Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Swede

(38,198 posts)
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 08:25 PM Dec 7

I have a cousin that just started chemo-therapy. She's 35 years old.

I never really knew her well, but we became good friends on Facebook. We banter back and forth on Facebook all the time.
Then the cancer hit. She is posting her progress these first weeks. She's losing her hair. She may lose a breast. But she posts with strength and with honesty. I have come to admire her.
Life is hard, but for her its become harder.
Yolande is her name, and she is a hero.

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I have a cousin that just started chemo-therapy. She's 35 years old. (Original Post) Swede Dec 7 OP
Healing vibes on the way to her SheltieLover Dec 7 #1
Breast cancer is beatable! buzzycrumbhunger Dec 7 #2
💕 sheshe2 Dec 7 #3
Many hugs and best wishes to her for a speedy recovery! Diamond_Dog Dec 7 #4
Tragic. Too young for this. surfered Dec 7 #5
I am sorry to hear this. Prayers for Yolande. May she have the best outcome possible. LoisB Dec 7 #6
Sending her healing vibes! MLAA Dec 7 #7
Best wishes for Yolande ... cliffside Dec 7 #8
Sending healing hugs gademocrat7 Dec 7 #9
Please be hers, she is in our prayers Swede JMCKUSICK Dec 7 #10
Aww... Mahalo for telling us Cha Dec 7 #11
All the best to your cousin mountain grammy Dec 7 #12
Sending prayers for strength and healing. brer cat Dec 7 #13
Prayers for Healing stillspkg Dec 8 #14

buzzycrumbhunger

(1,604 posts)
2. Breast cancer is beatable!
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 08:35 PM
Dec 7

As long as they caught it early, I think the odds are well in her favour, hair loss and all.

A cute beanie or pretty scarf would not go amiss as a get well giftie. I have a friend who battled cancer early this year and helping hide her head went a long ways toward making her feel normal and positive.

cliffside

(1,580 posts)
8. Best wishes for Yolande ...
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 09:53 PM
Dec 7

my Mom had breast at a later age and now my cousin, again older. My mom's sister was older when diagnosed after my Mom, she is now 98+.

Might I suggest a site called Caringbiridge, not for your cousin to start, maybe another close relative for updates and support. I used this when my husband started chemo for MDS/AML and his stem cell transplant ... he eventually had two. It kept people informed and I only had one person to answer each night with updates. Family and friends want to know, but it is difficult to answer everyone ... Caringbridge helped. My husband could read the comments from family or friends and respond whenever he wanted, or not reply and just read a hello or whatever message.

The other item I might mention, in case someone is looking at another cancer center/doctor and wondering about the cost of living is Hope Lodge, funded by the ACA. It is a great resource and place to stay for free near major cancer centers. We stayed in Hope Lodge NYC, half a block from Penn Station, for 7 months over 2 visits for free. They now, think they still do, run shuttle buses to the major hospitals in NYC, but there are other Hope Lodge locations in the country as well. Back in the day the LLS message board was a good source of info.

Wishing your cousin well and sorry about rambling, hoping there might be a nugget of information that you or someone else might find useful.

Cancer sucks ... yet we continue.





Cha

(316,437 posts)
11. Aww... Mahalo for telling us
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 10:34 PM
Dec 7

about Yolande's brave and strong journey back to Good Health.

I wish her the very Best, Swede. 💕

brer cat

(27,327 posts)
13. Sending prayers for strength and healing.
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 11:49 PM
Dec 7

I was treated for breast cancer earlier this year and I have done very well. I was 78 which is vastly different from 35. I'm sorry that she is experiencing this so early in her life. Do all you can to encourage her to be positive about her future; it is important to her recovery.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Health»I have a cousin that just...