Tag Archives: Breast Cancer

The Grace and Favor of God – The 411

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So… remember the lesion the radiologist said was on my mother’s spine? Remember that the oncologist was perplexed as to why she had no pain or discomfort in the left shoulder area, given the diagnosis?

My mom was sent the next day to radiology oncology for further evalution and to get scheduled for radiation therapy to nuke the area. The doctor looks at her PET Scan and CT Scan and does another scan in office and looks at my mom and says “THERE IS NOTHING THERE!” Well, look at GOD ! Won’t He Do It?

The doctor informs my mom that even if there is a lesion there, that is nothing to worry about. He ordered an MRI to be on the safe side and said that if it shows anything there, they will do five radiation sessions to nuke it so it does not cause problems down the line, but it is not a life threatening situation.

My mom is over the moon, as are we.

Only God !

My Mom Was Hospitalized AGAIN ! – The 411

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After my mom’s month long hospitalization in March, I set up appointments with a renowned Cardiologist and a top Pulmonologist to follow up on the organ failure and ARDS to make sure she is recovering properly.

It has been a difficult few months and extremely stressful because my mom has not been herself.  The recent illness has exacerbated the PTSD she had from undergoing cancer treatment and facing mortality.

She has been having extreme mood swings and lashing out.  On one hand she is glad to be alive but she is also understandably angry and bitter because of her health situation, which with time will improve.

The Cardiologist ran tests and discovered that ejection fraction had declined since she left the hospital by 5-10%.  Normal is 60%.  In the hospital, it dropped to 25% and inproved to 45% by the time she was discharged.

Because of the pneumonia, ards and sepsis, that illness is the ONLY reason they discovered that her heart was was weak and had sustained damage over the years due to diabetes and cholestorol and hypertension.  Her EKGs always showed normal.  The echocardiogram was repeated and the doctor suspected that there was blockage.

They found 90% blockage in the main heart artery (the widow maker). The Cardiologist put a stint in and said she will be fine now.  Those “indigestion” pains she was been having (self diagnosis) turned out to be symptoms of the blockage that would have led to a massive heart attack in the very near future, BUT GOD !


Leaving the hospital

My mom is at home now and is resting comfortably.

Please keep her in your prayers that she heals properly and quickly and that her mental status levels off too.  Depression is not good and nor is PTSD.  It does not help that she is undergoing radiation therapy for the 3rd occurrence of breast cancer.  She had excision surgery on May 15th and the surgeon had to do it under twilight sedation because of risk of putting her to sleep.  She has three more weeks of radiation and then she starts a new medication protocol in lieu of chemotherapy.

What a way to live after retirement ….

Twenty-Seven Weeks Old – The 411

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My little angel is now 27 weeks old.  For the past 19 days, I have been at the hospital by my mom’s side for at least twelve hours a day.  I feel so torn because I miss my baby when I am not with her, but she is bonding with my sisters and her cousins while I am at the hospital. 

Our mom is doing a lot better.  She had ARDS (which has less than a 50% survival rate), severe pneumonia and sepsis.  She is still healing from the pneumonia and they are trying to clear fluid from her lungs.  She will likely have to go to Acute Rehabilitation once she is released from the hospital because she is very weak.  This comes from being couped up in an ICU bed and sedated.  

We are very blessed that she is pulling through this and will rebound.

Her hospitlization is putting a hold on my baby’s modeling and acting career.   She was booked by Gerber and called in for a casting for Lamaza Baby, but I am hesistant to travel away from the DC area in fear that I will be summoned to the hospital for an emergency like the other morning when we had to drive in an ice storm because she was in distress.  

I have to go to the beach as well to pack up our things and get the to storage before the end of the month.   I will be awaiting September to go back !  We will be going back a month earlier this year since we missed two months this season.

Please continue to lift our mother in your thoughts and prayers …

Twenty-Five Weeks – The 411

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Today my daughter is 25 weeks old and it is bittersweet that her grandmother and look alike is on life support and not even aware of her today.

