Chapter 1
May 2005, I've found a lump. My first lump ever. They take it seriously, my Mom had breast cancer. Biopsy is done, it was nothing they said just a cyst.
Chapter 2
May 2009, it's now 4 years later and I've found another lump, in the same spot as the 2005 biopsy. Nervous, life has been stressful this year. This time after doing a mammogram and sonogram they come back and say it's a cyst, you have fibrous breasts it's really nothing to worry about.
Chapter 3
It's March 2010, Ive found a bump (not a lump this time). It's in a different place and it feels different, right below the skin. I think back to the tests less than a year ago and what the doctor said. This bump/lump is different though, it hurts. I assumed it was like a hundred other little hurts I get throughout the year. Not really worrying.
Chapter 4
It's April 7, 2010 in the operating room, the doctor walks back to me, I'm on the table, he looks down and says "I'm sorry it's cancer". Guess I should have worried.
Chapter 5
It's two days later, meeting with the oncologist. I say "I found a lump last year". They'll send for the records.
Chapter 6
It's Stage 3c breast cancer...after x-rays, mri and PET scan we know it has spread...it made it outside the breast and there is so much cancer in the breast that a mastectomy in non-negotiable. I'm in shock. Every morning I wake up and hope that this is all a dream, but it isn't. Why can't my life be a episode of Dallas?
Chapter 7
It's now August 2011, chemo, radiation, mastectomy is all done. Two more surgeries to go. So very tired of everything it seems like life will never be normal again. I'm on the phone with the obgyn discussing an upcoming appointment and something says "ask them for your medical records from 2009" so I did. Doesn't Oprah always say you should follow your gut?
Chapter 8
It's 3 days later, I open the envelope from the obgyn, look at the sheet of paper with the radiologists report from the mammogram/sonogram in 2009 (one year before I'm diagnosed with cancer). I can't believe what I'm seeing, I start crying, no it's more like sobbing. My mind is racing all I can think is that this cannot be happening.
Stay tuned for Chapter 9 in the saga of "Slippin' Through The Cracks"....
Friday, August 19, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Chemo Curls & Dark Hair Mystery Solved
My hair has been the topic of many conversations since I threw out the wig and went w/the ultra short boy hair! People still ask if my hair was always this dark and was it always curly. A big no to both!!!
Thank you to Jenna at Melanie's my locks were pretty blonde but in "real life" it was brown and straight, or at least I think that is what it was. Years of coloring and highlighting had even me scratching my head and wondering what it really was.
Below is the real deal on chemo and what the drugs do to cells and why hair doesn't grow back how you think it would.
According to Breast Cancer.org, chemotherapy treatment rapidly kills all growing cells within the body, including both cancerous and healthy cells. Hair follicle cells are considered to be a fast-growing cell within the body and often are targeted by the chemotherapy treatment.
Chemotherapy drugs affect the roots of your hair, and will continue to affect hair shaft formation because the drugs will still be in your system for some time after treatment. Your hair, skin, and fingernails will take some time to recover as the toxins leave your body. When your new hair comes in, it may be different from your natural hair for the next six to twelve months after treatment. This is due to the loss or change of pigment and may result in white, gray, or some color different than your natural hair color. As your body recovers and hair pigment rebounds, your hair may return to its original color, or a color close to your pre-chemo hair. Expect a change in hair texture as well - it may initially be curly, coarse, or even fine as baby hair.
Thank you to ehow.com and about.com for that explanation.
So happy to have hair it doesn't really matter! It's kind of fun watching it grow, like a present.
And great news...received bloodwork results and Vitamin D levels are great! Why? Because I take 10,000 iu of Vitamin D every day. If you don't think it is important go out and Google Vitamin D and see all the wonderful things it does for us. And even better the "tumor markers" although not a exact indicator of cancer are nice and low, just where I want them to be as well. Lovin' Life!!!
And last but not least, darn eyelashes are falling out again! Good old chemo the gift that just keeps on giving. Another present (but one that I don't want).
