firsts....

Howdy!

I survived my first radiation treatment on Monday.  As well as my 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th.  My first week! I'm more than 10% of the way through my radiation therapy!!!

I have 3 very nice radiation techs.  Terrence, Dustin and Jennifer (she's due in about a week, pray for a good delivery).  

I get to MDA, check in, change into a lovely gown (you know the kind with the ties that either show your backside or your frontside), and then sit and wait in what is called the "gown room".  The "gown room" is a very inspiring place.  Many inspirational notes on the wall, thank you cards, words of encouragement.  

One day I noticed a Bible verse hanging on the wall.  Matthew 6:25-27 ²⁵ “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? ²⁶Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? ²⁷ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Those verses have been a big part of our family's life for the past 5 years.  It was a great reminder for me to see them in the "gown room" right before my treatment.  I've also been clinging to the Cross, I hold my "clinging cross" in my right hand during radiation.

After my first treatment I met with Dr. Perkins (Radiation Oncologist).  On the way back to the examination room Sharon (Dr. Perkins' Nurse) asked me how my first radiation treatment went.  I said, "I'm not really sure how to answer that question but I'd say it went great!"

Dr. Perkins showed me x-rays and the path of the radiation.  Amazing technology!!

Oh I forgot to mention that one of my favorite words now is "breathe".  Every time a beam of radiation hits me I have to hold my breath.  A few times this week the techs forgot to tell me to breathe again :).

Jakob, Kelli and Joey also successfully completed the first week of school.  We made it through making lunches, getting up early (getting up early really is for the birds or for the hardworkers), homework.  We had a few tears (not going to mention from whom - but Mommy may have had a hard time sending the kids back to school).  

On Monday, on the first day of school, Joey's school hosted a breakfast for the parents after the kids went to their classes.  Danielle and Tracy had asked me who was taking me to my first radiation treatment.  I said I was going alone.  Well someone overheard me saying that.  This someone, whom I've only met a couple of times, showed up on my front doorstep at about 9:30 and offered to take me.  Nancy.  I told her thank you that I'm fine going alone and that we wouldn't be back in time for when school let out.  Nancy had already made arrangements with her Mother-in-law to get her kids.  And Danielle was already taking Joey home with her.  So Nancy took me to my first radiation treatment.  I call my helpers my Ladybugs, they are really Angels!

Thank you Ladybugs!!!

One other first this week.  Jim and I went to our first Breast Cancer Survivor support group meeting last night.  Normally it's just the Survivors but spouses were invited last night.  It was an amazing dinner hosted by this incredibly giving woman named Julie.

It was a fun night!  There were some tears shed but many more laughs.  

At the dinner last night I met another woman who had Triple Negative Breast Cancer and it turned out that about 2 years ago she was in the same study as I was in.  Julia was her Research Nurse too!!

Thank you for your prayers!  Please continue to pray.  This journey has brought so many blessings into my life.  I pray that you all too find blessings daily.

I am blessed to have you all in my life.  THANK YOU!!

Don't forget to join my team for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure http://rfch.convio.net/goto/monimonk

Love and Blessings from the top of my Heart,

Moni

http://rfch.convio.net/goto/monimonk

www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk

www.monkmoni.blogspot.com

feeling overwhelmed...

I know I shouldn't be feeling this way - overwhelmed!  I'm CANCER FREE!!  Why am I feeling this way?

One of the things that is heavy on my mind is the prevention of Lymphedema.  The Physical Therapists are giving me some wonderful tools in trying to prevent me from getting it.  Such as stretching exercises, soft tissue massage as well as little daily exercises like breathing exercises, wrist circles, opening and closing my hand and several other little exercises.

Great tools!!  I'm thankful for them!

Do you know what can cause Lymphedema?  Infections.  Things for me to avoid are: blood pressure cuffs on that arm (that's pretty easy), needle sticks on that arm (easy too), no hot showers, burns from cooking, bug bites, cuts and scratches to the hand or arm.  I also need to avoid harsh detergents (wearing rubber gloves when cleaning).  Avoid my hands from becoming dry or chapped.  Avoiding hangnails.  Avoid a razor while shaving under the arm (I have an electric razor).  Not that I do either one of these two things a lot but I need to avoid shelling shrimp or crawfish.

