Moms, read this inspiring breast cancer story of a triathlete mom who had overcome the dreaded disease.
What can you read in this article?
- Her amazing breast cancer story
- What motivated her to keep fighting
As moms, we always say that we have to be at our best for our children. One reason is that we want to be a good role model to them, to show that it's important to stay fit and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Although sometimes, life gives us an obstacle that, on our own, seems impossible to overcome. But we can't give up. We need to keep fighting, keep pushing, for our family. And this is how our children see our real strength.
Take this inspiring story of Sheilla Gagui, a 39-year-old triathlete from Manila, and a mom of 2 who battled with breast cancer.
Her breast cancer story
Growing up, Sheilla led a very active lifestyle. Even when she was a child, she was already into sports. She was a gymnast in elementary and a member of the swim team in high school.
After college, she chose a job that allowed her to be on the go - a flight attendant in an international airline. But when she had a family, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom while also being a triathlete.
In fact, she was preparing for two international triathlons when she found out that she had breast cancer.
I was diagnosed last May 18, 2020. I was preparing for my 3rd Ironman in Port Macquarie (May of 2020) and Ironman Philippines (June of 2020) race.
Last March 2020, while in the shower, I felt a lump in my left breast. I couldn't go to the hospital because of the Covid. But around May 2020, I realized that the lump had gotten bigger and that I needed to do a check-up. So I did," she shared.
When Sheilla learned of the diagnosis, she was literally in shock. The fit mom couldn't believe what she was hearing, and she couldn't understand how it happened.
"I thought to myself, 'How did this happen, when I'm at my fittest. How can this be? Why me?'
All along I thought I was so healthy. I didn't stay up late, I slept early, no drinking, and I worked out two, sometimes three times a day. So many questions that I didn't have any answers to," she confessed.
"I cried. I thought of my husband and kids. My husband the most because he lost his dad to pancreatic cancer, and now I have breast cancer. I prayed to God to give my family comfort.(Then) we just went on with my surgeon and oncologist, because there was no time to spare. We needed to act fast because the earlier we treat it, the better,"she shared.
Overcoming the obstacle
"It really affected me because I was really active all my life. Then all of a sudden, I couldn't do what I used to do so easily.Coming from an endurance athlete who's been doing a 6-hour bike ride or racing an Ironman for 14 hours in perpetual motion, it used to take long for me to feel tired.
3 hours of straight running used to be so doable, then all of a sudden, I couldn't finish a 10-minute run anymore. I had to walk just to finish my 30-minute run," she admitted.
It may sound surprising but during my cancer journey, I didn't feel down or I didn't lose hope. I knew that God has a bigger plan for me and I knew that God prepared me for this. Training for my ironman wasn't the reward. I realized that it was the training I needed for my cancer journey. It helped me to be stronger mentally and physically. I just took it one day at a time, I still did what I love, I swam I biked and I ran, and I still did what made me happy, what my passion is," she shared.
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"Having more faith in God and how strong a family's love and support can uplift you and motivate you to get better," said Mommy Sheilla.
Despite the challenges that she had with battling cancer, Sheilla remained positive all throughout. Her inner strength and fighting spirit helped her to beat this terrible disease. When asked for her message to other people who are still trying to fight cancer, here's what she has to say:
"Don't lose hope. That everything happens for a reason. We may not know it yet, but I'm sure God has a bigger plan for us. Hang in there. God is listening.
Always stay positive because it's also how you perceive life. Train your mind to be strong so your body will follow. It's all about having a positive mindset. Bad days don't last, and we are stronger than we think," she said.
Sheilla's breast cancer story is an inspiration, not only to other women who have cancer but also to all of us who are facing our own daily struggles.