Who is ready for some updates since I've last written...?!
-GoFundMe account/Cycle Fundraiser/Gift Baskets/Tattoos...!: I cannot get over the outpour of love and support I have received these last couple of weeks. More than once I found myself (in my usual, awkward state) tearing up in true Sally Field style:
My Go-Fund-Me account has surpassed $15,000 in 18 days...which is more than 1/3 of what my teaching salary would have been this year! AMAZING. Thank you thank you thank you! *ugly cries, again*
My Alpha Phi "Big Sister" aka Big aka Jill Mauthe is a spin class instructor, and has wonderfully set up a fundraiser for me, which will take place on January 14th at CYCLEBAR McCormick Ranch at 1:30 PM and will be so much fun! Here's the link for more information: https://mccormickranch.cyclebar.com/class-detail/?apptid=1352361
Gift Baskets: I have been given a few different gift baskets from my wonderful Alpha Phi sisters, former teachers and friends, and family and they are AMAZING. Christmas came early to me, for sure! They are all so beautiful I honestly didn't want to open them right away because they were so pretty, haha. But don't worry, I did, and have been making full use of them and have never been more comfortable/hydrated/warm/soft in my life!
Tattoo: Special shout out to my oldest and one of my closest friends, Sean Rayle, for getting this meaningful tattoo done just for me!
-Hair cut: Bye-bye, hair! Although it has not fallen out yet, I decided to help my acceptance of it by chopping off a good portion of hair.
My head feels so much lighter! Still getting used to how to style it, but Pinterest and Layne have both been a big help. Aaron has not, because he is, well...bald. ;)
-PET Scan/MRI results: After my diagnosis, Dr. Kalmadi (Oncologist) had me get a PET Scan (which essentially used to determine if cancer has spread anywhere else) and an Breast MRI (to get a more in-depth look at my breast tumor than the ultrasound could give). He determined that the cancer has spread to some lymph nodes on my right side, as well as finding a new tumor in my left breast. I will be having two new biopsies this week (12/27 and 12/28)--one for the left breast tumor, because it is possible that it could be a different type of breast cancer than the triple-negative on my right side (which could in turn change the "chemo cocktail" I need), and a biopsy of the cancerous lymph nodes. Because of the placement of the cancerous lymph nodes, there is a good chance that I will need to have some of my pectoral muscle removed when I get my mastectomy, which will not change my quality of life per se, but as he put it, "may limit my chances of becoming an NFL quarterback." Ugh, the only thing holding me back!!! Oh well. From the PET scan, he also asked me if I have been having any stomach pain or acid reflux (which I haven't) because apparently, my stomach is extremely enlarged and has led him to believe I have a stomach ulcer, which (and I quote), "was probably brought on by stress." UM, NO SHIT?!
Because of this possible ulcer, I am also seeing a GI (gastroenterologist) doctor this week (12/28) and will most likely have an endoscopy to get it checked out, just to be on the safe side. No big deal, just another bump in the road! I am also meeting with my radiologist, Dr. O'Lear, this week to determine what type of radiation I will receive/how often/etc. etc. I'll keep you all posted!
Fertility treatments: Possibly the longest 12 days of my life. The first day I met with Dr. Behara (fertility specialist), I was given instructions as to how to complete these treatments. It was A LOT to take in. The first night of shots I was nervous/overwhelmed that I would mess it up, but thankfully my trusty roomies/nurses Layne and Aaron were here to help!
Step 1: Figure out what the hell all of these different medicines were supposed to do.
This was only the first night. By the end of the 12 days, my dosages had tripled, with new medications added as well.
Step 2: I made Aaron do the first one for me, but after that I was a pro (obviously). Each shot went in to my belly, so it was really fun to grab a chunk of stomach fat every night to do these, haha.
Overall, I can't complain, because my side effects were very minimal to what they could have been. Some cramping near the end, and weight gain, and a few bruises from the injection sites, but that's it!
