This post is out of the ordinary. Nothing I’d ever expect to make, but I got diagnosed with breast cancer 9/21/23. It’s been in and out of UAMS since. Get checked out and they decided to biopsy my lymph node. My lymph node also turned to out to be cancerous (9/28/23), so now I need chemo. This means I have to go through chemo (covered by insurance), but if I want to try keeping some of my hair with cold capping that’s out of pocket. Also being informed to ensure I can have kids in the future I have to take an injection monthly for 10 years that puts me into menopause. 5-6 months of chemotherapy that kills all rapidly producing cells. This includes the cells in the ovaries. My eggs. I want a family in the future. I have to freeze my eggs as a backup plan. I was told I could apply for grants to help fund this, but it’s not guaranteed. Also, that insurance typically doesn’t cover it. The fact I have to pay out of pocket for something I didn’t even ask for is ridiculous. I never understood growing up and reading “F### cancer” on someone’s shirt. I thought it was so not classy to have a shirt with curse words in public, around children. But it expresses the anger cancer causes people. The loved ones, the affected individual. I’m still so upset with myself thinking I waited too long to get a lump checked out. I really have been avoiding posting this because I didn’t want anyone to know. I thought I could hide my cancer and not have to go through chemo. Chemo meant out of pocket expenses I was not ready for. My hair is going to fall out anyways, no more hiding. But I cant fight this fight without a little of help. I appreciate the read. Nothing is too small. Even just a share. Getting told this would cost thousands was shocking on top of my diagnosis. Life is shocking.. Thank you all.