On 2/5/15, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a.k.a. breast cancer. Not only was this a shock because of my young age, but also because it's not a known disease to my family.

Needless to say, the bills are pulling up. My husband and I both work full time jobs and have a 7 & 8 your old to support. We are both lucky to work for amazing employers full of support and understanding during this tough time but we can't always be there and this adds another pressure to our scenario. Family has been kind enough to step up and cover costs for day care over spring break, which has been great, but other expenses will be arising soon and I find myself leaning on the kindness and generousity of family, friends and strangers alike.

Such as the need for a new/used car. We recently purchases a used sedan to replace our 13 year old truck and were also looking to replace our 20 year old Plymouth Breeze (which I can't believe is still even drivable) before this medical stuff came about. With a mortgage, car payments, credit cards, medical bills & missing time from work for chemo now and surgeries later, times are looking tough.

Mostly important, I don't want my kids to suffer because of all this. At ages 7 & 8, they deserve nothing but good memories of fun times; not mommy's illness.