My Cancer Perspective

Let's face it, cancer sucks. Knowing I am dying sucks even more, but, I sure do have a great life. Did it take cancer for me to realize this? Yeah, I think so. Everyone takes life for granted, don't feel bad, it happens; we are human after all. I don't know why but as I was sitting for my second round of chemo today, different things happening through the day put my life in to great perspective.

So put on some music, grab a bubbly and be ready to be enlightened; here is my cool cancer perspective:

1. I am blessed.
Even though this is my first thought, it is the last I came to write about. I have had a daughter die, lost an unborn baby, had two precious girls born 6 weeks premature and lost the innocence of my delivery, had a son born 8 weeks premature who has faced more setbacks in his short life than most have in a lifetime. I have dealt with ignorance of strangers, 'family' and 'friends'. I have fought for a very long time.
After my diagnosis, I thought 'Life sucks, why am I even here?' I had no fight left in me. But then the blessings came. My Cancer is a blessing. Through my mourning, my sorrow and my dark hours God showed me the light. I treasure every minute. I try to live each day as if it were my last, because I could die any day. The family that has dropped everything to be by my side amazed me. The friends who have gone above and beyond what a normal friendship is to make sure I wasn't alone, we didn't starve, or we had money for gas, parking and medical expenses literally leaves me speechless. I have met amazing women fighting the same fight as me, who have shared intimate details of their life with me. I have had so many prayers from complete strangers. The people who have taken time away from their family, friends, and jobs to be there for us is incredible. Lastly, I am a blessed mother and wife. My children are amazing. They are smart, gorgeous little beings. They don't see my bald head or my rash, they see me for who I am. I have a husband who endlessly loves me. It's not easy to love someone who is dying, but, in our own way, we make it work.
Look at all the things I listed. I am bursting at the seams with blessings. I could name a thousand more, but I named the most important ones. Find the blessings in your life, they are there! You just have to be grateful and open enough to see them for what they are: A gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8  

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Matthew 5:4    

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

2. There is a season and a reason certain people are in your life.
Some friends and family have stepped up and some have stepped back. I am learning that I need to concentrate on what is in front of me. Like I said above, I am blessed; my family and friends who are here are here for a reason. I believe that reason is to bless me. I need to let the people who are here now know how much they mean to me. Ashley wrote a great post about friends, which I pertain to family as well. Some of the people here with me on the journey have no idea how much they mean to me. I need to tell them more often. Like Ashley says in her post, I want to be the kind of friend that I would want to have. I now know what true friendship is and what true family means. I am not angered by the people who have abandoned me- there is a season and a reason there were in my life and gone now; and I am okay with that.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

3. Things could be worse.
I sat down in my chemo chair, usually surrounded by older women, but today was different. I sat down across from a beautiful young woman with her friend, and something about her was different- she was 33 weeks pregnant. She found out at 7 weeks pregnant that she had Breast Cancer and would need chemo upon weekly targeted therapies, deliver her son and within two weeks need a bilateral mastectomy and hysterectomy. There was no way to do any scans on her, and she had no idea if her cancer had metastasized elsewhere. She not only had to worry about herself, but her unborn son. Her innocence was stripped away. The normalcy of what should be a joyful pregnant woman was shattered. There was nothing normal about this. This bring me to my third point- I have 3 overall healthy, gorgeous children whom, despite their issues, are here, alive. The twins were the most normal pregnancy I had, and I enjoyed every single minute of it. This woman would never have that chance. So next time you think you have it bad, remember, things could be worse. Enjoy your life for what it is really worth because if someone like me, or this young, first time Mom can- so can you.

James 5:11 

"Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

4. God is a true mystery (And who am I to try and figure Him out?)
I sure do feel like Job most days, but like in Job I am reminded my place. Where was I when the Earth was formed (Job 38:4)? Have I ever walked in the chambers of the deep sea (Job 28:16)? No. I haven't. I know nothing about the lion, mountain goat, wild ox, or hawk (Job 38:39-41; 39:1-30). I respond like Job and say "Who am I to try and figure out that which I do not understand? I ponder things I do not understand and 'wonders beyond my comprehension'." When God speaks to me, I will listen. I have faith. No matter what is directed at me, I will not question. My God loves me unconditionaly. He gave me his only Son. He has blessed me with far more than I deserve. If I could sit across the porch from God, I'd thank Him for all He has given me.

Isaiah 55:8-9 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Last but not least . . .
5. Life really isn't that bad.
Now, this doesn't just pertain to me, this pertains to the millions of people that think their life is wretched. I read every day on Facebook about how horrible so-and-so's life is because of one trivial thing or another. If you have the above things in perspective then trust me, your life really isn't that bad. There is no point complaining, or hurting yourself because God is great, you are blessed, you have people that love you and there is always someone fighting a greater battle than you. If I can figure this out so can you- so suck it up and enjoy your life!

