Just diagnosed with breast cancer

SoulShine75 · Dec 2, 2007

Hi. I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have a similiar expereince as yours, except my son was diagnosed with cancer (leukemia) 2 days before my last semester of nursing school in August. I wasn't going to return, it wasn't even a question, but my husband practically made me and I'm glad he did. My son started his chemo the day of his diangnosis and has been wonderful and hardly sick at all since. Actually, he's better now because the cancer isn't overtaking his body anymore. The biggest fear is infection, because when you're on chemo your immune system is shot, so I'd advise you to be careful. Every person handles chemotherapy differently. Aidan hasn't had the vomiting or anything that many have, but does have alopecia, which is expected with most.

If you feel it's something you can handle I'd say go for it. You can always get out of it if you need to. Just because you have cancer doesn't mean your life is over. Sometimes it's best to treat it as it is...something you're going to take care of and move on from. I'd also advise you to ask your doctors to see what their advice is, you don't want to do anything that may further hurt you. The hospital is crawling with germs and infectious crap and to be around that could put you in further danger. I wish you all the best....I just know you will kick this cancer's butt!

Keep us updated.

God Bless,

Christy

jackson145 · Dec 2, 2007

I will be praying for you. Remember, God is in charge of everything and healing is real. I think continuing with school is a great idea. Don't let any bumps in the road keep you from doing what you love. It doesn't sound like you will though, does it? :) I'm definetly humbled by your strength and courage! Please keep us posted.

kukukajoo, LPN · Dec 2, 2007

Hugs to you! You go girl! I am inspired by your strenght and courage!

Although I do not have cancer, I do have a serious illness diagnosed while in my first semester of my nursing program. I have trudged through and resolved not to quit unless I am dead! I am rounding out semester 3 and set to walk the stage with honors May 17!

Unfortunately nsg administration at my school has not been forgiving or supprotive, but that has just made work even harder! I do have one supportive instructor and I have more respect for him than most everyone I know!

I have good days and bad and have learned I CAN NOT procrastinate at all. If I feel well enough to get stuff done I know to do it as if I wait, I could have some really bad days and then fall behind and be stressed and sick, which compounds my symptoms! So I try to never put my homework off and try to get ahead when I can.

I would speak to your doctor about your treatments and explain how important this is to you as well as your resolve to make it through. There are many medicines out there to counteract the affects of cancer treatment and thankfully treatment is not as harsh as it was years ago.

Oh- Drexel University has a NCLEX-Excel course and audiotapes are available. You could listen to these every chance you get- I play them while I sleep on repeat all night long I tell you this works! I have used it right along with my general studies. There are 21 CDs and it comes with a great study guide/sample test questions. I would think on your downtime this would be helpful. I have found that I can recall stuff easier and my grades jumped when I began using this.

smk1, LPN · Dec 2, 2007

Here is one I have not seen before...I am going into my last semester (2 exams, 2 clinicals and 2 weeks to go this semester) of NS and have just been diagnosed with bilatereral breast cancer. I am having a double mastectomy over winter break and it is my intention to return in January. Yes, I am insane if you are asking yourself that question...I am also going through a divorce and have a teenager at home.
My question is...Have any of you heard of someone going through school and undergoing chemo? I know nurses are tough and I am determined. I am willing to give it my all and if I can't do it return next year. My health is number one. Any suggestions or histories to share would be great....Thanks.:uhoh21:

I am so sorry to hear about all that you are going through! My advice is to have a backup plan for your backup plan. Will your school frown upon you having to drop mid semester if it comes to that? The risk for infection from working in the hospital and being on chemo is worrisome. My advice is to find a breast cancer survivor website and get real experiences of how it was from people who have been there. I was diagnosed with grave's disease this quarter and that has been rough enough and I got immune supressed from my antithyroid drugs and I was really sick. I imagine it would be far worse with a major surgery and chemo. Good luck and plan for every contigency if you can. Also if you can do extra clinical days during the weeks that you feel best to plan for the ones in which you aren't doing as well physically.

morte, LPN, LVN · Dec 2, 2007

everything, every body else said....not trying to give med advice here, BUT if i were you i would consider a psychologist for support, not only with the diagnosis, but the divorce and being a single parent...also for the kiddo.....also diet and rest, diet and rest, diet and rest.....GOOD LUCK

Monica D · Dec 2, 2007

First, I'm so sorry for all that you are going through and you are amazing for having the strength and courage to keep on keepin' on!!

There is a girl in my nursing class, she sits beside me as a matter of fact, that has been taking chemo since we started in Aug. She has some rare autoimmune disease that I can never remember the name of and takes treatments everyday for 1 week, once per month. With her disease, she could go into remission for awhile then it comes back at any given time, at which point she resumes her chemo again. While she is on treatments, she goes in the morning before our class and it takes about 4 hrs. She said it makes her very tired, but for the most part that's really the only negative effects. She was at the end of her 1st semester last year and had to drop when she found out she had the disease because the beginning treatment was so aggressive, but she came back a year later and is doing well!

I wish you all the best and take care!

krenee · Dec 2, 2007

I just wanted to add my support. I agree, your attitude is inspiring. You sound like you have the right attitude to do this, but of course if it ends up being too much, I hope you'll take that time off and not feel like a failure. Nursing school is hard by itself. But that said, I wish you a quick and easy recovery, and all the best in school and in your health and personal life. I too can't wait to hear about your success!

Kelly

xNursePinkx2b · Dec 2, 2007

A true inspiration!! You will definately get through this, I wish you all the luck in the world!

survivor08 · Dec 2, 2007

Yes, The 14th is the tentative date if not the 17th and school is to reconvene on Jan. 14th. Pinning is May 2nd and that is the day I am looking forward to. I will post after I spesk with my oncologist and surgeon this week. Thanks again.

PeachyERNurse, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2007

Congratulations to you and to your classmate. Please wish her my best and if she has any pointers for me please ask her to share them....
Again, thanks for your kind reply.

Will do. :icon_hug:

fmrnicumom · Dec 2, 2007

I just wanted to offer my support. You are incredibly inspiring! I agree that you should talk with your treatment team and see what they have to say, talk with those at your school to see what they can do to help. I thank you for sharing your story and strength here with us, because I have a feeling you just helped many people in doing so. Please keep us posted so we can cheer you on and support you however we can.

Tiffany

Wondergirl0905 · Dec 2, 2007

No matter what happens with school, your health (physical and emotional) is the most important thing. If you need to keep your immune system stong by cutting out school stress temporarily, it's OK. No one would think anything less of you and nursing school will always be there when you're ready to go back. If you decide to stick with school, that's OK too! You know best what you can handle and nothing has to be set in stone.

I wish you all the best in your decision and your outcome!