Almost Done!

I am so excited! This is my last week of radiation.

Good News!

Wow! A lot has occurred since I last updated my blog.

My doctor put me on a new chemotherapy drug called Cisplatin. OMG! It caused severe nausea and neuropathy. After, two treatments my doctor decided to stop giving me drug.

I have also returned to work. Yea! This is my third week back and I am so excited to be back amongst my supportive co-workers and rambunctious 7th and 8th grade students. I’m also geeked about finally being able to get out the house on a regular basis.

I’ve also started an aqua aerobics class to try to get back into shape. For those of you who haven’t seen me, the chemo drugs caused me to pack on quite a few pounds.

Finally, here’s my big news….I am officially done with chemo. Hallelujah! I had my port removed last Friday, and I begin radiation on Monday. Thank you all so much for your prayers and continued support. I will continue to keep you posted on my progress.

3 Weeks Post Surgery

I’m almost 3 weeks post surgery and besides being sore I am doing very well. My drains were taken out Tuesday and I’ll be going to have my expanders filled next week. On a sour note, I’ll be starting my third round of chemotherapy at the end of the month. This particular chemotherapy drug will take two days to administer however; I will only have to go every three weeks. My goal is still to be able to go back to work in August when school starts. However, with all my weekly appointments, reaction to chemo and physical fatigue it is still up in the air.

Post-Surgery Update

So much has happened since my last update. I celebrated my 30^th birthday on June 19^th. I celebrated with a dinner party on Friday June 17^th since the 19^th was too close to my surgery date on the 20^th.

The surgery went very well and I am now recovering at home. There have been some bumps in the road over the last 7 days, but I’m finally feeling better. I have several doctors’ appointments this week. Hopefully, I’ll be having my drains removed Wednesday (I’ve been told that having the drains removed will ease some of the soreness and pressure that I am feeling in my chest) and then I’ll go and hear my pathology report on Thursday. It is my hope that the pathology report comes back very positive and reveals that I will not have to receive any additional chemotherapy treatments.

Race for the Cure Pictures

Race for the Cure

I enjoyed walking with everyone in the Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure on June 11, 2011. We had 26 people on our team and the weather for the most part was beautiful (except for the few minutes where it rained). Pictures will be posted soon. Thanks again to all of you who participated by walking and donating!

Acceptance

I was feeling a little down yesterday due to the realization that my surgery date is quickly approaching. However, I’m feeling a little better today.

Great freedom comes from accepting people and circumstances as they are. In my case it would be accepting my circumstances (breast cancer and other things that have occurred in my life). Through acceptance I am able to release my need to control or change situations that are not mine to control. Peace comes from allowing things to unfold as they will. So, today with a renewed sense of peace, I accept the circumstances in my life with love. I give thanks for the blessings they bring and it is my hope that through my circumstances, trials, and tribulations that I can be a blessing to others.

Fear

I have my final chemo session June 1, 2011 and then I am on to surgery on June 20, 2011. I have a lot of apprehensions about having surgery yet I am trying to find comfort in the Lord.

Finding the courage and strength to get through this living nightmare has made me stronger than I ever thought possible. Facing the possibility of death, having my breast removed because of cancer, feeling like I was losing part of my femininity... those are some gruesome fears to live through.

Chemo Pics-May 6, 2011

Me in the chair getting chemo. Ugh… it takes 4.5-5 hours.

Rahien chilling in the chair next to me…hang in there I’m almost done!

All done! Next stop Pappadeaux with my two favorite guys (my husband and dad).

Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure®

Dear Friends and Family,

How can you Make an Impact? It’s simple, join me and my Team on Saturday, June 11, 2011 when we participate in the 13th Annual Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure®.

Join us and tens of thousands of other participants as we all come together in the fight against breast cancer. Just visit www.komenstlouis.org/race and click on the link to Join a Team and search for my name. If you aren’t able to join us, you can support our efforts with a pledge contribution. The money raised through the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure will fund vital screening, treatment, education and research programs for underserved women in our very own community and also support the national search for a cure.

We’d love you for to join us and help us reach our goal of a world without breast cancer! Every step counts!

Sincerely,

Valencia Williams

Online:
http://www.komenstlouis.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=32545&pg=team&fr_id=1080

OR

go to www.komenstlouis.org/race and search for my Team (Pretty In Pink).

By Mail:
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
St. Louis Affiliate
PO Box 790129, Dept SK

Chemo Schedule

My family is awesome! They put together a chemo schedule and every week that I go to chemo a different family member is here to take me. Thanks so much Rahien, Dad, Janell, Al, Auntie Jennifer, Auntie PJ, Rahsaan, and Malarie. I sincerely appreciate your continued support and prayers. I am truly blessed!

Side Effects

I’m not too mobile today because my body hurts too bad to move…so I’ve been researching the medicines that my doctor has me taking.

I’m taking this new medicine called Gabapentin. I did some research and the side effects are below. I’ve been taking this drug since Friday and why have I had all the side effects that are highlighted in pink (most of them occurred between Sunday and Monday)? Needless to say I called the doctor and told her I needed pain medicine.