There's so much to know.

Oh yeah avoiding tight sleeved shirts, loose jewelry (I'm going to get my wedding rings made bigger).  Avoiding sleeping on the affected side, which of course is my favorite way to sleep.

Man do I hate complaining.  Why am I then?  I don't know!!!

Radiation increases my chances of getting Lymphedema too.  But I can't take the chance of not doing Radiation.  Those numbers of recurrence of Breast Cancer look so much better with Radiation than without it.

I received my Radiation schedule yesterday.  I went through the simulation.  Painless.  Cradle was made.  I was marked.  I had to learn how to breathe to drop my heart.  They don't want to radiate my heart, that would not be a good thing.  Since the lymph nodes that will be radiated are so close to my heart I have to hold my breath.  I get to wear these spaceage looking goggles that tell me when to hold my breath.

I will go for another run through on Friday and then start Radiation on Monday, August 23rd at 2 pm.  It's also the first day of school, thankfully I'll be able to take the kids to school on their first day back.  It's also the 16 year anniversary of my arrival in the USA, specifically Texas!!  It's a great day!  Lot's to be thankful for.

I will have 33 Radiation treatments.  My last one happens to be the day before I go on a "Girl's Weekend" with some friends. What a celebration that will be!!

I know I'm always asking you to pray for me.  But you know that without I wouldn't have gotten this far?

I ask you to continue to pray for me, for us whenever you can.

This overwhelming feeling is making me forget how far we've already come.

Thanks for being on this journey with me.

I love you!!!

Love and blessings from the top of my heart,

Moni

http://rfch.convio.net/goto/monimonk
www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk
www.monkmoni.blogspot.com

long time and some great numbers...

Howdy Army!

It seems like forever since I've blogged.  That's partially true.  I started blogging one day and then had writer's block so I thought I'd try again.

I had a great appointment with Dr. Perkins (Radiation Oncologist) 2 weeks ago.  He gave me some stats.  Most people with a full response to chemo don't usually do radiation, but at MD Anderson they do.  My chance of recurrence without radiation is 20-21%.  BUT my chance of recurrence with radiation is 2-3%.  That's a huge difference - I'm am highly being encouraged to go through with radiation.

After the appointment with Dr. Perkins Danielle and I met with Dr. Green (Oncologist).  She was practically jumping up and down for joy.  This was my first appointment with her since my great pathology report came in.  Remember it said NO CANCER and FULL RESPONSE TO CHEMOTHERAPY?  Well Dr. Green was very happy!!!  She told us that only happens in about 20% of patients. PRAISE JESUS!!!  Dr. Green then gave me my survival rate (I don't know if this is before radiation or including radiation) 90%!!  She also told us that she didn't want to give me my survival rate when I first got to MD Anderson (Stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer spreading both directions to the lymph nodes - didn't look good I guess).

God has shown me so many MIRACLES throughout this journey!  And I now realize what a miracle I am!  The Great Physician has healed me!!  I am so thankful - SO THANKFUL!!

There are some hurdles to still jump over.  Because I had 31 lymph nodes removed I have a chance of developing Lymphedema (swelling of the arm).  I am now in physical therapy.  I will be going twice a week for now.  I had my first appointment with the Physical Therapist (Ron) last Wednesday.  Measurements showed swelling in my hand, wrist, upper arm as well as my upper back.  I have 3 exercises that I have been given for homework - they aren't easy but I keep working on them.

I met with Dr. Skoracki (Plastic Surgeon) and Gordon (his P.A.) last week and they filled my tissue expander for the last time before radiation.  On August 17th, they will take saline out of my tissue expander to flatten me for radiation. Dr. Skoracki is very pleased with how I am healing.

