It is difficult to prepare yourself to share such heavy information with people around you – you have to be meticulous about what to share and what not to share. You need the courage to not fall apart. It’s emotionally tolling and exhausting and each conversation is unique.
The first person I shared my cancer diagnoses with was my husband, Shaun. I shared with him the first day when the doctor told me there was more than 98% certainty I had malignancy. I came home that evening and acted as normal as possible as I did not want to lose control and have a melt down in front of my children. I tried to seem normal during dinner and bedtime routine and waited [impatiently] for the kids to fall asleep. I broke the news to my husband and cried with worry and uncertainty. He unsurprisingly showed his support and I felt an immediate comfort and relief. It felt good to not feel so alone in this battle.
The next day, I received the confirmation that I 100% had malignancy. I felt much better at this point with having confidence the cancer had not spread, but I did not yet understand the different types of breast cancers. That evening, I shared the news with my mom. I already knew she would be there for me in any way I needed. But it felt so good to hear my mother’s loving words of support, for her to wrap her arms around me, and for her to offer herself in any way that I needed in the difficult months ahead. We called my sisters and shared the news with them. Now the three women I have known my whole life and have been closest with were brought into this life changing thing going on with me.