Home > Collective Diary > Living With Stage Three Breast Cancer
Vivian Jane T. on June 25, 2012
I was Diagnosed with:
Breast Cancer
Employment Status:
Registered Nurse
Gender/Age:
Female/35
Type and Description of Treatments:
Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation.
How do you feel today?
I'm feeling sad, and not myself but trying to stay strong for my kids!
Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your life?
Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, life has been hard, but I try to keep my day as normal as it used to be. I'm taking care of my kids, and trying to make this just like before, and not let cancer ruin how I live.
What is going well for you right now?
I'm still taking care of my kids, I have four kids, my son Andrew 12, Gabe 10, Cameron, 14, Carly 3. I help out at my kid's school, where I sometimes do lunch duty, or make the lunches, work on writing kid's late slips when they are late for school. I'm a registered nurse, but it's been to hard for me to work late shifts at the hospital so I'm breaking from that.
What is not going well for you right now?
Feeling like I'm going to throw up in the mornings and being very tried, and not wanting to do anything.
What has been the most challenging thing about having cancer?
Going through treatment, and not being with my kids as much as I would like to.
When difficulties overwhelm you, where do you go for support?
I go for support, to my family, friends, husband, sister, they give me the best advice and help me get through this.
How have your long-term goals or life goals changed since diagnosis?
They have been harder to make, because it's been a lot and I'm so tried, but I still try to make my goals.
What is your work arrangement right now? What are your hours?
Well when my kids were in school, I would help out then because it was easier then being a nurse with cancer and working late shifts.
Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your work life?
My work life has changed a lot, because I have to be careful about what I do, and everything.
What has helped you continue to work the most?
My kids, husband and family, and friends, have kept me going and just doing it for them makes me feel better then normal, I'm trying to keep things the same so I don't make things different for my kids.
What advice do you have for others trying to work through treatment?
Try your best to keep going, do what you love, and keep in mind you are never alone, and you have this!
How have you dealt with any side effects of treatment?
I am trying to drink and eat healthy and keep as healthy as I can.