Just diagnosed with breast cancer

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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:

Specializes in Tele Step Down, Oncology, ICU, Med/Surg.

Hello Sister Friend:

I send you prayers and hugs from one who has been there.

I'm a mom of three /nursing student and 2 year survivor (stage 3 medulary carcinoma)--was cutting off my hospital ID bands with dissection tools in anatomy lab. Took an IV infusion with me to an organic chem test because the teacher was an inflexible witch. Had a one year old baby I had to wean before my quadramasectomy, and had my father die of cancer half way through my chemo. That was probably my lowest point....but being hairless and scared in tender places sorta sucks too.

Had no mom to help as she had died a couple years before my diagnosis. Surviving school was nothing; what amazes me I was able to keep my youngest safe during my sickest days. Hate hearing about celebrities waxing on about their cancer struggles--sure it's hard on everyone. But it's way hard on mom's like us. You and I are the true survivors. I had a particularly hard road in that everything that could go wrong went wrong. Some people breeze through surgery and chemo and radiation. Hopefully this will be you baby girl.

Am in my first year of nursing school now and have just started to get my strength back. Don't think anybody notices though--have them all fooled. Honestly, I will tell you that it was hard, but I'm one tough *****. And, having something to focus on other than how unfair life felt for me kept me from being sorry for myself. Stay positive and stay focused on your goals. If I did it you can too. There will be bad days, but there will be breaks too where you will feel close enough to normal to refuel.

Plus, I think it will be better for you during nursing school as I think these teachers have more vested interest us as students and therefore more willing to be flexible and do the extra work required to keep you on target. My prereq teachers were mostly good, but most stated that they would prefer that I drop the courses and take them next semester. My O chem teacher was a total nightmare--she didn't want to have to do any extra work to keep me and I was an A student.

So stay on target, but allow yourself the option to back out and pick it all back up with next years class. It's all good--you are almost there. Bring your NCLEX review books to surgery/chemo treatments. It will give you something to focus on other than all the vile stuff you need to go through to kill those cancer cells.

PM me if you have any questions or want any advice.

Many blessings on your journey, I can honestly say that as hard as it is it will go far towards making you a better nurse and a better human.

PS: Start using Biotene for mouth care during chemo if you want to avoid mouth sores.

PPS: I thought the one benefit would be weight loss, but I was wrong. Most breast cancer pts gain. The one benefit is that I am a stronger person and will be a better nurse--you will too. HUGS

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Hugs and prayers go out to you, I'm sorry about your diagnosis with this, but there is a RN where I work and her sister had a bilateral masectomy (due to another type of cancer) Monday but she underwent chemo about 7 years ago with a poor prognosis of breasts cancer and she is doing great now, she worked for the school system during her chemo, so almost the same scenario. Best of luck to you in your health and whatever decision you make.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.

There was a studdent that graduated a few years ago that was diagnosed with cancer (cervical but it had metastisized). The instructors and school were very supportive with her situation. She had chemo tx every week before class so she would be tired sometimes. The students started a study group with her and they would go to her house, type lecture notes when she was too sick to write, someone bought her a tape recorder just in case she was nauseous becaue reading made it worse for her. One girl even donated her hair to locks of love so she could have a wig made. When she was in clinicals she just put a mask on as soon as she walked in the doors. She grauduated in the top ten of the class in spite all of this.

You will be in my thoughts and I wish you a speedy recovery.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I wish you success! You sound determined. I can't imagine going through all that all at once!

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

I'm praying for you and I hope everything went well with your surgery. I am also going into my last semester and will graduate a few days after you...even though we don't technically know one another, if you need ANYTHING...please know I am only a PM away. I've never been where you are, but I can always lend an ear. I admire your strength and wish you the very best. You truly are an inspiration. **HUGS and PRAYERS**

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.
Hello Sister Friend:

I send you prayers and hugs from one who has been there.

