Hello, my name is Nicole and here's my story. In July of last year, I noticed a lump in my right breast. I was working a full-time job making $18/hr but was denied assistance through the state and missed enrollment for my company insurance, so I had no insurance to get this lump checked out. I went through so many obstacles trying to get seen and was shot down. Finally, in early November, just after my 35th birthday, I got a hold of a women's breast cancer and cervical cancer program that pays for women who have no insurance to get free biopsies and mammograms. I was finally able to get a biopsy done on the lump in my right breast. On December 2nd, 2024, I got the phone call I was dreading. I was told my results came back and it's stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, triple negative. I was shocked, I was numb, and my entire life flashed before my eyes. All the great memories with my children flashed before my eyes and I just bawled my eyes out. I couldn't believe it. I was and still am processing the fact that I was diagnosed with this. I got genetic testing done since cancer does run on both my father's and mother's side, and having two daughters, it was best to have this done. Genetic testing came back negative, meaning I got this cancer from what they say are environmental causes or bad luck. Just a couple of weeks after being diagnosed, my job permanently closed their doors five days before Christmas. I was hitting an all-time low with everything. My life literally started to fall apart in front of me. Now unemployed, denied unemployment, still waiting for SSD to approve or deny me, and no assistance has made my journey so stressful and hard on me. On December 28th, I got another biopsy done on a lump that was noticed during an ultrasound on my left breast, and those results came back that the lump is benign. On January 2nd, I got my portable port placed in my chest so that I can start my Taxol chemo treatments as soon as possible. On January 24th, 2025, I started my first dose of Taxol chemo, and every week for 12 straight weeks, I'll get that treatment. Then after those, I'll meet with my surgeon to discuss what surgery will do, and after that, I'll start my AC chemo treatments, which is once a week every three weeks, four times. Then after that, it's radiation. I've done 4 Taxol doses so far and I've been doing pretty good with it. Some days are harder than others, but I try staying positive and hopeful. With my type of cancer, I've been given a 5-year 91 percent survival rate, but I can't accept that. I just can't. I have a stepson that'll be 15 in July, and I have two beautiful daughters. One will be 14 in just a week, and my youngest is 7, and they need me! My fiancé is currently working, but his job is closing their doors permanently in May. It's just one thing after another. Medical bills are piling up, rent is falling behind, other bills are falling behind, and I feel like I'm sinking while trying to fight for my life. I don't get assistance through the state and it's been very hard on me emotionally and mentally. Feeling like a burden with all my appointments and treatments and not feeling like I'm pulling my weight in my household has me feeling overwhelmed and lost. I'm asking the community for help as this is my last resort. If I could physically work and bring something to the table, I wouldn't feel so helpless, but feeling fatigued, nauseous, and having headaches and body aches after treatments makes it very difficult to work. I'm asking for lots of prayers and any donations. If anyone would like to PM me, please feel free to. May God bless you all and may we all find peace, love, and kindness in our hearts for one another. I'm using these funds to help with my medicine my medical bills, rent, and food. Anything helps. #cancersucks #breastcancerfighter