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Rebecca
Beginner December 2018

My Wedding is in 4 Months & I've Been Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Rebecca, on August 9, 2018 at 1:59 PM Posted in Community Conversations 1 38

My wedding is set for December 1st. I recently lost my job and with it my health insurance, then nine days later I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. I've had to scramble to get state health insurance, which meant changing to new doctors because the doctors I was seeing don't accept Medi-Cal. It's also been a big fight to get authorizations and the imaging I needed. My oncologist is hoping to have me start three months of chemo in the next couple of weeks.

After talking about it, my fiance and I decided to go ahead with the wedding because we really want to get married and because it's something positive to look forward to. It's been really stressful and emotional for me. Some days I don't even want to think about the wedding because I don't think it's going to turn out the way I had envisioned it. I don't want to be hairless and exhausted on my wedding day. I'm sewing my own wedding dress and some days I just don't even want to look at it because it reminds me of how my vision isn't going to happen.

Then there's the financial stress. We're paying for our wedding completely on our own. My parents have offered to buy me a wig but that's the only financial help our families have extended. Right now I'm receiving unemployment and I'll be switching to disability once I start chemo. That covers our regular expenses but it doesn't help much with the wedding costs. Sometimes I wonder if the wedding is worth all the cost and stress right now but we've already spent almost $5K in non-refundable deposits.

I am grateful that my fiance has been amazing. When we received the diagnosis his first response was to tell me he loved me and wasn't going anywhere. He's been supporting me emotionally as much as he can and has been very involved in my doctor visits.

I'm not really sure why I'm posting this. I guess I just needed to vent. Thank you for reading this if you made it this far.

38 Comments

Latest activity by Mel, on August 16, 2018 at 12:24 AM
  • Maria
    Savvy October 2018
    Maria ·
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    I am so sorry you are going thru this....I can’t even imagine what you are going thru...I have no words but know we are all behind you in love and support. Don’t lose site of the happiness that goes along with getting married ... it’s so easy to lose what you started to do before your diagnosis but remember what’s important..even if you have to cut back remember the love you 2 have for each other and that will carry you through and help with what’s important and what may not be....sending love and prayers and positive vibes ❤️
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  • OG Gretchen
    Super June 2018
    OG Gretchen ·
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    I'm so sorry you are going through this, but you do have something wonderful to look forward to: Marrying your FH. He sounds like he is very supportive, and that is so important. It's ok to vent, this is a lot to handle right now. I wish you the best in your treatment.

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  • Mrsjimenez👰
    Dedicated November 2020
    Mrsjimenez👰 ·
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    Hi Rebecca,

    I just wanted to let you know that no matter what your outward appearance is due to your chemo you will still be such a beautiful and amazing bride. God has plans for everyone and this is just a part of HIS great plan. I'm sure your wedding will be everything you imagined and more because you will finally be married to an amazing man that loves you so much and also family members that love and support you. I know with everything going on all at once it may be super easy to fall apart and feel depressed but don't let this set you back you are a strong woman and you will overcome this bump in the road. As far as financial wise GOD will always provide just have a little faith. Life is way too short and you should enjoy every moment of it. All that matters is your happiness and that you get to spend the rest of your life with someone who cherishes you. Don't let this diagnoses consume your life you are strong and you will fight this. I promise everything will be okay and I will have you in my prayers and congratulations on your wedding!!
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  • Heather
    Expert August 2018
    Heather ·
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    I'm so sorry you were diagnosed and having to go through all this. There are many breast cancer survivors that I'm sure will be glad to reach out to you!

    For your wedding, have you thought about just doing something super small and intimate? Invite only those you're really close with. It's a huge money saver and the stress isn't as great.
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  • Brae
    VIP September 2019
    Brae ·
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    I'm so so sorry. Please continue to feel like you can vent here. The wedding is definitely something you can look forward to and your marriage!. I'm sure you're going to look wonderful. You're in my thoughts.
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  • M
    Savvy October 2019
    Michelle ·
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    I am praying for you and I know everything will work out just fine!!!
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  • Rebecca
    Beginner December 2018
    Rebecca ·
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    We were already doing a pretty small wedding (50 people). We had already chosen the second cheapest reception option our venue offered and are going very small with the flowers and having a friend do them. Plus, I've been sewing my own wedding dress and my fiance's vest to save money. I'm honestly not sure where else we could save money. We had built up our savings to go to the wedding but now we've had to dip into it already.

