Thursday, June 2, 2011

Update of My Cancer and Treatments

I am so sorry I have not been on here in a long time, I just got really busy and boy does time fly by. I know a lot of you were keeping up with me on here. I will try and update you without making this really long.
If you can believe this September 2nd will be 2 years ago that I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
I did finish my 7th week of radiation and everything went great, I remember thinking I was almost afraid to quit, because you feel like it's killing the cancer and then you just stop treatment and then what. The staff was just wonderful it made it so easy to go everyday. They had a graduation ceremony for all of us who finished with this treatment and we wore pink hats and gowns, it was really nice and fun. Hopefully I can get my son to down load some pictures of some of these events. I did a modeling show for First Friday with other cancer patients it was such a blast the theme was "Grease" boy did they make you feel special, we wore outfits from Jullian Golds. It was a wonderful experience. I did a 5k walk for "Making Strides against Breast Cancer" with my daughter Samantha, niece Brittany and sister Jeni, oh it was so much fun. I believe there were around 8,000 people. I will do it again this October also, I had friends who didn't know I was walking and want to do it this year, such a great cause of course.
I have continued doing my herceptin treatments every 3 weeks, will be two years on October 2nd. My Oncologist said I will be doing this for a long time. I have to have Echo cardiograms
every 4 to 5 months to make sure my heart is doing well. I continue to take my 5 year pill, which has been a year now.
January 15, 2011 I was hospitalized for a blood infection called Streptococcus, they said you can get it through a cut on your finger, which I had on my thumb at the time. Anyone can get it the Doctor said. I am more vulnerable now from all I have been through. I was in the hospital a week and had IV's of antibiotics. During this time they did a Chest X-Ray on me and this Doctor had come in later and told me there was a spot on my lung, which I said no there shouldn't be.
The next morning my Oncologist came in and I told him what that Doctor said and he said not to worry about it I would be doing CT Scans in March. So I did not dwell on it and was hoping it was something of no significance.
March came and I went and had my CT Scans on March 1st. We left on the 9th to Utah to my daughters Wedding. When I came back I had a Doctor's appointment and he showed me the papers and said there is a spot on my Liver and Lung and the spot on my Liver had grown .5cm.
He then said to stay positive and we would see what happens in August or September my next CT Scans, if treatment isn't working we would maybe have to do Chemo again.
Well my heart dropped I went to my car and cried for a tiny bit, I had always told my family once it goes to your liver and lungs that's it. Well that is so not true, but I did not know that. I told my husband not to tell my kids or parents until we see what happens in September. Well thankfully he did not listen to me and told my kids, who then were upset with the Doctor, wondering 'Why is he waiting and not doing anything now?" I was trusting his opinion, well now they got my younger sister involved and look out, they were all digging and researching like crazy. Meanwhile my daughter had her reception here April 30th and I informed my kids and sister I will concentrate on me after the reception. It did keep my mind off of me and focused on her totally, which really helped. After it was over, oh it was time to take care of me. My sister has a friend who is friends with a Radiology Oncologist and my sister talked to him and he said for me to call him. Meanwhile this past year my dad got throat cancer, and he was treated by the Oncologist that I went to see for a second opinion. Dad is cancer free, voice is still not the same he talks to much.
When I called Dr. Voorhees the first thing he said was "This is not a death Sentence" oh that is all I needed to hear. My husband and sister came with me to the appointment, he was just awesome. He spent over 2 hours with me, he told me this was treatable and something I have to live with the rest of my life, Like people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems,etc... But in 5 or 10 years who knows what they will come up with. So he told me about this procedure he thought I should have called Radio Frequency Ablation it basically microwaves the cancer tumor. So at the end he told me to put away my shovel, and told me to exercise 4 times a week for 45min. and some other things.
He made me feel so good, my fight was back in me and my spirits totally back to normal. I am having this procedure Monday, June 6,2011.
Don't ever be afraid to get a second opinion, and don't try to fight this alone. I learned my kids are adults and they can handle anything, I was wrong to want to wait to tell them, I needed them all more than I had realized, just like in the beginning of all this I needed the support and it helps to talk to everyone, it's a wonderful therapy. I should have known better, we learn through experience and I know you can NEVER fight something like this alone EVER, I need all those prayers and support that is what makes me so strong, the person I never thought I could be.
I have prayed for strength and comfort and received that from a blessing from my Bishop and Sam. When ever you feel sad and down, do not stay there, that is a horrible place to be. I am so happy now even though I go through all this it is okay, it is my trial, and I know now it is necessary for my salvation that I have to endure this, and I think I have endured it very well. I have two new grand babies that makes 9 and I plan on being around for many more. I will update you on my surgery after Monday.
You people are who keep me going strong, those wonderful prayers that have strengthened me from the beginning. Thank you to all my children and sister who fight for me, my eternal love to all of you and the rest of my family and friends!!!

1 comment:

Steve Reed said...

I'm really glad that you made the decision to talk to all of us about the status of your cancer. We want so bad as your children to help you in any way possible. I know that you don't want to burden us but it isn't a burden at all to help the person who gave us life and stayed home with us so that we could grow up and be who we are today. We would do anything for you, Mom, we love you more than you'll ever know. We're all so proud of you and keep you in our thoughts and prayers every day.

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