animals - if you need care for them many agencies (no kill shelters and animal rescues etc) can hook you up with temporary foster care when it is for illness such as yours and you then help as you can now or later with $ for their care (food etc).

shelter - i agree, if you can, moving in with friends or family would probably help both of you a lot. you will have some tough weeks ahead during your treatment (expect a min of 3 months of hard times) and being with family or close friends may be a lot of stress reduction for you and hubby as well as saving you a lot in $ ... just give to the ones you stay with to help with food and the extra utility costs for being there etc ... and then worry about getting your own place again later.

breaking current lease - if they will not let you out of it with what you have going on, then walk. don't worry about it. anyone who would see it possibly later on your record, will most likely understand totally when you explain - and chances are no one will ever even find out about it. most landlords are a loud bark with no bite because there is so little they can do about it. (which is why i don't want to be a landlord LOL)

#1 thing is - you have some tough circumstances and will be kicking in to survival mode as you go. getting these things in order BEFORE treatment gets started will help a lot so you are not stressing because once they get a plan of treatment in place it SQUEALS BY with no stopping - and you will be caught in a whirlwind for about 3 months .,.. so get things in order now and then relax until things start

Best wishes