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Hilary L. on December 7, 2017
I was Diagnosed with:
Periductal Stromal Sarcoma
Employment Status:
Part-time
Gender/Age:
Female/40
Type and Description of Treatments:
Lumpectomy, bi-lateral mastectomy, 6 weeks radiation.
How do you feel today?
I was feeling pretty good up until 3 weeks ago. I'm going in for a scan to rule out anything.
Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your life?
Constant fear of recurrence. I can't relate to any of my friends or family. I dislike the way I look.
What is going well for you right now?
My husband still loves me. I have a roof over my head, food and mediocre health insurance.
What is not going well for you right now?
The constant pain and new lumps are eating me up mentally. What consumes your mind, consumes your life.
What has been the most challenging thing about having cancer?
Losing muscle.
When difficulties overwhelm you, where do you go for support?
Nowhere
How have your long-term goals or life goals changed since diagnosis?
Everything has stopped.
What is your work arrangement right now? What are your hours?
I'm currently working a few hours a day.
Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your work life?
I can't lift what I used to, making it incredibly difficult to get anything done.
What has helped you continue to work the most?
My clinic offered a workout program. I hated it in the beginning. I now hate not being there.
What advice do you have for others trying to work through treatment?
Take it one day at a time.
How have you dealt with any side effects of treatment?
Honestly not sure how I've dealt. I think I rearranged how I used to do things.
If "today's you" could give advice to "day-of-diagnosis you," what would you say?
Get a second opinion. I was missed diagnosed in the beginning.