·         drowsiness

·         tiredness or weakness

·         dizziness

·         headache

·         shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control

·         double or blurred vision

·         unsteadiness

·         anxiety

·         memory problems

·         strange or unusual thoughts –(yep…I kept waking Rahien up last night asking him if he heard rock music)

·         unwanted eye movements

·         nausea

·         vomiting

·         heartburn

·         diarrhea

·         dry mouth

·         constipation

·         weight gain

·         swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

·         back or joint pain

·         fever –(98.7 which is higher than usual)

·         ear pain

·         runny nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms

·         red, itchy eyes (sometimes with swelling or discharge)

·         rash

·         itching

·         swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes

·         hoarseness

·         difficulty swallowing or breathing

·         seizures

All I can do is laugh at myself to get thru the day. It's funny how medicine is supposed to help you and then you end up with all these other problems and have to take more medicine to deal with the side effects.

I also found this video on breast reconstruction. At first I didn’t want to watch it because I thought it may make me not want to go thru with the process…but it’s kind of interesting. It is very graphic so if you decide to watch it make sure that you aren’t at work.

Link: http://youtu.be/yMMEiy82Rho

Life

Life is very interesting. In the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths.

 ~ Drew Barrymore

New Drug

I haven’t written in awhile due to fatigue and nausea. However, I finished my first round of chemo last week and will beginning my second round next week.  The new drug I will be taking is called Taxol. Through my research I have learned that Taxol has many of the same side effects as the drugs I was taking previously (Adriamycin and Cytoxan) however, I should expect two new side effects. The first, numbness and tingling in my hands/feet related to peripheral nerve irritation/damage and second, muscle/bone aches for approximately 3 days. I am open to any suggestions in regards to combating these new side effects however, I figure I’ll just get some massages and take baths with Epson salt.

Good News

This past Friday with my chemo crew in tow I conquered my third session of chemo. I also received more good news...the tumor in my breast and cancer in my lymphoids have shrunken to the point where it is no longer physically noticeable (I/the doctor can’t feel it). Although this does not mean that I am cancer free it does mean that the chemo and other medicines that I am taking are doing their job.

Just A Thought

It may sound strange but I am grateful for this whole experience. It has utterly changed my life for the better. It has humbled me in ways I could have never imagined.

Chemo Session 2

My second session of chemo went very well. I received some great news, my tumor has decreased in size instead of 6 centimeters it is now 2x2.5 centimeters. Which means the chemo is working. A special thanks to all those who have been praying for me.

My New Hair Style

Night School

I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not the cancer that makes you sick…it’s the chemo. Since starting chemo I’ve had all kinds of problems that I’ve never had before (frequent spells of nausea, constipation, heartburn, acne, uncontrollable gas, etc). As a matter of fact I didn’t even feel sick when I was diagnosed with cancer.  I “think” I finally have everything under control however, I go to chemo again this week and I’m afraid that everything will start all over again or I’ll develop new ailments.

The only thing I have left to conquer or get under control this week is my mental state. Like many women, I’ve always had trouble sleeping at night. However, I read an essay earlier this week titled Night School. In the essay Kathy, a breast cancer survivor, described how she’d wake up in the middle of the night with her heart pounding, trembling, sobbing, and worrying. She referred to these times as “God’s night classes.” She said that God often wakens us in the middle of the night during difficult times for the simple reason that it is quiet and there is nothing to distract us from communicating with him and with everything around us dark and silent, we can talk to him, and we can listen to what he has to tell us.

I’ve begun to use my nightly wake-up calls as God’s night classes also. I pray for many things but mostly the courage to get through all of this.

Port Problems

I’ve been having some problems with my port. For the past several nights I’ve found myself laying awake, trying to get comfortable enough to go to sleep. After tossing and turning for several nights, I’ve concluded that the only way to sleep somewhat comfortable is sitting up. I’ve tried sleeping in a chair and on three different couches. So, I’ve made a “pillow recliner chair” on the bed in the guest bedroom. Although it is not 100% comfortable it has allowed me to get three maybe four hours of sleep a day. I remember my mother during her battle with cancer, and can recall countless evenings when she set up in a recliner chair trying to get comfortable. I wonder if she too had the same issue…

Thought of the day

From J.W.
Don't ask God for an easier life, ask him to make you a stronger person...

Chemo (1 down 7 more to go)

Thursday February 24, 2011 I received my first of eight chemo therapy treatments. I thought I was going to kick chemo in the butt and be on my way to being a chemo warrior. I planned to hit the streets, do some shopping, plan for the upcoming book fair I will be providing for my students. That is until I got home and all the nausea kicked in and I ended up on the couch for the next two days.

On another note, I’ve received some really awesome emails, text, cards, telephone calls, flowers and so many words of encouragement. Thank you all for thinking of me!

Until next time please enjoy a picture of me and my chemo nurse Ellen.

