Big update…surgery time!

It’s taken me way too long to write this update but now that I have some time with the holidays I can finally get those items done that I’ve put off. Many of you all see that I like to keep myself pretty busy but now I’m being forced to slow down and I think that’s a good thing. Last Wednesday, I went in for my weekly chemotherapy appointment but the day felt different. The week before on December 13 – I had a very busy day. I went for weekly chemo, completed a MRI scan and met with my breast surgeon…The MRI was needed to compare the size and activity of the tumor from the first MRI that I had at the end of August before I started my chemo treatments. At this time, I suspected something was going on with the tumor. It’s a little more tender to touch and it seems larger. My surgeon did not have an official report from the radiologist but she did confirm that the tumor was not getting smaller and surgery would probably be needed soon rather than later. I am opting for the bilateral mastectomy even though the tumor is only in the right breast. I feel they are a pair and if the right one has to go the left has to go as well. So my surgeon consulted with my medical oncologist and before my appointment last Wednesday and they were both in agreement that surgery needed to happen VERY soon. So soon that chemo is on an indefinite hiatus. Next week…Thursday, January 5, 2017, I will be having a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Now – I was mentally getting prepared for surgery in mid-March 2017 but now I’m becoming more accepting and thankful for the surgery next week.

My gratitude list of the moment…

1. If the chemo cocktail that works in 90% of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer is not working, there is no need to continue with the chemo. I’ve accepted I’m the 10% and it’s time to change strategies. 1A. I’m thankful for a chemo free holiday. 1B. I’m thankful that the doctors are in agreement and I was able to get a surgery date so soon after the new year.
2. I’m thankful that chemo did not ravish my body which allowed me to get a surgery scheduled quickly.
3. I’m thankful that my doctors and nurses are true advocates for me.
4. I’m thankful that surgery is next week so I can heal sooner and not have chemo and other cancer-related treatments massively occupy my 2017.
5. I’m thankful that I have a supportive employer and decent medical insurance so I can take care of these issues timely and as needed.
6. I’m thankful for all of my friends and family that have prayed for me throughout this illness.
7. I’m thankful that I do not feel sick at all and the only reminders that I have of this on a daily basis is the tumor that I can feel, my discolored fingernails, and bald head. The tumor will be removed next week, the discolored fingernails will grow out and the hair will grow back. Amen.

What’s next…Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the surgeon that will be doing the reconstruction portion of the surgery. I’ll probably write an update soon after the appointment to share and document what I learned.
Thanks for reading!

YouTube Live!

Trying something new at chemo today…YouTube Live! I’ll keep it muted unless I’m talking to you all. https://youtu.be/64wx6cyqIlk

Serving through the storm

Hi everyone…this is the first day that I’m feeling “normal” since chemo on 9/23. I was told the fatigue symptoms would be cumulative and I felt it this time around. Also, before I had chemo last Friday the air changed in Dallas and I’ve been battling a allergy/sinus attack that will not leave me. I think that is having an effect on my energy levels. I don’t feel like writing but I know I owe a post so here it goes…my first video blog!

Hair cutting day! Thanks cousins!

Pre-chemo selfie with Mother

So how have you been you feeling…

Today, 9/16 I feel GREAT. Yesterday,  9/15 I felt AWESOME and the day before yesterday 9/14 I felt EXCELLENT. You probably wouldn’t think I had chemotherapy a week ago. My hair is still here and I feel “normal” and taking minimal meds to get me there. I’m so thankful! Before 9/14, I was a little “fatigued but functioning”, dealing with the after effects and making it through the day. 
Now - the first night of chemo - I was HANGRY (Hungry and Angry/Anxious) and the food and night meds that I needed to take were delayed getting to me. All I remember is my sweet Mother offering different foods to me, (none of which I wanted even though I wanted something) and us finally settling on chicken salad and club crackers and me going to sleep on the couch until the meds arrived. As I think back, I can hardly remember that night that was less than 7 days ago - it doesn’t even feel like that was me.
After that night, post-chemo was not too bad at all. I remember one day/night I had really bad hiccups - which is a side-effect of one of the meds I should be taking for nausea. But then I had a conversation with myself, I’m not nauseous so why am I taking this drug that gives me these terrible hiccups and makes me tired. So I stopped and that was a turning point of when I started feeling better and more like myself. During this chemo treatment I’ve learned you MUST listen to your body, have more frequent check-ins and conversations with yourself. You have to remember to drink water and when you think you had enough - keep drinking! You also have to keep eating - every 2-3 hours (small meals). That’s hard for me because usually I’ll get wrapped in work and I’ll eat 1-2 times a day (larger meals). 
I think feeling better has also come from my visitors. On Saturday 9/10, I had 2 visitors come out to my parent’s house. Natasha and Fantasia came and their company was great because I have not seen them in a long while and they brought guests and goodies. Natasha brought her 2 daughters by and they colored pictures for me and brought me a rose plant. Fantasia brought Smallcakes by and informed me that there is a location in Rockwall. Side note: if you all have not had Smallcakes - get there! There is also a location at Mockingbird Station in Dallas and I’m a huge fan of the owner. It was great catching up with them out at the parent’s house because I feel it’s so far but it was already close for Natasha and Fantasia just needed to see me and check in. On Monday 9/12, I returned to my apartment (that I’ll be moving out of next week) and Mia M. stopped by from church. I was very happy to see her because she has lived around the corner from me for a while but we were never really able to meet up. She’s sweet…she brought goodies too! Homemade chicken noodle soup and it included a nice presentation. 