I'm a mom of three /nursing student and 2 year survivor (stage 3 medulary carcinoma)--was cutting off my hospital ID bands with dissection tools in anatomy lab. Took an IV infusion with me to an organic chem test because the teacher was an inflexible witch. Had a one year old baby I had to wean before my quadramasectomy, and had my father die of cancer half way through my chemo. That was probably my lowest point....but being hairless and scared in tender places sorta sucks too.

Had no mom to help as she had died a couple years before my diagnosis. Surviving school was nothing; what amazes me I was able to keep my youngest safe during my sickest days. Hate hearing about celebrities waxing on about their cancer struggles--sure it's hard on everyone. But it's way hard on mom's like us. You and I are the true survivors. I had a particularly hard road in that everything that could go wrong went wrong. Some people breeze through surgery and chemo and radiation. Hopefully this will be you baby girl.

Am in my first year of nursing school now and have just started to get my strength back. Don't think anybody notices though--have them all fooled. Honestly, I will tell you that it was hard, but I'm one tough *****. And, having something to focus on other than how unfair life felt for me kept me from being sorry for myself. Stay positive and stay focused on your goals. If I did it you can too. There will be bad days, but there will be breaks too where you will feel close enough to normal to refuel.

Plus, I think it will be better for you during nursing school as I think these teachers have more vested interest us as students and therefore more willing to be flexible and do the extra work required to keep you on target. My prereq teachers were mostly good, but most stated that they would prefer that I drop the courses and take them next semester. My O chem teacher was a total nightmare--she didn't want to have to do any extra work to keep me and I was an A student.

So stay on target, but allow yourself the option to back out and pick it all back up with next years class. It's all good--you are almost there. Bring your NCLEX review books to surgery/chemo treatments. It will give you something to focus on other than all the vile stuff you need to go through to kill those cancer cells.

PM me if you have any questions or want any advice.

Many blessings on your journey, I can honestly say that as hard as it is it will go far towards making you a better nurse and a better human.

PS: Start using Biotene for mouth care during chemo if you want to avoid mouth sores.

PPS: I thought the one benefit would be weight loss, but I was wrong. Most breast cancer pts gain. The one benefit is that I am a stronger person and will be a better nurse--you will too. HUGS

Bless your heart.

Thank you for your very inspirational post.

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Thank you. I think we share a similiar attitude so I am sure I will do well.

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.

Hey babe, your'e back! How are you???????????

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Hi everyone,

I had my surgery Thursday and went home yesterday. I am still tired and dore but that is expected. The good news is that no nodes needed to go on the right and only 6 on the left and those that were tested in the hospital were negative. A frozene specimen was shipped off and i should know something soon on those.

I could feel you all with me. Thanks again.

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.

Take time to heal! Loads of love and great big hugs, ( Gently!) to you babe. Rest up a while, so glad to know youv'e come through this bit.X Take care:icon_hug:

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Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

i truly commend you on your strength, you are in my prayers and i wish you all the best, truly, i am amazed at your strength and perseverance!! your a hero to me!!

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Specializes in Tele Step Down, Oncology, ICU, Med/Surg.

GOOD NEWS! No node involvement is a good thing (for me the guide wire was the worst part of the surgery).

I know it's still too soon to celebrate, but usually the hospital patho report is a good indicator. You've been in my thoughts and prayers. I've been looking for a post from you to let us know how it all went. Sounds like you're a trouper.

Do you think you will still need chemo? A couple of my support group sisters didn't need to go that direction since they had bilaterals with no sentinal node involvement; am sure hoping the same for you. Especially in light of all else you are facing at home and at school....sure would be nice for you not to have to go through that grueling treatment.

But if yes, know it's all for good. It's all to kill any remaining cancer cells so you can live a long productive life as the fabulous nurse you are meant the be. Doing chemo during school was hard on me, but it taught me so much too. Whatever your journey, you sound like you will power through. So, take this time during winter break to heal. Be kind to yourself and spend this time in rest and reflection.

When I was healing from the surgery, I remember thinking of myself as a moth who was sheding skin in the process of becoming a new and stronger butterfly. Grow strong sister. Hugs.

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