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TWO TIME CANCER THRIVER, Breast cancer 2015-16, Sarcoma 2018-2020 AND COVID Jan 2021
CANCER is a word no one wants to hear in their life BUT especially not for a second time. But on Sept 6, 2018, that horrifying word “CANCER” has shaken our family core again when a new mass was found deep in my breast/pectoral major (chest) muscle. My cancer team at Hoag had worked closely with Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston Massachusetts regarding treatment plan. My sarcoma cancer is so rare, about 1% of people get it and mostly elderly adults and men. There is so much powerlessness in the face of this disease.
Cancer gives you so much uncertainty about your future. I am no longer a woman searching for a husband with whom to raise a family with. Being alive is a gift now and so grateful for it being caught early. So bitching feels like a faux pas. I have never been paralyzed by the fear of cancer returning because only had a 6% of cancer coming back in my life. My doctors are shocked that a new cancer (sarcoma) had left them speechless and carefully guiding our family thru this cancer.
With scars on her chest from the first breast surgery(double partial mastectomy in 2016)... After visiting the Oncology and Plastic Surgeon, they had confirmed radical mastectomy with fat grafting (AKA tummy tuck), along with replacing an artery from groin to chest & removing a section of her pectoral major muscle on left side since unable to do radiation again on same area and since the cancer is on same breast/chest they cannot put any implants in. On 10-20-2018, after 9.5hrs, transferred to ICU for a few days. However, on Oct 27th, I was tired and my pulse & heart rate were not stable. A fever developed and breathing was getting shorter. Emergency Surgery was suppose to be about 2 hours long BUT it took longer- my vital numbers were dropping & needed a blood transfusion. Back into ICU since developed pneumonia and had trouble breathing so she had to be intubated. It was the toughest thing for my mom & me to see. All these wires and tubes hanging from her... really long 3 days of family holding their breathe. Between January 2019 - Sept 2020 had add'l 4 surgeries bc of infections- MRSA, Staph & wounds splitting open. A year worth of physical therapy to learn how to use my chest muscle and weakness
I have been full of emotions because that cancer did a number on her body from chemo, initial partial double mastectomy, radiation then full hysterectomy. I am is weak so use a cane or my walking stick to get around helps. Developed bone pain and neuropathy during breast cancer. Still needs care.
It sucks because cancer can cost someone $20k - $100k a year. I have been on medical since Oct 2015 and not my choice. Life can be cruel. I am is still struggling to paying off bills from the last cancer diagnosis, daily expenses/rent and credit cards.
IF LIFE COULDT SUCK MORE- in Jan 2021 got Covid-pneumonia and spent some time in hospital. Pump full of medicines and oxygen. Had to spend 3mos of staying home and no heavy walking because my immune system compromised and have developed ground glass and more nodules in my chest. For this reason my return to the work force is TBD.
If wish follow Monica on Instagram under "CancerNChampagne".
CANCER is a word no one wants to hear in their life BUT especially not for a second time. But on Sept 6, 2018, that horrifying word “CANCER” has shaken our family core again when a new mass was found deep in my breast/pectoral major (chest) muscle. My cancer team at Hoag had worked closely with Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston Massachusetts regarding treatment plan. My sarcoma cancer is so rare, about 1% of people get it and mostly elderly adults and men. There is so much powerlessness in the face of this disease.
Cancer gives you so much uncertainty about your future. I am no longer a woman searching for a husband with whom to raise a family with. Being alive is a gift now and so grateful for it being caught early. So bitching feels like a faux pas. I have never been paralyzed by the fear of cancer returning because only had a 6% of cancer coming back in my life. My doctors are shocked that a new cancer (sarcoma) had left them speechless and carefully guiding our family thru this cancer.
With scars on her chest from the first breast surgery(double partial mastectomy in 2016)... After visiting the Oncology and Plastic Surgeon, they had confirmed radical mastectomy with fat grafting (AKA tummy tuck), along with replacing an artery from groin to chest & removing a section of her pectoral major muscle on left side since unable to do radiation again on same area and since the cancer is on same breast/chest they cannot put any implants in. On 10-20-2018, after 9.5hrs, transferred to ICU for a few days. However, on Oct 27th, I was tired and my pulse & heart rate were not stable. A fever developed and breathing was getting shorter. Emergency Surgery was suppose to be about 2 hours long BUT it took longer- my vital numbers were dropping & needed a blood transfusion. Back into ICU since developed pneumonia and had trouble breathing so she had to be intubated. It was the toughest thing for my mom & me to see. All these wires and tubes hanging from her... really long 3 days of family holding their breathe. Between January 2019 - Sept 2020 had add'l 4 surgeries bc of infections- MRSA, Staph & wounds splitting open. A year worth of physical therapy to learn how to use my chest muscle and weakness
I have been full of emotions because that cancer did a number on her body from chemo, initial partial double mastectomy, radiation then full hysterectomy. I am is weak so use a cane or my walking stick to get around helps. Developed bone pain and neuropathy during breast cancer. Still needs care.
It sucks because cancer can cost someone $20k - $100k a year. I have been on medical since Oct 2015 and not my choice. Life can be cruel. I am is still struggling to paying off bills from the last cancer diagnosis, daily expenses/rent and credit cards.
IF LIFE COULDT SUCK MORE- in Jan 2021 got Covid-pneumonia and spent some time in hospital. Pump full of medicines and oxygen. Had to spend 3mos of staying home and no heavy walking because my immune system compromised and have developed ground glass and more nodules in my chest. For this reason my return to the work force is TBD.
If wish follow Monica on Instagram under "CancerNChampagne".
Organizer
Monica Hoffman
Organizer
Port Saint Lucie, FL