Member Since: August 29, 2008
Last Login: September 21, 2008
Birthday: August 7, 1977
Location: Zephyrhills, FL United States
Occupation: Domestic Engineer
Homepage URL: Kellys Journey (www.carepages.com/carepages/KellysJourney)
Biography
I am happily married 31 year old mommy. I have been sharing my life with my soul mate, my best friend, my husband, Sam, for 12years. Together we have been raising three beautiful kids; Ashley is 14yrs, Kristyn is 10yrs and Little Sam is 9yrs. We reside in the "Sunshine State", Florida, but are originally from Ohio. Sams job relocated us to the Tampa area 5yrs ago.
June 12, 2008, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. It was possibly Stage 2 (due to size, 3.0cm), Triple Negative, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. This has been the greatest challenge of my life. July 21, 2008 I had a Bilateral Mastectomy with Tissue Expander Reconstruction. July 30, 2008, I was told that my cancer was Stage 1, Lymph Nodes Negative. The cancer was down graded to Stage 1 because the tumor was not as large as the images had previously shown (actual size 1.3cm) because the cancer was surrounded by noncancerous tissue. The surgeon said the best way to describe what they found was "like someone (maybe God) had their hands wrapped around the cancer not letting it spread."
Thursday, August 21, 2008, I began what I have dreaded the most since learning I have Breast Cancer, Chemo. My treatment is four doses, every three weeks of Taxotere and Cytoxan. I did not get a port, all my chemo is given through an IV. My Oncologist "highly" recommends a low-fat diet and exercising three times a week. This healthy lifestyle has been proven to help "triple negative" patients in reducing the chance of cancer attacking them again.
With the Grace of God, Love, Strength and Support of my Husband, Family & Friends, I know this is a challenge I can beat. "I will fight like a girl and I will survive!"
Diagnosis
| Diagnosis: | Dx 6/12/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2- |
| Diagnosed: | June 12, 2008 |
| Type: | Invasive or Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma |
| Recurrent? | No recurrence |
| Metastatic? | Yes |
| Stage: | Stage I |
| Lymph Nodes Removed: | 4 |
| Positive Lymph Nodes: | 0 |
| Tumor Size: | 1cm-1.9cm |
| Tumor Grade: | Grade 3 or high grade |
| Hormone Receptor Status: | Tumor does not have estrogen or progesterone receptors |
| HER2/neu Status: | Tumor does not have an excess of HER2/neu receptors or genes |
Recent Posts by kcpainter77
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Aug 29, 2008 02:08 pm
Can you get 1200cc implants for reconstruction?I know that expanders can go as large at 1000cc's and can be expanded twice their size. 2000cc's. My plastic surgeon stated to me that I can go as large as my muscle and skin will allow me to go. I am in the process of reconstruction right now, my expanders are 600cc (due to the width of my chest), they can be expanded up to 1200cc but we only plan on going to 900cc (this puts me at a full D so I am getting a little something extra out of this entire ordeal). I am thankful that I have a young plastic surgeon, from the before/after pictures he showed me, he definitely doesn't mind going big. Also, from these pictures I cannot imagine that these women do not have a bigger implant that 800cc's. My implants are going to be 900cc's of silicone..what type of implant are they using? My advice, shop around for a plastic surgeon, ask LOTS of questions. Good Luck
Kelly Painter Dx 6/12/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2- |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Triple Negative, Created: Aug 29, 2008 01:50 pm
New and Scared....I had the genetic testing done and got the results the day I left the hospital after my bilateral mastectomy. The results were inconclusive, which means they seen a mutation but they have only seen this mutation in 4 other cases which means they have no clue what it means. I am meeting with an Ovarian Cancer Specialist to find out if he feels my ovaries should be remove. This entire diagnosis still seems so unreal to me. I watch lifetime, religiously, watch the movies about women fighting this disease and my heart always went out to them. I remember always thinking "thank god I don't have a history in my family, what would my family do without me." Never thought in a MILLION years did I dream I would be a lifetime movie. Thank You for sharing, 2 years sounds good, 4 1/2 years sounds GREAT to me! Kelly Painter Dx 6/12/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2- |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Chemotherapy - Before, During and After, Created: Aug 28, 2008 11:12 pm
Taxotere and Cytoxan Side EffectsI recently started my chemo treatments, Aug 21. The first four days I was an emotional wreck and in a complete fog, crying and confused. I received chemo on Thursday and do not remember anything that happened in my life until Sunday (and even Sunday is a little vague). By Monday I was still totally emotional but I can remember what happened that day. Now I am mentally together. I have not begun to lose my hair yet but I am experiencing some other side effects that are becoming rather bothersome... Has anyone else experienced; pelvic pain that shoots down your legs, extremely dry skin on face, break out over chest and shoulders, always feel like your starving? At this rate I am going to be a nipple-less, overweight, bald woman with really bad skin. Does anyone know of any really good skin care products while going through chemo? Does anyone have any bullet proof ideas curve the thoughts of starvation? Kelly Painter Dx 6/12/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2- |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Triple Negative, Created: Aug 28, 2008 11:00 pm
New and Scared....Good Day Everyone, I am new to this message board but am loving what I am reading so far. Researching about Triple Negative BC gives me chills, knowing that it is my diagnosis makes me queasy. I was diagnosed in June 08, had bilateral mastectomy in Jul 08 and started 4 doses of TC in Aug 08 (last chemo treatment will be Oct 23). This is the hardest, scariest challenge I have ever encountered. I am curious....how do you ladies do it? How do you get through your days? How do you live with this dark cloud lingering overhead? I know, right now, I am going to beat it, this time around. I am so afraid of the future and what may happen. I read all of your post and I find so much strength in each one of you, how do you do it? Sincerely Impressed with Your Courage and Strength, Kelly Painter Dx 6/12/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2- |