Lets see I've always been a fit person, I played sports in school, join the military, taught Praise dance, was a Praise Dance Minister until I could no longer dance. I was fit! Between 2009 - 2013 my health began to decline but I still was going nonstop. Being a wife, mother, pursing my BS and MS degrees, teaching dance, bible study, youth group, volunteering at the kids school....being a counselor to everyone.
The first sign - I began losing my hair, skin irritations, sensitivity to light, anemia, and body aches. I went to the doctor of course he gave me 7 different medications to help my immune system and to fight whatever was going on in my body and I began to expand. 2nd sign - during this time it was stressful because my mom had a stroke, oldest brother passed away, trying to finish my Masters degree, raise a family, and I was in a stressful job at the time. I dropped the job! Decided to take control of my life, switched doctors - and that's when I was properly diagnosed. I had Multiple Myeloma, what's that! I had no idea.
Being diagnosed with cancer and having young kids that have not graduated high school, college, or married began to get to me. I was devastated. I remember my husband saying where is your faith. I was like "really" are you serious, why can I not have a pity party for a minute. He said no, lets trust that God had it under control and go from there. I will have to tell you more about my testimony in another blog but God's good that's all I can say!
I decided to take control of my life, it was not easy trying to eat right, but most importantly I need to release the stress in my life. I was carrying everyones burdens as my own. Trying to fix every house. I had to release friends and associates that I was truly close to but I learned that they were not conducive to my health. I truly miss those relationships but I had to let go and trust where God was taking me. It was the best adult decision I've made to date.
After working on my inner I began working on my skin and hair. I began using natural (vegan) soaps, deodorants, toothpaste, and even stopped putting chemicals in my hair. Everyone thought I was following a trend NOPE saving my life. The journey was hard but the best decision I've ever made. As time went on I realized that I had a second chance at life and what did I plan to do with it. I call it a second chance because it was a wake up call, I was not living I was just passing through. I would start things like writing my first book, planning women conferences, dance workshops, and quit them all. I went to my garage one day looking for a few oils and pulled out a TREASURE CHEST! I was energized and I then had a different look at everything. I began making products for myself and family members. Launching a business was not in the cards but one day after making products for a few friends I was back in the lab again. This time it had a purpose.
Starting a business one must have a passion for what they are doing and not just about sell but making a difference or impact. I never had a desire to be a business owner but I trust that God had other plans for my life.
Anyone can sell a product but we are truly about doing your best to live healthy. I was not an ingredient reader until I realized that some of the items I was using cause cancer or they were detrimental to my health. Our goal is to provide a product to customers that will help soothe their skin and still offer a luxurious product. I will continue educating others and using my platform to share my Multiple Myeloma story. I believe that God gave me a second change - do over - get it right
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March 2018, I had the honor of being apart of A 2nd Act sharing my cancer journey on stage and how Branche Basu Boutique came to be.
A2ndAct Mission is to recognize that healing is helping, A2ndAct celebrates and supports women survivors of ALL cancers who are using their newly realized gifts of life and experience to give back for the greater good.