Last week I also met with Dr. Hunt for my post-op.  She was also pleased with my healing.  I had talked to the nurse before Dr. Hunt came in.  I had told her that Jim and I were talking about how many "famous" people must come through MD Anderson.  She said yes but they aren't allowed to say who comes through, but that when you see a security guard that's usually someone famous.  I told her that I knew that Phil Mickelson's wife Amy and Mom had come to MDA (it was in the news).  She told me that Dr. Hunt was actually Amy and Phil's Mom's surgeon (it was in the news too but I didn't know that until that moment).  Made me feel pretty special that I had the same surgeon as them.  Dr. Hunt is amazing!

What else am I missing?

Oh yeah!!  I went to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Survivor's party.  I went with my friend Deana (8 month Survivor) and my friend Mary (11 year Survivor).  There were 400 Breast Cancer Survivors there (including one boy Survivor).  Geralyn Lucas was the guest speaker.  She wrote "Why I wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy".  She was a great speaker.  Geralyn started talking about hair and how for her it was almost harder to lose her hair than to lose her breast.  She invited women up on stage that were having a hard time with their hair - a couple of bald women went up on stage.

I told Deana and Mary, "This makes me just want to rip my wig off".  Deana said, "come on go up on stage, I'll go with you".  We did.  And I ripped my wig off.  The whole room started cheering for me.  Geralyn gave me a big hug and told me with emotion how proud she was of me.  As all of us women were walking off the stage she said that Samantha from "Sex and the City" had nothing on us.

Deana and me

Mary and Me

We had such a fun night!  The lady I sat next to was a 25 year Breast Cancer Survivor!!  I also got to finally meet in person, Molly.  And see a new friend again, Shalene.  It was a very empowering night!  I look forward to doing more with the Susan G. Komen organization.  Please don't forget to join my team, the Race is on October 2nd.  Or donate to this worthy cause http://rfch.convio.net/goto/monimonk.

The other thing happening is that I will be going for my radiation simulation tomorrow, August 17th.  I'll be beginning radiation on August 23rd for 33 days (6 1/2) weeks).


So I have a few prayer requests.  I appreciate all your prayers - they mean so much and are what have gotten us this far.

- pray that I don't get Lymphedema (this will be an ongoing request, for the rest of my life)
- pray that my radiation goes smoothly
- pray for my physical therapy and rehabilitation
- pray for the tiny pains to go away
- pray for our kiddos as they get ready to go back to school next week

Thank you all for your time and for reading my blog.  I appreciate you all so much!!

I have been given this amazing chance to live life the way God intended for me to, thank you for being part of it.  I have the best family and friends EVER!!!

I love you!!

Love and Blessings from the top of my Heart,

Moni

http://rfch.convio.net/goto/monimonk
www.monkmoni.blogspot.com
www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk

A tube and a boob...

Howdy All!

I went to MD Anderson this morning with Danielle to have my last drain tube removed.  In order to get the drain removed I had to have less than 30 cc's of drainage for 2 days in a row.  My numbers this week were Monday 41 cc's, Tuesday 37 cc's, Wednesday 20 cc's and Thursday 15 cc's.  Jim had been draining the tubes at night for me.  He's the best murse (male nurse).  I was excited Wednesday night when I was less than 30 cc's.  I called MDA Thursday morning to see if someone in the Plastic Surgery Department could remove my drainage tube on Friday (so I didn't have to go through the weekend with it, plus Dr. Skoracki wanted it out as soon as it was below 30 cc's for 2 days).  The triage nurse told me she'd have to wait to hear my Thursday numbers before she could book an appointment for me.  She also told me that I may start draining more again.  Wah!!

But low and behold last night my drainage numbers were at 15 cc's.  I was ready!!!  I called first thing this morning (the earliest I've been up in a while).  The nurse took my info and said she'd have to check and see if she could fit me in this morning.  Thought it would take a while for her to call me back but she called me back right away.  Brenda was her name, asked me what time I could be there.  I told her 10:30 and she said okay great see you then.

I got to see Gordon, (the PA who I saw pre-op with Dr. Skoracki and who assisted during the reconstruction phase of my surgery and who saw me post-op).  I really like Gordon, he's a very personable guy.  He asked me when my surgery was, July 14th I told him.  He then told me that it had been long enough since surgery but he'd have to look at me first but that he probably could go ahead and expand me.  I told him I had an appointment with Dr. Skoracki next Tuesday and I thought he was expanding me then, Gordon said he would go ahead and change that appointment for next Thursday then.