Thank you to Jenna at Melanie's my locks were pretty blonde but in "real life" it was brown and straight, or at least I think that is what it was. Years of coloring and highlighting had even me scratching my head and wondering what it really was.
Below is the real deal on chemo and what the drugs do to cells and why hair doesn't grow back how you think it would.
According to Breast Cancer.org, chemotherapy treatment rapidly kills all growing cells within the body, including both cancerous and healthy cells. Hair follicle cells are considered to be a fast-growing cell within the body and often are targeted by the chemotherapy treatment.
Chemotherapy drugs affect the roots of your hair, and will continue to affect hair shaft formation because the drugs will still be in your system for some time after treatment. Your hair, skin, and fingernails will take some time to recover as the toxins leave your body. When your new hair comes in, it may be different from your natural hair for the next six to twelve months after treatment. This is due to the loss or change of pigment and may result in white, gray, or some color different than your natural hair color. As your body recovers and hair pigment rebounds, your hair may return to its original color, or a color close to your pre-chemo hair. Expect a change in hair texture as well - it may initially be curly, coarse, or even fine as baby hair.
Thank you to ehow.com and about.com for that explanation.
So happy to have hair it doesn't really matter! It's kind of fun watching it grow, like a present.
And great news...received bloodwork results and Vitamin D levels are great! Why? Because I take 10,000 iu of Vitamin D every day. If you don't think it is important go out and Google Vitamin D and see all the wonderful things it does for us. And even better the "tumor markers" although not a exact indicator of cancer are nice and low, just where I want them to be as well. Lovin' Life!!!
And last but not least, darn eyelashes are falling out again! Good old chemo the gift that just keeps on giving. Another present (but one that I don't want).
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Fainting Goats
Back in 2005 while watching Tuckerville I saw the most amazing animals EVER, fainting goats. By the way Tuckerville was a reality show about country music star Tanya Tucker and her life on the farm with her kids. They were crazy, but in a good way of course.
Anyway back to the fainting goats...if you can succeed in startling/scaring them their muscles will freeze up for about 10-30 seconds causing them to collapse on their sides. It was hysterical watching them on tv and I wanted to see one so bad!
Today my dream came true and I was invited by a friend for a visit w/the goats. I've only been inviting myself to the "farm" for a visit for the past year and I may have finally wore her down. As we walked towards the pen I lost any desire to see them freeze up and fall over sideways, I couldn't do it, couldn't scare them, didn't even want to. So I whipped out my bag of baby carrots and had a grand time feeding, rather than frightening the goats.
Guess somethings are best to enjoy on television.
If you want to see and learn more about fainting goats visit http://animal.discovery.com/videos/weird-true-freaky-fainting-goats.html I guarantee you will laugh!
Anyway back to the fainting goats...if you can succeed in startling/scaring them their muscles will freeze up for about 10-30 seconds causing them to collapse on their sides. It was hysterical watching them on tv and I wanted to see one so bad!
Today my dream came true and I was invited by a friend for a visit w/the goats. I've only been inviting myself to the "farm" for a visit for the past year and I may have finally wore her down. As we walked towards the pen I lost any desire to see them freeze up and fall over sideways, I couldn't do it, couldn't scare them, didn't even want to. So I whipped out my bag of baby carrots and had a grand time feeding, rather than frightening the goats.
Guess somethings are best to enjoy on television.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Who in their right mind does a half-marathon?
So far I've logged over 100 miles in June and I'm tired! While doing our first 8-mile walk Brenda said "We're awesome" and maybe I'm a little full of myself but my reply was "I know I'm awesome". After 20 rounds of just plain nasty chemo, months of daily painful shots to keep the cell count up, 4 surgeries and believe me having a mastectomy is not a cake walk, a few months of neuropathy and aches so bad I didn't want to get out of bed and finally 28 rounds of radiation, I know I'm awesome and I know that I am so blessed to be able to wake up every morning and train for a half-marathon!!!
So yes I'm tired, I ache every day, it hurts to walk, it hurts after the walk but I am going to prove a point that cancer is NOT going to get the best of me. It is going to bring out the best in me.
