My Cancer Journey
Donation protected
My name is Angela and I am living with Stage 4 Mastetic Breast cancer and here is my journey. I am 43 years of age have an amazing loving husband and 4 beautiful children.
I have had a real tough time these past 11 years. In 2006 I was diagnosed with Estrogen positive Breast Cancer I was only 32 years old , then to have a double masectomy to prevent the spread of my cancer really played havic on my emotions and spirit. My self esteem was low, I thought I looked ugly and that I was less of a woman without having my breasts. I could never look at myself in the mirror because all I saw where my scars. These personal battles have made me realize that my scars have made me a strong beautiful person. In 2012 I went to my family doctor because I was always feeling tired and lost some weight, doctor discovered a lump in my arm pit. Tests were done biospsy and scans ... my cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. Within 3 weeks I was in for surgery and had 21 nodes removed 14 were cancerous. I enjoyed christmas that year before I had to start Chemo January 2013. I was bald and beautiful for most of 2013. Now 4 years later my battle continues. This past summer I noticed that I was loosing weight and feeling tired. I felt a lump in my opposite arm pit. I went to my family doctor and he sent me for an ultrasound, the result was an over active lymph node, nothing to worry about but he wanted me to follow up with my oncologist. So off I went, explained what was going on and was sure there was nothing to worry about but sent me for tests and scans anyways. My husband, son and I had a road trip planned to the Yukon so I asked to not have any test done prior because I didnt want any bad news before our trip. I am glad I did because bad news it was. Stage 4 Metastisized Breast Cancer in my Spine and left Femur along with 2 spots on my lungs. Well that wasnt the news I was expecting. I am now pallitive. My world fell apart, all the thoughts and feelings I had at that moment was overwhelming. My son is only 13, he still needs his mother. My husband and I have an amazing relationship, I dont want that to end. I want to meet my grandchildren. My family is devistated as am I. All my hopes and dreams have fallen apart. I stopped working to take care of myself, had a hysterectomy to prevent any more estrogen production in my body so I have a fighting chance to live longer. We are now down to one income which makes everything so hard. We were saving up for a down payment for a house so we can get out of our rental home. Now we can just make it through the month on my husbands income because our rent is so high, good bye dream of owing a home. We have to move in the summer when our lease is up as we cant afford the rent on one income, stressful because I want to stay in the same area so my son can continue going to school with his friends. I want him to have a normal life for as long as he can. He is such a good boy, plays on a Silver Rep team for soccer, Plays baseball and is a very good student. He has a lot going for him in life and I am worried I won't be here to see him graduate high school which upsets me deeply. We just bought a new car prior to my diagnosis and now have a monthly payment to make on that which I can't loose because it is our only vehicle and I need to get to all my medical appointments. My income covered payments on our debt and groceries and now I dont know what I am going to do. And to top it all off we got broken into. Our TV Ipad, game consel and precious family heirlooms were taken, important documents, and many items that I wanted to hand down to my children so they can have a memory of me after I pass. Very sad and upsetting. To much stress for one person to handle.
There were so many places I wanted to go in the world and now I cannot. My husband and I had a goal to go to Scotland and visit our families but we have had to cancel that trip as we need the money to pay bills and rent. So many life goals have been taken away from me and my family because of this horrible disease. It is very hard to accept the fact that I have been handed a death sentence and even harder to put a smile on my face everyday but I am strong and will be strong for as long as I can. I want to give my family the best life that I can possibly provide while I am able to. I just want to live a happy comfortable life because I dont know how long I have to live.
I have had a real tough time these past 11 years. In 2006 I was diagnosed with Estrogen positive Breast Cancer I was only 32 years old , then to have a double masectomy to prevent the spread of my cancer really played havic on my emotions and spirit. My self esteem was low, I thought I looked ugly and that I was less of a woman without having my breasts. I could never look at myself in the mirror because all I saw where my scars. These personal battles have made me realize that my scars have made me a strong beautiful person. In 2012 I went to my family doctor because I was always feeling tired and lost some weight, doctor discovered a lump in my arm pit. Tests were done biospsy and scans ... my cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. Within 3 weeks I was in for surgery and had 21 nodes removed 14 were cancerous. I enjoyed christmas that year before I had to start Chemo January 2013. I was bald and beautiful for most of 2013. Now 4 years later my battle continues. This past summer I noticed that I was loosing weight and feeling tired. I felt a lump in my opposite arm pit. I went to my family doctor and he sent me for an ultrasound, the result was an over active lymph node, nothing to worry about but he wanted me to follow up with my oncologist. So off I went, explained what was going on and was sure there was nothing to worry about but sent me for tests and scans anyways. My husband, son and I had a road trip planned to the Yukon so I asked to not have any test done prior because I didnt want any bad news before our trip. I am glad I did because bad news it was. Stage 4 Metastisized Breast Cancer in my Spine and left Femur along with 2 spots on my lungs. Well that wasnt the news I was expecting. I am now pallitive. My world fell apart, all the thoughts and feelings I had at that moment was overwhelming. My son is only 13, he still needs his mother. My husband and I have an amazing relationship, I dont want that to end. I want to meet my grandchildren. My family is devistated as am I. All my hopes and dreams have fallen apart. I stopped working to take care of myself, had a hysterectomy to prevent any more estrogen production in my body so I have a fighting chance to live longer. We are now down to one income which makes everything so hard. We were saving up for a down payment for a house so we can get out of our rental home. Now we can just make it through the month on my husbands income because our rent is so high, good bye dream of owing a home. We have to move in the summer when our lease is up as we cant afford the rent on one income, stressful because I want to stay in the same area so my son can continue going to school with his friends. I want him to have a normal life for as long as he can. He is such a good boy, plays on a Silver Rep team for soccer, Plays baseball and is a very good student. He has a lot going for him in life and I am worried I won't be here to see him graduate high school which upsets me deeply. We just bought a new car prior to my diagnosis and now have a monthly payment to make on that which I can't loose because it is our only vehicle and I need to get to all my medical appointments. My income covered payments on our debt and groceries and now I dont know what I am going to do. And to top it all off we got broken into. Our TV Ipad, game consel and precious family heirlooms were taken, important documents, and many items that I wanted to hand down to my children so they can have a memory of me after I pass. Very sad and upsetting. To much stress for one person to handle.
There were so many places I wanted to go in the world and now I cannot. My husband and I had a goal to go to Scotland and visit our families but we have had to cancel that trip as we need the money to pay bills and rent. So many life goals have been taken away from me and my family because of this horrible disease. It is very hard to accept the fact that I have been handed a death sentence and even harder to put a smile on my face everyday but I am strong and will be strong for as long as I can. I want to give my family the best life that I can possibly provide while I am able to. I just want to live a happy comfortable life because I dont know how long I have to live.
Organizer
Angela Seggie Salvona
Organizer
Langley, BC
