covid-19 epidemic, I could not be seen in house by my OB/GYN, even though I updated him regularly on my status. The bleeding lasted for almost three weeks before it completely stopped. Then, I started feeling a lump in my right breast and it was not going away. Even though I have had cystic breasts since being a teenager and multiple benign cysts and tumors removed from both breasts – this lump felt different and was very painful.
After several conversations with my OB/GYN, the restriction was finally lifted, allowing patients to have in-person visits with their doctors. Obviously, the doctor felt the mass and gave me a referral for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. During my appointment, the radiologist indicated that they were seeing something suspicious on both the mammogram and ultrasound and that one of my lymph nodes lit up on the ultrasound. I asked, what does it look like to you? He responded, “it looks like cancer, but it will require a biopsy to confirm”. A biopsy of my right breast and lymph node was scheduled two days later on June 4. On June 9, I received the call that would forever change my life, to inform me that cancer was found not only in my breast, but it also spread to one of my lymph nodes.
I said all that to say….I really don’t know if I was born with resilience or if I’ve learned it through my life experiences of adversity. However, whatever the case, I’ve learned that resilience is a very important coping mechanism, especially for me – during my breast cancer journey. Even though I was in the midst of my breast cancer storm, I didn’t allow it to consume me, but instead pushed myself to rise above my condition. I didn’t feel sorry for myself and didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for me, either. I worked every day and continued cooking, baking and enjoying life – still smiling, taking selfies, making up my face and thanking God for each day.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Myra was by herself during chemotherapy treatments and multiple surgeries. She stated, “just knowing that no one could be there in person to support me during the hardest battle of my life was indescribable and a feeling I wouldn’t want any person to endure.”
While still on her breast cancer journey and in between reconstructive surgeries, Myra started Cancer Gave Me Life Foundation, Inc. because Myra cares about people. Her non-profit’s Mission is to assist breast cancer patients by providing resources and support that will empower them during their diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
She also partnered with the Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation in August 2022, and was able to donate 275 Love Bags during the 2022 Christmas holiday to breast cancer patients at the Novant Cancer Institute and sick children at the Novant Hemby Children’s Hospital with the help of the City of Charlotte Fire Department. It was a major success and the patients, staff and Novant’s team were extremely appreciative. In 2023, CGML was blessed to send a breast cancer patient and her family on a weekend getaway. Additionally, CGML will host a luncheon to honor and bless breast cancer patients in October – in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we will make our 2nd Love Bag Distribution during Christmas.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
During my breast cancer journey, I experienced a lot of physical changes (i.e., hair loss, weight loss, many side effects to include itching spells, painful neuropathy in my limbs (which was a side effect of the Taxol chemotherapy), which I am still experiencing to this day.
I learned that I have to love myself, whether I liked what I saw in the mirror or not. I didn’t go into hiding – but instead – I pushed myself to be the best Myra that I could be and that’s where the strength comes in. Again, I didn’t give in to breast cancer, but instead I took the bull by the horns. Breast Cancer pushed me to live my best life – even when I was severely burned from radiation, I still felt beautiful and didn’t mind taking pictures of my breast cancer “battle wounds”. I didn’t feel less of a woman after having both breasts removed, – but instead I was content in my own skin. Having breast cancer, pushed me to live my best life and I have no regrets.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I would love to collaborate with Breast Cancer 501(c)(3) organizations for mentorships, knowledge exchange and partnerships.
I would also love the opportunity to share my story with breast cancer advocates, as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cancergavemelifefoundation.org
- Instagram: @cancergavemelifefoundation
Image Credits
1st pic only – Aric Thompson, Dream Photography 4 pics – I took them with my phone