So Parkersburg Half Marathon on August 20th watch out...cause Brenda, Angela and Lori are out to prove a point.
Update...The Apple Cider Vinegar after 2-days has been amazing. The pressure is gone and the gunk is moving on.
So yes I'm tired, I ache every day, it hurts to walk, it hurts after the walk but I am going to prove a point that cancer is NOT going to get the best of me. It is going to bring out the best in me.
So Parkersburg Half Marathon on August 20th watch out...cause Brenda, Angela and Lori are out to prove a point.
Update...The Apple Cider Vinegar after 2-days has been amazing. The pressure is gone and the gunk is moving on.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Taking A Break
On week #3 of being jobless...maybe that should be "stress-less"! It has been wonderful! Visiting with family, lunch with friends and getting caught up around the house. The big dark circles that have been under my eyes for almost a year are slowly dissapearing.
Visited oncologist last week and white blood cell count is still low (probably the reason for the sinus infection I've been battling the last week). As it looks like any of us w/a low count are susceptible to them and infections in general, I have been doing a lot of reading on natural remedies and have settled on nasal rinses w/silver and apple cidar vinegar. It really doesn't taste bad. Maybe that is because I don't get to drink big girl drinks much anymore and it is kind of like taking a shot! Here is more information if anyone else is suffering from sinus infections.
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=973746
Don't forget girls take your Vitamin D every day!
Visited oncologist last week and white blood cell count is still low (probably the reason for the sinus infection I've been battling the last week). As it looks like any of us w/a low count are susceptible to them and infections in general, I have been doing a lot of reading on natural remedies and have settled on nasal rinses w/silver and apple cidar vinegar. It really doesn't taste bad. Maybe that is because I don't get to drink big girl drinks much anymore and it is kind of like taking a shot! Here is more information if anyone else is suffering from sinus infections.
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=973746
Don't forget girls take your Vitamin D every day!
Understanding TNBC
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http://www.itvisus.com/programs/hbhm/episode_2003_understanding_triple_negative_breast_cancer.asp#ooid=51dzNoMjoZtkNRhm-09wKGboVyETIwNS
Monday, May 30, 2011
The Everyday Drug That Could Combat Cancer
So many things I wish I had known years ago....
After analyzing data drawn from over 25,000 human subjects, a team of researchers at Oxford University has conclusively demonstrated that long-term, low-dose aspirin therapy (75 mg per day) effectively combats multiple forms of cancer—and prevents cancer death.2
In this article, the results of their work are detailed. You will discover the precise mechanisms of action by which aspirin impedes cancer cell development. You will find out how pharmaceutical giants are acting on these findings to reap extraordinary profits at the expense of the public health. You will also learn what you can do to optimize aspirin’s chemopreventive capabilities, naturally minimize its potential side effects—and possibly save your life.
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2011/may2011_The-Everyday-Drug-That-Prevents-Cancer-Death_01.htm?source=search&key=aspirin%20cancer%20article
After analyzing data drawn from over 25,000 human subjects, a team of researchers at Oxford University has conclusively demonstrated that long-term, low-dose aspirin therapy (75 mg per day) effectively combats multiple forms of cancer—and prevents cancer death.2
In this article, the results of their work are detailed. You will discover the precise mechanisms of action by which aspirin impedes cancer cell development. You will find out how pharmaceutical giants are acting on these findings to reap extraordinary profits at the expense of the public health. You will also learn what you can do to optimize aspirin’s chemopreventive capabilities, naturally minimize its potential side effects—and possibly save your life.
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2011/may2011_The-Everyday-Drug-That-Prevents-Cancer-Death_01.htm?source=search&key=aspirin%20cancer%20article
Friday, May 27, 2011
It's Never Easy Saying Goodbye
Everyone that knows me has heard me say "I have the best job in the Mid-Ohio Valley". That is why it isn't going to be easy saying goodbye to my Chamber family next week.
