Char, a 50-year-old fifth-grade teacher in a small town, received news during the second week of school that she had stage II breast cancer. During the last week of summer, Char had two mammograms, a biopsy, received the diagnosis, saw three doctors, had a genetic test, and received a call that she had tested positive for the BRCA2 gene. Char’s new surgeon recommended a double mastectomy and full hysterectomy as soon as possible.
Complicating matters, Char’s oldest daughter had just started college out of state, and Char had to tell her over the phone. “Telling Jenny was the hardest part of all,” Char said. “But now I simply have to focus on beating this thing, even though I don’t understand any of it. Every time I go in for another test, it seems like they are speaking in tongues.” Needless to say, Char was very overwhelmed. Char wanted help understanding her diagnosis.
Char used the Pathways to Empowerment resource guide to learn about her diagnosis in terms she could understand. She also learned about all the resources for cancer survivors, and found an-online support group to be part of. She found tips for talking to her daughter about her illness and read comforting stories from other survivors.
