It's Okay to Smile Even When You're Having a Tough Day - Head Scarf and All

Wherever you are in your stroke or breast cancer journey, remember to celebrate your victories, no matter how small or large.

Learning To Walk During Physical Therapy Session

Being able to get up and take your first steps is one of the most exciting times of your recovery. With continued support you may be able to walk without any kind of assistance.

It's Okay to Smile Even When You're Having a Tough Day - Head Scarf and All

Wherever you are in your stroke or breast cancer journey, remember to celebrate your victories, no matter how small or large.

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Not Just Surviving, But Thriving

With New Resources & Support

Mildred Lyles

There are many causes to join, and there are two that are dear to my heart. Join me in supporting individuals who have had a stroke and have had a diagnosis of breast cancer. My goal is to help men and women to find support within a community who understands that every survivor's journey is not the same.

Feel free to share your experiences as a survivor or caretaker with me through my contact form below.

About

My Story

I am a survivor of a stroke and breast cancer. On April 20, 2018, I was diagnosed with having a stroke. I was 39 years old. At the time I received the diagnosis, I thought to myself that other people survived and I will too! Little did I know that I had undiagnosed high blood pressure, and it was going to take a while to recover. I’m still recovering.

With the stroke, I had to learn how to walk, talk, and write all over again. One thing I was thankful for was I learned to be ambidextrous. My skin is soft like a baby, as a result, sometimes I cannot hold things because they slip out of my hands.

This health scare gave me a chance to think deeply about things that were taken advantage of my life. Also, I reflected about my career choices. I figured, this is a time to think about myself and what I really like to do. I was a regulatory analyst for a cellphone company. It was a very trying position. Before the stroke, I was looking for a job that paid the same with less stress and fewer hours.

While recovering from the stroke in March 2020 (beginning of the pandemic), I had received the news that I had breast cancer. The exact date of that diagnosis was March 10, 2020. I was 41 years old. Here I was thinking that I have to recover from a stroke and now breast cancer. That was crazy to me. It’s still a crazy thought. It was a roller coaster ride that one day I’ll have to tell you about. All I wanted to do was to hurry up and get the treatment over with so that I could continue to focus on my stroke recovery.

The good news is that I beat breast cancer and rang the bell on June 16, 2021!

I have learned things from self-care to holistic care that will help you through with the recovery from stroke or breast cancer.

Every Day Is A Fresh Start

A Bowl of Salad Image by Nadine Primeau A big part of healing from a medical trauma includes eating a balance diet filled with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.	Stroke & Breast Cancer Every day women and men, young and old, are diagnosed with breast cancer or stroke.	Fruit Salad in a Papaya Image by Epicurrence When you begin to eat more fresh berries and tropical fruits full of phytonutrients and fiber, your immune system strengthens.
A Meditation Image by Dingzeyu Li Research suggests that stress is the cause behind strokes and cancer. It's important to find time during your day to sit in peace and clear your mind.	Planet Fitness Stair Climber Regardless of your disability, you should still try to find an exercise that you can do to challenge your body. Also, any amount of exercise can help reduce the damage mental stress can have on your body.	Wood Tiles That Spell Get Good SleepImage by Brett Jordan There are days you will feel completely exhausted. It's still important to sleep when your body needs to sleep to continue to promote healing.
Mildred and Friends My friends helped me have as close to normal days before my stroke. Their support was just as important as my families encouragement.	A Pile of Books Image by Shiromani Kant For some people it is hard to read and write after having a stroke. I started by listening to audiobooks. Now, I'm able to pick up a book to read.	electronic toothbrush Before having a stroke, many of us take for granted our ability to take care of our basic personal care needs. The stroke affected my dominant hand. An electronic toothbrush has allowed me to brush my teeth perfectly.
back scrubber Depending on the severity of your stroke, bath time can become a challenge. A good back scrubber will help you gain more of your independence during self-care time.

Not Just Surviving, But Thriving

Mildred Lyles

My Story

Every Day Is A Fresh Start

A Bowl of Salad Image by Nadine Primeau

A big part of healing from a medical trauma includes eating a balance diet filled with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Stroke & Breast Cancer

Every day women and men, young and old, are diagnosed with breast cancer or stroke.

Fruit Salad in a Papaya Image by Epicurrence

When you begin to eat more fresh berries and tropical fruits full of phytonutrients and fiber, your immune system strengthens.

A Meditation Image by Dingzeyu Li

Research suggests that stress is the cause behind strokes and cancer. It's important to find time during your day to sit in peace and clear your mind.

Planet Fitness Stair Climber

Regardless of your disability, you should still try to find an exercise that you can do to challenge your body. Also, any amount of exercise can help reduce the damage mental stress can have on your body.

Wood Tiles That Spell Get Good SleepImage by Brett Jordan

There are days you will feel completely exhausted. It's still important to sleep when your body needs to sleep to continue to promote healing.

Mildred and Friends

My friends helped me have as close to normal days before my stroke. Their support was just as important as my families encouragement.

A Pile of Books Image by Shiromani Kant

For some people it is hard to read and write after having a stroke. I started by listening to audiobooks. Now, I'm able to pick up a book to read.

electronic toothbrush

Before having a stroke, many of us take for granted our ability to take care of our basic personal care needs. The stroke affected my dominant hand. An electronic toothbrush has allowed me to brush my teeth perfectly.

back scrubber

Depending on the severity of your stroke, bath time can become a challenge. A good back scrubber will help you gain more of your independence during self-care time.

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