christyscancerjourney

[christyscancerjourney]

My husband. Nick the day that I said I do is one of the most amazing days and favorite days of my life. 10\10\2020. I got diagnosed with cancer 8 months into our marriage and that sucks because we had to learn and still learning how to navigate through so much. I always get told the first 3 years of marriage is the toughest so add cancer to that and it's a whole other party. It's a ton of unknows that weren't expected. Its a bunch of downtime that wasn't expected. especially when you want to experience new things and go lots of places. We got married in our 40s so my kids are grown, and we should be able to just go travel and go on adventures together like normal married couples do but it doesn't happen. Not because we don't want it to because my husband likes to plan trips it's just hard because my body just can't take it since I'm still actively going through chemo. That doesn't stop me from telling him he should go or that he deserves a break because he does. He deserves to let loose and relax especially since he is the sole provider in our marriage. I still want him to do the things that he loves doing. Like hanging out with friends, going to play golf, getting those 5 days off to go enjoy and have his guy's trip. That means a lot of naps for me without feeling guilty. Time to refresh and start all the craziness all over. I know it gets irritating with all the side effects and not fully understanding how my body feels. I put on that smile in the morning for the world to see no matter what. I'm thankful every single day that my eyes open and my feet hit the floor. There is so much to be thankful for every single day. I love you so much Nick. I'm thankful to be able to call you my husband.

[christyscancerjourney]

Things you think about while having cancer. How many more in creditable moments will I get to experience with my husband, my kids, my grandbabies and my friends and family? How many first will I miss out on? My husband is amazing and made sure to get us all tickets to a KC Chiefs game so that we could experience this together as a family. First game for grandbabies (and they loved it) First time going to a game for my son and one of my daughters. It was amazing just to see the excitement on their faces. Especially the little ones. Everything is different when you are diagnosed with cancer. Its so hard to explain everything that goes on in your head while fighting this fight.

There's always the thought of did I teach my children everything they need to know? How to navigate through the tough stuff life throws at you? Have I shown them how strong you can be during the toughest battles? Have I made them proud? Do they know that they are my world and the strength I have is because of them? That they make me proud every single day. That they are amazing humans and I have made them my world since day 1. That even though this is my toughest battle that I want them to know I'm still here to help them through their battles. I love you so much Kendra, Kiley and Kristian.

[christyscancerjourney]

Just a momma and her boy!!!!!!!

[christyscancerjourney]

Yesterday was a full day of labs, seeing doctor and of course immunotherapy and chemotherapy. I always feel a little tired and nauseous the day of. Now today is a different feeling. Today I cant sleep because I'm full of steroids but have no choice in taking them or not. I need them because of the chemo. Too say I'm nauseous is an understatement. No amount of medicine they give to me to take takes that feeling away. I even take gummies to help and that don't work either. I get tired but wake up instantly when I feel like I'm going to puke. Today I will go back to doctors to get a white blood cell shot to boost my white blood count because chemotherapy takes them away from me. So, I need to get it after every chemotherapy treatment. This is normal for me. It sucks but I do it. I will be down for the next 5 days. I will get up in the morning and get things done that need to get done but after that it will be relaxing and sleeping for me. Heartburn is unimaginable as well. Sometimes water even gives me heartburn and it sucks. I will continue to stand tall, with my head held high and smile because that is who I am. I don't have time to be sad it doesn't help. I handle having cancer with only positivity. Thats who I am.

[christyscancerjourney]

SCAN AXNIETY IS THE WORST

The only time I get anxiety is before and after scans. Never knowing what is going show up on the scan is the worst feeling ever. You always wonder has my cancer shrank, is there new growths, and what are they going to tell me next. It's a scary thing. I'm unable to breath and relax until I get good news.

[christyscancerjourney]

A day in the life of living with breast cancer

It was a good weekend all together. Went and hung out with friends and family. I was exhausted afterwards but it was well worth the exhaustion and pain. It's hard to explain the pain or even the exhaustion we feel. Unless you are going through it you just don't know nor understand. Somedays it will take me 30 minutes to even hype myself up to take a shower. I'm most active in the mornings and get most everything done then. Living with cancer is not for the weak. We put smiles on our faces for the world to see but it's exhausting. I get so moody I feel sorry for the people around me. I don't mean to be moody it just happens. Your life completely changes after getting diagnosed with cancer. You are in constant fear of what will show up on next scans, is treatment working, am I bringing the ones I love down? Your mind never stops running. Do people say they understand but really don't? Everything to your body and thoughts its just plain exhausting. I encourage my husband to not put things on hold. Go hang out with your friends, go golfing go do the things you enjoy doing still so I don't feel guilty about napping and relaxing. One of my worst fears is letting people down or them feeling resentment towards me for things they want to do and me not feeling up to doing those things. Them putting their live on hold for me. In September it will be 2 years of going through treatment. Having the bad side effects from all the poison going through my body to kill the cancer. It sucks but worth it to get rid of it.

