by The tributes and the reminiscences have continued to pour in since Uzma breathed her last over a week ago. I have also seen some people write about her on their own social media pages. All of them speak of Uzma in glowing terms. However, some of them say, “Uzma lost her battle with cancer” or something along those lines.
Uzma would have hated, and I hate that description.
Uzma would have said — It is unfair to cancer patients and their families to describe the outcome of their cancer journey as winning or losing. The disease can be such that one can survive and thrive for years after only one bout of treatment. Or it can be relentless and overwhelming, and fail to respond to treatment after treatment. The only choice those with cancer have is whether to embrace their illness, connect with others and live their life fully irrespective of its length. That’s it.
As she says in her book, “That’s how you rock it (cancer). You talk to others, you connect with survivors, and you keep your head high. You make friends with fear. You learn that uncertainty is cancer’s middle name. You stay grateful even in the darkest days. You dress up for chemo. You sport fashionable headgear. You fall and get up again and again and again.”
Uzma did not lose her battle with cancer. Her cancer died with her. But while they were both alive, it was a no contest. Uzma lived the life she wanted to live — without cancer and with it..
Left Boob Gone Rogue 
What a beautiful post!
Absolutely, this was Uzmas strength, and why she is so admired and loved by friends and strangers
Lovely post. Thank you for this. I did not know Uzma personally but she read my breast cancer blog and I read hers.
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Xo
Thank you.
Well said. She is an inspiration.
I dislike the words “lost, brave, strong, courageous, warrior, fighter” and many more that to me- imply war terms. Words that shouldn’t be associated with breast cancer. I cringe when I hear someone say “your so brave.” Do we have a choice? Is it bravery? We did not choose breast cancer. Thank you for sharing with us. I will always remember Uzma and, how she impacted my life. We never met in person but, we connected through social media. Her article on PTSD and breast cancer continue to help me. That was the first article I read of by Uzma. I reached out to her for more information and help. She was gracious to offer words of wisdom and check in on me. Uzma will always be with us in spirit and continue to help so many. Her words of wisdom through her articles, social media and book will live on through all of her followers, friends and future women.
Thank you for sharing your experience with Uzma