My heart breaks at the thought that one day, my mother will no longer be here with us.  No one ever thinks of their loved ones leaving here.  I stand firm in faith that this is NOT that appointed time.  God is a healer and I declare and decree that our mother will rebound completely from this illness to awake and kick cancers ass one last time !  God can do what no man can do and He will divinely bring her through this healed.  

I look at my daughter and I want so much for her to grow up learning from and hanging out with her Grandmom.  My mother adores her and after all I went through to have this child, I deserve to have my mother around to watch her grow… come to her recitals… tag along to castings… vacation with.

I refuse to believe that God would be that cruel and only allow my mother to meet my child.  She needs to be here to watch her grow up and impart her wisdom to.

Ephesians 3:20~

Prayers For Our Mother -The 411

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There are no words in any language which could adequately describe the sheer horror you witness when you are kicked out of your mother’s ICU room and told they are putting her on life support. 
After my mom had a CT Scan and Bone scan to rule out metastatic cancer, the dye made her ill.  She was already coming down with cold type symptoms that she got from my niece.   By yesterday morning, my mom did not look well, was not feeling well and was weak and coughing.   She said her chest hurt so my sister felt it best to have us take her to the ER because it seemed more like pneumonia than a cold.  My sister, T took her to the hospital nearest her home and they discovered that our mom did in fact have pneumonia and her right lung was partially collapsed. 

They admitted her.  This morning, I got my baby settled and I went to the hospital to sit with our mom and talk to the doctors and she said she didn’t feel any better and her chest and back hurt.  I called the nurse to change her pain meds.  While there, the attending came in and explained what was going on and that the infection was now in both lungs. The infectious disease doctor and pulmonary doctor came in and because she was in septic shock, they wanted her on life support to prevent her heart from being taxed. 

I was rushed out of her room after I told them to be sure to use a scope when intubating to prevent her stomach pouch from being perferated.  She had gastric bypass in 2005.

The docs had to put in a central line and an arterial line to administer fluids, three different antibiotics, two blood pressure medications etc.

I signed consents and also talked to the kidney specialist they called in because her kidneys shut down.  

I have never ever been more horrified in my life.  I called on everyone I know to pray.

The devil is a liar and I know that God is healer.  I have chosen to walk in faith and declare and decree Ephesians 3:20 over our lives. 

God will do exceedingly, abundantly above all that I ask or think. Because I honor Him, His blessings will chase me down and overtake me.  I will be in the right place at the right time.  People will go out of their way to be good to me.  I walk in God’s favor.  This is my declaration. AMEN.

I start my day with this affirmation daily.   I find comfort in it.  

God can do this and He is in control.  He will send divine knowledge, skill and instruction to every medical professsional responsible for our mom’s care.  She will be healed !

The CT scan and bone scan showed NO evidence of the cancer spreading.  It is just in the breast.  Thank God !  If she can kick cancers butt twice already, she can beat pneumonia.

I ask that you stand in agreement with me and lift my mother in your thoughts and prayers. 

Twenty-four Weeks Old – The 411

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My baby is now 24 weeks old.  She weighs 16 pounds and is 25 1/2 inches long.  

She is growing by leaps and bounds and is now eating and demanding solid food.  She loves fruit and so far enjoys sweet potatoes, and carrots.  She was not a fan of peas.   I am going to make sweet potatoes and spinach and see how that goes. 

We have been in NYC for a week now.  The baby had an audition last weekend for Carter’s.  Her agency called to say Carter’s requested her for an audition.  We flew to NY, which was her first flight, and she did well on the flight.  Her ears popped and she didn’t care for it much, but did well otherwise.  She slept the majority of the flight and slept in the limos to and from.

We flew back to the beach and on Monday night, the production team called to request her for a fitting so we told them we could be there on Wednesday morning.

We drove from the condo, stopping for an hour or so in DC at my sister’s and then got on the road to NY.  We got in that night before midnight and rested up.   The baby had a fitting at 11 am in midtown the next morning.   After the fitting, we did not get a call until yesterday, telling us that the company was putting us up in a hotel for the night in the Hamptons so that the baby could be well rested for the shoot Sunday morning.  We drove the 3 hour trip to the Hamptons, checked in and the hotel is fabulous. We were placed in a 1 bedroom, condo-like suite complete with two full baths, kitchen, den with pull out sofa, and a king bed in the bedroom.   

