My mom posted this cat picture on Facebook today.
The caption was
"This is NOT funny."
She thought it fit my situation well.
The caption was
"This is NOT funny."
She thought it fit my situation well.
And I have to agree. Kind of in a bit of a stinky situation here.
I am still trying to get a grip on the situation.
How did it go from
"Oh, it's probably just a cyst or a fibroid" just over a month ago to
Stage 3 Breast Cancer?
I feel like I am swimming and trying to get my head above the water, but can't quite make it.
Here's the rundown after the visit with the oncologist today (who I loved BTW- another blessing)
*Right now we are calling it Stage 3 Breast Cancer. Which kind of freaks me out a bit to tell you the truth.
*I will be having a PET Scan next Tuesday to determine if these little cancer buggers are camping out anywhere else in my body.
*I will start chemo on September 28.
My first round of chemo they call "The Red Devil" and that's exactly what it's going to be...Hell. I will go in every 2 weeks for 4 visits.
Everyone reacts differently to chemo, but I will definitely lose my hair...which fortunately I spent the first 3-4 years of my life pretty much bald. So been there, done that. And I look pretty darn cute in a hat (or so I've been told).
See! Super cute!
As long as I don't have to look like this...
when it starts to grow back- everything should be good. ;)
I also may suffer from all of those yucky side effects you always hear about: nausea & vomiting, fatigue, mouth sores, low blood counts, etc. Just how bad it will be? We will see what my body wants to do with it. I am praying that I will handle it as well as my beautiful Aunt Cheri who just finished chemo this week.
She took it like a champ. :)
*After the first round of chemo, I will have another PET scan to see our progress. Then the docs will determine if I should have the mastectomy then or move on to the next round of chemo.
*Round 2 will be milder, but still crappy.
I will have to go every 3 weeks for 4 visits.
*Then it will be surgery (if I haven't done it by this point) and Radiation.
And then I will be cancer free! Hooray!
I just have to say it again, and I am sure I will say it many more times before this is over. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for your continued love, prayers, and support. It really means so much to me and Mark. We feel truly blessed to have such a great support system. You will help us beat this.
Love you all!
DES- good luck! I am thinking and praying for you and know you can do this. There are so many super cute scarves around as well. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, that picture of you kills me! I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath!
ReplyDeleteWe're saying a constant prayer for you & your family! You can do this!!!
I am still in disbelief from last night's news, but this plan sounds "good". (that's not the word to use, but I can't think of anything else.) Chemo sounds like morning sickness times 20. :( But with your positive attitude I have no doubt you will make it through.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about you this afternoon and a conference talk (I think) popped into my head about wondering how she could make it through all the rounds of chemo. and she was told that she didn't have to make it through them all, she just had to make it through this one right now. I have no doubt that this will be your attitude and that you will be a strength to many people you will meet.
You and your family are always in our prayers and thoughts. As you get involved in the super crappy stuff (and even before), PLEASE let me know if I can help clean your house or make dinner or make lunch for your lovlies or help them with their homework.
Ya know if your hair comes back in like that last pic so be it. You will have worked real hard at that point and will deserve anything that comes in. I have to agree with Emma I was laughing a bit as well. I remember going in for family pics when you wore your hair like that and the lady behind the counter said in a very nice way " Hay girl you should not wear your hair like that." Not quite those words but I know that is what she was saying. Pretty funny. And you were my cute bald little Rae Rae and you will always be that to me. It would be so much easier on this mom if I were going through this myself. Not easy for us to watch are children go through things like this. I know you know you are a mom and would want the same thing. I love you and you will get through this you do have a great support system many prayers coming your direction here from Leeds.
ReplyDeleteSo I was tell a gal at my work about how two of my family members were diagnosed with cancer this year. She was telling me her Aunt had breast cancer and discovered the "Cold Cap". http://rapunzelproject.org/ColdCaps.aspx It is supposed to help prevent hair loss. I have not done any of research on this but she said her aunt did not lose any hair during or after treatments. I know you will be strong and come through this hole process a stronger mother/sister/daughter/WOMAN all together but if I can help you keep your hair by sharing this with you then that is one step up.
ReplyDelete@ Mom- I know this is literally killing you and I totally understand your feelings because from where I sit, I am so glad that it is me and not one of my kids. I would much rather suffer through it than watch them so I know this is really tough for you. :(
ReplyDeleteBut...we will survive!
Love you!
We will work on the hair problem as it comes along. There are some really cute short haircuts! You will look beautiful no matter what stage your hair is in. We love you & are so moved by your positive attitude. That will get you through this.
ReplyDeleteYou really do look cute in hats ;) You are so strong and beautiful, that will show no matter if you're bald or look like you starred in a 90's sitcom. We love you so much and will be there for you guys any way you need us.
ReplyDeleteYou are beautiful!! Always have and always will be!
ReplyDeleteYou look awesome in hats! Since it will be winter maybe I will practice crocheting and hope one turns out cute ;-)
You are a GREAT sister, I could not ask for a better example to look up to. I LOVE you!!
You are amazing! Your positive outlook is what I have always loved about you. We are praying for you and your family here in California.
ReplyDeleteI love your sense of humor! Thanks for posting the cute & funny pictures! You are doing so awesome, hang in there. We're praying for you too.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you! I know you can beat this! LOVE and HUGS!
ReplyDeleteDes-
ReplyDeleteI dont know if you remember me but I believe I was a year older than you in school my name is Lisa Jolley Orton. I somehow stumbled upon your blog I'm not sure how probably from a mutual friend. Anyhow I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your trial, but I also wanted to share a story with you. My mother in law was diagnosed with breast cancer in 99. It was stage 4. She had a double mastectomy and then did chemo followed by radiation. She didn't tell us this at the time but her doctors gave her no hope at the time. In fact they gave her 6 months. She is now cancer free after 12 years. There is always hope and with help from our Heavenly Father you will get through this. Your positive attitude is an example to all of us and I hope you know that your spirit will touch all of those that are going through trials right now. Good luck throughout your treatments you are in my prayers.
Lisa
@ Lisa-
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that story! I am so glad to hear that your mom is doing well. I have every intention of kicking this cancer to the curb as well. Thank you again for your comment. :)
My sister wore her hair exactly like that when she was like 12 or 13. Ha ha! Totally brings back memories! Anyway, if there's ever anything I or our family can do to help please don't hesitate to call or ask! Prayers will keep coming!
ReplyDeleteDes you are so amazing I wish I could be there to give you a hug and tell you how much I admire and love you!!!! You are in our constant thoughts and prayers!!
ReplyDeleteYou know how clothing styles seem to come around again? Maybe that hairdo will recycle itself. You could be the start of a major trend...You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers, (my boys won't take the pink ribbons off their backpacks). Even though these next few weeks and months might be challenging, I really do believe you'll beat this and beat it good.
ReplyDeleteDes. Your are one amazing lady! I have always admired you and your talents and your testimony. You have great faith and it is with that faith that you will beat this thing! You are well loved by many and we are all routing for you. You were sweet to comment on my blog! Here you are with lots to think about and you are thinking of others! That is awesome! We would love to get together and spend an evening with you and your cute family. Name the night and we will be ready when you are. Love ya!
ReplyDeleteDes, you are so strong! That was one of my first thoughts; obviously this stinks and I would never wish this on anyone but you are definitely strong enough spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically!! You show that cancer who's boss ;) You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. Love you!
ReplyDelete