I have breast cancer. On April 15, 2025, a large-ish lump (2 CM) was found on my right breast. A mammogram was scheduled immediately thereafter, and I was able to get in with a surgeon in a fair amount of quickness.
Surgery was scheduled for May 6th, 2025. I was told that this was a “very simple” procedure, and that I would be able to resume my life within 2 – 3 days with little discomfort. So… all is set.
The doctor deemed it a necessity to remove it via lumpectomy (stage II) and he decided to run a pre-surgical radiation trace to see if the cancer had decided to visit all my lymph nodes on the right side. If he found anything, he would remove the lymph nodes with these identifiers, also. So… never being the recipient of the “bestest luck”, the cancer was found in six lymph nodes – which of all were removed and sent off to the lab during my lumpectomy.
Per my post-OP instructions:
- I spent two days at home, “recovering”, taking it easy, staying in bed.
- I returned to work when I was told to by my doctor.
- I followed all instructions to the letter.
By Friday, May 9, the area where my lymph nodes had been taken out was extremely swollen, tight, and full of fluid. I couldn’t put my arm down. The pain was excruciating.
- TRIP 1 TO THE ER: Friday, May 9th. Oral antibiotics, IV antibiotics, pain meds, and NO ONE DRAINS THIS.
- TRIP 2 TO THE ER: Monday, May 12th. Same thing exactly. Except the ER doc who sees it decides to contact the surgeon who did this. Surgeon says “Well, I see her in my office on Weds, May 14th, and I’ll take care of it then.”
- POST OP TRIP 1 TO THE SURGEON: this non-draining lymphoma (filled so tightly) is double the size it was. The doctor removes over TWO LITERS of fluid, does NOT INSTALL A DRAIN, and sends me home with a follow-up appointment.
- TRIP 3 TO THE ER: Wedsnesday, May 20th. Same issue, but now I have a hard hematoma where the original lump was removed, and my right breast has almost doubled in size. Heavy on the IV antibiotics, oral antibiotics, fluids, and pain meds. ER doc decides to attempt to remove some fluid. He took another liter from the lobe section under my arm, wrote more antibiotic scripts, and I went back home.
- POST OP VISIT 2: Thursday, May 29th. Takes more fluid out, refers me to the oncologist and radiologist. Makes me a ANOTHER follow-up for Monday, June 16th.
We have far bigger issues looming right now.
1. Both my husband and I each work full time jobs. He works 2 jobs at times to make extra, and I can usually grab some OT. However, if either of us misses work, we do NOT get paid. Neither of our jobs provides PTO. Nor are we offered health insurance through our respective employers. Things are terribly tight right now, and the medical bills are terrifying.
I have my first consultation with the oncologist and radiologist on Thursday, June 19th. Because we have no insurance AND make too much combined for [most] Medicaid/Medicare Assistance Programs, we are considered self-pay at the oncologist’s office. In order to receive treatment, I am required to pay at every appointment. We simply do not have the money to do that.
Which is why I’m asking for your help today. Any type of donation is deeply appreciated, and will be used to pay off (what feels like) our ever-expanding medical bill portfolio.
I don’t want to end up losing my home due to this – but quite frankly, this is a last ditch-effort (I *hate* asking for help), and if it comes down to having a place to live? Or paying the oncologist? I’m planning on staying home.
#BreastCancer
#CancerHelp
#FloridaHealthcare
#FloridaUSA
#StayingAlive
ETA: All documents [edited for HIPPA/Personal Info] are available via email upon request. We can always make an appointment to voice call, Zoom, or simply chat via text if you have any questions or just want to connect.
If you’ve read this EPIC BIOPIC to here???? Thank you, and have a wonderful day!