They are really giving these babies the first class treatment.  

This is a welcome distraction given that my mom’s surgeon called yesterday with news that her biopsy came back positive for breast cancer AGAIN.  THIRD time !  Really?  

She just finished two rounds of aggressive chemo and 32 or 38 sessions of radiation in June 2015.  Now there is a knot under the breast below where they radiated.  Prayerfully the cancer is contained to that breast and had not spread to anywhere else. 

Needless to say, with all the deaths of late, I am not handling this well.  I am not ready to lose my mother.  She and I are extremely close and I want my baby, her twin, to enjoy Grandmom.  

I welcome your prayers !  

Until later…..  going to try to put little diva back to sleep so that she will not be cranky in the morning.  

Eleven Weeks Post Partum – The 411

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It has been 11 weeks since we welcomed Baby Girl into the world !

She is fat, fluffy, and such a delight. She can now hold her head up and keep it in line with her body when  being held upright.   She turns her head to look for me when she hears my voice.  She loves tummy time and at long last she enjoys her bath.

At current, she still averages 3 to 4 ounces of milk at a time. She drinks 14-28 ounces in a given day but on average, she drinks about 22 ounces a day.

The baby is laughing out loud now and coos when you talk to her and flashes the biggest smile.

I am beyond in love with her and am excited to spend Christmas with her.

Mommy News:

I am down 64 pounds since giving birth and will continue to work on my body.  I plan to walk a few miles a day on the beach and continue with a low carb high protein high fat diet.   

The feeling around my incision is starting to come back and it feels weird.

My milk supply has dropped quite a bit since the clogged ducts.  I have pumped only 10 oz the last several days.   I’m not going to stress about it.  She has been sleeping a lot over the past week and has been drinking about 14 oz total so she is still getting more breast milk than organic formula.  We are in DC for the holiday and I will spend more time trying to pump every other hour when we get back to try to get the supply up.   I also started taking the motilium again now that the clogged ducts are gone.

Grandmom News:

My mother is doing well.  Her wound is almost closed now !  Other than nausea, she feels pretty good.

Mom’s Surgery – The 411

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My mom’s reconstructive surgery that was basically a revision of the breast reconstruction she had done in December, went well. 

Because of the massive scar tissue due to radiation, one breast was super tight and small and the other was a lot larger and lower in placement.   The skin where they did radiation was akin to cutting through concrete according to her surgeon.  They removed all that scar tissue, did a tummy tuck to get new skin and muscle and reconstructed her boobs.   

Her tummy is so flat now I am jealous !  Lol

Her blood pressure remained stable this time and she was under for a little over 4 hours.

She stayed in the hospital all day and overnight and was able to be released to come home this afternoon.   I ordered a lift chair for her comfort from a local medical supply house and this chair is a godsend !!

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers !!

Thirty-Three Weeks – The 411

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Two pineapples in wicker basket on table

How my baby’s growing

This week your baby weighs about 5 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark (about the size of a pineapple). She’s rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look, and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren’t fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for her to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a cone-head–like appearance.) These bones don’t entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as her brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How mommy’s life’s changing

As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in – let alone sleep – is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist.

Nerves that run through this “tunnel” may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping up your arm with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks – which should be frequently.

Many women still feel sexy at this stage – and their partners often agree. You may need to make some adjustments, but for most women, sex during pregnancy is fine right up until their water breaks or their labor starts.

Learn about: Monitoring your baby’s movements

How often should I feel movements?

Your baby should be moving as frequently as she has for the last month or so. Every baby has her own pattern of activity and there’s no correct one. As long as you don’t notice any major changes in your baby’s activity level, chances are she’s doing just fine.

Do I need to keep track of my baby’s kicks?