On 9/13-9/16, I went back to work at the Bristol office. It was uneventful (and busy) and I thought I could get through the week without going to the doctor’s office but I’m learning that those days are gone for a while. On Thursday 9/15, I had 2 appointments - Advance Directives and Genetic Testing. With Advance Directives and Living Will, it’s not really something fun to talk about but it’s something that you would want in order if it was needed. The meeting had a positive and serious tone. It was interesting to hear all the ways they will keep people “alive” in a hospital at the end of life but then it was important to discuss “quality of life” and what that means to me. Now, I’m not thinking it’s needed at this time (for me with this illness) but I’ll be finishing up the paperwork and getting that filed away. Enough of that…That meeting was followed by a meeting with the Genetic Counselor. This information can aid in sorting out surgery options (which will not happen for me for another 19 weeks). I already know which way I’m leaning but they will be testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer genes 1 and 2) and other cancer genes. This is all VERY interesting to me because there is basically no cancer in my family history. I filled out a lengthy questionnaire (that included aunts, uncles, 1st cousins, etc.) before this appointment and it produced a family tree with health information. I’ll have to get a copy of that for my family record. The testing results will come back about 5 weeks and I’m sure there will be more to report on that later.

Oh! I just thought this was interesting to share. On Facebook, I am delivered a Message from God at random times and this is the last one that was sent to me on 9/15…

Today, Kimberly, we believe God wants you to know that you influence those around you.
Think well about the seeds you are planting as you influence the people around you every day. You can plant seeds of impatience, fear, and frustration, or of love, contentment, and faith. It’s up to you!

Very random and timely at the same time!

Next up…my provisional year with Junior League of Dallas, the big chop prior to chemo hairloss and other musings on my week.

UNT Researchers Make Breast Cancer Breakthrough

UNT Researchers Make Breast Cancer Breakthrough

Thankful that University of North Texas is leading the way on new treatments for my particular type of breast cancer!

My first impressions about chemo (especially the Adriamycin aka Red Devil and Cytoxan)…and after visits in the Cancer Center

Getting the infusion was actually not as horrible as I thought it would be. There were a few strange effects that happened (that I was kinda warned about) that I’ll talk about in a bit. All in all not horrible - I actually forgot the topical Lidocaine at my parents house, so the oncology nurse tried to numb the port site with ice before the big poke. The ice helped a little - but pokes and stuff really do not bother me so I took it like a champ. Shout out to Candace D. who text me soon after they poked me and asked when I was starting chemo. I responded Now…and even supplied a picture.

So I know I look happy at this point - but this was the very beginning of a 2.5-3 hour treatment. So once the chemo entered it was cold and it felt like someone was pouring something in and onto me. I really did not get that sensation with the premeds but only the chemo. I was told that because it was going in as cold room temperature and we are heated to body temperature. Then, on the Cytoxan I was warned that it should be infused for at least 1 hour and that it could make my nose/sinuses have a burning situation. And sure enough it happened and it was a strange feeling but OK since I was warned it could happen. I’m thankful for the first one I was in a private room because just the thought of chemo is overwhelming but they had some overcrowding - I thought it was very important for me to start on Friday the 9th, since that was what i mentally prepared for and that I’m still trying to work while going through all of this. I was also injected with a med that is going to slow the ovaries down and try and protected them through chemo - so I may be having some menopausal symptoms…fun. And my hormones are a big ole ball of confusion because I just finished taking heavy hormones to produce eggs for the egg retrieval. The doctor warned my mother about this and I’ll talk about this is a bit later in the post. I was also given a Neulasta® Onpro™ to have on me to deliver the Neulasta shot at home instead of returning to the office for 1 shot. Strong chemo can help fight cancer, it can reduce my white blood cell count, weakening my immune system. A weakened immune system increases my risk of infection. - See more at: https://www.neulasta.com/onpro/#sthash.iLTOqEMS.dpuf. Fewer doctor visits is a great thing, so I can continue to live my life. 

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After chemo, I went for a few stops in the Cancer Center. I was looking to visit with Cancer Support Community North Texas Foundation | http://cancersupporttexas.org/ and firm up my appointment with the Genetic Testing office. At Cancer Support Community North Texas they have a beautiful space with rooms for support groups, a demo kitchen, arts and crafts and a room for kids if you need to distract them while meeting. They also offer help on finding assistance Very cool place - will probably spend more time with them throughout this process and work on getting my membership so I can participate in more of their activities. Now for Genetic Testing. My original appointment was on 9/8 but I was a little occupied and getting my port installed for the chemo so I was a no-show. 

