Thanks for tagging along on this journey.
So glad you are here!
Using this place to update, education and obliterate breast cancer!
Questions and comments can be added below!
So glad you are here!
Using this place to update, education and obliterate breast cancer!
Questions and comments can be added below!
Thanksgiving 11/28/24
“Darkest water and deepest pain
I wouldn't trade it for anything
'Cause my brokenness brought me to you
And these wounds are a story you'll use
So I'm thankful for the scars
'Cause without them I wouldn't know your heart
And I know they'll always tell of who you are
So forever I am thankful for the scars”
Scars lyrics
I AM THEY
As promised, sharing the goods, bads, ups, downs, uglies and pretties.
SCARS:
share stories
fade with time, but memories remain.
And, here we are, Thanksgiving number one post diagnosis, post surgeries, pre chemo & radiation, but not post counting every blessing, every single day.
I would be lying if I said there haven’t been moments of incredible frustration. But I told myself when this journey started that I wouldn’t allow those moments to turn into days. So I have done just that. I have extended much needed grace to my body and my mind, sat with frustration and alllll the emotions, sobbed, punched (well as best I can under current restrictions. See, Dr. Fensterer, I’m being a good patient) kicked and screamed at times.
“You look great!” I hear often. And most times those words sink in without much thought or a simple smiling “Thank you!” But sometimes, deep down, if I can be honest, I’d like to respond with… “ohhhh, if I could only show ya these scars. If you ONLY KNEW!”
The purpose in sharing these scars isn’t for sympathy or attention. But to look back on in the REAL near future and say, I MADE IT! That these moments didn’t last forever, even if it seemed as though they would at the time.
So today I will belly up to the table (yup, drain and all) with so much gratitude.
Today, I will be grateful for struggles.
Today, I will be thankful for a second surgery pathology report resulting in clear margins and CANCER FREE NEWS!
Today, I will cling to all the blessings.
Today, I will be thankful for the scars.
Breast Cancer Journey UPDATED 11/28/24
As Taylor says, I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22.
Yes, Miss Swift, today I am feeling every single bit of 22.
As in, 22 total visit, scans, tests, surgeries, you name it, since I first discovered a small lump in my breast.
22 y’all! 😳
I’ve said it multiple times over the last three months, I’m not sure how people have the time to navigate chronic illness, or other diagnosis . Yet, here we are! And by the grace of God, we have survived 100% of the hardest days so far.
Gonna take a few minutes on this post to highlight (as briefly as I can, bear with me) the timeline of our**story this far.
** I say our and not my, because from day 1 I haven’t been in this alone and the support from family and friends has been indescribable
July 23
While doing monthly self exam (DO THIS LADIES) I found a small lump in my left breast, so I called to get it checked out.
July 31
Office visit with Dr. Shannon Holt, who is phenomenal by the way, and was scheduled for mammogram and ultrasound to further investigate.
August 16
Appointment for Mammogram (both breasts) and ultrasound of left breast
After results were read (on the spot) it was recommended that I have a breast biopsy and that was scheduled.
August 28
Breast biopsy was done. Not terrible at all and I was back to normal routine, including teaching at the studio and working within a few days.
August 29
The phone rings… it is Dr. Holt. She asks if I can come to the office and if I am alone.
I knew right then there was news on the other side of the line that was definitely not in my plan for how this season of my life was going to go.
I told her that we were fine with talking on the phone and put her on speaker phone while my husband Jared and I listened as she explained that there were cancerous cells found in the biopsy.
I’m not even sure looking back on it that it registered that afternoon, or even for several days after. Appointments were scheduled to meet with surgeon and oncologist.
September 5
2 hour office visit with Dr. Karen Brunkhorst and Dr. Christopher Burkeen
It goes without saying that this is a visit that no one wants to ever have on their calendar, but the thorough explanation of it all and care that was shown allowed us to feel at ease for the next steps. I was told that the type of breast cancer I had was stage 1 ER positive PR positive HER2 negative, and very treatable. It was caught early in the treatment plan would involve a lumpectomy to remove the tissue, clear the margins, as well as a sentinel node biopsy to make sure lymph nodes were clear, followed by three weeks of radiation approximately six weeks after surgery date.
Blood was drawn for genetic testing to be performed.
Surgery was scheduled, and we also discussed a breast reduction, which I’m not gonna lie I was very excited about!😬
We had a plan! We left feeling great about the weeks ahead.
