Linda
I completed 14 months of aggressive medical treatments 16 rounds of IV chemotherapy, lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node removal surgery, 20 rounds of radiation, 5.5 months of oral chemotherapy pills alongside one year of immunotherapy). 3 weeks after completing my treatments, I headed into my oncology appointment wearing pink pants and a “Survivor” t-shirt…ready to get a celebratory picture with my oncologist and anticipating the good news of clear scans.
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Unfortunately, this was not the case. We learned of a new lung nodule that had appeared on my most recent CT scan. At this time, the nodule was too small to biopsy, so all we could do was hope, pray, and wait for 3 months to see if this new nodule would continue to grow.
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The most feared outcome came true, and we learned that at the age of 39, it was confirmed that I had metastatic breast cancer (Stage 4) with lung metastasis. As one could imagine, my and my support team’s worlds had been permanently shaken.
Dreams of returning to work as a Grade 1-2 teacher, starting a family, building a cabin, returning to a “normal” life as a healthy soon-to-be 40-year-old, all came crashing down around me. Over the next two months, I attended appointments, tests, scans and consults in order to make the best treatment plan possible. We were ecstatic at the end of June to learn that I was officially “oligometastatic”. There was no evidence of other malignant tumours anywhere in my body (I had been scanned from head-to-toe), and this made me eligible for a hopeful surgery…a lower right lobectomy. This was the best news that we could receive at the time and my outlook had incredulously changed. 2 months prior, one cancerous lung nodule was the worst news that I could receive…. now hearing that I ONLY had one lung nodule was the best news that I could receive! Amazing how our brains can adapt and perspective can change…how a glimmer of hope can make all of the difference.
Waiting for a surgery date was difficult. Almost 3 months had passed before I finally received an official surgery date. The surgery date was then bumped twice due to more urgent cases needing to be treated before me. I fully understood that reasoning and thought it must be good news, that I was not considered “urgent”.
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Surgery plans had been made, frozen meals prepared and bought, and family arrangements organized to help out at home as I recovered from surgery. As I had not had a CT scan since April, it was necessary for me to have an updated scan in preparation for surgery. This is when we encountered a new twist in our rollercoaster journey. Two days before my 40th birthday, we learned that my primary lung tumour had doubled in size over the summer. However, most concerning was the 25 (Yes, 25!) new micro-metastases that had developed in my lower right lung. This news made me immediately ineligible for the eagerly anticipated surgery as well as any course of radiation. Plans needed to be pivoted quickly and one week later I had returned to chemotherapy…something that I never pictured reliving.
The first few months of returning to chemotherapy were the ultimate test of my body, mind, and soul. It appeared that two years of living a life of cancer had finally broken me. I used to proudly tell people that I had rarely cried since being diagnosed with cancer…now I was crying at the grocery store!
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As I embarked on the new leg of the metastatic cancer journey, I continued to do all that I could to support my body holistically-mind, body, soul. Until this point in my cancer journey, I had not yet asked for financial support (perhaps, this was a part of my pride/ego?!). I continue to feel incredibly grateful to be able to receive Long-Term Disability benefits from my profession as a Grade 1-2 teacher in a public school division.
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However, I realized that it was time to seek assistance as I had drained all of my savings in trying to conquer this illness. My savings have been spent on: fertility/egg-preserving treatments (Manitoba only reimburses you 40% for these costs); complementary treatments with my Naturopathic Doctor as well as the prescribed vitamins and supplements; buying nutritious, whole-food, organic groceries that support my body before/during/after medical treatments; converting my cleaning and personal care products to safer, less toxic products; wigs/wig care/hats/headwear, etc. Additionally, even when living with cancer, unexpected costs pop up consistently…appliance repairs, furnace and plumbing expenses, veterinary bills and pet surgeries, car repairs…and the list goes on.
I was so generously granted financial assistance from the Breast Cancer Support Fund. Upon hearing this news, I was overcome with a deep sense of relief and ease of the financial burden that we have felt for over 2 years. I am truly grateful for the work that that the Breast Cancer Support Fund offers to Canadians and for the multitude of patients and families that have been supported. You are truly making a difference. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my healing story.
Sincerely, Lindsay Gustafson