The past year was a daily, hourly and at times minute-by-minute battle and I'm not sure anyone can go through something like that and not be changed. Every day I wake up and thank God for giving me another day to enjoy life. I appreciate and find beauty in all that surrounds me...it's hard to explain. But what isn't hard to explain is that I'm ready to really enjoy the gift of life that has been given to me. Maybe it's selfish, I don't know... but I am so very excited to begin a new chapter in this journey and spend some long-overdue quality time with my family.
On Friday, June 3rd I'll bid farewell to all my Chamber friends. I love each and everyone of you. Because of my job I have had the opportunity to work and become friends with some of the kindest, most inspiring and amazing business people. Thank goodness Marietta is a small town so I know I'll be seeing all of you at the Merchant and Artist Walks, Sternwheel Festival, shopping at Giant Eagle, walking the bike trail and all the other places we run into each other. Love our town!
Pen is in hand and ready to begin writing the next chapter.
The way is not in the sky, the way is in the heart. For the traveler who knows his direction, there is always a favorable wind. ~Stuart Avery Gold
The past year was a daily, hourly and at times minute-by-minute battle and I'm not sure anyone can go through something like that and not be changed. Every day I wake up and thank God for giving me another day to enjoy life. I appreciate and find beauty in all that surrounds me...it's hard to explain. But what isn't hard to explain is that I'm ready to really enjoy the gift of life that has been given to me. Maybe it's selfish, I don't know... but I am so very excited to begin a new chapter in this journey and spend some long-overdue quality time with my family.
On Friday, June 3rd I'll bid farewell to all my Chamber friends. I love each and everyone of you. Because of my job I have had the opportunity to work and become friends with some of the kindest, most inspiring and amazing business people. Thank goodness Marietta is a small town so I know I'll be seeing all of you at the Merchant and Artist Walks, Sternwheel Festival, shopping at Giant Eagle, walking the bike trail and all the other places we run into each other. Love our town!
Pen is in hand and ready to begin writing the next chapter.
The way is not in the sky, the way is in the heart. For the traveler who knows his direction, there is always a favorable wind. ~Stuart Avery Gold
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Can't Wait For Tomorrow!
Is it possible to be so happy one moment and within seconds be overcome with an unbearable sadness? It was Wednesday....
It all started with a visit to my "rock star" plastic surgeon. He has done an amazing job with the girls and it was time for a check-up so he could see how they recovered from radiation. They did great! Surgery is scheduled for August, although I did my best to talk him into a shorter wait period. Guess even though on the outside I look fine my body is still healing on the inside and I have to give it time to recover from the abuse. So we (yes Rocky wouldn't have missed this appointment for anything) looked at some implants, would you believe they not only have different sizes but different profiles? I won't go into details but will say I was absolutely giddy at the thought of saying goodbye to the two footballs I've been toting around in my chest for the past 5-months.
It seemed like life was looking up and so near perfect that I could have cried tears of happiness.
Then...I read the obituaries, and that is when the punch in the stomach happened. When the wind came out of my sails. There are four of us (maybe there are more but I don't know of them) in the area who have fought triple-negative cancer and now there are three. A very dear lady lost her battle Tuesday. As happens w/Triple Negative it reared its ugly head again and this time spread so fast I guess there was no stopping it. I knew she was fighting but didn't know how bad it was, so her death was a shock and another wake-up call that life is precious. I cried (ok maybe it was sobbed) for her husband who had told me a few months ago how much he loved her and how she was his best friend, I cried for her son and daughter and how they will not have a Mom to share their joys and sorrows with, I cried for her and how she will never see her daughter get married or hold a grandchild. And to be honest I cried for me, I don't want to be the next obituary in the paper. I want to be the one who wins this battle.
The moral of the story is every moment is a gift and we make choices what we do with that gift. I'm enjoying every second of my gift and will continue to do so until God decides he has other plans for me. I don't want to waste a second on the petty stuff and believe me I've spent a lot of time and energy in the past over the petty stuff, not anymore. I can't wait for tomorrow! I can't wait to see my friends tomorrow and give them a big hug. I can't wait to hear my daughters voice on the radio tomorrow. I can't wait to see my fellow Lions and enjoy their fellowship tomorrow. I can't wait to see my co-workers tomorrow. I can't wait to talk with Chamber members tomorrow. I can't wait to spend another day with my husband. I can't wait to wake up in the morning and welcome a brand new day.