September 12
Genetic testing came back NEGATIVE, praise the LORD!
October 14
Met with Dr. Tathyana Fensterer (plastic surgeon) to discuss surgery for breast reduction.
October 21
Met with Tara Drexler at lymphedema clinic as there is a risk for lymphedema when lymph nodes are taken. But here’s the best thing. I had been educating myself on the lymphatic system for a while now and have been and will continue to do several things that help move the lymph. (One of those is rebounding on the rebounder trampoline, I’ll save that for another post all by itself!!)
October 22
Surgery date!
It was a looooonnnggg day. Lymph nodes removed, lumpectomy and breast reduction performed. The procedure was outpatient and recovery I can say was honestly not too bad!
October 29
The phone rings… it’s Dr. Brunkhorst discussing pathology of last week’s surgery. She starts by saying we have great news (hallelujah I thought to myself) and we also have some MEH news (well that shifted quickly). The great news was that all margins were cleared and the lymph nodes were all negative. The meh news was that in some of the breast tissue that was removed new cancer was found (not previously detected on any previous imaging or tests!!) and it was ER positive PR positive and HER2 positive. A completely different type of cancer in the same breast.
WHAT IN THE WORLD!? I’m not gonna lie, I don’t really remember much that was said after that, but do remember the words another surgery and chemotherapy.
Talk about a plot twist!
November 4
Visit with Dr. Burkeen to discuss chemotherapy. Went over in great detail the chemo proposed to treat my cancer, answered any and all questions we had.
Once again was told stage 1 and caught very early. I did request a PET scan at this appointment, because well… while i do love surprises, it hits a little different when that surprise is newfound cancer. I just wanted to peace of mind and to be confident that the cancer had not spread to any other areas in my body. He said he could absolutely put in an order for that, but did discuss that insurance may not choose to cover it since cancer was in such an early stage. (YAY INSURANCE, please say this out loud in your most sarcastic voice, because that’s what I just did)
November 7
Visit with Dr. Brunkhorst
Surgery numero dos was discussed and scheduled. All questions were answered and left feeling confident of the plan in place.
November 15
CT Scan
Long and short of it, insurance denied the PET scan, and wanted CT scan first.
So went for CT on this day at 1:00 and then
Chemo Education
with Randy Ball that afternoon.
If you don’t know this man, let me just tell you he is one of the most caring and compassionate souls that I have ever met. And that was just me talking to him for about an hour about what chemotherapy would look like. All questions were thoroughly answered, and then some.
Got a tour of the new Cancer Center at Baptist, which is very impressive. Heated floors and massage chairs in the chemo rooms, yes please!
I left feeling very confident and educated about the months ahead.
I am to receive six chemo treatments, starting sometime mid December, on a schedule of one every three weeks. So hopefully, when the flowers are blooming in the spring, I will be growing right out of chemo treatments as well!
November 18
EKG appointment
This was done to take a baseline measure, as one of the possible side effects of the chemo drugs I will take could, but in very rare cases, affect the heart.
November 19
CT SCAN RESULTS
got a call from Dr. Burkeen that scan was all good, such a relief. PET scan was not needed at this time due to these results.
Follow up with Tara Drexler for lymphedema. Said that I was doing very well and used the words “a star student”, yay for some good news!! All checked out good and will continue to have follow up appointments through the remainder of this journey.
November 22
Surgery 2 date! Plans include shaving muscle tissue to hopefully clear margins for cancer #2 and install port for chemo.
Here we go again. You know you gotta laugh and not cry about it when the sweet gals at the check in desk say “you look familiar!” Yes, I was just last here 4 weeks TO THE DATE! Oct 22 and Nov 22.
Which led me to this verse right here:
Psalm 22:22
“I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.”
And that, my friends, is what we will continue to do, PRAISE HIM in this storm.
There have been so many blessings that have taken place over the past several months. Too numerous to count. HE is in the trials, the storms, the unfavorable diagnosis
and I’m confident a hurt is never wasted.
So now we wait… we wait for the results from Friday’s surgery expectantly and with hope for clear margins and CANCER FREE news. And while we wait… we PRAISE! 🙌🏼
November 26
The phone rings… it’s Dr. Brunkhorst with GREAT NEWS, she says.
