Women with young children

Does the fear and sadness ever get easier? I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer 6 months ago, and I can't stop thinking about leaving my 2 year old daughter behind. I know there's women who have it a lot worse than me. I'm just trying to figure out how you all are so strong. I'm on anxiety medicine and sought out counseling and I'm still crying all day, and crying when I look at my daughter. In 2018 I had a miscarriage, in 2019 my father passed away unexpectedly, in 2020 my mother passed away unexpectedly of lung cancer that was undetected and metastasized, and then 2 months later my mother in law passed away unexpectedly. In 2022, I had my first child, and things were looking up for my family and then I was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 days before my daughters 2nd birthday. I am just venting. The only family I have left is my brother, husband, and 2 year old daughter. Every event I make it to, I think it is my last. I can't picture seeing my daughter get to kindergarten. I don't know what I'm looking for .. I think just desperately looking for hope that I might be around to raise my daughter.

Comments

  • mandy23
    mandy23 Member Posts: 131

    Hi @jenna1220x -

    I don't fit the category of having young children any more, but as a 2-time survivor, I do understand the anxiety. You've been through a lot! It's good that you are seeking professional help. Do give yourself a break though. 6 months is still early for you to digest all that you've been through. As time goes on, it will get better. You will always remember that you've gone through this, but hopefully you will be able to move on with your life.

    This thread is posts from others who are Stage 2. Maybe reading here will help you see that people do move on after their diagnosis. We all must do that at our own pace.

    Take care.

  • jenna1220x
    jenna1220x Member Posts: 26

    @mandy23 thank you so much for your support. I truly appreciate it. Thank you for the thread post and for giving me hope.

  • kaynotrealname
    kaynotrealname Member Posts: 442

    "Does the fear and sadness ever get easier?"

    I'll get to the point and say yes. You're still so early on though and in the midst of intense parenting since your child is still so young and all of that combined I know feels excruciating. So glad you're getting help because it will get better as you get further along in your journey. And I don't know as any of us would call ourselves strong. We've all had our moments but most of us have just figured it out. And by that I mean learn to cope, finding joy in the midst of hardships and grief. You will, too, but right now it's okay to grieve.

  • jenna1220x
    jenna1220x Member Posts: 26

    @kaynotrealname thank you so much for replying and for your encouragement and support. I truly appreciate it so much.