It all started with a visit to my "rock star" plastic surgeon. He has done an amazing job with the girls and it was time for a check-up so he could see how they recovered from radiation. They did great! Surgery is scheduled for August, although I did my best to talk him into a shorter wait period. Guess even though on the outside I look fine my body is still healing on the inside and I have to give it time to recover from the abuse. So we (yes Rocky wouldn't have missed this appointment for anything) looked at some implants, would you believe they not only have different sizes but different profiles? I won't go into details but will say I was absolutely giddy at the thought of saying goodbye to the two footballs I've been toting around in my chest for the past 5-months.
It seemed like life was looking up and so near perfect that I could have cried tears of happiness.
Then...I read the obituaries, and that is when the punch in the stomach happened. When the wind came out of my sails. There are four of us (maybe there are more but I don't know of them) in the area who have fought triple-negative cancer and now there are three. A very dear lady lost her battle Tuesday. As happens w/Triple Negative it reared its ugly head again and this time spread so fast I guess there was no stopping it. I knew she was fighting but didn't know how bad it was, so her death was a shock and another wake-up call that life is precious. I cried (ok maybe it was sobbed) for her husband who had told me a few months ago how much he loved her and how she was his best friend, I cried for her son and daughter and how they will not have a Mom to share their joys and sorrows with, I cried for her and how she will never see her daughter get married or hold a grandchild. And to be honest I cried for me, I don't want to be the next obituary in the paper. I want to be the one who wins this battle.
The moral of the story is every moment is a gift and we make choices what we do with that gift. I'm enjoying every second of my gift and will continue to do so until God decides he has other plans for me. I don't want to waste a second on the petty stuff and believe me I've spent a lot of time and energy in the past over the petty stuff, not anymore. I can't wait for tomorrow! I can't wait to see my friends tomorrow and give them a big hug. I can't wait to hear my daughters voice on the radio tomorrow. I can't wait to see my fellow Lions and enjoy their fellowship tomorrow. I can't wait to see my co-workers tomorrow. I can't wait to talk with Chamber members tomorrow. I can't wait to spend another day with my husband. I can't wait to wake up in the morning and welcome a brand new day.
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Joys of Both Hair and No Hair
Hair! I'll NEVER take it for granted again. When I hear someone complain or comment about their hair it makes me smile inside (if they only knew how lucky they are to have hair). Bad color, bad cut, bad hair day, just doesn't matter it all beats absolutely no hair!!!
Don't get me wrong I found some positives of no hair such as:
Over the weekend I asked Rocky if he thought there would ever be a day when I didn't think about cancer. He said...not until your hair grows out because every time you look in the mirror it will be a constant reminder. Wow he really gets it. I love you Rocky. By the way he likes my new hair.....
Don't get me wrong I found some positives of no hair such as:
- No shaving - I had the silkiest legs you can imagine
- Wigs - No hair gives you the opportunity to try some new styles that are a little crazy. If you gotta be bald why not have a little fun with it
- Doo Rags - I always felt like such a bad ass chick with mine, would NEVER have put one on prior to no hair
- The biggest positive (Rocky appreciated this one) it takes no time to "get ready" when you have no hair. No hair to wash, dry or style! It shaved a good 30 minutes off "getting ready" time.
- The first time a clump of hair falls out in the shower. It's hard to express the loss, it made cancer a reality. Prior to it falling out you can still look in the mirror and see you but when it is gone you don't recognize the person staring back.
- Losing eyebrows and eyelashes! You look sick, end of story, you look like a sick person
- The first few months it started growing in it was like little old man hair - a bald spot and receding hair line. It was hysterical (now, not then) almost bought stock in rogaine!
Over the weekend I asked Rocky if he thought there would ever be a day when I didn't think about cancer. He said...not until your hair grows out because every time you look in the mirror it will be a constant reminder. Wow he really gets it. I love you Rocky. By the way he likes my new hair.....