Let me explain what expanding means.  During the mastectomy all the breast tissue is removed by the Surgeon (Dr. Hunt), then the Plastic Surgeon (Dr. Skoracki) comes in and places a tissue expander in (which is basically a saline implant).  The tissue expander is filled with as much saline as your skin will tolerate at that time.  Then you go weekly or every other week to have more cc's of saline added to your tissue expander.  The skin needs to be expanded so that when you go into your final reconstruction stages an actual implant is placed.  It's all very interesting.  Never thought I would ever know this much about breast reconstruction but I know I'll be learning much more as we go along.

So Gordon had me lay back and he pulled out my drain tube.  I didn't even feel it.  I had to ask him if he was done.  Then he went and got an expander kit, I laid back down.  He used a magnet to find the port to which the saline is placed in.  I was a little worried that it may hurt.  Thankfully it was painless, he put a bandaid on where he had put the butterfly needle in and up I sat.  I felt fine.  Gordon also told me that all my scars were healing up nicely and that I could finally take a full shower in 24 hours.

The total visit today was an hour and that was including our waiting time.  I'd say today was a very successful day at MDA for us!!!

Tomorrow I can start my breast exercises for women without drain tubes.

Tomorrow I also start the half marathon training program I've signed up for.  I'll be walking it this year, don't want to overdo it.

The boys and I are home this weekend.  I have some of my Ladybug friends coming in from Austin tomorrow.  Jim is driving to Kansas to pick up our baby girl from Mom and Dad's and to go to his high school class reunion.  Please pray for safe travels.

I have been feeling really well.  I've been taking it easy and concentrating on healing.  We have been extremely blessed by family and friends.  And are so incredibly thankful for all the messages you have been leaving us.  We are also thankful for the meals that have been brought to us -- you have no idea how much help that has been to our family.

Please remember to thank God for this journey we are on -- through Him ALL things are possible.

I have learned of two other young women this week who are battling breast cancer right now - Stacie and Tiffany.  I pray that this journey for them is one that comes with many blessings too.

I am immensely blessed!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't forget that I've started a team, the Ladybug Warriors (there are boy Ladybugs too) for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure www.komen-houston.org/goto/monimonk , please consider joining my team or donating to this great cause!!

May God Bless You All!  Have an Awesome weekend!

Love and Blessings from the top of my heart,

Moni

www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk
www.monkmoni.blogspot.com
www.komen-houston.org/goto/monimonk

The Results are in...

Hi there!

Got a call this afternoon at 3:43 from Lynn Grimes at Dr. Hunt's (Surgeon) office.

Here is the report with my results:
-no evidence of residual cancer tumor in the left breast
-no cancer in the 30-31 lymph nodes removed
-evidence of treatment to the one lymph node that I had the biopsy on, no cancer

Lynn said this is what they call "complete response to chemo".  I thanked her for the awesome news and told her now I could have a good weekend.  She said that it was the best kind of report.

I was nervous originally when the phone rang and I picked it up.  Lynn had said she had the results and asked if I was ready for them.  I went and got a pen and paper.  When she said it was a good report I stopped holding my breath.

They call it a complete response to chemo -- I call it healing by the Great Physician.  He brought those amazing MD Anderson Doctors, Nurses, Nurses' Aides, Techs, Phlebotomists, everyone there into my life.

Danielle and I met with Dr. Skoracki (Plastic Surgeon) yesterday.  He removed the drain that was draining the breast.  He also said that I was healing nicely and that my dressings no longer need to be changed, only the one over the lymphatic drain.  I should be getting that lymphatic drain out early next week.

I'm not in much pain anymore, I take the minimum amount of pain meds.  I do the exercises that the Dr.'s have told me to do.

So the next step is Radiation.  I don't know exactly when I'll be starting it but I have a meeting with Dr. Perkins (Radiation Oncologist) on August 2nd as well as with Dr. Green (Oncologist).  I will let you know the plans as I find out myself.