I was reminded I needed to set that up again yesterday and they were able to move me to next Thursday. Yay! I’m very interested in seeing the results on that since cancer is does not run in my family. And a quick side note on the port installation: everyone I met at Margo Perot Day Surgery were angels. My nurses Lovella and Mable were awesome (more than words can say) and Dr. Bourland did a great job with the port! I was told he was the best and I believe it - everyone complimented the appearance of the port after 1 day installation. When I was in the office for Genetic Testing, I ran into the director of the Nurse Navigators. I had the nicest nurse navigator called me while I was at work sometime during the week August 29, and she told me her job was to help me through all of this that was happening and about to happen. I was so thankful because I was able to meet her yesterday. She was able to meet my parents and she directed me to the Women’s Health Boutique. There’s more to come from that visit because I have a follow up with Women’s Health Boutique next Thursday to find out all what they have to offer and what my insurance covers.

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On the next post I will tell you about the not fun evening after effects of this chemo and about the day after…so far. Talk to y'all soon!

The Beginning…Part 1

I think it’s good to start this blog on my birthday. I turned 33 on 7/16/16. Little did I know what a turn my life was going to take in about a month. Before 8/16/16 (but after 7/16/16) - I felt a lump in my breast after doing a self-exam. I was so concerned that I remember making my mother feel this too. She told me, “You should go and get that checked out…for peace of mind, so you can sleep good at night.” So I tried to schedule a mammogram on my own but when I mentioned that I felt something they said that I would need to go to the doctor so they could schedule a “diagnostic mammogram”. So…on 8/16/16, I went to my OB-GYN and she confirmed the need for the diagnostic mammogram. I scheduled the mammogram appointment for the following Friday morning on 8/19/16.

 On 8/19/16 that day is almost a blur. That’s why I thought it was important to blog what has been happening so I can remember the order of events. I went to the Breast Center at Presbyterian Dallas for the Diagnostic Mammogram and Sonogram. Before leaving they already completed the biopsy. 3 parts of the appointment done in 2 hours. I’ve always been extra curious and observant at the doctor…when I was walking out of the room of the mammogram I saw the tumor on the screen. At that time I didn’t not know it was cancer but I thought two things…1. That does not look very good. It’s literally glowing. 2. If it’s not cancer, it still has to go! So I left that appointment and went back to work.

 On 8/23/16 (one week from the initial appointment with my OB-GYN), I got the call that would change everything. I answered the phone as I was entering the parking garage at work. The radiologist that performed the biopsy was on the line and this is what I heard…Well it isn’t the results we were hoping for…blah, blah, blah…cancer…blah, blah, blah…do you want me to give you the name/number of a breast cancer surgeon…I’m thankful I didn’t not run into a car or the wall in the parking garage when I learned of this news. I think what kept me was that I prayed on a Tuesday morning. I knew the results were coming on Tuesday or Wednesday and I needed God to know that I was ready for whatever was coming. Now that news felt like I was punched in my stomach. And a few tears came and I saw my sweet friend’s face that passed away from cancer at the end of last year. I gathered myself and entered my office. I had a call to complete and then I spoke to my co-worker who is a recent breast cancer survivor. She had many words of assurance for me and resources to provide. I felt completely deflated and confused - put I was very thankful for the support of my co-worker. I actually had to calm down and settle with the news and call the radiologist back to get him to repeat what he said on the initial call and answer some questions. My co-worker had a list of questions that she told me I needed to ask and I’m so thankful for that. I also called the breast surgeon because I needed an appointment to find out when they were getting this tumor out of me. That appointment was set for 8/26/16. I knew the hardest part of Tuesday was going to be sharing this news with my family. My parents and sister already lost a son and brother. This was going to be hard but I did not think it was something I should share over the phone. Later in the afternoon on 8/23/16, I shared the news with my supervisor and senior leadership at Bristol (since they were in town from Phoenix). They have been very supportive and assuring that I need to take care of myself first with all of this going on. I left work early to pick up my medical records/pathology report, follow-up on my appointment for Friday with the surgeon and go and visit with my OB-GYN and inform them of what was going on. After I visited with my doctor, she told me she would be praying for me every morning and that meant a lot. I was still getting my mind around being 33 with a breast cancer diagnosis when this is NOT something that runs in my family at all. I went and told my family Tuesday evening and that was the hardest part of the day. I had no idea about how my family would react to this news. There were many tears but my family has been through much worse than this. I was able to talk to my Mother privately about what I knew and she provided that motherly support that is needed when you get news like this. My sister arrived and I shared the news with her. Later, Patrice lead us in prayer and we left for the evening…I think that’s a lot to report for the first post so I think I’ll have a Part 2 for “The Beginning”…