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Can you be tired but yet so full of life at the same time?
After four surgeries, numerous scans, x-rays, five months of chemotherapy, twenty-eight radiation treatments, neuropathy, constipation, loss of vision, loss of memory, lack of clarity (chemo brain), aches, pains, head aches, early menopause, losing the girls and more that I can't even remember it is finally just about over, after 11 long months. I'm tired...mentally, physically and emotionally.
Today after the call came that they had given the brain CT and P.E.T. a look over it appears all is clear I started crying. Rocky was absolutely baffled he asked "aren't you happy". Funny after 26 years wouldn't he recognize those were happy tears? Maybe he was in shock as well.
I'm fighting my second sinus infection in the past 2-months and am tired and not feeling so well....BUT once those antibiotics kick in and my body heals from that and todays surgery it is full-steam ahead!!! Watch out world Lori is coming back! That is a promise.
Thank you all for the prayers, hugs, positive thoughts and also donations . With the genrosity of so many I have a account set up that helps pay the tremendous expenses that comes with this fight. But please NO MORE donations! Please consider giving to a very dear friend Mike Smith as he rides in the memory of his wife Karen, in this years Pelotonia Bike Ride. Find out more at http://www.mypelotonia.org/riders_profile.jsp?MemberID=108230
As much as I wish the journey was over still have a little more to go. Will meet with the plastic surgeon next week and determine the time-line for the next leg in this adventure.
Hugs to everyone for your support.
Today after the call came that they had given the brain CT and P.E.T. a look over it appears all is clear I started crying. Rocky was absolutely baffled he asked "aren't you happy". Funny after 26 years wouldn't he recognize those were happy tears? Maybe he was in shock as well.
I'm fighting my second sinus infection in the past 2-months and am tired and not feeling so well....BUT once those antibiotics kick in and my body heals from that and todays surgery it is full-steam ahead!!! Watch out world Lori is coming back! That is a promise.
Thank you all for the prayers, hugs, positive thoughts and also donations . With the genrosity of so many I have a account set up that helps pay the tremendous expenses that comes with this fight. But please NO MORE donations! Please consider giving to a very dear friend Mike Smith as he rides in the memory of his wife Karen, in this years Pelotonia Bike Ride. Find out more at http://www.mypelotonia.org/riders_profile.jsp?MemberID=108230
As much as I wish the journey was over still have a little more to go. Will meet with the plastic surgeon next week and determine the time-line for the next leg in this adventure.
Hugs to everyone for your support.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Have You Ever Been Scared?
Tomorrow is the big day the first PET Scan since chemo and radiation ended. This week I'll know if the cancer if gone or if the fight goes on. I'm scared, so scared I'm sick...that's a little out of character for me. But when the results can mean the difference between life and death it has to scare even the bravest person. Doesn't it? I know how Bob & Desni Crock must feel when they take their beautiful daughter Bridgett in for her scan (although it must be a hundred times worse for them) they must be so scared. Oh the relief and exhiliration they must feel when the results come back all clear! Now that is making me smile.
I have told everyone that when this scan comes back clear I'll take it as a message that I have a second chance at life and promise I'll make every moment of it count.
I have told everyone that when this scan comes back clear I'll take it as a message that I have a second chance at life and promise I'll make every moment of it count.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Yes Heroes Do Exist
I used to live in a place full of heroes. They were men and women serving in the United States Air Force who made a sacrifice for a cause greater than themselves. My husband was and still is a hero, he left us when Kylie was 1 year old, just a baby to fight for his country. That is a hero to me.
Mike Smith and Darren Johnson two people I went to high school with are heroes, they go out every day and save lives, putting their own at risk I'm sure and somehow I don't think either one will get rich doing what they do. I bet they do it because they love helping people. That is a hero.
