It has been a whirlwind of a week. I found out I have breast cancer, have met with several doctors, and finally decided on a treatment plan. I'll be doing 4 months of chemo, followed by a bilateral masectomy and reconstruction, then radiation. I have a PET scan next week to see if the cancer has spread outside the lymph nodes, because if it has, it will be an entirely new battle. On the upside, I finally started reading Harry Potter this week, as I have a feeling I will have a lot of down time in the next few months (I can already hear you Harry Potter fans cheering).
I want to thank everyone for their prayers, fasting, and support. I have felt an outpouring of the spirit this last week like I have never felt in my life, and I know it is because everyone is praying for me and my family. So thank you, thank you, thank you. God has certainly heard your prayers for us.
I started chemo today with my chemo buddy, Keith (you may also know him as my husband). I sat in a large grey recliner in a big room full of people receiving chemo treatments. They hooked me up to the IV and gave me anti-nausea meds, then they injected the first Chemo drug, Adriamycin, a red liquid that they push into my vein with an oversized syringe. It actually looked just like red kool-aid. Next, they gave me the second Chemo drug, Cytoxan, through the IV. Then they gave me a shot of magical burning liquid, that is supposed to build up my blood counts, with the side effect of bone pain. We were there for about three hours, but it went by fast with my chemo buddy. We laughed and joked and talked the whole time. And to be honest, it was a relief to get started on the fight.
So here I am, laying in bed with my laptop, feeling nauseous and very, very tired. If you've ever wondered what chemo feels like, it feels kind of like poison is coursing through your veins ... probably because ... poison is coursing through your veins. Not a good feeling. But I am so grateful that the new drugs will keep me from throwing up. I hate throwing up more than anything! Well, except for cancer. Cancer is my new worst enemy.
Keith has turned into the perfect man these last couple weeks. He is constantly complimenting me, doing everything I ask, and asking me all the time how I feel. What more could a girl ask for? He has truly been an angel by my side. He has comforted me, given me blessings, reassured me 300 times that I'm not going to die. I am so grateful for the wonderful and amazing man that he is.
I'll keep you posted, and thanks again for all your prayers!
you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for you and your family! If you are taking questions I have one. Why do they do chemo before the mastectomy? Is there a chance you won't have to get a mastectomy? Sorry! The only cancer knowledge I have is about men's naughty bits.
ReplyDeletewe are pulling for you and keeping you in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! I can totally hear your voice as I'm reading this, and I'm thinking, she is SO brave! We are praying for you! I'm glad you have this blog to keep us updated! ;)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to blog world. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. You are an amazing person and we know that we will learn a lot as we watch you conquer and overcome this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteBecca, yes I would love to answer any questions people have. To answer yours - the reason I am having the chemo first is because I still have breastmilk since I only stopped nursing last week, which complicates surgery. The surgeon would have wanted to wait a couple weeks to do the surgery, then wait 4 more weeks for me to heal before starting chemo. I just felt like 6 weeks was too long for me to wait for chemo, because the thought of the cancer spreading is what keeps me up at night. I have a very aggressive cancer that seems to spread easily, and they said they have done studies where the chemo has been first or last, and it makes no difference in the overall survival rate. I just felt like I needed to start asap with something. And even if the chemo shrinks the tumor or makes it disappear, I will still be having a bilateral masectomy. I am 32 years old with very young children, and I don't have to ever worry about this cancer coming back. I am not my breasts, and luckily my husband holds the same opinion. My life is worth that to me - to be able to raise my children to adulthood, to continue with all the work that I know Heavenly Father still wants me to do here. I just feel it is the right thing to do for me. Of course I will have reconstructive surgery, and the surgeon tells me that they will look very close to real breasts, so at least I will still feel like a woman. But my family is the most important thing, and they need me here, with or without breasts (that were getting saggy anyway).
ReplyDeleteHi Sara-Becca just sent me your blog site and I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and think about you every day. You have always been one of my favorite people and I wish I could wave a magic wand and make this cancer go away. I know you can beat this thing!
ReplyDeleteDear Sara,
ReplyDeleteThis post is from Aunt Wid and your cousin Erin.
Dear little Sara, we all love you so much. You can never imagine how much joy your sweet little spirit has brought our family.
As a baby, your cuteness was my delite. Now you are sick. You now understand a little of what your grandmother, Diane Brady, endured.
Just before your grandma Brady died, she wrote that "our lives are not our own- they belong to God". How often I forget this. She is watching over you from heaven, and she understands your pain and concern for your family and children.
Sara, we would love to help in any way that we can. Jolene can babysit, I can babysit. Please let us know what you need.
Love,
Aunt Wid
you don't know me, but i know keith from back in the day...and i can't think of a better chemo partner for you to have. i bet he is a huge blessing to you in this difficult, difficult time. p.s. i think you look AMAZING w/ short prickly hair. beautiful.
ReplyDelete