Breast cancer warrior, teacher, & single mom

I was diagnosed this year with stage 2b HER+ and Estrogen breast cancer. I am a single mom of two teens and a full-time teacher of ESOL (English to speakers of other languages) for the last 20 years. I am considered a “teacher without borders,” teaching and connecting the community and students through the study of language. In September, 26 days after my mastectomy, I suddenly and unexpectedly lost the love of my life of 8 years. Working multiple jobs I was able to keep all the balls in the air. Getting sick made this difficult, and now losing my best friend has wounded my spirit and has been challenging emotionally to heal through the process of cancer. I still have reconstruction and targeted therapy to complete. I have chosen to pass on radiation. I am doing this alone. My homeowners association has given me notice to repair and paint my home. I have medical bills that have piled up that insurance will not cover, with copays and medicines and another deductible of $2500 looming around the corner. It is fall and I have two teens that have basic needs, and the upcoming holidays are daunting this year. My passion and energy has waned. I am unable to get yet another job due to - as my son says - being “broken”. I have upcoming surgeries that prohibit me from looking for additional work in the next couple of months. I am heartbroken from my loss and physically unable to give the time and energy involved to do more right now.  I am proudly an independent woman that has worked her way through many challenges in the past. Through six months of chemo, I kept my jobs and continued to work. Asking for help is difficult for me. I have been hit hard by physical and emotional challenges this year that have broken me. It is not permanent. I realize this, but with your help I could ease back into the coming year without as much burden of debt and overwhelming pressures. Sickness and death has given way to new perspectives and priorities. I have a new life goal that once debt is paid off and the house and kids are taken care of that I can receive my yoga certification and teach rehabilitation classes to other breast cancer warriors. This brings a need to the community and a way I can give back and promotes health and wellness How great is that? Cheers to happy possibilities, faith in all that is good, and positive vibes of determination.