Anne: Getting Support for Cancer Diagnosis and TreatmentI initially started running because I had seen so many family members suffering from health issues, and since my diagnosis, it's been quite a haul to get back up to running as regularly. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, 2022.I've always been very good about going for my annual screenings. But when I got the call, there was something that told me this time's going to be different.I have a very extensive history of breast cancer in my family. All told, there's been 11 people in my family that have been diagnosed with breast cancer.My mother's had it twice. When I was diagnosed, I think it hit her really hard. Because she said to me, "Ugh, this is the legacy I've given you." And I had to say to her, "Mom, no. This is not your fault." I said, "But if anything, you've given me, it's the strength to survive this."I mean, she survived it twice. And so watching her strength, her composure, I think that is really the legacy that she's left me, and I really, really hope she understands that. Initially we were thinking, "Oh, it will just do a lumpectomy. Maybe there'll be some radiology, but I'll be done with this surgery in two months and then I can go back to my life."The more I thought about it, my mom was diagnosed twice, once at age 49 and again at age 75. And given the history, I think I might want to take a more aggressive approach, and so I decided to have a double mastectomy, and it turned out to be a really good decision.And it was after the surgery that we discovered that it was actually a much bigger mass than we'd anticipated.That set me in a whole different course.We were talking about 12 rounds of chemo, followed by another 12 rounds of immunotherapy, and so that was a much longer journey than I was anticipating.I'm a single mom. My son at the time was 12 going on 13. I didn't want the responsibility for caregiving to fall on my son. I was also working a demanding job, and then facing this unknown journey that I was about to embark on.So I sent an email out to 12 family and friends saying, "This is what's going on with me. I need help figuring out what I'm going to need." And not all of them knew each other, but somehow they just saw it as a call to action. Took me off the email chain, started talking to each other over email, and organizing this support system for me. They created a calendar amongst themselves where they set up shifts, whether it was grocery shopping, or taking me out on walks, or coming to make dinner for me. It was really amazing and I attribute that support to my strong recovery.What's hard for a lot of women in my position that find themselves facing this is that we're often afraid to ask for help, but people actually want to help.It's very hard for people to watch someone they care about go through such a difficult time. And a way for them to be able to cope, what I've learned from my friends and family, is that it helped them to deal with what I was going through.TreatmentI kept two journals, one for reflection and then a daily log literally of what I was feeling physically. The journaling was really important to me and continues to be. It's been a tremendous advocacy tool, and even the medical staff remarked that it was very helpful for them that I kept records of these things so that we could be true partners in care.Another thing that I found helpful while I was going through treatment was to focus on setting goals.One of my goals was to learn to surf because my son been surfing for a number of years now, and I love the water. So even though I was in the middle of treatment, we decided to take a vacation and go to Puerto Rico.And in February of '23, I learned how to surf.It was six months to the day that I had finished chemo when I actually got up on a board and was able to stand, which was huge because when I was done with chemo, I could barely swim.And so to be able to get up on a board and catch a wave was really incredible. It felt so good that I decided that I wanted to bring some of my squad, the group that had supported me so that they could experience it with me when I was done with my immunotherapy. And it ended up being such an affirming day for everyone.I'm very optimistic about the future. I know that I have a really incredible network of support. I've actually often thought about the embarrassment of riches that I've had in my journey. Not everyone has access to that.Some people just don't have family, don't have a strong social network for whatever reason. And I think how lonely that must be, how hard it must be to not have an advocate. And so there's a number of nonprofit organizations.Even the center where I was being treated has a social worker that would connect me to those resources if I really needed them. It's just a matter of asking to connect to them. This is a very difficult journey. No one should have to go through this alone.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
