Naturally Rooted–Transformation Story of Kamilah Burke Asafa
Deidra Bowling-Meade
Ashland Beacon
Kamilah Burke Asafa could have easily given up, but now she is living her best life physically, mentally, and spiritually stronger; now that she is 12 years cancer free. Her cancer journey led her to change her lifestyle. Now, Asafa’s mission is to serve others and give them hope for a brighter future.
Asafa shared her cancer diagnosis story: “I was 27 years old when I found a spot on my right breast. I went to my regular OBGYN for a check-up. At this time, I had our youngest daughter who was one and they were sure it was a clogged milk duct. They gave me instructions to go home, get in a hot shower, and press on it hard, to see if that should dislodge it and everything would be fine. I did that and nothing changed. I went back and they told me they would do an ultrasound, to ease my mind. They assured me at my age, there was nothing to worry about. Because I was nursing and my young breasts were very fibrous and dense. So, I did the ultrasound and radiology read it, and it said everything was fine and nothing was suspicious. I could come back in six months for a follow-up if I wanted. Upon follow-up, the same story occurred. Nothing to worry about on the follow-up, nothing suspicious showed up. Within three months of the follow-up (so now we are nine months in from me initially finding it) I went to try on bathing suits and my husband was with me. I told him, you can see this spot. It’s so surfaced, you can see it through my bathing suit! At that time, I didn’t like the way it looked. I’m going back to the doctor to get this removed. They had to send me to a breast specialist since I was asking for a surgical procedure. Insurance wouldn’t allow me to have the spot removed without having a biopsy. In July 2010, I went in to get a biopsy with the breast surgeon. No one thought at all, that it was anything but a cyst or clogged milk duct. The surgeon was going to go in and get it removed. I got a biopsy, and I went back one week later by myself to get results because none of us had thought anything at all would be found. Since we had been told by numerous professionals, that there was no way I had anything to be concerned about. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma.”
Asafa continued, “At that point because of my age and in complete transparency of what had unfolded, we wanted to be seen somewhere with a little more expertise. The specialist laid the path quickly for me to be seen as a patient at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Within two weeks, I was in Minnesota being fully checked out and given an option of surgical procedures and treatments. I had no family history of breast cancer since the young age of 28. Up until the time of my diagnosis, the fact that we had two young girls; led us to go forward with genetic testing. The BRCA 1 and 2 genes are thought to give you a possible predisposition for breast cancer. That test came back negative and due to my age, no family history, and other factors that they consider, it was determined that my cancer progressed due to the environment. There were cancer cells in my body and depending upon your lifestyle, we can proliferate those cells to grow at a higher rate. The thought was, that mine did that at such a young age; because of the size of my tumor. It was believed, I had it from when I was eighteen. The cells grew from what I put into and on my body.
My husband and I talked through and prayed about every decision made. I decided to go through a very harsh chemo regimen after having a full bilateral mastectomy. I went through six months of chemotherapy and after that, we moved to Jacksonville, Florida for three months to be seen at the Mayo Clinic and have radiation treatment. We moved back; I healed for six months and then went back for my reconstruction surgery. That entire recovery time was between 18-24 months.”
Asafa had quite an emotional journey. She confides, “In the very beginning with diagnosis, I was in complete shock; having to share my diagnosis with my loved ones was emotional for me–telling friends and mom groups when I had to call my husband. I had to share my diagnosis with my mom, who was also battling illness at the time. Fear came and went, which is how I feel the enemy works. Peace is that passeth all understanding, was given to me through my faith in the Lord. Two weeks into diagnosis, I had what I know was a divine meeting with a woman I did not know. She spoke words of life and positivity over me. She said to me, I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but I want you to know that the Lord has given me the peace that you are going to be healed. She was right. I’m 12 years cancer free! Praise God!”
Asafa chose a conventional route for her treatment; however, she was changing her lifestyle in another way Asafa states, “We were in a place where we were starting to eat better and dabble in natural and holistic living. I didn’t have an education about it at the time, but this is what propelled me to dive into it and become a lifelong learner, passionate about sharing this information with others. We started eating more on the organic healthy side. Going through the chemo, radiation, ion, and surgery my curiosity peaked and I started studying everything I could get my hands on, about health and wellness and how to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer naturally. I used conventional medicine at a time when it was needed and the Lord healed me. I believe the Lord made my body strong. He also made things to make my body stronger and to heal when my body was failing. To me, that is the definition of the holistic approach. We utilize the tools that He laid before us so that our body understands, whether it’s food, herbs, spices, or bionics to take better care of ourselves. The holistic lifestyle that I’ve grabbed onto isn’t 100 percent guaranteed. I do believe in holistic health and wellness. Watching what you put in your body and how you’re moving your body matters. By choosing this lifestyle, it reduces your chances of dealing with breast cancer and all diseases at a much higher level, than those that choose not to live that lifestyle.”
“When you know better, you do better,” is Asafa’s favorite mantra. Asafa became a holistic living coach, certified herbalist and aromatherapist with her main focus on disease prevention. Five years ago, Asafa created Seven Steps to Disease Prevention and it became her big coaching tool to help others. Asafa remarks, “It’s not to be burdensome. The busy mom can do it. It’s baby steps toward a healthy life. Although I started this journey of holistic wellness to heal myself from what I had been through physically and emotionally, I also took on the mantle of keeping my family healthy. It was more than just healing and prevention, it became a lifestyle that I feel God created us to live. It snowballed into helping others. I spend my days helping people know the natural route to take, by recommending things so they can live a healthier, stronger life, as well as feel, look and perform at their best.”
Anyone can join Asafa’s wellness community on Facebook called “Our Naturally Rooted Life with Kamilah” and learn more about what she implements into practice. Asafa will gladly answer any questions and pray with you through your journey. Her transformation journey is an inspiration. Asafa concludes, “ I’m thankful for my cancer journey because I grew in ways I would have never imagined growing without it. The best thing that came out of it, is that I know how to take care of myself even when I might not be in control. Cancer is not the big C, Christ is the big C. He is in control over my life; there’s no fear of what if. To those going through breast cancer, my best advice is to keep your eyes on the Lord, to keep your attitude high and the people who love and support you close. Regardless of your diagnosis, we are never guaranteed tomorrow. If you take every day no matter what you’re going through, to make the most of today. Life is now. Life is today. It’s not tomorrow, next week, or next year. Live life to the fullest with gratitude, love, light, and peace. Share the moments, big and small with those around you. It will be the largest part of your healing journey when you can look back. The ultimate goal for me is to walk through every day like I don’t know what tomorrow brings. I want to live my life in love and service to others.