Genetic Testing Results

In my post on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 I shared with you that I had undergone some genetic testing. Well, I received the results from the test today and learned that I have a BRCA1 mutation. This means that I have a hereditary form of breast cancer. When speaking with the doctors about my condition it was concluded that I most likely inherited the gene from my mother’s side of the family.

I think I handled the news very well. Actually, I kind of suspected that I carried the mutation due to my family history.

My Port

I had my port put in this morning. A port is a round device that is implanted under the skin which is connected to a small tube that enters a vein either in the neck or under the collarbone (mine is under the collarbone).  When I go to use it, a nurse will clean off the skin over the port and place a needle into the port.  I now will have blood drawn, fluids, medications, and chemo administered through the port.

I arrived at the outpatient surgery center at 8:15AM and was in surgery by 9:45AM. I had a really great team of doctors; my surgical oncologist is the best! I don’t remember much about the procedure. However, I can remember is that when I entered the operation room, Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror was playing on the radio, the anesthesiologist inserted anesthesia into in my IV and I was off to “la-la land”. When I awoke up my support team (husband, dad, sister, and aunt) was by my side (Thanks guys).

Here is my port, where all blood will be drawn, and fluids, medications, and chemo will be given.

My Discovery

Three months ago I discovered a lump in my breast (along with 2 swollen lymphoids). My initial thought was, "Ok, I must have pulled a muscle." So I treated my "pulled muscle" with Aleve and a heating pad.

Eventually, I asked Rahien to feel this "knot" on the side of my breast. Sure enough his response was, “yep there's a lump, you need to go to the doctor.”

I must admit that I was a little reluctant to go to the doctor. I just thought that I had over extended myself, but with Rahien’s encouragement I scheduled an appointment for the next day.

So I went to the doctor's office where my doctor verified the lump. From that day on I have been overwhelmed with tests (a mammogram, biopsy, genetic, PET scan, etc.) and doctor’s appointments.

I have been so busy with work, school and doctor’s appointments that I haven’t really had time to digest what is going on with my body. I don’t think that being diagnosed with breast cancer has really hit me yet.

Phillipians 4:11, 13 states, “For I have learned, whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Therefore, I strongly believe that this is just another test of my faith and that I am going to beat this.

I sincerely appreciate all of your support and prayers during the last few weeks. I am so blessed to have an awesome husband, a great family, and good friends. I will continue to keep you up dated on my journey.

Valencia

PET Scan

Yesterday I had a PET scan. From this experience I’ve learned that a PET scan helps physicians effectively pinpoint the source of cancer. This is possible because many cancer cells are highly metabolic and therefore synthesize the radioactive glucose (sugar) that was injected into me prior to the exam. The areas of high glucose uptake are dramatically displayed in the scan imagery, as opposed to the anatomical imagery of CT or MRI, which cannot detect active, viable tumors.

The PET scan can also be used in assisting physicians in determining the best method of treatment for my cancer and detect whether cancer is isolated to one specific area or has spread to other organs.

From yesterday’s PET scan I learned a couple of new things; first, the cancer is isolated to the right side of my body (breast, 2 lymphoids in my armpit, 1 lymphoid near my collarbone and 1 lymphoid near my chest). Second, the lump in my breast is a lot bigger than what I was originally told instead of 2cm it is 6cm.

Genetic Testing and MRIs

It’s been a busy week. Along with work other daily activities I had genetic testing done on Monday and an MRI done on Tuesday.

Genetic Testing

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer, skin cancer is number one. Each year many women are diagnosed with breast cancer. According to WebMD.com, approximately 5 to 10 percent of women with breast cancer have a hereditary form of the disease. It is believed that inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are involved in 30 to 70 percent of all inherited cases of breast cancer; the likelihood is highest in families with one or more cases of ovarian cancer. Since there is a strong family history or breast and ovarian cancer in my family I elected to have myself tested to see if I carried the mutated gene. The test was very simple, after outlining my family pedigree; a blood test was given to determine if I carry the gene. I should have the results in 5-7 business days.

MRI

The MRI process went very smoothly, I slept the entire time. I’ve attached a video to better explain the process.

I am a survivor!

Dear family & friends,

I have recently received some bad news—I was recently (on February 8, 2011) diagnosed with breast cancer. As you can imagine, this came as quite a shock and has made for a highly stressful time for our family.

We are, of course, taking the necessary steps to treat this and get on with life. The bad news is that my treatment will include chemotherapy and surgery. The good news is that I am in the care of wonderful doctors who are doing everything they can to get my health back on track.

After much thought, I have made the decision to continue working during my treatment.I am grateful for your love and friendship and hopeful that I will be in your thoughts and prayers in the coming months.

I created this blog "Pretty In Pink" to keep you abreast of my progress and document my journey. I am a spiritual being, evolving and growing everyday in every way. I know that I am a work in progress, growing and evolving to become the person I am destined to be. I am a survivor, I claim it now.

Love you all!

Valencia