By Nelson A. King
Barbadian cancer survivor
Ernestine Walkes has written a
book, “Out of the Ashes I Rise,”
hoping to educate, enlighten and
encourage readers with her testimony
of “life’s challenges, storms
and roadblocks, storms, valleys
and mountains.”
“Hopefully, every reader will
utilize my experience as a guiding
light in preparation for the
battle they’re about to conquer,
as they venture the life God has
given to them,” the Canarsie,
Brooklyn resident told Caribbean
Life over the weekend.
“’Out of the Ashes I Rise’
depicts a narrative of my life as
I transitioned from a teenager
with aspiring goals and visions,
relocating from Barbados to
America May 25, 1965 in pursuit
of a nursing career, which was
curtailed due to unforeseen circumstances.”
As a result, Walkes, who was
born on Jun. 9, 1947, said her
academic studies changed from
nursing to business administration.
She said she, however, attended
classes at St. Francis College
and Medgar College, where she
graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in 1988.
In 2006, she earned a Master
of Theology from International
Theological Seminary of California.
But Walkes said the biggest
hurdle she encountered in her
life was breast cancer, stage 3.5,
diagnosed, at Memorial Sloan
Kettering Center, on Nov. 28,
2004.
She said the cancer “invaded”
her body a year after she retired
from Brooklyn Union Gas,
renamed National Grid, after 27
years.
Walkes said she had accepted
early retirement in anticipation
of returning to Barbados to assist
in caring for her then 96-year-old
mother, “who had succumbed to
the last stages of diabetes.
“Cancer shook my world, creating
fear and doubt,” she said.
“However, my faith in God and
reassurance from the staff at
Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical
Caribbean L 16 ife, OCTOBER 15-21, 2021
Center, under the auspices
of Jeanne Pectrect (oncologist),
I was ready to confront
and weather the storms of life.”
Walkes said her body was “subjected
to rigorous treatment,”
including six weeks of chemotherapy,
followed by another six
weeks of radiation.
“During my journey, I overcame
life’s hurdles and challenges
by utilizing the spiritual
foundation laid by my best friend
and chief mentor, my mother,
Mrs. Florence C. Waterman,” she
said.With breast cancer diagnosis,
Wilkes said she enrolled at Sunny
Downstate Medical Center and
University Hospital of Brooklyn
in becoming a “Peer Navigator”
and “an advocate for the cause.”
Over the years, she said she
has also joined several cancer
organizations, such as Share,
American Cancer Society and
the National Breast Cancer Coalition.
“How does one cope, given a
possible life sentence (with breast
cancer diagnosis)?” Walkes asked.
Barbadian Ernestine Walkes. Courtesy: Ernestine Walkes
“The Bible states, ‘Faith is the
substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen’
(Hebrews 11:1).
“I’m stronger than I think
I’m,” she added. “Having the faith
of a mustard seed, I envision seeing
light at the end of the tunnel.
Life curve ball doesn’t determine
our destiny since we serve a God
of restoration. I firmly believe
every individual must fulfil their
purpose here on Earth before we
take our exit.
Barbadian cancer survivor
rises ‘Out of the Ashes’
REAL ID
IT WILL GET YOU THERE
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