Dealing With Cancer As A Single Woman

I was terrified at first, then pleasantly surprised

I first got cancer when I was in my 30s, back in 2004. At the time I was married and also went to a very supportive church. Also, both of my parents were alive at the time. While they didn’t live close by, I could call them for support.

About 5 years ago, my husband and I divorced.

Then, in April of 2021, I was diagnosed with metastatic brain, liver, and lung cancer. I had surgery to remove a lemon-sized lump from my brain.

After the surgery, for almost a week, I could not bathe myself.

At the hospital, there were nurses to help. But at home… I only had my mother. She is wonderful and emotionally supportive, but she is elderly and physically would have had a hard time helping me shower.

I was terrified of going home, of having to care for everything myself, without a husband, and only a frail mother to help.

When the administrator came to see if I’d be ready to check out, I told them I needed at least an extra couple of days.

They weren’t happy about that, but I insisted. I pointed out that until I could shower myself, and walk without needing assistance, I could not be on my own. Finally, they conceded the point and let me stay the extra two days. By the end of that period, I could manage to balance well enough to walk from my front door to my bedroom and I could care for my physical…