I am a divorced mom to 6 (5 girls, 1 boy – ages 11, 13, 15, 18 y.o. boy and 19 y.o. twins). There is no family history of breast cancer in my family. Getting through the pandemic has been more challenging as I am not able to work from chemo, and ultimately lost my job. Living on a prayer and gofund@cheryl_street (https://gofund.me/df6895da)
Name: Cheryl S
Type/Stage of Cancer: metastatic breast cancer
Diagnosed: 12/2/2020
Age of Children When Diagnosed: 11, 13, 15, 18, 19, 19
Take me back and tell me about the day when you were told “you have cancer”.
Ha! I was called by surgical scheduling to set up my mastectomy 3 days BEFORE my appointment for results. Oops! Lots of calls to damage control that mix up.
Tell me, how many doctors did you meet with before you decided on your medical team and treatment plan? Did you get the same opinion for your treatment plan or were there conflicting plans? This is often the hardest part, the beginning. What were the key factors in your final selection?
Unfortunately; I’m on a charity case due to my financial situation. I met with who the hospital assigned. I wish I could have had a second opinion or at least someone to explain what was going on better. I’m not given choices of treatment.
What are the most surprising lessons have you learned from your journey?
I’m more sick than I ever thought. I didn’t realize how much weight I would gain. How vain I really am and how hard losing all my hair would be. Or how expensive wigs are!
I’m sure readers would want to understand how other moms are approaching telling their children, as it’s different for every family and various ages. How did you approach this delicate conversation and is there any advice for other moms you can share?
I had a family meeting. Sat them all down and said what the doctor had said. There has been cancer in my family so they understand. Unfortunately, they’ve all died. So, hard for them to see hope with my diagnosis.
How do you balance work, family and treatment?
I cannot work at all. I’m so sick. I’m living off of a gofund for household bills and my eldest children help with their job money.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Pray, walk, get sunshine, workout if you can
Who are your biggest influences? Who do you admire the most?
God and my mom
What do you want your legacy to be?
I was a good mom. I tried.
What do the words, “Beautiful Struggle”, mean to you?
There is nothing beautiful about this. It’s a struggle.