As an independent single woman, the diagnosis of breast cancer meant many things but one thing that became apparent rather quickly was that I would need to rely on the help of others.

From the very first appointment, I had someone with me at all times. This proved to be essential because they acted as my second set of ears for what the doctors were telling me. I think it was probably shock but it was difficult for me to comprehend anything those first few days. At the time my surgery was scheduled, I had no idea what to expect so I suggested to my mother that I just drive myself so that my car would be there when I was able to leave the hospital. Her response was a solid "absolutely not" and that she and my father would pick me up at 4:30 am so I could be there to check in on time. In the weeks following surgery I was not allowed to drive at all which felt a bit like being under house arrest! Yet again, friends and family came to my rescue and got me out of the house taking me to the grocery store, the movies or just a walk around the block.

Six weeks later I began the 16-week course of chemotherapy. Even though I was cleared to drive by this time, a very close friend said that the least she could do would be to drive me and be with me throughout the treatment. That initial treatment was the scariest of them all so to have such a good friend there by my side made everything so much easier. We spent that evening texting back and forth to see if I had gotten sick yet (I didn't and never did!). I was so fortunate to have this kind of support throughout all of my treatments so I never felt alone. I also think this experience helped to demystify the chemotherapy process for my loved ones, since this was a new thing for many of us.

In the months that have passed since I finished my treatments, I've gone back to my independent ways but I've learned that asking for a helping hand (from friends, family, doctors, nurses, etc.) was essential in my recovery and in life. My father describes me as a "soldier" for the way I fought through this time but I know I couldn't have done as well as I did without the help of others.