All margins from second surgery are CLEAR & I am CANCER FREE.
I squealed, l thanked her, told her how grateful I was for her & that it was the best Thanksgiving news I have ever received.
“Darkest water and deepest pain
I wouldn't trade it for anything
'Cause my brokenness brought me to you
And these wounds are a story you'll use
So I'm thankful for the scars
'Cause without them I wouldn't know your heart
And I know they'll always tell of who you are
So forever I am thankful for the scars”
Scars lyrics
I AM THEY
As promised, sharing the goods, bads, ups, downs, uglies and pretties.
SCARS:
share stories
fade with time, but memories remain.
And, here we are, Thanksgiving number one post diagnosis, post surgeries, pre chemo & radiation, but not post counting every blessing, every single day.
I would be lying if I said there haven’t been moments of incredible frustration. But I told myself when this journey started that I wouldn’t allow those moments to turn into days. So I have done just that. I have extended much needed grace to my body and my mind, sat with frustration and alllll the emotions, sobbed, punched (well as best I can under current restrictions. See, Dr. Fensterer, I’m being a good patient) kicked and screamed at times.
“You look great!” I hear often. And most times those words sink in without much thought or a simple smiling “Thank you!” But sometimes, deep down, if I can be honest, I’d like to respond with… “ohhhh, if I could only show ya these scars. If you ONLY KNEW!”
The purpose in sharing these scars isn’t for sympathy or attention. But to look back on in the REAL near future and say, I MADE IT! That these moments didn’t last forever, even if it seemed as though they would at the time.
So today I will belly up to the table (yup, drain and all) with so much gratitude.
Today, I will be grateful for struggles.
Today, I will be thankful for a second surgery pathology report resulting in clear margins and CANCER FREE NEWS!
Today, I will cling to all the blessings.
Today, I will be thankful for the scars.
Breast Cancer Journey UPDATED 11/28/24
As Taylor says, I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22.
Yes, Miss Swift, today I am feeling every single bit of 22.
As in, 22 total visit, scans, tests, surgeries, you name it, since I first discovered a small lump in my breast.
22 y’all! 😳
I’ve said it multiple times over the last three months, I’m not sure how people have the time to navigate chronic illness, or other diagnosis . Yet, here we are! And by the grace of God, we have survived 100% of the hardest days so far.
Gonna take a few minutes on this post to highlight (as briefly as I can, bear with me) the timeline of our**story this far.
** I say our and not my, because from day 1 I haven’t been in this alone and the support from family and friends has been indescribable
July 23
While doing monthly self exam (DO THIS LADIES) I found a small lump in my left breast, so I called to get it checked out.
July 31
Office visit with Dr. Shannon Holt, who is phenomenal by the way, and was scheduled for mammogram and ultrasound to further investigate.
August 16
Appointment for Mammogram (both breasts) and ultrasound of left breast
After results were read (on the spot) it was recommended that I have a breast biopsy and that was scheduled.
August 28
Breast biopsy was done. Not terrible at all and I was back to normal routine, including teaching at the studio and working within a few days.
August 29
The phone rings… it is Dr. Holt. She asks if I can come to the office and if I am alone.
I knew right then there was news on the other side of the line that was definitely not in my plan for how this season of my life was going to go.
I told her that we were fine with talking on the phone and put her on speaker phone while my husband Jared and I listened as she explained that there were cancerous cells found in the biopsy.
I’m not even sure looking back on it that it registered that afternoon, or even for several days after. Appointments were scheduled to meet with surgeon and oncologist.
September 5
2 hour office visit with Dr. Karen Brunkhorst and Dr. Christopher Burkeen
It goes without saying that this is a visit that no one wants to ever have on their calendar, but the thorough explanation of it all and care that was shown allowed us to feel at ease for the next steps. I was told that the type of breast cancer I had was stage 1 ER positive PR positive HER2 negative, and very treatable. It was caught early in the treatment plan would involve a lumpectomy to remove the tissue, clear the margins, as well as a sentinel node biopsy to make sure lymph nodes were clear, followed by three weeks of radiation approximately six weeks after surgery date.
Blood was drawn for genetic testing to be performed.
Surgery was scheduled, and we also discussed a breast reduction, which I’m not gonna lie I was very excited about!😬
We had a plan! We left feeling great about the weeks ahead.
September 12
Genetic testing came back NEGATIVE, praise the LORD!
