Recently diagnosed with breast cancer

My name is Susan. I'm 65 and I was diagnosed on March 3rd 2023 with breast cancer. I don't usually ask for help, but right now I need some. A friend told me about GoFundme. I have a close friend and 2 sisters, however, they can't afford to help me with living and medical expenses. I need financial help to get me through the months to come. I had to take a leave of absence but the company I work for doesn't help their employees, they also reduced my pay. I'm hoping to get back to work this year yet. Fingers crossed of course. I would be so very grateful for any help. Thank you, and May God Bless You, Susan

Updates:

Surgery was on 4-6-2023 at 11:30 am to remove all cancer. I was able to go stay at my sister and brother in law's house.

4-7-2023 when I was at sister's the ambulance had to come due to an accidental overdosage of oxycodone, also, I was bleeding inside. I then had a seizure. I got to hospital fast. The EMTs were there in 5 minutes my brother in law said. I had a CT scan, they found large hematoma (internal bleeding) then immediately sent me to a 2nd surgery (in 2 days) to put in a drain. 4-9-2023 I got to go home to heal until next appointment when hopefully they'll take drain out.

Radiation starts first part of May and that'll be 4-6 weeks, so all of May and part of June. I'm told by my Dr. that I will get very weak. I haven't been able to work and bills still need to get paid.

I am asking for prayers and any little bit you can spare. It would mean so much right now.

Thank you so very much.

4-11-2023 Update

I got news there was some cancer in a lymph node that was removed. Pathology specimen will be sent, they give it a number, then figure new way of treatment. Things seem to change so I must go with the flow and trust the Doctors. Thank you for your prayers.

4-12-2023 Update

I'm very weak and unsteady. It sucks because I'm usually busy being productive. But according to my sisters and several breast cancer survivors I'm to be patient with my body & allow it to move through this in it's own way. So I shall. Radiation and possible chemo by pill is coming up in May. I had setup my deck before surgery so I can go out and sit in the sun with my dog Rosie to get some Vitamin D in my body daily. I'd like to be working out, but now isn't the time.

4-13-2023

Ambulance came at around 2:30am. Possible TIA Stroke. No stroke. But more Tests being run. They'll check to see if cancer is anywhere else in my body.

4-15-2023

Got out of hospital. Home to heal until radiation starts in early May. Then some chemo pills thereafter. I am looking into getting some temporary help with chores while I'm home moving through all this.

Drain tube from hematoma comes out next week and lots of Doctor's appointments coming up.

4-18-2023

Hoping drainage tube from hematoma gets taken out soon. In the meantime, I've been taking it slow at home healing. I did some dishes and a load of wash and it wore me out to where I just sat in my recliner. I nap and talk to friends online or talk on the phone. I sit on my deck with my dog Rosie so I can get some fresh air and sunshine. It's about all you can do. The Nurses call to check up on my progress which is so nice. I'm so glad to have gotten through the surgery part. I do dread the radiation part though. That comes in May. I want to thank you all for your kindness and thoughtfulness during this time. I am humbled and so very grateful.

4-22-2023

I've been slow at doing things. I get so tired so easily. I had the drain tube from the hematoma removed on 4-20. I saw my primary care doctor on 4-21. We had a nice chat. There has been so much going on. Many appointments. But last night I finally got a good sleep. Much needed after this past month of sleeping only intermittently. I am off pain meds and I can feel my muscles and my skin healing. I can feel my nerves reconnecting. The doctors mentioned that I'd feel some strange sensations. I have fully realized how truly amazing and miraculous our bodies are until now. This is a time of healing and regaining of strength, until the radiation begins in May. Again, thank you for your gifts during this time. I am humbled and grateful.

4-25-2023

I've been so so so tired. I thought I could get some things done around the house, and attempted to do some, but wowee, I was worn out like never before. I guess I need to take it slower. Lessons Learned as these bodies decide to let us know. I will take it slower, talk to friends on the phone, go online, order groceries/household necessities and pay bills online. Just gonna take it easier. That's hard when you've always been a 'go getter'. - Peace, Susan

4-28-2023

When going through Cancer Treatment one reflects on one's life more than usual. My Dad would've been 93 today. I miss him. He was my strength. My maternal Grandmother was a Mother to me. She also taught me strength. Now I rely solely on my own strength. It's amazing what the human spirit can do when faced with the hardest of times.

In regard to cancer: 1 in 8 people will get cancer in their lifetime. That's not acceptable. Mankind has polluted the world so badly that we are reaping what we've sown. I hope people will take seriously that we must attend to the cleaning up of our planet. Cancer should never have been normalized to where it is now. Do Better Humans, Do Better.

5-3-2023

It's a sunny day today. Tomorrow I'll be 66 years young. It goes too fast!

I have 5 Doctor's appointments end of this week. One to start radiation treatments and one to talk about chemo. I dread it all. I need to get better so I can go back to work. It's frustrating to say the least. All I can do is keep working on my health. My heart goes out to those battling cancer. I see their world much better because now it's my world. Spring is here though and it's a time of healing. I WILL get through this.

5-5-2023

I had 3 Doctor's appointments today at the cancer center. The Doctors, the nurses, and the staff, are all so amazing, so incredibly knowledgeable! I would recommend anyone to go to Avera Cancer Center if ever you are in need.

So today I learned even more about breast cancer. It's always a journey to more knowledge. I don't wish this on anyone. There is no clear cause in my situation. I think it's the toxicity of the world we live in. In fact, current studies show that 1 in 8 people will get breast cancer. SMH.

