Student Nurse with Breast Cancer

Nurses General Nursing

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I was recently diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma, with one cancerous lymph node. I have a stage II breast cancer. This summer I've had a lumpectomy, followed by a wider excision with sentinel node biopsy, and then an axillary dissection. I am looking at 4 months of chemo, followed by 6 weeks of radiation.

I am working on an ADN stepping-stone type program, and I just graduated as an LPN and passed the NCLEX. Our RN year starts later this month. I live in a small town in Alaska and am doing a distance-type nursing program with a university in another state. It is a unique opportunity -- to become an RN here in my home town, without having to uproot my husband and three sons.

I have been DEVASTATED that I would have to quit and give up my dream of becoming an RN, especially with only 9 1/2 months to go until graduation. (I am 48 years old and this is my first foray into higher education.) But I found out just yesterday that my program will accommodate me and let me do clinicals after my cancer treatments are over. I will still have to take two nursing theory classes on line during treatment.

Why am I writing about this? Because I am so, so, so happy to be able to continue in my program. It gives me a powerful kind of energy to fight my cancer and get through my treatment. I just wanted to tell a lot of people that even though I have cancer, I am still fortunate enough to be studying nursing!!

Specializes in ICU.

I went through something similar while finishing up my first degree. I was able to finish my degree at the originally scheduled time - although my treatment consisted of only surgery.

Please (and this is speaking from experience), follow your dreams, but don't let your plans keep you from taking care of yourself. In the long run, your health is much more important than how long it took you to finish nursing school. Dealing with having cancer is so much more than the treatments. I had days where I forgot about the cancer, and days where cancer ruled my thoughts and my life. It's very important to work through the cancer psychologically as well as physically.

I'm here for you! Feel free to PM me and I will share/listen/laugh/cry with you.

trent

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Thank you to everyone for your well wishes. Love to you all and I will write again.

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I was recently diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma, with one cancerous lymph node. I have a stage II breast cancer. This summer I've had a lumpectomy, followed by a wider excision with sentinel node biopsy, and then an axillary dissection. I am looking at 4 months of chemo, followed by 6 weeks of radiation.

I am working on an ADN stepping-stone type program, and I just graduated as an LPN and passed the NCLEX. Our RN year starts later this month. I live in a small town in Alaska and am doing a distance-type nursing program with a university in another state. It is a unique opportunity -- to become an RN here in my home town, without having to uproot my husband and three sons.

I have been DEVASTATED that I would have to quit and give up my dream of becoming an RN, especially with only 9 1/2 months to go until graduation. (I am 48 years old and this is my first foray into higher education.) But I found out just yesterday that my program will accommodate me and let me do clinicals after my cancer treatments are over. I will still have to take two nursing theory classes on line during treatment.

Why am I writing about this? Because I am so, so, so happy to be able to continue in my program. It gives me a powerful kind of energy to fight my cancer and get through my treatment. I just wanted to tell a lot of people that even though I have cancer, I am still fortunate enough to be studying nursing!!

I had a friend in nursing school with lung cancer (she was mid-20's, never smoked; genetic component to it). Anyway, our program was also very accomodating. Sometimes she could only take one class the entire semester, since chemo/radiation can be so draining. She had a lot of fatigue. I think that having cancer and going through nursing school is tough, but it could only make one a d*mn good nurse. You will have greater insight into the "patient experience", and will be an awesome advocate for patients...

Stay positive! There could be a greater reason for all this. Maybe you will help someone else out one day who would just give up without your wise/compassionate words.

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I was diagnosed with breast cancer (Same as YOU-infiltrating ductal carcinoma, with one cancerous lymph node.) last August 23. At the time, I was an executive with a major telecommunications company. I elected to have surgery-took all the breast tissue and lymph nodes out then had reconstruction as well as chemo. I couldn't do radiation due to family history of bone cancer (mom and grandmom). I went back to work as soon as I could because I was so "corporate minded". I was laid off within a month after 15 years of service. I am a single mom with no child support coming in who never finished college. It's been the hardest most exhausting year of my life but, I am about to celebrate a one year anniversary I nwondered if I would see. I am trying to get into nursing school right now. You can get through this. I am not going to lie, I have never been so tired in my life but, I am so glad to be a survivor and you will be too. Keep in touch and let me know if I can help.

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God bless you, you sound amazing. :)

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You are amazing! Never lose sight of yoru goal, and keep on keepin' on!! You can do it!I hope your treatments go well and are successful. you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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