Matthew 6:25-34 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

Notes from Cancerland: It's been one month and one day since my last chemo. My labs came back great today which meant I was good to go for chemo numero dos. Unfortunately my calcium was too low to get my shot of Xgeva. I have to start taking more Calcium every day. The nurse measured my right breast tumor and said it felt 'spongier' and appeared to have shrunk 1 centimeter. I started Abraxane today and had my dose of Herceptin. I won't need Neulasta since my infusion times are weekly. Abraxane went off without a hitch! Just praying for minimal side effects now! Rock On!! 

3/10/13

Post Chemo Day 17
My face is slowly getting better. I just look like I have a pink scar all over my face. I seen the oncologist Thursday and he swears that the Taxotere caused the reaction. He took me off of the Taxotere and Perjeta and is giving me two week off to let my face heal. He switched in a new med called Abraxane. Bad thing is I have to start going weekly. Hopefully the side effects are minimal.

I went down to Ulta's for a makeup lesson. The ladies were amazing. They spent an hour and a half with me and showed me how to cover up my psoriasis. I spent way more money than I should have, but hey- look at those results!

3/4/13

Post Chemo Day 11
I thought maybe my face would be getting better but it's still just getting worse. I just don't even know what the hell to do anymore. It is the worse pain ever. My face aches 24/7, I can barely sleep and must take a Vicodin every 4 hours or I cannot even function. I can't even form my mouth enough to swallow my own saliva-  my face is that swollen. It's almost like I had my wisdom teeth pulled out but even my chin hurts. I have like this thick scab over my chin into my jaw and I can't move my face around. It's so sensitive that everything hurts it. Looking at my face makes me sick to my stomach I look so damn ugly. So many people want to visit but I don't want anyone here while I look like this. I am absolutely hideous. Thank goodness I got my medicine today- woot woot! I pray it works within 3 days but I have a feeling my face has a whole lot more healing to do than three days. My oncology appointment in on Thursday so I am hoping I can get off of the drug causing it because I cannot deal with this much longer. Every day I wake up hoping it looks a teeny better and try to be in a good mood but it fades through the day. I have been falling asleep in the afternoon but the kids make that a wee bit impossible. They just don't get it. They throw fits and whine and cry, I get so mad at them. I hate being in this much pain all the time. Aughhhhh.

3/1/13

Post Chemo Day 9
Days 3-5 post chemo were the worst pain imaginable, worse than- gasp- yes- childbirth. But it only got worse when on Post Day 5 my face decided to erupt in a hideous rash. The rash so severe that my face ached in pain. I was unable to eat or sleep. I broke down and called my nurse who sent me to the ER on Monday. They gave me an antibiotic but it just kept getting worse and by post chemo day 8 I was back at the ER again. They scheduled me to see a Dermatologist this time the following morning. So I drove downtown to somewhere I wasn't familiar with by myself, without any pain meds, looking like an alien. They said they see it a lot with cancer patients. Pustlar Psoriasis. Greeeeaaaattttt. So not only do I feel like shit, I look like it to. Don't believe, have a gander at the progression of "The Rash" . . .

I could start to feel my hair thinning out so I had a "Shave Party" on Saturday with everyone who has been really helping me with things- Mom, Sarah, Tamie, Megan, Courtney and Danielle. We picked up pizza on the way to Moms and ate and chatted. Then Steve started and everyone else took turns and Tamie finished up. Even the girls had a go at it. I cried a little bit. It's an emotional experience. I don't really care that my hair was gone, but I really cared why it was happening. 

2/23/13

Post Chemo Day 3

The side effects started last night. I felt so achy and was in so much pain. Little did I know how bad it would get. I slept pretty good through most of the night until about 3 am when Stephen woke up screaming. Steve had to get up with him because I physically could not get out of bed. He cried for me, poor buggar. Within a half a hour he was back up again, but this time, I let him come in the room and get a 15 minuet cuddle and I staggered with him back to his room. The girls were up bright and early and I turned on the TV in my room. Every time they moved the bed, I cringed. It hurt so bad and felt like an eternity before Sarah finally showed up. I only managed an hour before I fell asleep on the couch. I slept most of the day and Sarah made me come and get some food. This pain is incredible. I feel like I was set out in the sun, with baby oil, crushed between two steel slabs and then given a mutated flu gene. Every place there is a hair on my body aches. My face feels like it is being stretched beyond the limits of the world. My neck and shoulders may just fall off from the pain. Nothing seems to help. I wasn't ready for this.

Stephen was out of control tonight. He screamed for what seemed to be the entire evening. Nothing soothed him. Lily joined his madness for a while but is easier to get over her issues. They just don't understand. I feel like a helpless mom and that is just about the worst feeling.

2/21/13

It's been 16 days since I jotted anything down. 16. What a number. Shannon was born on the 16th and she forever changed my life, and let me tell you, in these past 16 days my life changed in no way like it did when she was born. 16 days ago, I would fight this C and I knew I'd live. Today, I can't say the same. An incredible whirlwind of emotions has taken over my life.

