Reyhan Şahin, better known by her stage name Lady Bitch Ray, has publicly shared her journey through breast cancer, from diagnosis to recovery. The 44-year-old rapper from Bremen revealed that she discovered a lump herself early last year, which led to a swift diagnosis following a visit to her gynecologist. "It was, of course, a shock," Şahin recounted, detailing the subsequent treatments that included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, which she credits for her recovery.
During her nine-month hiatus from the public eye, Şahin leaned heavily on her support network of family and friends. They provided not just emotional support but also practical help, such as cooking for her when the side effects of chemotherapy made it difficult for her to eat. "I am blessed by these people. I was lucky in my misfortune," she expressed, highlighting the crucial role her loved ones played in her recovery.
Now in good health, Şahin reflects on how her past experiences with severe depression and therapy equipped her to face this latest challenge. "When the breast cancer diagnosis came, I was angry at first because I thought: Hey, fate, you've already let me down twice. But because of that, I've learned how to deal with such crises," she shared, offering insight into her resilient mindset.
Beyond her music career, Şahin holds a doctorate in linguistics and is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg, where she focuses on racism. Her story is not just one of survival but also of the strength found in vulnerability and the importance of a supportive community in overcoming life's toughest challenges.