I know it been awhile since I have wrote. Sorry!!
I am doing good. I'm done with radiation. YAY! And I am just at a stand still now waiting to heal from that so I can start reconstruction surgeries.
Emotionally I am happy and scared. I am happy to be done but scared to face the next chapter. I AM excited treatments are ending for the most part but I am so afraid it will come back. I have been trying to do the day by day and not live in fear thing but its easier to say that than to actually live it. This has to be the scariest thing I have encountered in life. The mere thought that this disease wants to take me from my kids and husband and family and friends breaks my heart. I know its in Gods hands and he has taken such good care of me for 9 months now and that is truly what keeps me strong.
On a happier note, 6 more days and then we leave for Florida. I cant wait. It has been kind of chilly here for July so Im looking forward to some HOT weather.
I will write when I get back and let you all know how the vacation went.
Love, Mandy
Monday, July 27, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Almost 4 weeks down and a few to go. I will be done with radiation at the end of June! :) Can't wait.
I hope everyone is doing good. I haven't saw alot of you since summer has started and I'm sure everyone is busy doing fun stuff outside. :)
Next week I am taking the kids to the zoo. I hope the weather gets a little better. Derek should enjoy it this year since last year he was to little to really realize what was going on.
Paige is out of school now. Done with Kindergarten can you believe it. On to first grade! :) She is growing up so fast.
Aug. 1st she will be 6! Aug 2nd we are going to leave for Florida and we are all really excited to go! I cant wait to see the kids face when they see the ocean for the first time. :) We are also stopping in Tenn. for 1 day/night on our way down and they will get to stay in the mountains for the first time too. It should be a good trip and much needed for ALL of us. All these treatments are starting to wear us all down.
I wont have any surgeries for reconstruction before we leave. I have talked with the plastic surgeon and he said we will get started when I get back. I think I will have between 3 to 5 surgeries. I am actually looking forward to getting these expanders out and the implants in. These expanders are quite uncomfortable. They are stretching my muscle and even after 2 months I can still feel them doing that. Radiation has been going good so far. No complications and everything looks on track. I go in everyday, lay there, get "zapped" and go home. It is making me pretty tired but they said to expect that. Only a few more weeks and then this step will hopefully be done!!!! YAY! :)
Please still keep me in your prayers. God has been so amazing and I can see his amazing works everyday. I THANK YOU ALL for praying for me and thinking of me, Brad and the kids. We appreciate you all so much. Im getting there, 7 months down now. Can you believe it has been 7 months. Life changed forever for me on Oct. 29th. But in a good way. It made me appreciate my life, what I have and who I love, my friendships and just being alive!!
Sending all my LOVE, Mandy
I hope everyone is doing good. I haven't saw alot of you since summer has started and I'm sure everyone is busy doing fun stuff outside. :)
Next week I am taking the kids to the zoo. I hope the weather gets a little better. Derek should enjoy it this year since last year he was to little to really realize what was going on.
Paige is out of school now. Done with Kindergarten can you believe it. On to first grade! :) She is growing up so fast.
Aug. 1st she will be 6! Aug 2nd we are going to leave for Florida and we are all really excited to go! I cant wait to see the kids face when they see the ocean for the first time. :) We are also stopping in Tenn. for 1 day/night on our way down and they will get to stay in the mountains for the first time too. It should be a good trip and much needed for ALL of us. All these treatments are starting to wear us all down.
I wont have any surgeries for reconstruction before we leave. I have talked with the plastic surgeon and he said we will get started when I get back. I think I will have between 3 to 5 surgeries. I am actually looking forward to getting these expanders out and the implants in. These expanders are quite uncomfortable. They are stretching my muscle and even after 2 months I can still feel them doing that. Radiation has been going good so far. No complications and everything looks on track. I go in everyday, lay there, get "zapped" and go home. It is making me pretty tired but they said to expect that. Only a few more weeks and then this step will hopefully be done!!!! YAY! :)
Please still keep me in your prayers. God has been so amazing and I can see his amazing works everyday. I THANK YOU ALL for praying for me and thinking of me, Brad and the kids. We appreciate you all so much. Im getting there, 7 months down now. Can you believe it has been 7 months. Life changed forever for me on Oct. 29th. But in a good way. It made me appreciate my life, what I have and who I love, my friendships and just being alive!!