15 days ago, I went for my Bone Scan and CT scan. I was feeling sick since the day before. I had a cough for a solid month and while all of the Project Sweet Peas Board of Directors were in to receive the $20,000 check from Chase; my back pain went through the roof because of my cough. It was unbearable. So after all of my scans that morning, Steve made me go to the ER. Apparently having C and having the issues I was having was not good. How did I know they would all be looped together in a matter of hours?

I was admitted, and in my room for only two hours when my Breast Surgeon came in. She told me that she had the results of my scans, and she wished she had better news. They found cancer in my liver, 2 spots on my spine, and in the other breast. I was fighting Stage IV breast cancer. I have been in this place before. I stopped listening, and broke down. I just remember looking at her sobbing and asked if I was going to die. Her response "We are going to try and not let that happen". Not a "Oh my Gosh, no hunny, what an over exaggeration, you will be just fine"; They would "try" to save my life. Thanks, I guess.

I haven't Steve cry like that for years. He sobbed as he made the phone calls and I laid there in a comatose state. I went back to the dark place, my eyes were swollen and hurt from crying, I couldn't sleep, it consumed my every thought. I am dying. I am going to die long before I should. Would I see my kids in 5 years? Chances are I would never see them have kids, and that broke my heart most of all. I would die before my husband, who I always assumed would die before me. Sarah stayed with me overnight because Steve didn't want me to be alone, and she and Danielle did a darn good job to keep me in better spirits.

I stayed in the hospital for a couple more days as they pumped me full of meds for my upset belly and tried to get my cough to go away. They think I may be starting in to asthma, hence my cough with breathing problems. My nurses were awesome, and made me laugh so hard. They will never have any idea of the impact they made on me those days. I had to turn my phone off because it was going crazy with supportive texts and calls, but I couldn't bring myself to talking to much of anyone, I still really can't.

I ended up cutting my hair once I was released because I knew I would be losing it soon anyway, but I wasn't ready for a complete shave yet. I hated it at first (sorry Sarah!!) but it was more because I knew why it was short. I didn't choose willfully to do this. Just like I didn't choose to have a hysterectomy, it was chose for me. And to live, yet again, I had to do more stuff I didn't want to have to do. Another part of my femininity was stripped away from me. I was slowly be torn away from my womanhood- and it would soon get worse.

Danielle came with Steve and me to the oncologist on the 14th and took notes. Thank goodness she did because I got lost in everything he had said. Basically, only 5% of metastatic breast cancer (cancer that spreads) is curable. So, chances are slim that any of this cancer will ever go away. The only hope is to stop it from growing and spreading. Surgery is not in my future. They will do a couple rounds of chemo and targeted drugs for my type of mets and then repeat scans and see where we are. That is it. All we can do is prolong my life as long as we can. I pray that I am that 5% of curable Stage IV mets cancer patients, but, let's face it, the odds have never been in my favor. I ain't no Katniss Everdeen.

The doc wanted me to start chemo ASAP. So I had my first round on Wednesday. I tried hard not to think about it, but it ate at me like nothing I have ever felt before. My first round meant that this was really happening. It was a reality that I had cancer and I was indeed dying. As soon as my nurse started hooking me up on my meds I lost it. I just couldn't stop crying. It was really happening. Really.

It wasn't terrible, I didn't have any bad reactions, but that's probably because God figured to at least give me a "freebie" with it. I am actually a little frightened that maybe it isn't working because it went so well. Yesterday I did good; no bad side effects. The steroid I am on for my bone mets cause servers insomnia, so I just don't get to sleep for a couple days while I do a round. I had some chills like I had the flu but it's just another day I am alive.

2/6/13

I saw the Breast Surgeon today. Doc found two types of BC, which is the type that is in my milk ducts and has not moved out (DCIS), and I also have the IDC (Invasive Ductal) which means it has moved out of the ducts in to the tissue. When you have BC, they check your hormone receptor status, which means they try to see if estrogen, progesterone or a protein called HER2neu is "feeding" your C. Each type of those is treated differently. I am negative for the E and P but am positive for the HER2. So this protein normally is fine, we all have it, but mine is rapidly reproducing and causing my cancer. It also makes my prognosis and chances for re-occurrence greater. Only 15% of BCs are HER2+. It has started to spread and was also positive for spreading through the lymph nodes. My stage is still 2, so I am right in the middle of "okay BC" and "oh shit BC". Good thing about being HER2+ is that there is a specific chemo that targets the protein, but the chemo rounds will be longer and I will need more of them than most.

I have an MRI today which is standard, but have been battling back pain since around the time I found the mass and go for a bone scan and a CT scan tomorrow. I also have to see a genetic counselor today, given my age and hormone status. This will tell me if the BC is genetic or not.

I go on Valentine's Day to see the oncologist and that is the appointment that we will have a solid plan that we'll start soon after. Doc today says that it is most likely given all my factors that I will start Chemo first to stop it from growing and reduce its size.