CANCER is not a life sentence, it is life changing. It demands resilience, early detection, and a strong support system. Roneta Williams, a former caregiver, mother of two, grandmother of one, and breast cancer survivor, embodies this reality.
Diagnosed in 2002, Williams recalls the moment that changed her life. It was a playful moment with her daughter that led her to feel a small lump in her breast.
At the time, she was not alarmed—there was no pain, no discharge, and no other signs of cancer.
“I wasn’t 40, so I wasn’t due for a mammogram, and I still had the idea that cancer was something that happened to someone else—someone older, not someone my age,” she said.
Despite her initial doubts, Williams decided to have the lump checked at the former Diamond Diagnostic Centre.
An ultrasound initially showed nothing alarming, but a referral to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Surgical Department revealed a different story. A mammogram and follow-up tests initially suggested the lump was benign, but a biopsy confirmed it was aggressive sarcoma—a severe form of cancer.
“The hardest part wasn’t hearing I had cancer—it was being told I needed a mastectomy,” Williams shared. “To hear that I would have to remove that part of me, it felt like losing a part of being a woman. I wasn’t ready at that time, and I decided to postpone treatment until my daughter’s birthday in July.”
Like many, Williams initially turned to natural herbs, carefully managing dosages, hoping for a solution. But a second mammogram revealed the cancer was growing, prompting her to start formal treatment. This journey necessitated massive lifestyle changes, including leaving her job to focus on her health.
“Some days I feel depressed and tired; it’s hard to get out of bed. Other days, I feel energised and ready to face life,” Williams said. Her granddaughter, she revealed, is a constant source of motivation, pushing her to rise and carry on.
Family support played a crucial role in her recovery. Her daughter provided mental and emotional support, while financial help from loved ones eased burdens along the way. Williams also found inspiration from the Guyana Cancer Foundation’s women’s group, describing the experience as both motivational and uplifting.
Offering advice to others facing similar challenges, Williams said, “Cancer is not death, just another phase of life. While it isn’t easy, you must have the willpower to pull through. Your support system is very important—stay away from negativity, surround yourself with positivity, and hold on to God.”
“If it’s somebody that is going through it at the point in time, I would say your support system is very, very important. Stay away from negativity, stay away from negative people. Don’t give up. And know that if God gives you that, if God allowed that to happen to you, basically, it means that he knows that you’re able and capable of getting there. Hold on to God is my first advice to anybody. And after that, just surround yourself with positivity. Make the changes you have to change. Stay strong.” Williams advised.
Williams’ story is a testament to courage, resilience, and the transformative power of love and support in the face of life-altering challenges.