Sending all my LOVE, Mandy
Monday, May 18, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Well, I know I haven't wrote alot lately. Sorry!
I did start radiation last week and everything is going as planned. I had my permanent markings done on Friday and all I can say is Ouch! They poked me over ten times in some sensitive spots like my underarm ect..! Im glad thats over!! :)
I would like to thank everyone for your continued prayers. I know things seem to have slowed down but to be honest it feels more hectic on my part! I am getting overwhelmed a bit. Cancer is such a long drawn out ordeal! I am so ready to be done!! Everyday going to radiation is a little annoying but the people there have been great so far. I am so hoping to hear those magic words Cancer Free someday. I have put myself through so much pain and sickness that I dont know how I would react if they said it wasn't over yet and I had more to do.
On another note, could someone please tell me why cancer has to be soooo expensive. I know the meds and stuff are costly but Im already in the 100 thou mark and that is only like 3 chemo treatments no surgery and no radiation. I can only imagine what it will be when I get that last statement. I feel so bad for the women who have no insurance at all. But I have learned even with insurance they are not willing to pay for everything. I had to fight a little with them about the decision to have a double mastectomy. They wanted to say the left side was healthy so they didn't want to pay. Thank goodness my surgeons office fought for me and got them to agree. Also that genetic test which is like 4 thousand, the insurance stuck us with like 1,000 of that. I am sorry I am just venting about our insurance and all the arguments we have had. Dont get me stared on the wig issue and the man that said its a wig and its my choice to buy it. lol Brad was so mad trying to tell him I lost my hair do to meds and cancer and we have a prescription for it. haha Finally after 3 or 4 days the guy got it.
on a happier note.....
We have decided on early Aug. to go on our Florida trip provided by the wonderful Saturdays. I am really looking forward to it. :) It hopefully will be alot of fun for the kids and Brad and I also.
Please dont forget about me and please continue on those prayers! I am getting a little scared and I hope that everything has worked and I no longer will have cancer and never get it again.
Sending all my love, Mandy
I did start radiation last week and everything is going as planned. I had my permanent markings done on Friday and all I can say is Ouch! They poked me over ten times in some sensitive spots like my underarm ect..! Im glad thats over!! :)
I would like to thank everyone for your continued prayers. I know things seem to have slowed down but to be honest it feels more hectic on my part! I am getting overwhelmed a bit. Cancer is such a long drawn out ordeal! I am so ready to be done!! Everyday going to radiation is a little annoying but the people there have been great so far. I am so hoping to hear those magic words Cancer Free someday. I have put myself through so much pain and sickness that I dont know how I would react if they said it wasn't over yet and I had more to do.
On another note, could someone please tell me why cancer has to be soooo expensive. I know the meds and stuff are costly but Im already in the 100 thou mark and that is only like 3 chemo treatments no surgery and no radiation. I can only imagine what it will be when I get that last statement. I feel so bad for the women who have no insurance at all. But I have learned even with insurance they are not willing to pay for everything. I had to fight a little with them about the decision to have a double mastectomy. They wanted to say the left side was healthy so they didn't want to pay. Thank goodness my surgeons office fought for me and got them to agree. Also that genetic test which is like 4 thousand, the insurance stuck us with like 1,000 of that. I am sorry I am just venting about our insurance and all the arguments we have had. Dont get me stared on the wig issue and the man that said its a wig and its my choice to buy it. lol Brad was so mad trying to tell him I lost my hair do to meds and cancer and we have a prescription for it. haha Finally after 3 or 4 days the guy got it.
on a happier note.....
