Help Rebecca with Breast Cancer Treatment
Donation protected
My name is Rebecca and I am 55 years old and like most women I do the right thing by going to mammogram appointments and it is usually something we all don’t look forward to. With anticipation I went to my mammogram appointment thinking that I would go in and by the following week I would receive my little post card in the mail telling me all is good. Boy was I wrong, Instead, I received a phone call requesting me to return for more images and an ultrasound and that a radiologist was going to be present and had to re-image some suspicious areas of concern. I went to my follow up appointment very nervous, and a 30 minute appointment turned into 2 hours. During the course of the appointment, I had wait for the radiologist to read the images to make sure he saw what he needed. I sat and waited patiently for him which seemed like an eternity. When he finally returned to give me the news he told me that I would be needing to return for a biopsy for the areas of concern. I left very uneasy but told myself, this is routine and they just want to be sure that everything is ok. The following Friday I returned for the biopsy and was advised that I would get the results no later than the Tuesday of the next week. I left and was beside myself because not only was I nervous and scared, I had to wait the weekend and a day for my results. Tuesday finally came and I had been on pins and needles all weekend anticipating the phone call. The call finally came and when I answered I was given the most devastating news of my life. Not only was I told I tested positive for breast cancer but I also had HER2+ and that it had already spread to my lymph nodes. What? Did I just hear what I thought I heard? Is this really happening right now? OMG It was the week from hell and it feels like a bad dream that I haven’t woken up from yet.
I told myself I needed to be strong for my family because they need me. The nurse who gave me the news advised be the oncologist would be calling to schedule within the week. Within an hour of getting my diagnosis I was called for the appointment to see a surgical oncologist and the oncologist. Within 2 days of my diagnosis, I walked into to the Cancer Center alone not knowing what to expect. I knew that I had to be strong and I was really hoping that my husband could go with me, but I was told NO visitors are allowed during COVID. I really needed my husband to help me in the most challenging and intimidating day of my life. I had to go alone and I kept telling myself I I can do this, I just have to, so I puffed up and took my little notebook with all of my questions except when I arrived I forgot most of them. The appointment was so overwhelming and I am pretty sure I didn’t hear everything. I first sat with the surgical oncologist who told me that my cancer I have is a very aggressive one because I have HER2+. She also said that it is most likely my cancer is at stage 3 and not stage 2 because of the size of the tumor. We then discussed my treatment plan and that it would have to be an aggressive plan and that surgery would have to wait. I needed to start Chemotherapy within the next 2 weeks after having to get a Mediport placed. The first round of Chemo will be at least 5 months, surgery will come next and then another round of Chemo for 4-5 months along with radiation. Still in shock, I still had to meet with the oncologist who pretty much reiterated what the surgeon said. I was told I needed more testing to confirm the size of the tumor and the stage. I was then ordered all of the necessary testing, the special MRI and a PET scan to see if the cancer has spread anywhere else since it is already in my lymph nodes.
For those of you who know me, I love to have fun, dance, sing karaoke and always ready to spend time with family and friends. I am an outgoing person who loves being around people and I also love to work and sometimes have 2 jobs at a time just because. Unfortunately, my treatment is scheduled to last at minimum a year and I may not get to work like I want to, and I have no idea how I am going to pay for my treatment and still try to make ends meet. I have 2 children in college and I have literally stayed up every night since my diagnosis wondering to myself, how are we going to financially get through this and how are we going to pay for my large deductible before my insurance kicks in still be responsible for the portion the insurance doesn’t cover and my co-pays. It really sucks that in this day and age not only does one have to deal with the stress and anxiety of having cancer but at the same time try to figure out how to pay for their treatment. What do people do when they are too sick to work? My plan of course, is to work as much as I can, I am not sure how realistic that is not knowing how that I will be strong enough. I work at a Children’s hospital and love what I do, and I just hope that I can continue as long as I can.
I know that I am not the only one with cancer and that people get diagnosed every day and I have been wandering to myself how they do this. I hope that when I am done with my treatment I can going to work on getting an organization that assists people facing cancer with the inability to pay for their treatment, because the only focus should be on getting better and not the added stress of wondering how to pay for treatment and co pays.