[christyscancerjourney]

continued

So, my doctor and her nurse know about most everything that happens in my life, and they ask to see pictures of my kids, grandbabies, pets and like to know what's been going on in my life since the last appointment. So that's what makes them my favorite team that I see. When they saw that I was in the hospital with the brain tumor, my doctor came to see me and gave me lots of hugs from herself and her nurse. My son and husband were there, and she was asking my son how his girlfriend, dog and job where going. She said he looked at her like "how does she know all of this stuff about me?" her and I thought it was funny. I told him it's because I talk about everything with them because they care and ask. It's amazing to know that you are not just a person that they see for treatments. Thats why I'm big with be comfortable with your team of doctors (especially when you're going through something this big). My daughters told him "She tells all of our business to her radiation doctor and nurse", which I do because they are absolutely amazing people.

[christyscancerjourney]

Telling my family that I have cancer

Trying to figure out a way to tell everyone that means the most to me that I have cancer was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Especially my mom (who had end stage COPD), my stepdad, my kids, my friends and family. What and how was I going to tell them without breaking down and especially not knowing everything just yet. I still had scans, biopsy's, lab work, and so much more to get done before I even knew exactly what my treatment was going to persist of. I did know at the time that I wasn't going to tell my mom just yet because I wanted to know all of the facts before I told her because she would worry too much and I wanted to be able to answer all the questions that she would ask. I did tell my kids (which they handled it pretty well and have been very supportive), my stepdad (which I asked him not to tell my mom yet) my friends and family. It was easier than I thought t would be. Everyone was very supportive and really stepped up to be there for me.

The next step was going to my first appointment which included seeing the breast surgeon to get me in the door to see an oncologist. scans and bloodwork. Getting the basic rundown of how my life was going to go for a while. When i got my first scans to check out my neck and breast, I was on my way home from appointment when I got a call that they needed me to come back because I needed another scan because something was seen in my lung. Let me tell you I broke down in tears. Like it wasn't enough that i have caner in my breast and neck and now I might have it in my lung as well. I had to trust the process. Had to trust these nurses and doctors that I didn't even know yet. So I turned my car around and drove back to doctors' office for more scans. I was on the phone with my mom trying not to cry and reassuring her that everything was ok and they just wanted to check things out more. See I was going to go see her to tell her what was going on but didn't because they had found another spot. I then set up more appointments for biopsies on my lung and also my neck. That next week I had the biopsies done and let me tell you it was no walk in the park. They did them both in the same day and everything was ok until I coughed. I couldn't catch my breath, but they told me that could happen, so I just kept going. Just chalked it up as a side effect from biopsy and it would get better. It didn't. I was new to this journey, so I didn't know what to report to the doctors or what was normal and not normal just quite yet. The next week I got a call from my nurse telling me to be prepared to check myself into the hospital for my first chemo treatment because it would have to be inpatient because insurance was fighting the treatment plan. Let me tell you when i say i have the most amazing team of doctors that is what I mean. They go above and beyond for me and making sure that I get everything I need. When I got the call to go check myself in, I was still having a difficult time breathing so they ordered me an Xray which showed that my lung has partially collapsed from the biopsy that I had had the week prior. I got woke up at 4 in the morning to take me down to have a chest tube placed. I freaked out because I have watched so many medical shows and what you see on there isn't what I got. My chest tube was the size of an IV tube so it wasn't that bad or uncomfortable at all. Not saying that that's what everyone will get just saying that I was freaked out thinking about getting a huge tube in my lung. It was definitely a huge relief when it came to taking a breath. I had to wait all day the following day to start my chemo treatment because they had to get the right dose prepared for me as well as the iv placed right. I hadn't got my port placed yet because they wanted to start my chemotherapy right away. Insurance also fought the idea of me getting immunotherapy so that was placed on hold as well. Again, my doctor came through and made sure I was getting the best treatment possible, she made it happen just took a few days to get it after my first chemotherapy. I cant express how important it is to have doctors and nurses that make you feel comfortable and listen to you. You have a voice and an opinion in every step of your treatment. My team is amazing. They listen to me, they let me ask questions, they are the ones that see me cry if i get nervous about something, they understand that I don't look at my scans through the my chart because I'm not a doctor and I don't understand some of the things that are on there so its best to just let them tell me what i need to know. They have been there for me throughout everything cancer has thrown out there to me. My radiation doctor is my favorite doctor because she likes to listen to everything going on in my life. The very first time I met her was about an hour after one of my granddaughters were born.

[christyscancerjourney]