We have decided on early Aug. to go on our Florida trip provided by the wonderful Saturdays. I am really looking forward to it. :) It hopefully will be alot of fun for the kids and Brad and I also.
Please dont forget about me and please continue on those prayers! I am getting a little scared and I hope that everything has worked and I no longer will have cancer and never get it again.
Sending all my love, Mandy
Monday, May 4, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Here is a great story about IU Med Center where I go. I think this is a great thing they are doing. I am posting this to let you all know so if you want to get involved and donate. :)
Thanks to a second $1 million research grant from the world’s largest breast cancer organization, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center, named for its funder, will continue its unique mission to collect and share healthy breast tissue specimens with researchers worldwide to help understand how breast cells turn cancerous.
It is the nation’s first and only healthy breast tissue bank, and this year’s grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure will allow the bank to add to its tissue collection from more than 450 women and blood samples from more than 4,500.
"We are the only collection of this much normal tissue in the world," said Anna Maria Storniolo, M.D., co-principal investigator of the Komen Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center. "There's no question that is a unique and incredibly precious resource."
Just over a year ago, Komen for the Cure provided its first $1 million research grant to help the tissue bank get started. Researchers from across the country, from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Walter Reed Medical Army Institute, already are using specimens from the bank. “In breast cancer, in order to figure out what is abnormal, you have to be able to compare it to normal. So because of that, the normal controls from the Komen Tissue Bank are incredibly important,” said Storniolo .
“Research studies help us do more than develop new treatments. They also advance our understanding of how breast cancer develops in the first place, which can lead to new ways to detect or prevent the disease. This tissue bank is a unique opportunity for women to participate in and contribute to the research process,” said Diana Rowden, vice president of health sciences at Komen.
Gaining better understanding of the diseaseBy collecting blood and tissue from women with and without breast cancer, researchers will be able to determine the differences between these populations, which could lead to a better understanding of the disease. Blood and tissue samples taken from women without the disease are especially helpful because there are few collections of so-called "normal" specimens.
In order to identify the changes cells undergo as they transition from normal to malignant, and to detect the earliest indication of malignant transformation, it is vital to obtain and study "true normal" breast cells.
In 2009, the Komen Tissue Bank will be holding five tissue collection events as well as one large blood collection, which will be at the Komen Evansville Race for the Cure® on Sept. 19.
Susan G Komen for the Cure is the largest single nonprofit funder of breast cancer research. This year alone, Komen funds are supporting $60 million worth of research programs throughout the United States and in one foreign country.
For more information about the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center, its history and plans for the future, please visit www.komentissuebank.iu.edu.
Thanks to a second $1 million research grant from the world’s largest breast cancer organization, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center, named for its funder, will continue its unique mission to collect and share healthy breast tissue specimens with researchers worldwide to help understand how breast cells turn cancerous.
It is the nation’s first and only healthy breast tissue bank, and this year’s grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure will allow the bank to add to its tissue collection from more than 450 women and blood samples from more than 4,500.
"We are the only collection of this much normal tissue in the world," said Anna Maria Storniolo, M.D., co-principal investigator of the Komen Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center. "There's no question that is a unique and incredibly precious resource."
Just over a year ago, Komen for the Cure provided its first $1 million research grant to help the tissue bank get started. Researchers from across the country, from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Walter Reed Medical Army Institute, already are using specimens from the bank. “In breast cancer, in order to figure out what is abnormal, you have to be able to compare it to normal. So because of that, the normal controls from the Komen Tissue Bank are incredibly important,” said Storniolo .
“Research studies help us do more than develop new treatments. They also advance our understanding of how breast cancer develops in the first place, which can lead to new ways to detect or prevent the disease. This tissue bank is a unique opportunity for women to participate in and contribute to the research process,” said Diana Rowden, vice president of health sciences at Komen.
Gaining better understanding of the diseaseBy collecting blood and tissue from women with and without breast cancer, researchers will be able to determine the differences between these populations, which could lead to a better understanding of the disease. Blood and tissue samples taken from women without the disease are especially helpful because there are few collections of so-called "normal" specimens.
