NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Breast cancer and COVID survivor Anya Adderley said every day she wakes up she is grateful and thankful for life.
“I look for the positive in everything that comes my way. If it’s anything to do with negativity, I just don’t take it on,” she said.
“Last year was the trial; this year is the testimony.”
In a span of nine challenging months last year, Adderley overcame pneumonia, COVID-19, cancer-related port placement and bilateral mastectomy surgeries, two emergency room visits, hospitalization and 16 rounds of chemotherapy.
The 44-year-old’s journey through these health-related challenges began after she felt a lump in her left breast during a self-examination.
Adderley had to postpone her annual physical due to the March 2020 start of COVID-19 travel restrictions, but eventually, in September, she brought the lump to the attention of her sister, who advised she get it checked, which she did during her gynecologist check-up a few weeks later.
Following her doctor’s advisory and subsequent mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy, Adderley received the results noting malignancy and a Stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis.
“Mentally, I was preparing myself for it because from the time I felt the lump and I felt it growing, I knew it would be possible for it to develop into breast cancer,” said Adderley.
“I said to God: ‘I’m going to promise you two things and I ask one thing of you — whatever it is, please just give me the strength to deal with it and I promise you I’ll never question you and never complain.’”
October 27 marked the day she received news that her place of work was ceasing operations. Adderley, with just four months of health insurance available to her, had to process both difficult news items, but quickly started the process to plan the best way forward to beat breast cancer.
She said: “A lot of people treat cancer as a death sentence but I didn’t see it as that. I just saw it as something God brought me to, so I knew he would bring me through it. That was my belief that I held onto and still hold onto every day.”
Andre, Adderley’s now nine-year-old son, was also the single mom’s source of motivation. Despite extreme hair and weight loss, soreness, mouth sores, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, giving up the fight and giving into cancer was not an option.
Adderley also thanks for their continued support her immediate family, which includes her mom, Edna; two sisters, Sabrina and Julanda; as well as other family members, friends, St Andrew’s Church and her work family from its George Town and East Street and Soldier Road locations.
Adderley was declared cancer-free on July 19, 2021, and is now going through post-double mastectomy reconstruction. Her advice is for everyone to pay attention to their body, to take their health seriously and to get regular check-ups and physicals.
“Try to maximize being the best person you can be, even if it is just giving someone a friendly smile or a kind gesture,” she said.
“Also, never believe that it cannot happen to you. Cancer has no respect — know that it can happen to you but just live your best life.”
In The Bahamas, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Walk for the Cure has raised nearly half a million dollars for cancer care organizations on New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera since inception.
The funds generated from the annual event are primarily used to assist with the purchase and maintenance of equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients like Adderley once was. They are also used to provide assistance, care and counseling to patients and their families as well as to raise awareness and stress the importance of early detection through education campaigns across the region.
During October, CIBC FirstCaribbean encourages participants to walk any desired route and virtually interact with the bank by posting photos, videos and screenshots from their fitness apps to Facebook and Instagram using the special social media hashtags #WalkfortheCureBAH2021 and #WeStillWalkfortheCure, and tagging the bank in their posts for a chance to win prizes.
Companies and individuals are encouraged to participate in this year’s 10th annual Walk for the Cure, purchase WFTC shirts and donate to the Walk for the Cure account at any CIBC FirstCaribbean branch or via online banking. All proceeds from shirt purchases and donations will go to local cancer care organizations. The Walk for the Cure account number is 201646737 and people can contact WalkfortheCureBAH@cibcfcib.com for more information.