I learned in the past year that heroes are everywhere and many may pass you on the street and you won't even know it...they don't wear a uniform, they don't have a badge, they just blend in with everyone else. People like Stephanie Wiles, Stephanie had lost her Mom very suddenly several years ago and then she lost her Dad in a terrible accident (something that should never have happened). She was going through her own personal hell but when one of her friends was diagnosed with cancer Stephanie put her own life on hold. She made a sacrifice to a friend. I won't go into all the details but will say this...Stephanie Wiles changed my life forever. She was my rock in the middle of a terrible storm. She was there even when it wasn't convenient to be there. She gave me fun times when it was dark. And she brought a community together to show someone (who still doesn't think they were worthy) how special they were to so many. That is a hero. My hero.
I'm sending a challenge out that if you read this please take a moment and tell a hero out there how much you appreciate their sacrifice....Rocky, Mike, Darren and Stephanie thank you!
Mike Smith and Darren Johnson two people I went to high school with are heroes, they go out every day and save lives, putting their own at risk I'm sure and somehow I don't think either one will get rich doing what they do. I bet they do it because they love helping people. That is a hero.
I learned in the past year that heroes are everywhere and many may pass you on the street and you won't even know it...they don't wear a uniform, they don't have a badge, they just blend in with everyone else. People like Stephanie Wiles, Stephanie had lost her Mom very suddenly several years ago and then she lost her Dad in a terrible accident (something that should never have happened). She was going through her own personal hell but when one of her friends was diagnosed with cancer Stephanie put her own life on hold. She made a sacrifice to a friend. I won't go into all the details but will say this...Stephanie Wiles changed my life forever. She was my rock in the middle of a terrible storm. She was there even when it wasn't convenient to be there. She gave me fun times when it was dark. And she brought a community together to show someone (who still doesn't think they were worthy) how special they were to so many. That is a hero. My hero.
I'm sending a challenge out that if you read this please take a moment and tell a hero out there how much you appreciate their sacrifice....Rocky, Mike, Darren and Stephanie thank you!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
A little background on 2010
In April 2010 while on the operating table (I had elected to not be put under for the biopsy) Dr. McElroy walked back into the room, over to me, put his hand on my arm and said "I'm sorry Lori it's cancer". Life as I knew it stopped at that moment.
Let's go back...my Mom is a breast cancer survivor of 10-years. In 2005 I found my first lump and was scared but after a biopsy was told it was nothing, my breasts are very fibrous. Skip forward to 2009 after having a yearly mammogram all seemed well but in the fall I found a lump, had another mammogram and ultrasound and the result was "you have fibrous breasts". So in March 2010 when I felt the lump I wasn't really worried, actually didn't make the doctor appointment for about a month. I had fibrous breasts after all no need to panic. Even the doctor didn't panic, because the lump was hurting (yes cancer can hurt when it is growing at an amazing speed) she prescribed an antibiotic, but just to be safe scheduled a ultrasound the next day. Within a few days I was in surgery getting a biopsy, still not worried, not expecting to ever hear the cancer word.
If there is a male-angel in Marietta it is Dr. McElroy, he walked beside me as they wheeled me out of the operating room, never leaving my side. While in recovery he said he was going to call and get me a appointment with Dr. Cawley, he worked with her and she was a friend. That was Wednesday on Friday I was at the Strecker Cancer Center with my oncologist Dr. Cawley going over the game plan.
I'm going to leave out a lot of the in-between happenings and cut-to-the-chase. The cancer had spread! Word of advice never wait when you find a lump. It was in my lymph nodes...you could almost see it travelling in my body. First stop lymph nodes under the arm, next stop lymph nodes in the collar bone, next stop mammary glands, next stop on the spine and finally a second tumor in the breast. Stage 3C the next stage is 4 and that is when it is in an organ.
Chemo began in April and ended in September of 2010. Five months of what I thought then would be the worst time. Little did I know it can get worse.
Double mastectomy in October, I didn't have to have both removed only the trouble maker left breast, but after a lot of thought decided being lopsided wouldn't work for me, I'm just to active and knew it would bother me forever. The odds of the cancer returning to the other breast are actually slim. Triple Negative does like to make a come-back but unfortunately it is to the liver or brain.