October 14
Met with Dr. Tathyana Fensterer (plastic surgeon) to discuss surgery for breast reduction.
October 21
Met with Tara Drexler at lymphedema clinic as there is a risk for lymphedema when lymph nodes are taken. But here’s the best thing. I had been educating myself on the lymphatic system for a while now and have been and will continue to do several things that help move the lymph. (One of those is rebounding on the rebounder trampoline, I’ll save that for another post all by itself!!)
October 22
Surgery date!
It was a looooonnnggg day. Lymph nodes removed, lumpectomy and breast reduction performed. The procedure was outpatient and recovery I can say was honestly not too bad!
October 29
The phone rings… it’s Dr. Brunkhorst discussing pathology of last week’s surgery. She starts by saying we have great news (hallelujah I thought to myself) and we also have some MEH news (well that shifted quickly). The great news was that all margins were cleared and the lymph nodes were all negative. The meh news was that in some of the breast tissue that was removed new cancer was found (not previously detected on any previous imaging or tests!!) and it was ER positive PR positive and HER2 positive. A completely different type of cancer in the same breast.
WHAT IN THE WORLD!? I’m not gonna lie, I don’t really remember much that was said after that, but do remember the words another surgery and chemotherapy.
Talk about a plot twist!
November 4
Visit with Dr. Burkeen to discuss chemotherapy. Went over in great detail the chemo proposed to treat my cancer, answered any and all questions we had.
Once again was told stage 1 and caught very early. I did request a PET scan at this appointment, because well… while i do love surprises, it hits a little different when that surprise is newfound cancer. I just wanted to peace of mind and to be confident that the cancer had not spread to any other areas in my body. He said he could absolutely put in an order for that, but did discuss that insurance may not choose to cover it since cancer was in such an early stage. (YAY INSURANCE, please say this out loud in your most sarcastic voice, because that’s what I just did)
November 7
Visit with Dr. Brunkhorst
Surgery numero dos was discussed and scheduled. All questions were answered and left feeling confident of the plan in place.
November 15
CT Scan
Long and short of it, insurance denied the PET scan, and wanted CT scan first.
So went for CT on this day at 1:00 and then
Chemo Education
with Randy Ball that afternoon.
If you don’t know this man, let me just tell you he is one of the most caring and compassionate souls that I have ever met. And that was just me talking to him for about an hour about what chemotherapy would look like. All questions were thoroughly answered, and then some.
Got a tour of the new Cancer Center at Baptist, which is very impressive. Heated floors and massage chairs in the chemo rooms, yes please!
I left feeling very confident and educated about the months ahead.
I am to receive six chemo treatments, starting sometime mid December, on a schedule of one every three weeks. So hopefully, when the flowers are blooming in the spring, I will be growing right out of chemo treatments as well!
November 18
EKG appointment
This was done to take a baseline measure, as one of the possible side effects of the chemo drugs I will take could, but in very rare cases, affect the heart.
November 19
CT SCAN RESULTS
got a call from Dr. Burkeen that scan was all good, such a relief. PET scan was not needed at this time due to these results.
Follow up with Tara Drexler for lymphedema. Said that I was doing very well and used the words “a star student”, yay for some good news!! All checked out good and will continue to have follow up appointments through the remainder of this journey.
November 22
Surgery 2 date! Plans include shaving muscle tissue to hopefully clear margins for cancer #2 and install port for chemo.
Here we go again. You know you gotta laugh and not cry about it when the sweet gals at the check in desk say “you look familiar!” Yes, I was just last here 4 weeks TO THE DATE! Oct 22 and Nov 22.
Which led me to this verse right here:
Psalm 22:22
“I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.”
And that, my friends, is what we will continue to do, PRAISE HIM in this storm.
There have been so many blessings that have taken place over the past several months. Too numerous to count. HE is in the trials, the storms, the unfavorable diagnosis
and I’m confident a hurt is never wasted.
So now we wait… we wait for the results from Friday’s surgery expectantly and with hope for clear margins and CANCER FREE news. And while we wait… we PRAISE! 🙌🏼
November 26
The phone rings… it’s Dr. Brunkhorst with GREAT NEWS, she says.
All margins from second surgery are CLEAR & I am CANCER FREE.
I squealed, l thanked her, told her how grateful I was for her & that it was the best Thanksgiving news I have ever received.