I don’t like to ask for money and was actually embarrassed of even doing a Go Fund Me, and realized, cancer is not something one asks for nor is it planned, so I am swallowing my pride and turning to you.
There is no donation too small. If you are unable to donate, please share my story. My family and I appreciate all the love and support and will be forever grateful for any donation.
I will continue to pray for all of those facing cancer and ask for guidance to have the courage to beat this ugly disease and come out even stronger from the battle. I also want to reiterate how important your mammogram is and always remember that early detection is the key to the cure.
Thank you again in advance for any help that you have provided. My family and I truly appreciate you.
God Bless you! ❤️
I told myself I needed to be strong for my family because they need me. The nurse who gave me the news advised be the oncologist would be calling to schedule within the week. Within an hour of getting my diagnosis I was called for the appointment to see a surgical oncologist and the oncologist. Within 2 days of my diagnosis, I walked into to the Cancer Center alone not knowing what to expect. I knew that I had to be strong and I was really hoping that my husband could go with me, but I was told NO visitors are allowed during COVID. I really needed my husband to help me in the most challenging and intimidating day of my life. I had to go alone and I kept telling myself I I can do this, I just have to, so I puffed up and took my little notebook with all of my questions except when I arrived I forgot most of them. The appointment was so overwhelming and I am pretty sure I didn’t hear everything. I first sat with the surgical oncologist who told me that my cancer I have is a very aggressive one because I have HER2+. She also said that it is most likely my cancer is at stage 3 and not stage 2 because of the size of the tumor. We then discussed my treatment plan and that it would have to be an aggressive plan and that surgery would have to wait. I needed to start Chemotherapy within the next 2 weeks after having to get a Mediport placed. The first round of Chemo will be at least 5 months, surgery will come next and then another round of Chemo for 4-5 months along with radiation. Still in shock, I still had to meet with the oncologist who pretty much reiterated what the surgeon said. I was told I needed more testing to confirm the size of the tumor and the stage. I was then ordered all of the necessary testing, the special MRI and a PET scan to see if the cancer has spread anywhere else since it is already in my lymph nodes.
For those of you who know me, I love to have fun, dance, sing karaoke and always ready to spend time with family and friends. I am an outgoing person who loves being around people and I also love to work and sometimes have 2 jobs at a time just because. Unfortunately, my treatment is scheduled to last at minimum a year and I may not get to work like I want to, and I have no idea how I am going to pay for my treatment and still try to make ends meet. I have 2 children in college and I have literally stayed up every night since my diagnosis wondering to myself, how are we going to financially get through this and how are we going to pay for my large deductible before my insurance kicks in still be responsible for the portion the insurance doesn’t cover and my co-pays. It really sucks that in this day and age not only does one have to deal with the stress and anxiety of having cancer but at the same time try to figure out how to pay for their treatment. What do people do when they are too sick to work? My plan of course, is to work as much as I can, I am not sure how realistic that is not knowing how that I will be strong enough. I work at a Children’s hospital and love what I do, and I just hope that I can continue as long as I can.
I know that I am not the only one with cancer and that people get diagnosed every day and I have been wandering to myself how they do this. I hope that when I am done with my treatment I can going to work on getting an organization that assists people facing cancer with the inability to pay for their treatment, because the only focus should be on getting better and not the added stress of wondering how to pay for treatment and co pays.
I don’t like to ask for money and was actually embarrassed of even doing a Go Fund Me, and realized, cancer is not something one asks for nor is it planned, so I am swallowing my pride and turning to you.
There is no donation too small. If you are unable to donate, please share my story. My family and I appreciate all the love and support and will be forever grateful for any donation.
I will continue to pray for all of those facing cancer and ask for guidance to have the courage to beat this ugly disease and come out even stronger from the battle. I also want to reiterate how important your mammogram is and always remember that early detection is the key to the cure.
Thank you again in advance for any help that you have provided. My family and I truly appreciate you.
God Bless you! ❤️
Organizer
Rebecca Niznak
Organizer
Fresno, CA