How I found out I had breast cancer

In May of 2021 I noticed a lump on my breast and also a swollen gland on my neck. I went to my doctor about my neck, and they said they referred me to an ENT because they thought it was from a sinus and ear infection that was causing the swollen gland to form in my neck. They prescribed me a week of antibiotics and when that didn't work, I got put on a stronger antibiotic. The lump in my breast didn't get any better nor did the lump on my neck I then was scheduled for a mammogram. I was very hesitant about getting a mammogram done because I am very small chested anyways and figured if it was cancer or anything bad, I would know. So, I went for the mammogram and the spot that I was feeling was really something of concern, so they quickly scheduled me for a biopsy the next day (which was scary in itself). They let me know that i would be back in a week for the results. I was at work 4 days later and I got a call from my regular doctor and the nurse said that the doctor would like to see me right away. I asked her if I could schedule an appointment for the next day or after I had got off work and her response was " he really needs to see you today" my heart sank. I knew it wasn't anything good if he was willing to see me as soon as I could get there without an appointment, I quickly called my sister-in-law and told her what the nurse said, and she said " don't go alone. where is your appointment and I will meet you there. So I let her know and was scared the whole time waiting. See my sister-in-law has been on a cancer journey already and has been in remission so she would be the support i needed at that time. She met me at the office which was an hour away from where she lived. When we walked in she held my hand and said, " it will all be ok and that I just needed to stay calm and breath" and that is what I did, I checked in and they brought us back to the room. Deep down I already knew what he was going to say but it had not sunk in yet, and then I heard the words " I'm sorry to tell you this but the biopsy came back and it's cancer" my heart sank even more. I was frozen, tears rolling down my cheek and so scared. My sister-in-law stepped in and was amazing. She knew what questions to ask, asked if they could send a referral to KU med for me to see the oncologist there because they are the best group of doctors to go to if you have cancer here in Missouri and Kansas, He told us that he had already put a referral in to them and that I would just have to wait for them to call me about setting up my appointment to be seen to start this journey. That was a wait lifted that they were on top of it before even seeing me. We then drove around for a while so I could calm myself down and process everything that I had just been told. Her favorite thing is coffee so we stopped at a QT and got a drink before I asked her to take me to my husband's work so I could let him know what was going on. I didn't even know how to tell him or how I was going to tell him this news. I mean we had only been married for 8 months. We hadn't even been able to enjoy a few years before knowing our life was about to change. Marriage is tough sometimes as it is without throwing a cancer diagnosis in the mix. So, we got to his work, I walked into his office and hugged him as tight as I could and told him " I have cancer!" He was shocked at first but held it together. I also remember telling him that this wasn't something that he signed up for and I'm sorry. He said yes, I did, I said for better or worse and in sickness and in health so that was a relief. So, I hugged him tighter and then it sunk in. How am I going to tell my kids, my mom and stepdad and everyone that I care about and love that I have cancer? How am I going to deliver this news to everyone when I can barely process it myself?

#cancersucks

[christyscancerjourney]

Hello my name is Christy. I'm 45 and living with breast cancer. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 2021. By the time I caught it, it had already traveled from my breast, neck and lung all at different stages. I have 3 amazing kids (well young adults) 4 amazing, beautiful and handsome grandbabies and (2 more on the way) and had only been married to my husband for 8 months (both our first marriage and only). There has been a lot of getting used to during this journey for all of us. We have had to navigate through every obstacle thrown our way and somehow, we get through it stronger each time, I lost my mom in September and sat by her side until she took her last breath. Who was my rock for as long as i can remember. I have an amazing stepdad that has never turned his back on me and is still here for me no matter what.

I have had covid 2 times, i have had a mastectomy, a brain tumor removed the size of a lime that grew in a months' time. When i got diagnosed covid was a scary thing and I had to do all my chemo and radiation treatments alone. Not that that was an issue because I love quietness. Just to be in my own thoughts and world. Don't get me wrong I love the support system I have. I couldn't ask for a better group to get me through the ups and downs of having breast cancer and all that goes along with it. I love each and every one that is sitting beside me during this difficult journey, Thank you to everyone.

When being diagnosed you have a million and one things going through your head all at once. How will I ever get through this, will this be the death of me, who will be standing beside me throughout all the crazy ups and downs, how will I get through side effects they tell me I will go through during treatment, how will I remain strong and positive through everything life is about to throw at me, and most importantly will I be able to show my husband, kids, grandbabies, family and friends just how strong I am?

Well its going on over a year and a half and I'm still positive, still here to show everyone love, showing my kids that it is ok to go through something terrible and do it with a smile on your face, do it with your head held high, do it with knowing it could be worse, and most importantly still have compassion in your heart (we might not see it but someone has it worse than you). We all deal with situations differently and that is ok. We are allowed to have our moments of weakness it's about how we pull ourselves out of the weakness to get back on our feet and keep moving forward in life. Don't let a situation we have no control overtake over our lives.

For my kids I want them to know that they are my whole world. That being their momma is one of the biggest blessings I have ever been given in my life. That even if I am feeling weak, drained and sick that I will always be there for them in every single way possible. I will be their biggest cheerleader cheering them along. That I love every day forever always to the moon and back.

For my husband I'm so thankful that I have you by my side. I know that I love you whole heartedly and that we have had to go on this crazy journey so soon into our marriage and at times its tough. I couldn't ask for a better husband, stepdad, and grandpa for our family. I know that it's irritating at times, but I know this will only make us stronger in the end. I love you so much Nick.

To my family and friends, I want to thank you for routing me along in this crazy journey and for being by my side being a great and amazing support system that I so desperately never knew I would need. You guys' rock and are so amazing. I love each and every single one of you.

Thank you for taking time to read a little about me. My plan is to put my story out there for others to see. I hope that I can be an inspiration to others in this crazy cancer journey. I will try and post once a week to share what I am going through and how I'm feeling week by week treatment by treatment.

#breastcancersupport