My name is Gesla Woods. I am a wife and mother of four(4) beautiful children (3 girls & 1 boy) and grandmother to 5 beautiful grandchildren. I am originally from the beautiful island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I migrated to the U.S. in August 2002 where I became a Home Health Aide by trade but my passion has been and still is being an early childhood educator. I am here to share my journey with you as a Breast Cancer Survivor.

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Let me start by saying, this has been the toughest battle I’ve ever fought in my entire life. However, I did not do it alone. I am a Christian. I gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen years old and I’ve never looked back since. I love the Lord with all my heart and my purpose is to serve Him no matter what. Throughout my lifetime, He has done so much for me that I cannot be ungrateful; He deserves all the praise, all the glory and all the honor.

 

Here is my story…

As I mentioned earlier, I was a Home Health Aide. My first job was in 2005. I’ve worked with multiple healthcare agencies, with Partners In Care being one of them. In January 2020, I took off from my job to attend to my husband who was diagnosed with a stomach tumor but it was benign, thank God. Shortly after that, Covid happened. Due to the shut down and other factors, I did not return work at all.  I opted in to apply for unemployment and spent that entire year of 2020 at home and that’s when the lump was discovered in my left breast in November 2020.

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THE DIAGNOSIS: Stage Three Breast Cancer

In November 2020, when the lump was discovered in my left breast, I did not take immediate action though. Instead, I booked a ticket to visit one of my relatives in North Carolina. In February 2021, a few weeks after I returned from my trip, I visited my primary care physician to address the lump discovery. My PCP then sent me to Maimonides hospital for a scan. I met with an Oncologist there and their deliverance of the results were unpleasant. They had no compassion and were very unprofessional and because of this, I did not proceed with their service.

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I went back to my PCP who then referred me to Mount Sinai where they did their own testing and requested the previous test that was done and again, I was uncomfortable there. All the testing and unprofessionalism became overwhelming that I accepted my faith and decided, it is what it is.

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In December 2021, a few months later, fluid started leaking from my breast. It became painful that I ended up in the emergency room at Kings County Hospital. While in the ER, they did their own testing again but this time, I must say, this was God’s plan. Everyone from the nurses to the doctors was so compassionate and professional. I felt very comfortable and happy. Everyone treated me so well; I cannot repay them for all they have done for me. Nothing further was done at this time, I was sent home with dressing to care for the leakage on my breast. A nurse was sent to my home to change the dressing twice a week.

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GREAT NEWS

JANUARY 2022

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Although I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, God blessed me with an opportunity. Remember my passion I mentioned earlier about being an early childhood educator? Let me tell you this before I tell you the great news. It pays to be kind always, be connected to the right people and always do your very best when doing any job you’re performing.

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Remember my last patient I spoke about that I never returned to? Well, because I cared for him (over 5 years), a bond was built and love and trust were established. They no longer saw me as his aide, I was now family. The family connected me with a school they work at. I was immediately hired, no long processing, no back and forth, just straight to being hired. What is for you, you will receive it in Jesus name. Nothing or no one can stop it.

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I began working in January 2022. I enjoyed going to work because, again, this is my passion. I love working with children and teaching them. Although I wasn’t hired as an educator YET, I got to be in the presence of the children as an assistant.

After only three months of enjoying my new job, I was unable to continue because I started chemotherapy.

 

TREATMENT

 

This was the toughest part of all. On April 2022, I began chemotherapy at Metropolitan Hospital. A chemo port was implanted on the right side of my chest and chemo was administered directly through the port. I received treatment once every two weeks. The first round of treatment was very challenging; I felt like I was dying. I did not react well. My entire face turned red; I started screaming for help. The doctor and team came running. They asked me if I’d like to continue the treatment or try something else. I decided to continue because I wanted the cancer gone. The doctor diluted the treatment, and it was tolerable. During this time, my faith was activated even more because God always keeps his promises.

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Chemotherapy is brutal. It makes your body feels as if it’s not yours. After each session, I would feel so weak and nauseated. Thank God for my husband accompanying me to all my appointments. When scheduled for these sessions, no one should ever be alone. After a few treatments, my white blood cells count began to drop so I had to pause treatment. I received multiple shots to boost my blood cells, then I continued treatment. It felt like I would never be done with this treatment. Six months seemed like an entire year. I never got discouraged though, I trusted God throughout the entire journey. Shall we talk about the hair? Of course, I lost it all. My hair meant so much to me, but I accepted losing it. I knew this was part of the process and they would grow back. I wore wigs but I hated them.

