What was supposed to be a routine mammogram turned into a breast cancer diagnosis for Veronica Bowles, but according to her, it’s gonna take much more than that to alter her faith in God.

For the past 20 years, Bowles has been on top of her health, attending regularly scheduled appointments and following the protocol for women over 40 regarding getting a yearly mammogram to ensure that things are going well. When she received a phone call to learn that a mass had been found on her breast, she knew then and there that a breast cancer diagnosis was possible, but as she does in any of life’s storms, Bowles continues to keep the faith.

“I was not surprised,” she said of the results from the ultrasound that followed her mammogram. “I just knew God had me. After I spoke with the oncologist, I spoke with the Nurse Navigator. She was very nice and asked me many questions about my personal life.”

Bowles was filling in for her receptionist at the workplace when she got the call. Quickly after, she sprang into action, first thinking of her daughter, Priscilla, and her son, Denzel, wanting to inform them both of what had just transpired. Speaking with her baby girl is when some of the reality began to set in, as she recalls feeling terrible that she had to share the news via phone with all of her immediate family living in various parts of the country.

Despite the tears and mixed reactions, Bowles says that her faith has never wavered.

“Without the knowledge of who Jesus is, I would not be able to deal with cancer or life,” she told aspireTV. “ I called all of my close friends and family and then told them my diagnosis. I created my ‘Dream Team,’ which consists of my main contacts, prayer warriors, family and friends, and people who can take me to doctor’s appointments.

She adds, “This group of people prayed for me constantly, which helped me in areas I did not know I needed prayer. I suggest that anyone battling breast cancer trust in the Lord with their whole heart and lean on their support force.”

Any illness can feel isolating and off putting, especially a cancer diagnosis. This is why Bowles took heed of her oncology team’s recommendations to use the Caring Bridge website as an outlet. Putting it in her back pocket for later, the desire to post updates came about when she worked alongside her daughter to relay information to loved ones following the first oncologist appointment. 

“My daughter was helping me relay the information to my sisters, and that is when I realized that we were not going to sustain this method of communication. I decided to let everyone know I would post all updates on the Caring Bridge website and sent each of them the link,” Bowles recalled. “This solution worked for everyone. I could post, and each of them could read at their leisure. This solved the communication problem. Not only do I post about doctor’s appointments, I post about how events make me feel.”

“In the beginning, I was posting about all the blessings I received from God and thanking everyone for their prayers. I was and still am so encouraged,” she continued. “Then, the cancer journey became a bit more challenging, and I started posting more details of how I felt. I was not in pain, but I was very uncomfortable. My fingers and toes developed neuropathy. The fatigue was horrible. I had never felt so tired in my life. I wanted my friends and family to know that I was sick every day, but I had not given up, and my goal is still to ring that cancer-free bell.”

Through blogging, Bowles has found an outlet that is both therapeutic and informative. She notes that learning that her story is inspiring others has been yet another motivating factor as she continues to sort through her battle with breast cancer.

“I navigate through tears and prayers,” she explained. “Sometimes days are so rough that only God can help. I know this, too, shall pass with God’s help. I ask for healing and understanding when I go through a difficult day. My friends seem to hear my prayers to god and will text or call me with something uplifting that lets me know God has answered my prayers.”

Moreover, Bowles is grateful for the oncology team at Virginia Oncology Associates at the Chesapeake location and the Priority Toyota Cancer Center , which has been helping her every step of the way. She also notes that despite doing everything right, getting mammograms at the recommended age of 40, never missing her yearly appointments, and not smoking or anything of that nature, Bowles was still unable to escape the diagnosis. She notes that if someone in her family had to get it, she knows she’s the best person to defeat the disease. 

“Regular checkups are extremely important due to early detection,” she stressed. “Early detection can mean that you can beat this disease.”

And beating breast cancer is exactly what Bowles aims to do, noting that her outlook on life has not altered one bit.

“I trust in the Lord with my whole heart, and I know He has plans for my life,” she said. “I know there is a reason for this journey, and I pray I can help others. God has something He wants to teach me. I want to teach others the biblical principle of planting seeds. Throughout my life, I’ve planted seeds. Now, my harvest is vast, and I am reaping those rewards that were planted. I tell people, don’t eat your planted seeds because you will need that harvest.”

October may be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but it is important to stay on top of your health year-round, especially as a Black woman. 

According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Black women have a higher incidence of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that cause the disease in comparison to their white counterparts.