In order to identify the changes cells undergo as they transition from normal to malignant, and to detect the earliest indication of malignant transformation, it is vital to obtain and study "true normal" breast cells.
In 2009, the Komen Tissue Bank will be holding five tissue collection events as well as one large blood collection, which will be at the Komen Evansville Race for the Cure® on Sept. 19.
Susan G Komen for the Cure is the largest single nonprofit funder of breast cancer research. This year alone, Komen funds are supporting $60 million worth of research programs throughout the United States and in one foreign country.
For more information about the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center, its history and plans for the future, please visit www.komentissuebank.iu.edu.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Sorry for not writing for awhile. Our main computer broke. We got it back last night.
I just want to say I had THE best time at the race and I want to thank everyone that came out that day and everyone who donated. THANK YOU!
I will be there next year for sure.
About my treatments; I will be starting radiaton either next week or the first of the following week. I will be happy to be done with this phase of my treatments. Its everyday and I know it will get annoying. But it needs done. :)
I am going to be speaking with Sharon my nurse navigator/friend at Luthran High School's Health class next week. I hope I can get my point across to pay attention to the correct ways of doing your self breast exams. Also to do them once a month and take it serious.
Thats whats going on. I'll write back soon.:)
Love, Mandy
I just want to say I had THE best time at the race and I want to thank everyone that came out that day and everyone who donated. THANK YOU!
I will be there next year for sure.
About my treatments; I will be starting radiaton either next week or the first of the following week. I will be happy to be done with this phase of my treatments. Its everyday and I know it will get annoying. But it needs done. :)
I am going to be speaking with Sharon my nurse navigator/friend at Luthran High School's Health class next week. I hope I can get my point across to pay attention to the correct ways of doing your self breast exams. Also to do them once a month and take it serious.
Thats whats going on. I'll write back soon.:)
Love, Mandy
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Just a few more days till the Race!
Cant wait to see you guys!! It will be a fun day.
Im so blessed to have such a big supportive team! Thank you!!!!!
Cant wait to see you guys!! It will be a fun day.
Im so blessed to have such a big supportive team! Thank you!!!!!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Well, week two and its going ok.
I did have a busy day yesterday which wasn't expected. I thought all I had to do was get up and go to my 1/2 hour hecertin treatment but it didnt work out that way. First My port didnt want to open and work since it hadnt been flushed for 6 weeks. It took 2 hours and finally they put in a medicine that opened the line up.
Then the treatment went as planned.
Next I called my surgeons office because I was having a bit of a problem on my right side and they said come in for again what I thought was going to be like a 5 min. procedure. Well, Dr. Hahs changed her mind and decided to put back a tube that had been taken out a few day before. So that ended up being an 1 1/2 appointment.
So my lesson for the day was dont assume everything will always goes smoothly and dont let the bumps get you down!
Brad and I ended up having a really nice dinner since we were down in greenwood so we tried and make the evening a little better :)
On to Race for the Cure. I am getting really excited and hope all of you are too.
Take care!
Love, Mandy
I did have a busy day yesterday which wasn't expected. I thought all I had to do was get up and go to my 1/2 hour hecertin treatment but it didnt work out that way. First My port didnt want to open and work since it hadnt been flushed for 6 weeks. It took 2 hours and finally they put in a medicine that opened the line up.
Then the treatment went as planned.
Next I called my surgeons office because I was having a bit of a problem on my right side and they said come in for again what I thought was going to be like a 5 min. procedure. Well, Dr. Hahs changed her mind and decided to put back a tube that had been taken out a few day before. So that ended up being an 1 1/2 appointment.
So my lesson for the day was dont assume everything will always goes smoothly and dont let the bumps get you down!
Brad and I ended up having a really nice dinner since we were down in greenwood so we tried and make the evening a little better :)
On to Race for the Cure. I am getting really excited and hope all of you are too.
Take care!
Love, Mandy
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