To be honest the mastectomy didn't bother me, under the care of Dr. McElroy (surgeon) and Dr. Yoak (plastic surgeon) it went well. I had expanders placed during surgery, although the girls sure don't look the same I still have them. Recovery was painful, excruciating at times but within 3-weeks I was back at work and having the expanders filled each week w/a saline solution. And even that wasn't the worst.
At the end of November the worst began...it was when the chemo began to leave my system (not everyone is impacted by this, lucky me) and my own personal nightmare began. Every movement hurt, my joints were suffering a chemo withdrawal, couldn't take a step w/out pain. On top of that I was still recovering from the surgery and to make matters worse neuropathy had set in, numbness in both hands and feet. How people live with pain every day I'll never know. Life was at the lowest it has ever been. By mid-January the symptoms were slowly decreasing happy, happy, joy, joy! Unfortunately it was a short lived celebration as radiation had started. After 28 sessions of tomotherapy radiation I am now just beginning to feel like a normal person.
Still a few surgeries to go but that seems like a cake-walk compared to where I've been!
Let's go back...my Mom is a breast cancer survivor of 10-years. In 2005 I found my first lump and was scared but after a biopsy was told it was nothing, my breasts are very fibrous. Skip forward to 2009 after having a yearly mammogram all seemed well but in the fall I found a lump, had another mammogram and ultrasound and the result was "you have fibrous breasts". So in March 2010 when I felt the lump I wasn't really worried, actually didn't make the doctor appointment for about a month. I had fibrous breasts after all no need to panic. Even the doctor didn't panic, because the lump was hurting (yes cancer can hurt when it is growing at an amazing speed) she prescribed an antibiotic, but just to be safe scheduled a ultrasound the next day. Within a few days I was in surgery getting a biopsy, still not worried, not expecting to ever hear the cancer word.
If there is a male-angel in Marietta it is Dr. McElroy, he walked beside me as they wheeled me out of the operating room, never leaving my side. While in recovery he said he was going to call and get me a appointment with Dr. Cawley, he worked with her and she was a friend. That was Wednesday on Friday I was at the Strecker Cancer Center with my oncologist Dr. Cawley going over the game plan.
I'm going to leave out a lot of the in-between happenings and cut-to-the-chase. The cancer had spread! Word of advice never wait when you find a lump. It was in my lymph nodes...you could almost see it travelling in my body. First stop lymph nodes under the arm, next stop lymph nodes in the collar bone, next stop mammary glands, next stop on the spine and finally a second tumor in the breast. Stage 3C the next stage is 4 and that is when it is in an organ.
Chemo began in April and ended in September of 2010. Five months of what I thought then would be the worst time. Little did I know it can get worse.
Double mastectomy in October, I didn't have to have both removed only the trouble maker left breast, but after a lot of thought decided being lopsided wouldn't work for me, I'm just to active and knew it would bother me forever. The odds of the cancer returning to the other breast are actually slim. Triple Negative does like to make a come-back but unfortunately it is to the liver or brain.
To be honest the mastectomy didn't bother me, under the care of Dr. McElroy (surgeon) and Dr. Yoak (plastic surgeon) it went well. I had expanders placed during surgery, although the girls sure don't look the same I still have them. Recovery was painful, excruciating at times but within 3-weeks I was back at work and having the expanders filled each week w/a saline solution. And even that wasn't the worst.
At the end of November the worst began...it was when the chemo began to leave my system (not everyone is impacted by this, lucky me) and my own personal nightmare began. Every movement hurt, my joints were suffering a chemo withdrawal, couldn't take a step w/out pain. On top of that I was still recovering from the surgery and to make matters worse neuropathy had set in, numbness in both hands and feet. How people live with pain every day I'll never know. Life was at the lowest it has ever been. By mid-January the symptoms were slowly decreasing happy, happy, joy, joy! Unfortunately it was a short lived celebration as radiation had started. After 28 sessions of tomotherapy radiation I am now just beginning to feel like a normal person.
Still a few surgeries to go but that seems like a cake-walk compared to where I've been!
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