Social Worker Karla’s battle with cancer

On October 13, 2023, my life as I knew it changed. After countless hours at the Dallas VA Emergency Room, I walked out with a diagnosis that would change my life as I knew it. What I thought would be a quick visit, thinking I needed IV antibiotics to address the infection in my breast quickly turned into a breast cancer diagnosis.

I am an Army veteran battling stage 3B breast cancer. I am single, with no kids, and currently unemployed. I am a social worker; my career focus has been in Early Childhood Intervention. I was accepted and had started the certification process to obtain my board-certified behavior analyst certificate with the Chicago School in Dallas, TX. My dream at that time was to work with children who have a diagnosis of Autism.

I placed my two weeks’ notice with my current employer to pursue a job in the field of study while going to school. My last day was on October 12, 2023, I was set to start my new job on October 16, 2023. However, I never started my new job and ended up having to quit school because on October 13, 2023, my life changed.

We (my sister and I) didn’t know much on the 13th of October; we knew I had two tumors one- three inches and the other one inch long. We knew the cancer had invaded at least one lymph node and my skin according to the imaging report. However, the cancer was not in my lungs, I thank Jesus Christ for sparing me a terminal diagnosis.

Within the following weeks, I had lots of various testing to include a biopsy. I found out the type of cancer I have is ER+, HER2-, PR-, which means I have a 90% survival rate. My treatment plan was created with the oncologist team at the Dallas VA, 8 infusions of chemotherapy, the first four with the strongest chemo called Doxorubicin also known as “Red Devil”. Next, a bilateral mastectomy, followed with radiation and reconstructive surgery.

My start of chemotherapy seemed as normal as chemotherapy can be under the circumstances. Throughout this journey I have experienced unexpected delays and bumps in the road. After my fourth infusion I had an eleven-day hospitalization that caused a delay in chemo treatment. Followed by two additional trips to the emergency room. I am still having testing done to ensure my body continues to stay strong. I have an upcoming pulmonary test to determine my needs moving forward. The scariest part is facing the unknown.

I am unable to work, due to being auto immune compromised. Today, I am asking for your help with my living expenses, during the recovery time of two to three months after my bilateral mastectomy. So far, with my savings and help from family I have been able to keep up with my rent, car payment, car insurance and cell phone bill. However, my savings is running out and I will not have enough money to cover my basic needs during the recovery time.

I am anticipating my surgery will take place in late March or early April since my last chemotherapy is scheduled for February 28, 2024. All donations will be used to cover rent, car payment, car insurance and cell phone bill. Anything you can give will help me cover my basic needs and allow me to have a stress-free recovery. I want to thank you for reading my story and please share it with your friends and family. I hope my story encourages you and others to keep up with preventive care such as mammograms and imaging. One out of four women will receive a breast cancer diagnoses I am one of those women, a breast cancer warrior.

On October 13, 2023, my life as I knew it changed. After countless hours at the Dallas VA Emergency Room, I walked out with a diagnosis that would change my life as I knew it. What I thought would be a quick visit, thinking I needed IV antibiotics to address the infection in my breast quickly turned into a breast cancer diagnosis.

I am an Army veteran battling stage 3B breast cancer. I am single, with no kids, and currently unemployed. I am a social worker; my career focus has been in Early Childhood Intervention. I was accepted and had started the certification process to obtain my board-certified behavior analyst certificate with the Chicago School in Dallas, TX. My dream at that time was to work with children who have a diagnosis of Autism.

I placed my two weeks’ notice with my current employer to pursue a job in the field of study while going to school. My last day was on October 12, 2023, I was set to start my new job on October 16, 2023. However, I never started my new job and ended up having to quit school because on October 13, 2023, my life changed.

We (my sister and I) didn’t know much on the 13th of October; we knew I had two tumors one- three inches and the other one inch long. We knew the cancer had invaded at least one lymph node and my skin according to the imaging report. However, the cancer was not in my lungs, I thank Jesus Christ for sparing me a terminal diagnosis.

Within the following weeks, I had lots of various testing to include a biopsy. I found out the type of cancer I have is ER+, HER2-, PR-, which means I have a 90% survival rate. My treatment plan was created with the oncologist team at the Dallas VA, 8 infusions of chemotherapy, the first four with the strongest chemo called Doxorubicin also known as “Red Devil”. Next, a bilateral mastectomy, followed with radiation and reconstructive surgery.

My start of chemotherapy seemed as normal as chemotherapy can be under the circumstances. Throughout this journey I have experienced unexpected delays and bumps in the road. After my fourth infusion I had an eleven-day hospitalization that caused a delay in chemo treatment. Followed by two additional trips to the emergency room. I am still having testing done to ensure my body continues to stay strong. I have an upcoming pulmonary test to determine my needs moving forward. The scariest part is facing the unknown.

I am unable to work, due to being auto immune compromised. Today, I am asking for your help with my living expenses, during the recovery time of two to three months after my bilateral mastectomy. So far, with my savings and help from family I have been able to keep up with my rent, car payment, car insurance and cell phone bill. However, my savings is running out and I will not have enough money to cover my basic needs during the recovery time.

I am anticipating my surgery will take place in late March or early April since my last chemotherapy is scheduled for February 28, 2024. All donations will be used to cover rent, car payment, car insurance and cell phone bill. Anything you can give will help me cover my basic needs and allow me to have a stress-free recovery. I want to thank you for reading my story and please share it with your friends and family. I hope my story encourages you and others to keep up with preventive care such as mammograms and imaging. One out of four women will receive a breast cancer diagnoses I am one of those women, a breast cancer warrior.