Diane Hudson Hoch
When her wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, Diane was ready to support her. Unfortunately, Diane was then also diagnosed with breast cancer.
As if a year and a half of dealing with COVID-19 wasn’t enough, my wife Tammy was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 11, 2020. It was a shock and the start of a whirlwind of appointments. There was so much to learn, research and understand while we were both working full time. I was doing all I could to figure out the diagnosis, treatments, and being a strong supporter. The diagnosis was Stage 2B with lymph node involvement. The doctor said it was curable. Yay!
The treatment was to be neoadjuvant chemo, surgery, and then radiation. Neoadjuvant just means the chemo was done before the surgery. One of the many things I learned. And we were off, started on curing her breast cancer. However, with COVID, being a support system meant remote attendance of appointments and waiting in the car during procedures. So, on December 1st, while Tammy was getting a port placed in preparation for chemo treatments, I did a walk-in appointment for my annual mammogram to pass the time. The radiologist saw something new and wanted me to have an ultra-sound. This was not the first time I have been called back. I have dense breast tissue and had just finished a six-month follow up for a different spot earlier in the year. So, while it was inconvenient with everything else going on, I wasn’t worried. Tammy started chemo and I had my ultrasound. The ultrasound test was abnormal and they wanted to schedule a biopsy. Wait, now that was different. Usually I would just be told to come back in six months to monitor any changes. Still, I didn’t worry as I had bigger things on my mind with Tammy’s diagnosis and treatment plan. So, on December 21st, it was a surprise to hear that I also had breast cancer.
All of a sudden, I am a support system and the patient. I have heard of having sympathy pains when your spouse was pregnant, but I think this was taking it a step too far. Lol. Now we were going through the same deluge of appointments that we had just been through, but I was sitting in the office chair instead of remote. I had the benefit of knowing some of the lingo, but learned quickly that everyone’s cancer and treatment is unique. Tammy’s was hormone receptive and mine was Stage 1 Triple Negative. It was aggressive, but we caught it early and it was curable. I had choices on my treatment options. It should have been nice to have choices, but when your brain is spinning it was an added stress of what is the right path for me. Though the doctors and their offices have been wonderful in helping us navigate this new world. So, I joined Tammy and embarked on chemo treatments and would follow with surgery.
It has been a strange time, but we will make it. When we tell anyone they look at us as though waiting for the punch line. Surely, we are kidding. I wish we were, but it is true, and we are there for each other. We stay positive. It isn’t easy, but we are blessed to have a great external support system with family, friends, church, and co-workers. We are not through it all yet, but the prognosis is good. As Tammy likes to remind me, the couple that does chemo together, stays together!