I hated the way chemo made me feel. I couldn’t get out of bed; I would be too weak to even walk. One morning, my husband found me passed out at the breakfast table. He told me when I regained consciousness, I called out for my son. I can only imagine how scary this was for my husband to find me like this.

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In October 2022, I completed treatment. Time to hear some good news or so I thought. I was informed that chemo did not work, the tumor did not shrink to the size they had hoped, therefore, they had to surgically remove the entire breast which is called a mastectomy. I understood what had to be done and I accepted it. I was not devastated even though I knew I would be without one breast. I remembered the Bible said in Matthew 5:30 “If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee.” If this was the way to save my life, then so be it. Surgery was scheduled.

 

THE PROCEDURE

 

On December 1, 2022, the mastectomy was done and was very successful. The procedure was about four hours long but I came out pain-free. I thank God for guiding the doctors throughout my procedure. The doctors reported that the entire breast was filled with cancer. Recovery went well. I couldn’t lift my left hand for quite some time (obviously), but I am happy to be alive and well.

 

HOW DID I COPE THROUGH THIS JOURNEY?

 

Being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer sounded like death but I know in Whom I trust and believe. He said ALL THINGS are possible to those who believe. Although this was the diagnosis, I stayed positive, and I NEVER claimed to have breast cancer. It is one thing to believe science and another to believe God. Believe it or not but when you are told you have a disease or diagnosed with something, do not accept it. I am speaking from a Christian point of view. I am not saying, do not acknowledge the news, just don’t accept it!

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For example, let’s use a piece of mail, certified to be exact. That piece of mail must be accepted and signed for by you as the receiver and what happens to that mail if you do not sign for it? That’s right, they cannot leave it with you. They must return it to the sender. Treat any diagnosis this way, send it back to the sender, do not claim it. God is not a producer of diseases; however, He allows it to happen so that He can be your Savior. Without sickness and diseases, He cannot be called a Healer or the Great Physician.

 

Having this belief, I remained positive at all times. My family, friends, church family and close relatives helped me stay positive and happy every day. I worshipped, prayed, listened to ministers and motivational speeches on YouTube. I had moments where I used to cry because this journey was indeed tough. I was never in a situation where I had to stay in bed all day every day before, so I had to get used to it because that is all I wanted to do especially after treatment.

 

HOW AM I NOW?

 

Even though it was a very tough situation for me, I stayed strong and remembered that I have a God who makes ALL things possible. Sometimes we go through tests in our lives to bring out what is best for us. I am very grateful to be alive today to tell my story. Cancer is just a name; how you go through it matters. Many will see it as a death threat, but speak life over yourself, stay positive, and everything will fall into place. Be sure to surround yourself with positive people, it makes the journey better because you are not alone. Having support is everything!

 

The doctor wanted to give me pills and told me “just in case” the cancer returns and I refused. You know why? My God does not do anything halfway, He is a Healer. He completes His work and that is what I believe. Science says “just in case” but my God says “it is finish.” Did I consider breast reconstruct? I did but I’ve accepted the new me. I am healthy, alive and well.

I am now closer to God than I’ve ever been because without Him, I wouldn’t be here today.

 

THE PRESENT

 

After surgery back in December 2022, I spent the entire year of 2023 recovering and focusing on what I want to do next. Fast forward to 2024, remember my job back in 2022 at the school? Guess what? The principal checked in with me for the entire two years while I was going through my journey. After everything was completed, he asked when I would like to return. He told me that when I am ready, my job will be there waiting. Isn’t God amazing?

 

I’m happy to report that I returned to my school job on February 2024. I am very grateful for all the people who’s involved in this opportunity. God has truly connected me with amazing people throughout this entire journey. I am grateful that I did not fight alone. Special thanks to my husband who made sure I got to all my appointments, prepared our meals, took care of the household, etc.; my children who stayed strong for me (I told them I did not want any pity nor crying around me); my grandchildren who helped cared for me whenever they visited, my relatives, friends and church family who encouraged me.

 

INSPIRATION

For everyone going through this battle, you may feel like giving up but don’t. I am proof that God answers prayers and He’s a Mighty Healer. If you don’t know God, get to know Him. If you are not close to Him, draw close to Him. Stay positive, even when nothing seems like it’s going right. Focus on your healing and feeling like yourself again.

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I’ll leave you with this scripture-

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Jeremiah 30:17-“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, said the LORD;”

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God Bless all of you and thank you for allowing me to share my story with you!