Women diagnosed with breast cancer face numerous challenges, but being diagnosed with breast cancer in the midst of a worldwide pandemic brought hardship to the battle never before experienced.

Leigh Sherwin and Misty Hossley both found themselves undergoing treatment for cancer in 2020 at a time when hospitals were overloaded with people sick from the new and poorly understood coronavirus. The highly contagious virus often did not produce symptoms for several days, allowing it to spread unchecked. Not only were the women made physically vulnerable from chemotherapy, but they were also strictly isolated to protect them from exposure to Covid.

When they needed contact with people the most, they were often forced to be alone, whether at home or in the hospital. Solo trips to doctors and chemotherapy infusion sessions were the norm.

Both women had families and young children, ages pre-school to high school. Neither had a history of breast cancer in their families. They were both extremely healthy, rarely going to the doctor, both said.

Each had a feeling something was wrong, whether or not the doctors agreed.

“I just knew in my gut,” Hossley said, even though she’d had a clear mammogram just a few months earlier.

Sherwin was eventually diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) and Hossley, diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC). Both found the cancerous lumps on their own.

“Because my cancer was lobular, it didn’t have a round shape,” Sherwin said.

Her doctor dismissed her concerns, chalking things up to dense breast tissue. While she wanted to trust the doctor’s opinion, she said she still felt something wasn’t right. Acting on her instincts, she consulted a surgical oncologist. A biopsy confirmed the lump was cancer. By then, the cancer had been growing for years.

Sherwin explained, “Ductal is easier to find, because it feels like little marbles. With lobular, the doctor explained it to me as it’s like an opened egg, you crack it open, and it drips and splatters. It’s not like a knot.”

“The best way I can describe it was, it felt like the old-time hard candy,” Hossley said, of the lump she discovered. “I immediately knew it wasn’t good.”

Initially, doctors weren’t overly concerned about the lump, but a biopsy came back positive for cancer.

When diagnosed, both experienced varying emotions.

“I was mad,” Sherwin said. “I didn’t have time for cancer.”

“I was scared,” Hossley said. “I never want to go through that journey again.”

Other survivors quickly reached out. Both women agree it was very meaningful for them to have contact with people who had been through the experience. Support from friends and family was vital.

Hossley and Sherwin were treated with chemotherapy before undergoing double mastectomies. Radiation treatments followed. The chemotherapy caused hair loss and other side effects.

“Ironically, the part that I didn’t mind was being bald,” Sherwin said. “I did not care.”

“That was one of the hardest parts for me,” Hossley said. “Losing my hair. I never let anyone see me bald, except my husband did, once in a while. I even slept with something on.”

Both women agree that losing hair wasn’t all bad. They didn’t miss shaving.

Support during Covid also presented challenges. Because of social distancing, people would bring meals and leave them in tupperware containers outside. Both Sherwin and Hossley were deeply touched by the level care from others.

“We had tons of people help out and do things for us, but it was during Covid. We had three kids, homeschooling and (and my husband) is working from home and I’m going through cancer treatment,” Sherwin said.

“My home was on the couch in the other den (of my house),” Hossley said. “We were so secluded.”

Complications from treatment during Covid were tough.

“It was crazy going to the Emergency Room during Covid,” Sherwin said. “I was 100% masked up, all the time.” When she was admitted to the intensive care unit with a blood clot that had originated from the chemotherapy port in her chest, her husband had to wait outside in the parking lot.

“I was by myself the entire time,” she said.

Side effects beyond surgery and chemotherapy are often not talked about. Sherwin experienced scar tissue and tendon contraction, called “cording,” after reconstruction surgery to the extent she could not raise her left arm. Hossley’s nails became extremely brittle and turned black.  Due to their scars, the women both make careful choices in clothing and swimwear.

“The good thing about (having cancer) was, I became closer to God,” Hossley said. “God hears prayers from everybody.”

The prayers and support from friends, family, co-workers, her church and the children she taught at Redwood Elementary School meant a lot to her, she said.

During cancer treatment, words of encouragement were always welcomed, and Sherwin said she often wasn’t up to talking and appreciated it when people simply said, “Hey, love you. Hope today is a better day.”

“People don’t know what to do. They want to help, but sometimes they don’t know how to help. Give them that small thing. Let them help you. It helps them, too,” Sherwin said.

Although having breast cancer during Covid added an extra layer of challenge to their cancer ordeals, Hossley and Sherwin agree the cancer journey is one that has many common fears, experiences and triumphs. They highly encourage self-exams and that those newly diagnosed with breast cancer reach out to others who have been through the process.

Hossley said, “I just hope that if someone is going through it, they can call me. Nothing is off limits. I will talk to you about anything, head to toe.”

Sherwin said, “I want (women with breast cancer) to know all the things I wish I had known. It affects every part of your life–every bit of it. It affects your relationships with your kids, your husband. You’re about to go through a lot.

“Doctors focus on the chemo, the treatment. But a lot of stuff is not talked about. You wonder if you’re going to be sick until you die. You wonder if this will be the last fall, the last spring that you see. You think about how everything about your life is changed.”

Hossley said, “I don’t think the journey ever really ends.”

She rarely removes one of the pink rubber bracelets that fellow teachers and students at Redwood made and wore in her honor during her cancer battle. Printed on the band is: “Redwood loves Mrs. Hossley.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It’s a time when testing is encouraged, the journey of the cancer battle is shared, those lost to it are remembered and survivors are celebrated.

In the words of author and breast cancer survivor Regina Brett, “Cancer is messy and scary. You throw everything at it, but don’t forget to throw love at it. It turns out, that might be the best weapon of all.”