How to behave with someone who has cancer – Stealing a page from HGG’s blog

April Fools this year has been unlike any other. And, in case you are wondering, this isn’t a story that has a funny ending.

I’ve been sick since October. It started with a cold, then I severed my extensor tendon on a finger and needed two surgeries, which I thought was the reason I couldn’t get rid of the cold. It moved to my chest and finally, on December 30, I went to ER thinking I had pneumonia, only to be sent home with “likely H1N1”. Strong steroids cleared my lungs, so then I got sinusitis and the bronchitis. I finally started feeling human towards the end of February. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago; the doctor could finally explain why I couldn’t fight my cold. I have advanced invasive breast cancer, which has spread to the lymph nodes.

More testing is needed to confirm the stage, but I have symptoms of stage 4 cancer. Who knew unexplained shoulder pain was a symptom of breast cancer?

In about 3 weeks, I will be starting neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the hopes of shrinking my large masses in my breast and lymph nodes. This will hopefully give my doctor more surgical options, which will come after surgery. Lastly, I will get to enjoy radiation and/or a second round of chemotherapy to close off my treatment. Overall, this is expected to take approximately 9 months.

But, after meeting with my surgeon and nurse navigator, who will be two of my medical team members, I felt more reassured than I have since I found a lump in my breast.

I plan on working throughout the treatment so long as it doesn’t interfere with my health and my medical team continues to give me the green light to do so. Luckily, I have a fantastic employer Yardstick Training, part of the Yardstick group, who has been supportive ever since I have been diagnosed.

As a result, I’m letting you know as it will be hard not to notice when I start losing my hair later this month. I am accepting all positive thoughts, vibes, energies, prayers or even cute scarves that I can wear to keep my head warm throughout the spring and keep the sun off it this summer! 🙂

With that said, I am going to share a blog post from a very, very wise woman who is a dear friend and my mentor. Please take a read:

With that said, I am going to share a blog post from a very, very wise woman who is a dear friend and my mentor. Please take a read:

How to behave with someone who has cancer

#nkwadcancerkick

Was this an insightful post? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.