The overwhelming amount of love and support that started coming my way was incredible. I never realized I knew so many people and amazing ones at that. It was very difficult for me to accept help in the beginning. I wanted to keep doing everything for myself and didn’t like the thought of having to ask for help. When I look back now I probably should have let more people help when the offer was there. For me I felt a sense of normalcy to be able to continue with the day-to-day routine. Even though there were many times I couldn’t cook dinner or do the laundry or go out with friends or take care of my son. I can never thank or repay the people who helped me on a daily basis. I was extremely lucky to have my parents and my husband really step up and show the most incredible amount of hands on support. Without them I would have been lost. The amount of generosity that came my way was amazing. I still look through all my cards and messages from time to time especially when I am having a bad day. It was so uplifting that I know all the positive energy and well wishes coming my way added to the ease of my recovery. So a huge thank you to all those who sent cards, messages, texts, flowers, gifts, love and prayers. You will never know how much you helped me and how much I appreciate each and every one of you.
Luckily my insurance covered pretty much all the costs of my treatment. I did have the additional costs of co pays for meds /surgery and parking at the hospital but it was very minimal in the grand scheme of things. I know there are many foundations that offer amazing financial support. There are also fundraising sites that you can use to help assist in the financial burden a diagnosis like this can lead to. Below are a few links to some very helpful organizations that might be of some financial assistance.
A few very helpful online fundraising sites:
http://www.giveforward.com/p/financial-assistance-for-cancer-patients
Financial Resources for People Living with Cancer
http://ww5.komen.org/breastcancer/financialresources.html
Information on lodging when having to travel to treatment and how you can also get rides to and from treatment:
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/supportprogramsservices/index
More sources for financial assistance:
http://www.cancercare.org/publications/62-sources_of_financial_assistance
This site can help organize meals to be sent to someone in need.