My name is Shakinah Smith. I'm 33 years old. A wife and mother of two young boys. In April of this year I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, which is a type of breast cancer—stage 2. I found the lump on the left side of my left breast after loosing twenty pounds. After visiting the doctor to discuss my diagnosis he had to perform a needle biopsy, and then I began chemotherapy treatment thereafter. During the course of my treatment of five rounds of chemotherapy I was very ill and weak. Afterwards I had three major surgeries including a lumpectomy. Currently, I'm receiving Herceptin, which I will continue receiving through March 2017. Radiation is my next course of treatment for the next six and half weeks. As a woman of faith I look to God for strength and hope. I'm grateful for my family and friend's support as I face the greatest adversity in my life.