Sometimes life throws us curveballs at times that can just never be expected...one came my way about three weeks ago when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer at age 24.
Cancer wasn't even on my radar at that point-- I was working full time with kids with behavioral issues and pursuing my Master's degree in Special Education while also planning my future with my boyfriend of 5 years, Nick. My family had just moved to South Carolina and I was finally finding my footing on my own..until I was hit with this diagnosis on November 2nd, 2018.
Suddenly, I found myself having to put everything on pause to deal with cancer. I'm unable to work through treatment (lowered immune system and my clients can be aggressive), leaving me with no income and way more bills than I can stay on top of. Nick and I are no longer able to buy a house that we were working to save for. I'm working hard to finish this semester of graduate school but I'm left worried about how I will pay for next semester or if I should continue at this point at all (but then loan repayments kick in!).
My parents have been incredible in helping with everything, but they can only take so much as well. They currently live in South Carolina and have already spent countless hours and dollars traveling back and forth between SC and PA, taking care of me and working to maintain an income and health insurance. They don't want me to feel the extra stress of finances right now to focus on getting better, but I also want nothing more than to take it off of them as well because this is way more than just me in this fight.
My doctors at Hershey Medical Center have been absolutely wonderful in setting my treatment plan. As of right now, the cancer is a large mass in my left breast and a has spread to a few lymph nodes. I'm scheduled to receive 16 weeks of chemotherapy, followed by (at least a single) Mastectomy surgery and lymph node surgery, and then radiation after that. It will be at least 6 months until I can return to work if all goes well, and there will be medications I'll need for up to 10 years after I finish treatment and lifelong monitoring to ensure it doesn't recur.
I have completed one chemo treatment so far (7 to go!) and I know that I can do this with my support system.
This is by no means going to be an easy journey, but I have seen how incredible my friends and family have been already been and I have no doubt that they will get my family and I through this difficult time: mentally, emotionally, and financially.
Cancer wasn't even on my radar at that point-- I was working full time with kids with behavioral issues and pursuing my Master's degree in Special Education while also planning my future with my boyfriend of 5 years, Nick. My family had just moved to South Carolina and I was finally finding my footing on my own..until I was hit with this diagnosis on November 2nd, 2018.
Suddenly, I found myself having to put everything on pause to deal with cancer. I'm unable to work through treatment (lowered immune system and my clients can be aggressive), leaving me with no income and way more bills than I can stay on top of. Nick and I are no longer able to buy a house that we were working to save for. I'm working hard to finish this semester of graduate school but I'm left worried about how I will pay for next semester or if I should continue at this point at all (but then loan repayments kick in!).
My parents have been incredible in helping with everything, but they can only take so much as well. They currently live in South Carolina and have already spent countless hours and dollars traveling back and forth between SC and PA, taking care of me and working to maintain an income and health insurance. They don't want me to feel the extra stress of finances right now to focus on getting better, but I also want nothing more than to take it off of them as well because this is way more than just me in this fight.
My doctors at Hershey Medical Center have been absolutely wonderful in setting my treatment plan. As of right now, the cancer is a large mass in my left breast and a has spread to a few lymph nodes. I'm scheduled to receive 16 weeks of chemotherapy, followed by (at least a single) Mastectomy surgery and lymph node surgery, and then radiation after that. It will be at least 6 months until I can return to work if all goes well, and there will be medications I'll need for up to 10 years after I finish treatment and lifelong monitoring to ensure it doesn't recur.
I have completed one chemo treatment so far (7 to go!) and I know that I can do this with my support system.
This is by no means going to be an easy journey, but I have seen how incredible my friends and family have been already been and I have no doubt that they will get my family and I through this difficult time: mentally, emotionally, and financially.