June 24, 2019

I go to to the Parkview Cancer Institute for an appointment with Oncologist Dr. Clark (a woman) and surgeon Dr. Hardley. Olivia my daughter comes with me.
A lot was said and the pathology report was dissected. I don’t fully remember the whole conversation I think my brain disengaged after they said, Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma or Breast Cancer.

SAY WHAT....?

We have never had breast cancer in our family or even extended families! This can’t be happening.
I am told it’s a very aggressive type of cancer, it is 2.5 cm, From there things moved quickly. On June 28, I was scheduled for surgery to have a port put in, for access for the chemotherapy to be put in, as well as for blood draws and such.....no one told me how much it would hurt!
I am feeling really low, not just because of all that is happening but because I am unemployed and homeless. I am staying with my daughter but she doesn’t have room for me and she wants me to find a place of my own. The silliest thing set me off this morning. I have no where to put my clothes or even my few meager belongings. They are piled on a box, and my undergarments shoved in an open space on a bookshelf. I am so overwhelmed and I feel so lost.

July 5, 2019 my first Chemotherapy is scheduled.

I am about to start a new journey and I wanted to document this journey. Why? To let my family and friends know what is going on while I am on this journey, to document what I am feeling, and maybe a small part of me is hoping that by documenting this life that it will seem more real, because right now it still seems like a bad dream, a really bad dream.
So let me tell you about this journey, when it started and where it is going.

It all started on May 21. I went to a Dr. Appointment to get my prescriptions refilled, a simple office visit really. But while I was there I decided to get The doctors opinion on a very large lump I had found under my breast, it was very tender and sore. He felt the lump and immediately scheduled a mammogram. At this point I was still thinking it is a cyst.

A week later I had a mammogram, they then did an ultrasound the same day. From that appointment the Breast Diagnostic Center determined that there was a mass in my breast and they would need to do a needle biopsy. I am still thinking it is a cyst. The biopsy is scheduled for the next week. I don’t have my insurance approved yet, I am assured it’s coming - soon. The day before the test the Breast Diagnostic Center calls and because my insurance is not showing in the system they can’t do the needle biopsy. It is postponed for a week.

A week later insurance is still not through, but they tell me that Francine’s Friends is covering the bill. Thank you Francine’s Friends! The needle biopsy is done, it is not a cyst. Four days later, they call me to let me know there are malignant cells.....
That is where this journey begins.....