When Breast Cancer Swept Through Our Marriage

(A long-form writing exercise)

She says she has lived twice: the first time when she was born, and the second after her mastectomy.

On the day of her second wedding anniversary, Peishan discovers she is pregnant and is diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. Her doctor urges her to terminate the pregnancy and undergo a mastectomy as soon as possible. Six months after surgery, her marriage finally collapses after struggling to survive. Her husband’s disdain, her in-laws’ meddling, betrayal in love, her best friend’s interference, miscarriage, unemployment, getting caught up in her childhood friend’s family troubles, the death of a loved one… In just half a year, it seems she has tasted every joy and sorrow life has to offer. How will she be reborn from the swamp of hardship? How will she find hope in life and sunlight in her days again? Can her scarred body and wounded soul still find true love? After all the upheavals and tribulations, who will cherish her like a pearl?