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  • MOB So Cal
    January 2019
    MOB So Cal ·
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    I'm so sorry. This has to be overwhelming for you and your fiance -- it's a lot to take in. I hope you have a support system you can hook into, whether it is friends and family or perhaps a breast cancer group that your doctors can put in touch with? Having people to talk with may give you some comfort, help you sort things out, and consider options/resources you might not have thought of. Your local breast cancer organizations (e.g., a local Komen chapter or something associated with your hospital) might be able to help you access financial resources that could help with both medical and non-medical needs. Is there anyone, besides your dear FH who might be able to jump in and serve as your "point person" in identifying resources, gathering info, and making contacts? That might help make things a little less overwhelming for you and help you conserve your energy for the most critical thing -- fighting your cancer. A dear friend of mine was diagnosed a couple years ago, and it just worked with my schedule to go with her to most of her chemo appointments. We got to spend time together that we wouldn't have usually been able to manage, and we'd usually go to dinner after. She had tougher weeks and easier weeks; hopefully, once the schedule for your treatments is set, your medical team will be able to help you predict when you might be able to expect your "peaks and valleys" in terms of how you're feeling. (I know every person's experience is different, but two years later, she's cancer-free and enjoying her life more than ever.) Again, I am so sorry you are facing this. I pray you have someone who can step in to help support you through this journey. God bless you and your fiance. Smiley heart

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  • Gen
    Champion June 2019
    Gen ·
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    I am SO sorry you are going through this! Your FH sounds like a wonderful, supportive man. You are INCREDIBLY strong for being able to keep it together through all this!

    I am so sorry that your wedding won’t have the vision you imagined... no one deserves to have that taken away from them in such a horrible way. But I know your day will turn out beautifully in a different way... as a reminder of all your loved ones who support you and are there for you!

    I wish you all the best, in your recovery and in your marriage.
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  • FutureMrsN14
    Super July 2018
    FutureMrsN14 ·
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    I’m so sorry you are going through this! I’m glad your FH provides so much support! I think when the day comes you will be so happy with however it turns out Smiley smile wishing you the best!
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  • K
    Dedicated August 2019
    Kate ·
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    Just a question- does your FH have good healthcare? Given the situation, is it possible to get legally married any sooner and get on his insurance as soon as possible?

    I hope for you a speedy and comfortable treatment and recovery. You will come out the other side a stronger woman! That will be SOME party in December!!!!
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  • Mrs. J
    Expert October 2018
    Mrs. J ·
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    I am very sorry you're going through all of these hardships. I would maintain the wedding as FH said, it's something beautiful to look forward to...Even if it doesn't go perfectly as envisioned, I still think it'll be a beautiful day to be spent with your partner. He sounds like a keeper. I wish you the best in your treatment, please keep us updated.

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  • BB-H
    VIP September 2018
    BB-H ·
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    I'm so sorry to hear of your hardships. You definitely have a silver lining in your FH. Having something positive to look forward to is good. Hardly any wedding is ever 100% what was envisioned no matter the circumstances and that's okay. I wish you the best in treatment and hope that the new year brings you better news and brighter skies.

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  • HayMrsO
    Master October 2018
    HayMrsO ·
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    I am so sorry to hear this! I can't imagine the range of emotions you have been through. I am so happy to hear that your fiance has been so supportive. I pray for your health and that your wedding day is everything you hope it will be.

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  • Tpatb
    Master August 2019
    Tpatb ·
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    I don’t have much to say bc I can’t imagine what you’re going through! I’m happy that your FH is such an amazing person & is supporting you through this! Sending lots of love & prayers to beat this your way ❤️
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  • J
    Expert May 2018
    J ·
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    I’m sorry you are going through this. My mom had advanced breast cancer, she survived and has been cancer free for many years. I know this is a very hard time for you right now and it probably feels hopeless at times, but you WILL get through this and have a wonderful life with your supportive husband! Honestly your health is really what’s most important right now and stress isn’t good for your health. If the wedding is stressing you out, can you downsize it a lot? Like just invite your closest family and friends? Everyone else will understand (or if they don’t, you need them in your life anyway)! Whatever you decide to do, please try to keep hope that things will get better!
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  • Rebecca
    Beginner December 2018
    Rebecca ·
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    We thought about getting legally married to add me to my fiance's insurance. Unfortunately, he has the cheapest bargain HMO because he was trying to save money at the time. The soonest he can switch to a better plan is February. In the end, we realized it was probably the best to go the Medi-Cal route until he can switch.

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  • K
    Dedicated August 2019
    Kate ·
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    I’m surprised they don’t count marriage as a “life event” as they would childbirth, which you can revise plans at any time... ugh I guess that’s private health insurance for you. It sounds like you’ve explored all the options to this point. Hang in there, Focus on getting well and back on your feet soon.
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  • S
    Dedicated October 2018
    Shanalee ·
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    I am so sorry your going thru this...your FH sounds wonderful
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  • Rebecca
    Beginner December 2018
    Rebecca ·
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    Thank you, ladies, for all of the support and encouragement. It means a lot. I've been feeling rather isolated. It's been really rough lately.

    On top of everything else, when I went in for my PET CT on Friday I passed out and face planted on the floor. I had been fasted and I'm not good with needles. The tech ended up digging around in three different spots before he found a vein. I got the cold sweats and started feeling woozy. He left the room and I passed out. I ended up with a bump, a black eye, a swollen lip and a broken front tooth. Thankfully, the hospital said I didn't crack my skull or have a concussion but I'm going to have to try to get my tooth fixed before the wedding.

    Then driving home from an appointment on Monday, a small backhoe came unhitched from a vehicle in front of us. It slammed in the passenger side door of my fiance's car then scrapped down the side.

    Like I said, it's been crazy. Thank you again.

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