Any time I would complain to Layne that I was feeling fat and large, she would remind me that she is 5 months preggers, and is actually fat and large cute and adorable with a tiny baby bump! (love you, sissy!)
Step 3: I would go in to the fertility office every 2 days to get blood drawn so they could check my hormone levels, as well as an ultra sound to track the growth of my eggs. Good times! We ended up having to push back my 1st round of chemo to December 23rd as to make sure the eggs were the best they could be, and I am happy we did! They ended up obtaining and freezing 17 eggs, which is A LOT. Yay! Shots paid off! Layne got to watch me be funny coming out of anesthesia with my doctor, who from that point on I kept referring to as "MYYYY Dr. Addison Montgomery." Who doesn't love a good Grey's Anatomy reference, am I right?!
So. My eggs are now frozen and are safe and sound at the doctor's office, should I ever need to use them! From there, Layne took me to breakfast and we headed home for a quick break before leaving to my first chemo!
Chemo: Synonymous with boring. I got checked in, got to sit wherever I wanted, loaded up with pre-chemo/anti-nausea meds (life savers, I tell ya!) , and then over the course of about 2 hours the chemo was injected in to me. It didn't hurt at all, which I was happy about...because when you are literally being injected with poison, you think it will hurt, right?! But nope! All is good. I finally got to be hooked up with my Port for the first time and that was a nice change of pace, as my arms have now started to look like I am a meth addict with all of the different blood draws and IVs I have had over the last few weeks! A lot of people have asked me what the Port is like, and I don't know really how to explain it well, so here is a picture for all of you visual learners!
The red horizontal line is the incision site, and the bruise is from where the needle went in for my injections. It looks worse than it is, I promise! I've had to re-adjust some of my sleeping positions because I like to sleep with my arm extended out and it sometimes can get uncomfortable, but other than that I forget it is there!
I know I already posted this picture, but can you get enough of that mermaid blanket?! I mean, I'd be jealous of it if I didn't have one, just saying...
And a happy sister picture now that chemo #1 is done! PS I don't think we've ever looked more alike than in this picture
After I finished my 1st round of 15 total rounds of chemo (hey, gotta start somewhere, right?!) I was given a super-fancy-highly-electronic device that was set to give me a shot 27 hours after I finished my chemo. The one I was given is called Neulasta, and it can be attached to your stomach or your arm, but since I was beyond sick of needling going in to my stomach, I decided to go for the robot look and get it on my arm.
So attractive, right? Anyway, I will get one of these after each round of chemo. The medication it injects me with is designed to help pull bone marrow from my bones to increase my white blood cell counts to prevent me getting an infection/sick. Remember in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when Professor Lockhart accidentally removes all the bones in his arm and he has to drink a potion to re-grow the bones overnight in the infirmary? Yeah, that will basically be me. Side note: I love Harry Potter, in case anyone has forgotten :)
This is now my 4th day since chemo, and have appreciated all of the messages/texts/calls wishing me good luck and checking in to see how I am doing! Besides some fatigue and headaches, I feel really good! I have not had any nausea and could not be more grateful. We celebrated Christmas a bit early over here, as we weren't sure how I would be feeling and Aaron worked Christmas Eve and Layne Christmas Day, but it was everything I could have asked for it to be, with the exception of missing mom and dad (of course).
I am still in awe of the genuine outpour of love, support, gifts, and contributions that have been so selflessly given. We (Layne, Aaron, and I) appreciate it more than you could know. As of now, I am still feeling good, and could not be any farther from the invalid/sickly weakling I am sure comes to mind when you think of a cancer patient, so please do not be offended if I do not take you up on rides to appointments, picking up groceries, etc etc, because I intend to stay my badass, independent self for as long as I can! I do wholeheartedly appreciate the offers, though :)
I hope you all had an amazing Christmas! I'll update within the next week or two :)
xoxo,
Kristen
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