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How To Help

How To Help

Help me help someone: I'm at my best and happiest when I'm able to use my struggles to help someone else. Do you know a woman who has been recently diagnosed or is facing a breast cancer scare and needs someone to talk to? I'm happy to share my experience or just listen, so don't hesitate to connect us! A note about money stuff: Although cancer is an expensive disease to treat, I'm managing the financial side of it okay. I'm fortunate to have good health insurance and I won't have to pay any more than my $9,000 annual out-of-pocket max. While I had planned to spend that $9,000 on home repairs, retirement savings, and a couple of fun vacations in 2024, this change in plans isn't going to put me into an unmanageable financial situation. I have absolutely no concerns about covering my living expenses. My work situation and employer are super awesome. I have oodles of flexibility between the ability to work remotely as I recover + lots of PTO after working ...

Sharing the diagnosis

Below is my Facebook post from Sunday, November 5 2023 when I shared the news of my diagnosis. I was intentional about the timing so I could read and respond to all of the comments. Someday when this is all in the rearview mirror, I want to be able to go back and remember how lovely everyone was and the specific kind words and actions I benefitted from.  Tomorrow will be one week since I was diagnosed with breast cancer.    Yeah, it caught me totally off guard, too! With no family history or known risk factors, I’m glad I got my first mammogram just after I turned 44 instead of waiting til the current American Cancer Society recommendation of starting at 45. Friday 10/27 started with a follow-up diagnostic mammogram and ended with 3 biopsies. Nothing could officially be said at that point, but the radiologist said the pattern of micro-calcifications (no tumor; they’re like little grains of sand) is highly indicative of cancer.    The biopsy report shows it’s IDC...