My Journey With Cancer!

In 1999 I had been working many years, and really did not give the proper attention to my health at the time. I had gone home one evening, and hopped in the tub with my hot cup of tea, and a warm bubble bath! I was looking out to the rain just reflecting on the day that I had. I then was getting ready to shave under my armpits as I always do, and I started to shave the right armpit, and for some reason I felt my pit before I started to shave it which I normally do not do. I felt a solid lump about the size of a dime ..I did not think of cancer, and especially Breast Cancer! Well, when I pressed the lump I felt a very funny sickness rush through my body that I have never ever felt before! I at that time called my fiance into the bathroom, and asked him did he feel that, and of course he did! I went to bed, but not really that worried because at the time there was not as much hype of Breast Cancer like there is now, and of course it was not on my breast. Well I went to the doctor the next day, and the doctor told me not to leave the office yet, and he stepped out down the hall to the surgeon. When he came back he told me I had a appt. to see this surgeon tomorrow. I said, what was wrong? He could not tell me anything yet. I saw the surgeon the next day and he felt it, and did the needle biopsy but told me that is could be three different types of cancer. WOW, I was shocked! He said, pray for the Breast Cancer I had a better chance of survival. I thought that is bad I have to pray for a certain cancer. Well, I prayed for the Breast Cancer and that is what I received! They immediately put me into the hosptal and did the Auxillary Lymph Node surgery through out patient. I came up show it was in my Lymph Nodes already. There was a lump almost off the right side of my breast which I would have never thought it would have been breast cancer! Well, a week later I went into the hospital again but to stay for about a week. This time they did a double masectomy and reconstruction! I came out of the hospital feeling not whole! I don't think I really knew how I felt at that time. Then about 5 weeks later the chemo started, and I think that was what I was most afraid of.....then every 4 weeks I would have the bags in my chest filled....it really hurt at that time...I plain just did not feel good at all! Well, I went 9 years with no problems until in 2006, I had to have a foot of my colon taken, I had pre-cancer in my colon! That surgery was no fun.... Then a year after that I just so happened to have a chest x-ray, and they saw some type of mass in the x-ray! On the left side of my lung in one of the lobes. I had to see a Thoracic Surgeon, and she said, that she was going in and taking a slice like a piece of pie! Well, she went in and had to take the whole lobe of my lung! The cancer was all through my lung! I came out of that surgery and had chest tubes attached, and was in critical care for a week! Now, again a year later the cancer has come back, but very bad timing! I had been laid off my job about 4 months after I returned to work. Not nice....anyway I am on Cobra insurance. My insurance now runs out on this Saturday, and my doctors have been watching the tumor on the same side as the lobe that was taken out!. Well, I have a Pet Scan that I am due to have about 1 1//2 weeks from now to see if I start treatment yet but no more insurance as of this Saturday! Medical says I am not eligable, but I am going to keep trying something...I now am on SSI and don't receive much money at all a month. I don't even have enough to pay a full rent, let alone pay all the other bills....I just have to pray on it, and continue to fight the cause! Just for other people who have just been diagnosed, I am working out everyday! I have not been working out everyday because I have been a little tired, but because I love eating I have to start in working out everyday again. I have tried to see if I could work, but you can only make a tiny amount of money collecting SSI. I don't feel sick just a bit tired ! People tell me I don't look sick either. I would love to work but I have to be so careful not to make to much money, and when I say that it is like only 900.00 a month. I thought I could have had a little extra to get a couple of gifts and have a Christmas....If there is anyone else in this position can you please give me some advice. This is all new to me. For anyone who is reading this journel, do know there is life after diagnosis of cancer! May God bless you and your family! You will do well. If you need to talk let me know!

Sharon