Tricia Boatswain: Healing in faith

Tricia Boatswain is a cancer survivor, and although the physical wounds may have healed, her emotions are still raw.

"You've had me nervous and crying all week," she told WMN of the interview questions, the culprits that dredged up the unpleasant memories of her fight for her life.

"This experience has taught me so many lessons — believe God at His word; not to take myself too seriously; I have the power to reframe my story; and I am still learning to make peace with the path God has placed for me to walk."

Now 41, Boatswain was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37.

"Had it not been for my work medical it would have gone undetected. It was during my routine, annual medical that it was discovered," the RBC employee explained.

"I had felt the lump in one of my breasts a couple of weeks before. When the doctor asked if there was anything I wanted to focus on I told him about it." She was sent to do the relevant cancer-related tests and was diagnosed with breast cancer. "I never expected that diagnosis," Boatswain said, although two of her paternal aunts had breast cancer.

What followed was enough to force her to put things in perspective and remind her of what really mattered in life. She had a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and a reduction on the remaining breast, followed by eight rounds of chemotherapy and 25 rounds of radiation treatment.

"It was like a whirlwind. A lot of decisions to be made in a short space of time, a lot of advice. My faith in God made me determined to do whatever I had to, to live. It reminds you of what is important," she reflected.

The mother of two boys, who were nine and 12 at the time, said as devastating as the experience was for them, her sons were real troopers.

"It is often said that kids are resilient and I have watched my boys process the challenge that we had to face at that time. As with any other person, there were moments of anxiety and maybe even a bit of fear, but we held on to each other and God's word. My kids are amazing and I have seen them grow in their own faith, always supportive even though they didn't always understand what was going on.

"I am grateful that they were supported by family and friends and we worked hard to ensure their routine was not changed too much. I also believe that their faith was built up as we prayed for healing." She emotionally recalled the day her eldest son noticed that her hair was shedding.

"I didn't tell them anything right away, but when he saw that my hair was falling out in clumps he asked me if it was that (cancer). I remember the day I shaved my hair. I was uncertain of how they would react, but their reaction to me was priceless. They hugged me and said 'don't worry mummy you still look like a princess.'"

Boatswain said support she never knew she had started coming out of the woodwork.

"It's in times of adversity that you really know the strength of your support system. My mother's strength and faith covered me as she stood in the gap for me with her prayer and care after surgery and throughout the process. She is truly a pillar of strength. My siblings also supported as much as possible. Family, friends and friends who became family drove me back and forth to appointments, sat through chemo sessions with me and stayed over."

And because chemotherapy medicines tend to damage the bone marrow, making it less able to produce enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, Boatswain's immune system was weakened, leaving her susceptible to infections. But even though she was required to temporarily live in a virtual bubble, the support also came pouring in via technology and faith.

"While I was restricted in the number of persons I should be in contact with, a day didn't go by without a call, a text, a prayer. My church family never wavered in prayer. It's a blessing when you have people around you who have faith in you and faith for you, and who wouldn't allow you to stay down even on the worst days."

Her work family too, she recalled, went beyond the call. "I received tremendous support from my work colleagues from day one. Thinking about it brings back all the emotions. I had just transitioned into a new role and was very worried about what this may have meant given the diagnosis. However, from my managers to peers, I really felt like part of a family. I was supported with the medical leave I needed to focus on my treatment and recovery with calls, prayers and well wishes through every stage. Overall, I couldn't ask for a more supportive response from my RBC family."

Boatswain completed her last radiation session in July 2016 but still has to continue to do her part to try to prevent a recurrence of the disease. "Basically, I listen to the doctors, keep up with visits and annual mammograms. I am still on medication and have two more years to go." And she has taken her precautions a step further. "I made a personal decision to reduce sugar, meat and dairy intake. As much as possible I try to incorporate natural remedies into my diet, and I know I should make more time for exercise."

She believes once there is life there is hope, even on the difficult days. During her ordeal she willed herself to focus on the future, and urges women who are diagnosed with cancer, whatever type, to "make a plan and work your plan as you regain your strength. For me trying to retain a close to normal routine helped me. For example, I still dropped kids to school and helped with homework. Use positive affirmations. Tell yourself you are strong and you are a survivor. And while it is good to do your own research, ask your doctors for trusted sites you can use.

And most importantly, trust God because He is a mighty healer."