So, radiation begins a week later than expected. I do not need chemo, for now. But I do have to take the endocrine pills for 5-10 years. There are many side effects I am not happy about and will have to learn to live with, but if it staves off any future cancer I guess I must do it. My Oncologist, Dr. Higgins, and I talked in depth. She is phenomenal. The radiation will weaken my bones, specifically in my rib cage. I have to watch out for falls. Rib cage breaks are extremely painful and take a long time to heal. The endocrine pills decrease my estrogen production with so many bad side effects. There's so much more, I cannot write them all on here. Suffice it to say, my head was spinning with information, and I kept thinking, this is my life now? and it will be for many years to come? Cancer is not fun. It's a lot of work and there are no guarantees as to the outcome. I go see the Radiologist on 5-9. This will be rough. Please take care of yourselves. Sending out much Love and Light to you all.

5-10-2023

Endocrine Treatment began with me taking pills for 5-10 years. Radiation begins 5-22-2023 as I'm still healing in my chest area. Muscles, Blood Vessels, and Nerves are all reconnecting, and I can tell you it feels weird at times. It's a lot of weird sensations. So until the healing is in a better place, my Radiologist thinks it's best to wait til May 22nd to begin. Yesterday when I saw him, they put me in a machine and mapped out where the radiation will shoot into. The Nurses tattoo tiny dots into your skin. I'll have them forever. The thing about radiation is it could cause cancer in 20-30 years. You have to sign a paper saying you acknowledge that. The nurses told me that most people don't take all the treatments as well as I have. I don't know any other way, so I just follow what the Doctors & nurses tell me to do. It's best to stay positive & trust the professionals. Cure rate statistics are proven. Medical Technology is amazing these days. Thank you for helping me during this time. Please live healthy lives.

5-19-2023 Update:

So radiation was delayed as had to wait for dexa scan to come back. I start radiation officially on 5-23. Wish me luck and the least amount of damage. The Radiologist will hit me for weeks right over my heart and other areas of both breasts. That kind of scares me, but I've learned when dealing with cancer, you trade one thing for another and hope for the best outcomes. I'm on estrogen blockers for the next 5-10 years. Lots of side effects I'm not happy about. Also the radiation and the medication weaken the bones & the dexascan came back saying I have the beginning stages of osteoporosis. My Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother had it. I honestly hate getting old. But we keep going! I've got a lot to live for yet! I see the oncologist in August to see if another medication is needed to keep my bones strong. The side effects on that one are even worse, so hoping I don't have to. To combat this, after radiation is completed I'm going to take calcium supplements & go to the gym & do bone-strengthening exercises. I'm hoping to get back to work in July. That will depend upon how the radiation goes. So that's where my progress is at today, my Friends. Wishing you all good health. Take care of yourselves. Your health is everything!

5-23-2023

I had my first Radiation Treatment today.

I don't like it.

Never get cancer.

5-26-2023

It's Memorial Day weekend. I'm on my 4th day of radiation. I'm starting to feel nauseous along with other little side effects. (Isn't it too soon?)....and I go until June 20th. The Radiology Techs are such good people. What a job they have! I enjoy visiting with them, albeit for a short time, as they stay plenty busy. Bless their hearts.

I see lots of people in the Cancer Center as they walk by me, some are in wheelchairs. We nod or offer a smile for support. We're in the same boat. It's interesting how there's a natural alignment of souls. It's heartbreaking to see so many battling cancer. The stats now are like 1 in 8 people. Most are from environmental causes - my Oncologist fully agreed as we were talking a while ago. We, humans, must work harder to clean up our acts so we can clean up our earth. Our kids and grandkids will grow old on this earth. They deserve better.

My sister came over yesterday and she brought me some healthy food and a smoothie. I've been making quick, fast-type foods and some don't taste very good. Thank goodness she brought me fresh food. I was grateful. I've been feeling good enough to plant some flowers on the deck. My dog Rosie and I sit out for a bit to enjoy the nice weather. My positivity is pretty good. The Doctor and 2 nurses commented on it, and they reassured me that my attitude was great. So all you gals who've been through this, the ones who have given me good advice, you were, of course, right! Attitude is everything. You can't let fear take hold for long.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend. Less stress is healthy living. Stay Healthy. Enjoy!

5-28-2023

It's Sunday on Memorial Day weekend. I didn't sleep well. I'm having pain where my herniated stomach is, and I feel weak. I've had a bit of diarrhea for 2 days. I imagine it's my body trying to heal from the radiation hits. I go during the week then I have the weekends to heal from it. Wow, it's not fun.P.S. $72,281.92 - That's how much my medical expenses are to date to treat Breast Cancer.

6-15-2023

Update: Well, right now I'm getting "the Boost". That's when they ramp up the radiation levels and zero into where the tumors were. Radiation Treatment is awful towards the end. The side effects can be many. I won't share details, but you can imagine. Tuesday June 20th I ring the bell as a sign of radiation completion. My sister Carol will be there to video it. I've been trying to keep my mind off of the side effects by posting other things. I do enjoy talking to other cancer patients when I go to treatment daily. We try to lift each other up emotionally and spiritually. We've shared email addresses to stay in touch. I've learned so much from them. They remain in my prayers. I hope you all are doing well. Thank you so much for your support during my journey with cancer. Bless your hearts. I am grateful.