Member-only story
Cancer in Quarantine Diaries: Seen and Loved
Encouragement from friends and family keeps me going
I was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer in February 2020. I haven’t posted it publicly on my social media accounts. I write about it and share the links but I haven’t actually written on my accounts: I have cancer. It’s something that I wanted to keep close to me. The diagnosis left me raw, vulnerable, and overwhelmed. And I don’t want sad eyes. Please. No sad eyes.
With the help and support of close friends and family, I shared my diagnosis and fears with them. I didn’t expect what came next. A friend from church started a meal train. My family was gifted with a meal twice a week to help us get through my chemo treatments. Many of our friends sent us meals more than once. If they hadn’t there probably would have been a lot of peanut butter sandwiches those weeks as my husband is still working full-time, but fortunately from home.
I was sent encouraging quotes and prayers. My daughter’s teacher who has since become my friend prayed a Novena for me. I have a friend who checked in every week before my chemo appointment and still checks in every week for a laugh, a giggle, or can you please this ish? It makes me feel normal. I have another one who sends me a silly meme everyday.
