The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

LIVING in defeat was out of the question for Lakeisha Bastian, a breast cancer survivor whose strong faith and determination helped her through one of the most trying times of her life.

Ms Bastian, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2008, has decided to put pen to paper, sharing all she has learned in a new book entitled “No One Can Stop You But You”.

It will be released on October 30.

Ms Bastian, like many women who have been diagnosed with the disease, never believed that she would one day have to face such a life-altering challenge.

However, she made the decision to battle the cancer, fought to regain her strength and ultimately took her life back.

“Seven years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and throughout that time I was in college. I had a lot of things going on when was diagnosed, so everything was new to me. But my main focus at the time was being healthy and strong,” she told Tribune Woman.

Ms Bastian’s new book offers encouragement to women who also have a first-hand experience with the disease. She encourages readers who find themselves in similar situations to remain positive in their mindset.

“As I was going through the various stages and throughout the surgery I took notes. When I started my treatment I started writing, but I stopped for a while. So last year I picked it up and started to write again. With working in the hospital I came into contact with so many other people who have breast cancer who probably had thoughts in their mind and I just wanted to be of some kind of inspiration to them. I hope to do that with this book,” Ms Bastian said.

“When it came to giving the book a title I decided to name it ‘No One Can Stop You But You’ because I realised that limits are only set in our minds. You have to go beyond limits and push yourself to full expectation for what you need to do for yourself.”

Almost immediately after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Ms Bastian underwent a mastectomy, had a port-a-cath inserted, and completed chemotherapy in August of 2008. Later she tested positive for BRCA 1, a gene that has been linked to a genetic predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer in women.

“I took a gene test that proves that I had the BRCA 1 gene. Initially I had my right breast removed and after the testing I had the left breast removed and reconstructed,” she said.

In the meantime having to wear prosthetic breasts was difficult for Ms Bastian; it meant she had to adjust her lifestyle in a major way.

“I wore clothes that hid my body a lot because I was protective and conscious of it. Then slowly as I learned ways to fix my prosthetic breasts I realised I did not have to change my dress style or change who I was. After my reconstruction my quest was to go back to who I was and to wearing the clothes I used to wear,” she said.

Ms Bastian said she hopes her story convinces both women and men that they are capable of coping with anything life throws at them.

“My main aim for writing the book was to inspire others and let them know that they are not the only ones facing situations like that. There were moments when I was low and I didn’t feel like wearing a wig. There were times I didn’t feel like wearing a prosthetic breast so I went out with one breast. So throughout this process I have learned my own strength,” she said.

“And in writing the book I want other women, and men as well, to look within, dig deep, get to know the person who they are and realise the person that God has called them to be.”