Awakening the Warrior from Within
I am Lady ReShell Matheny, born and raised on the west side of Chicago, IL. For the past 17 years, I worked as a probation officer. I am also a stage 2 triple negative breast cancer survivor. I found my own lump in November 2013 in the shower. I’ve under gone 6 months of intensive chemotherapy, breast surgery and 33 rounds of radiation. I’ve had blood clots, fatigue, blood transfusions, neuropathy and chemo brain among other side effects. Cancer has impacted my life in a devastating way. I also had a sister that died at the age of 52 from breast cancer and a father at the age of 71 from lung cancer.
I am a single mother of 5 beautiful children. At the time of diagnosis, my children’s ages ranged from ages 19 to 18 months old. My children are my reasons to live. They were all I could think about. I feared leaving them and they feeling like I abandoned them. Before my diagnosis, I felt like a superwoman. I did everything for my kids. Making sure that they are well taken care of. Being a single mom at times can be difficult. My most treasured thing is coming up with ways for us to spend quality time on a budget. I often lose myself in taking care of them.
Cancer has awakened the Warrior within me. I’ve adapted a Warrior mentality that no matter what comes my way, never give up. Being a breast cancer survivor, I’ve made it my mission in life to empower, encourage and support all those touched by cancer. I am currently a Cancer Ambassador. I educate the community on the importance of cancer risks and early detection. I am the founder of Warriors Talk Inc., a nonprofit I established in 2014 where I provide a cancer mentorship radio broadcast that assists women and men in improving the quality and quantity of life while thriving to survive. I am a volunteer Education Ambassador for Bright Pink. Their mission is to save women lives from breast and ovarian cancer by empowering women to live proactively at a young age. I’m also a Ford Warrior in Pink Model of Courage which provides cancer patients with more good days. As a Community Volunteer Ambassador with the American Cancer Society I help educate the community and support the needs of cancer patients.
The diagnosis has definitely got me looking at life differently. The advice I would give myself before the diagnosis is that you deserve to be happy. Don’t stay in relationships that no longer serve you. You are beautiful. You are more than enough. Remove yourself from any and everything that doesn’t celebrate you. I would tell myself to spend more quality time with your babies and to not give time to anything that isn’t bringing glory to God. Knowing that only what you do for Christ will last. What I need to release is feeling guilty for doing what makes me happy and not feeling like I have to be superwoman all the time. I am allowing myself time to get proper rest and pampering myself. I am celebrating all the little things that brings joy into my life. I am releasing the need to fill up every second in the day and spend more time in solace. I’m excited about being HEALED!
God has been so good to me. I thank God I don’t look like what I’ve been through. For the rest of my life I will be helping individuals take ACTION with their health. Storms don’t always comes to kill you. Some storms comes to clear your path so you can walk in your God ordained destiny. No longer living to die but dying to live. Remember, cancer is not a death sentence but an awakening to live your best life.
When I think of Livestrong, I immediately think of peace. The peace of knowing that you’re not alone in this fight. The peace of knowing there is strength and unity. Also, the peace of knowing you have a support system that can help navigate through services while giving you a sense of serenity at such a crucial time in your life.
