My name is Britni, I am 38 years old.
I have been on a warpath of self improvement over the last year. Finally receiving an ADHD diagnosis and addressing my Mental Health, and anxiety was a huge step.
I just finished up a great summer with my friends and family. Siblings reunited. Family visiting from Ontario, a breast lump, my grandparents 70th wedding anniversary and a big trip to connect with my partner Mike’s family more. Camping, rafting, dinners, just a perfect post pandemic summer to see so many faces again and finally get those hugs in.
Did you see it?
I sure did.
It’s been a flash of testing and information for a couple of weeks. As we hoped for the best with every scan, biopsy, blood test..
I have triple negative breast cancer.
Sound pretty upbeat right? 3 negatives!? High fives for everyone!
Put your hands down folks…
This is a rare cancer and the most aggressive form of breast cancer. I am already in stage three. Luckily I am not too late. I am treatable and have a 91% chance of survival.
I have completed testing to confirm it’s from an inherited genetic BRCA2 mutation. I am awaiting more detailed bloodwork so my family knows this extremely valuable information.
My treatment plan is 9 months to a year. It includes surgery to remove my breasts bilaterally.
My partner Mike and I have drug coverage but no short term or long term disability. EI sick leave is 15 weeks. I have alternatives, but it’s a lot paperwork and a lot of waiting. This cancer is too aggressive to wait. I started chemo just one week after meeting with my oncologist.
We are not too late, but it’s been a very fast process, and we’re feeling the pinch with me off of work.
We have so many friends and family we’ve been able to break the news to. We have family in Alberta to help with appointments, home care, cooking, post surgery care. Even family from Ontario and Florida ready to fly in to help post surgery.
The go to question for a lot of people is “How can I help?”
This is it.
I promise we’ll never need a baby shower, wedding shower, housewarming, etc. If ever we needed help in life to get to the next chapter together…. This is it.
My great grandmother Violet was a breast cancer survivor. As she lived until 99 years old. I not only knew her but was very close to her. I got to hear her story, see her scars and learned to take every bump seriously. I know the strength it takes to get through this since I was a little girl.
Violet already showed me how.
So can I win my battle with cancer?
Of course!
Do I have support in my life to help me through?
Absolutely.
Do I need help and not afraid to ask?
Yes.
Please help anyway you can. It will be the world to me.
So far you have helped me:
Buy a freezer for extra meal preparation.
Help us bridge two leases,deposit and moving costs for when we were forced to move because of “owner will occupy” in the middle of chemotherapy.
You’ve helped cover the cost of medications. I maxed out my drug coverage very fast. I have a second plan through blue cross to be better prepared this year. You’ve helped me cover the cost of that second plan.
You’ve helped us fill our fridge, freezer and even had groceries delivered when I was not well enough to leave the home.
You’ve helped me be able to buy ice packs, cancer caps mastectomy bras, recovery pillows etc.
Parking at the hospital and other healthcare facilities, sometimes multiple times a week.
most of off you’ve helped me with piece of mind.
I am currently awaiting my CPP disability application to be approved. I’m told this can take up to FOUR months. (We are two months in)