Wanted to also invite you to join my team the Ladybug Warriors, for the Houston Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on October 2.  You can walk or run.  If you can't join the team please consider donating to this worthy cause of finding a cure for Breast Cancer.  Here is the link www.komen-houston.org/goto/monimonk

Thank you for your prayers!  Please join me in praising our Awesome God!

Love you all!!

Love and Blessings from the Top of my Heart,

Moni, Breast Cancer Survivor

www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk

www.monkmoni.blogspot.com

www.komen-houston.org/goto/monimonk

3 days post-op...

Howdy!

I'm home!  I was discharged from the hospital at 9:15 on Thursday morning -- I was in there less than 24 hours.  The mastectomy, the lymphadenectomy, the removal of the porta-cath and the insertion of the tissue expander went well.  No complications during surgery or after thus far.

Jim, Mom and Linda were with me at the hospital.  A long day of waiting for them.  The surgery lasted about 4 1/2 - 5 hours.  It felt like I fell asleep and woke up a minute later.  Dr. Hunt (surgeon) was not able to come out and talk to them after her part of the surgery, she had another one to attend to.  So Jim, Mom and Linda waited patiently.  Finally Dr. Skoracki (plastic surgeon) came out and told them all went well.

Jim, Mom and Linda all came to see me separately while I was in recovery.  Apparently I was pretty "drugged" up.  My conversations went in and out a little as I took little naps in between.  Once I was fully awake it was time to move me to an observation room.

Jim and Mom made sure I got settled into the room which was about 8 o'clock, stayed a while and then went home.  Linda stayed with me overnight to make sure everything ran smoothly and to make sure I was being well taken care of.  Which of course I was.

Dad stayed home with Jakob, Kelli and Joey -- they were all relieved when they heard that I was doing well after surgery.

Jim had to be back up at the hospital the next morning by 7 so they could get ready to discharge me.  Not a very good night's sleep for him.  It wasn't for Linda and I either, the nurse came in every 4 hours to empty my drains and check my incisions.  We watched a video on how to empty the drains and care for the wounds and then it was time to go.

I have to tell you I have the 2 best home health nurses around.  Jim and Mom.  They are so gentle.  I've always known how much they love me but even more so now.  They empty out my 2 drains 2 times a day and change the dressings on my incisions 2 times a day also.  I have 4 incisions, 3 of which need to be cleaned twice a day.  I have the mastectomy incision, the lymphadenectomy incision and the drain incisions.  They clean me with a water/hydrogen peroxide mixture and then put an iodine ointment on the wound and bandage me back up again.  My two drains also need to be emptied and measured.  Jakob has been in charge of taking my temperature.

It's not a very glamorous process -- the first time Jim and Mom cleaned me up I was very humbled by the care and love they were giving me.

Jim and Mom have been really good about making sure that I take my pain meds on schedule.  We don't want the pain to get ahead of us.

I got to have a sponge shower this morning - that was a nice fresh feeling.

I'm doing really well considering I had some major surgery just 3 days ago.  I go back to see Dr. Skoracki on the 22nd.  He may possibly be able to remove one or both of my drains that day.

In about a week I will be receiving a final pathology report with what they found in the breast tissue and the lymph nodes.  Please pray that all comes back clear.

Thank you all for your kind messages.  But thank you most of all for your support, thoughts and prayers.  I really wouldn't have been able to make it this far without those.

I pray that this message finds you all well.  Please continue to pray for a healthy recovery for me.

Also please pray for safe travels back home to Kansas for Mom and Dad on Monday.  They will also be taking Kelli and my nephew Michael back with them.  Joey will be going to spend some time in Austin with his best buddy - please pray for safety for him too.

May God Bless you all!!!

Love and Blessings from the top of my heart,

Moni

www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk
www.monkmoni.blogspot.com

Update on Moni's surgery

Just met with Moni's surgeon...she is out of surgery and in recovery. The surgery lasted a little over four hours and everything went extremely smooth. Thank you for the continued prayers!


Jim