When Misty De La Cruz, a 43-year-old wife, mother of eight, and grandmother of two, was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 3 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in September 2024, her immediate concern was her family. This rare and challenging form of cancer, lacking key receptors, often grows and spreads rapidly and was linked to BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, which De La Cruz tested positive for. The diagnosis, initially detected as a lump during a self-exam, marked the beginning of an arduous journey that would test her physical, emotional, and financial limits, and profoundly impact every member of her large family.

The physical toll of chemotherapy was immediate and severe, leaving De La Cruz struggling with basic tasks like walking and cooking, and often requiring assistance with self-care. Beyond her personal suffering, the emotional impact on her youngest children became glaringly apparent in May 2025. A heartbreaking call from her 10-year-old son’s elementary school revealed he was frequently exhausted and expressed fears of her dying in her sleep. De La Cruz, who had always strived for open communication with her children, realized the profound “trauma” her illness inflicted upon them, acknowledging that the emotional weight of cancer extends far beyond the patient.

In response to her son’s distress, De La Cruz committed to transparency, allowing him to ask all his questions honestly and making arrangements for him to begin therapy. She recognized that shielding children from fear wasn’t the goal, but rather preparing them for life’s harsh realities and encouraging open expression of their emotions. The physical hardships continued to mount, with severe side effects from treatment including nerve damage, intense pain requiring a walker, and a weakened immune system that made even minor household illnesses dangerous. Despite these challenges, she tried to maintain normalcy, turning Sunday dinners into family-assisted cooking sessions, yet the inability to fully parent as she once did left her feeling helpless and isolated.

Adding to the immense physical and emotional burden was the unexpected and rapid escalation of financial strain. De La Cruz found herself facing approximately $150,000 in medical debt, with four more surgeries looming. A particularly devastating blow came when she learned that $45,000 to $65,000 in essential dental work, needed due to chemotherapy-induced damage, was classified as “cosmetic” and not covered by insurance. To prevent losing her family home, she launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising over $65,000 towards a $259,000 goal by late June 2025. She emphasized the overlooked reality that “just because you physically survive cancer, it doesn’t mean that you emotionally, mentally, or financially survive it.”

Cancer forced De La Cruz, a woman who prided herself on independence, to confront her pride and learn to ask for help. Relying on her children, husband, and wider support network, she reframed asking for assistance as a sign of strength rather than weakness. She ensured her children knew therapy was available to them, recognizing that grief wasn’t limited to death but was a process of adapting to profound change. In a June 2025 update, after two surgeries and with her children beginning therapy, De La Cruz shared her acceptance of God’s plan, wishing others “love and Health.” Her ongoing fight for health, financial stability, and her family’s well-being stands as a powerful testament to courage, patience, and the continuous process of healing.