For an added sense of security, many healthcare providers recommend that after 28 weeks, you formally monitor your baby’s movements at least once or twice a day. There are lots of different ways to do these “kick counts,” so check with your doctor or midwife about how she wants you to track your baby’s movements. Here’s one common approach: Choose a time of day when your baby tends to be active. (Ideally, you’ll want to do the counts at roughly the same time each day.) Sit quietly or lie on your side so you won’t get distracted. Time how long it takes for you to feel 10 distinct movements – kicks, twitches, and whole body movements all count. You should feel at least 10 movements within two hours. (Don’t worry; it probably won’t take that long. Sometimes you’ll feel 10 kicks within the first 10 minutes.) If you don’t feel 10 movements in two hours, stop counting and call your healthcare provider.

What should I do if I think my baby’s movements have slowed or changed?

Let your doctor or midwife know right away if you notice a slowdown of your baby’s movements. A decrease in fetal movement may signal a problem, and you’ll need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby.

BABY STATS:

How Far Along?

33 weeks !

How Big Is The Little One?

My little angel is the size of a pineapple

Total Weight Gain / Loss?

I did not weigh this week, but as of last weigh in, I was up 8 pounds.  I lost 27 pounds first trimester, so I think I am doing pretty good !

Maternity Clothes?

Still rocking running pants, maternity leggings, oversized tees, body con dresses and mostly pjs since I have barely left the house this week.  The baby shower wore me OUT !

Sleep?

I sleep pretty well.  I do wake up a few times to urinate, but otherwise, I have no problem falling asleep.

Best Moment of the Week?

My week has pretty much revolved around resting, cooking and baking.  I was craving fried flounder and chips so I made that yesterday and today I wanted Baby Lima Bean and Country Ham Bone Soup, homemade buttermilk biscuits and grilled center cut pork chops.  I made egg custard pies for my mom using my great Grandmom’s recipe with a few tweaks of my own.  I wanted swiss n cheddar burgers for breakfast and homemade fresh cut fries so I made that at 8 am lol.  I only eat a few bites of anything before I am full, so I do not worry about weight gain.  Now that I am not as repulsed by the smell of food and sight of food, I really enjoyed the few bites of food I indulged in this week.

Symptoms?

My baby has been extremely active the past few days.  She was almost radio silent for the past few weeks with the exception of certain times.  Now, she is moving a lot again… Especially when I am trying to sleep or when I put belly buds on and play Mozart or Beethoven.

Constipation is plaguing me so I am back to taking 3 Colace in the am and drinking coffee with Miralax in it periodically.  That does the trick.

I had blood work last week and my TSH is extremely low (.066), my protein, fluid levels iron levels, Vitamin D, calcium, platelet counts, rbc… everything is LOW !  The baby is taking all my nutrients.  My sister instructed me to up my fluid intake and protein.  I went to get protein shakes but the kind I like was out of stock.  I will make a point of getting some this weekend and start drinking two per day that are 35g each.

Food Cravings?

Burgers, fresh cut fries, cheese, fried fish

Food Aversions?

None

Gender?

Female

Labor Signs?

None

What I Miss?

Wine and Sangria

What I Am Looking Forward To?

Meeting this little angel and seeing who she looks like… what she sounds like… what she smells like.

Bump?

My bump is growing a little… becoming more round.


Navel In/Out?

In

Baby / Mommy Purchases?

I didn’t buy anything this week.

What’s New?

My mom is going to be doing her reconstructive surgery in a week.  I am hoping the have a cancellation and can get her in next week so that she has time to properly heal before I have my cesarean.  Since they are doing a tummy tuck for a flap and her breasts, I am hoping she will be able to sit up straight and be functional by the time baby girl is here, since I will not be able to lift her.

CANCER FREE Mommy ! – The 411

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cancer free 2

Well, look at God !!!   My mother had a Petscan on Monday, following a suspect Ct Scan a few weeks ago.  The doctors were worried about a change in the left breast and an unidentified mass in the right one where she had cancer that was just treated for the past almost two years.  They felt the right breast was more likely scar tissue from 36 rounds of radiation.

The right breast was n fact just scar tissue which has shrunk since the CT Scan, indicating that it is healing and the left breast is just a ruptured implant that will have to be replaced ! They compared the 2007, 2014 and 2016 tests and are certain that our mother is 100% CANCER FREE !!

I bless the Lord for His faithfulness and unwarranted grace !

2016 IS going to be our year !  AMEN !!! 🙂