Praying my way through

I decided that it was time for me to update everyone on what's been going on with me. In September of 2013 (9-17-13) I had bilateral mastectomies done because I was diagnosed with Triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma, breast cancer. On February 19th 2014 I completed 4 sessions of Adriamycin and Cytoxin as well as 4 sessions of Taxol chemotherapy drugs, these are standard of care chemo drugs for breast cancer. After that chemo regimen I was ready for radiation treatment. I went in to get scanned 3 months after chemo and got hit with a recurrence and metastatic breast cancer to the lungs and possible bone!!! Needless to say I was taken aback by this information, I had to regroup and gather myself. I said "Lord, I just went back to work after being off for six months and now this again"  God answered me by saying, "Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God, But the very hairs of your head are all numbered, do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrow" Luke 12: 6-7. I knew then that it was going to be alright.

From that diagnosis I've gone through some things. I immediately began a new treatment to see if there would a positive response. The chemo medicine was called Eribulin and I was on that for 2 sessions when my symptoms kept flaring up. I was coughing out of control and had such bad shortness of breath that I was scanned again and that's when they said "you have a pleural effusion" That's when the space that is between your lungs and ribs fills with fluid (pleural fluid). Now I knew why I couldn't walk 2 feet without gasping for air, my lungs were screaming!!!! They then rushed me in STAT to have it tapped to remove the fluid. When the procedure was done they removed a total  of 500ml of fluid from me and let me tell you I felt so much better. Here's a link to what is done during the procedure. http://patients.thoracic.org/information-series/en/resources/thoracentesis.pdf

I then was able to resume some of my day to day activities with ease but then 5 days later it was back again and I was back in the hospital. I had to have the same procedure repeated again but this time there was double the fluid! In just 5 days 1000ml of fluid, that's a lot of fluid!!!! The doctors all got together and came up with a plan because I can't keep having this procedure done it was too risky for me. So I agreed to have surgery to have a catheter (tube) placed in the pleural area for me to drain this at home. Surgery was done on July 2nd with a thoracic surgeon performing it. At the time we didn't know how long I would have to have it but I knew it was for the better. Well Thank God I received it because it immediately started helping me and now only 2 months later it can be removed because the space has no more fluid in it and it hasn't produce fluid since July 23rd Praise the Lord!!!

At the present time I am happy to say that I will continue with this new regimen of Chemo meds, Gemcitabine and carboplatin and God is working it out for his glory. I am tolerating the treatments and managing the side effects.. I have side effects of course because now I have to watch my blood sugar because of the steroids I'm on and I have pain management. The best way for me is my faith in God along with his peace that he so freely gives me, I just BELIVE!!!!!

Rejoice in the Hope of Experiencing God's Favor 

The Bible is full of hope-filled promises for you and me. We have access to God's presence. He wants to heal us of our diseases. He will supply all our needs. There are so many more, too many to count! That's why it's so sad when Christians miss out on God's promises due to lack of faith. 

Here's the question: Are you expecting those promises? Good things begin to happen to you when you rejoice in the hope of experiencing God's favor on a regular basis. 

Luke 2:52 (AMP) tells us that "Jesus increased in...favor with God and man." You and I access the favor of God by faith. We can increase in that favor and experience His promises just like Jesus. Even if you don't see those things in your life now, you can rejoice and put your hope in God, knowing that they will come. 

Everything that is promised in the Bible is for us. So rejoice in the hope of experiencing God's glory right now and He will make incredible things happen in your life. 

Prayer: God, I expect and rejoice in Your promises for me. I believe that You can bring to pass everything that I'm promised in Your Word. 

In Jesus's name, Amen.

Peace and blessings



Coming home after surgery

I had surgery on September 18th in the morning and had bilateral mastectomies.

This photo was the morning before surgery. I had my family with me and I believe that makes a world of difference. My surgical team was awesome everyone worked together to obtain the best possible outcome for me. Before I was rolled into surgery there was group prayer so that everything would go according to God's plan. Here is a link to the video of me the morning after I had the mastectomies done,

My next step is my follow up appointment on Monday with my plastic surgeon and the breast surgeon. I haven't had the pathology report yet but at this point I am focusing on the physical healing of my body. Honestly the pain was a lot to deal with in the beginning but once they figure out what works for you it makes things tolerable. So far it's been 3 days since surgery and the only thing I can say is that I nap more that I've ever napped but that is due to the pain meds. I did not however get a pain pump. Some people after this type of surgery receive a pump for pain meds but I received pills. I mean I already have enough drains coming out of my body 4 to be exact 2 on each side.
Every 12 hours I empty them and measure the output and chart it for my plastic surgeon.
Throughout all of this my daughter has been wonderful. I explained it to her in a manner in which she could understand and she said "so mommy you're going to have boo boos on your boobies and I can't squish my face on them?' I said yes that's right baby. She then said that's ok cause boo boos get better. I love her to pieces.

One thing I know for sure is that you need a great support team to help with all of your needs. We as women sometimes don't realize how much we do at home but I am blessed to have a great support team to keep my home rolling at it's normal pace. My daughter has plenty of things to keep her occupied between cousins and friends by the time it's bath time she's tuckered out. I also know that it is the grace of God that keeps everything well.

Peace, love and blessings.

Finding out you have breast cancer

Well it's been a long, long time since I've written on here. Why am I writing now you may ask? I have a new development going on in my life and I want to document my journey.
As you may or may not know  I have a  daughter who is almost 5 years old  a loving husband and I was recently diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. What this means is that I have cancer in the ducts of my breast that has invaded or moved into the surrounding breast tissue. First and foremost I want to thank God for giving me the strength to cope with this situation in my life and for having a supportive husband. I believe that my faith in the Lord has allowed me to know that this is only for a season and for his Glory!!!!!!

 

 

 

This all began with an incidental touch of my breast. I was on my way home and about to readjust my uniform shirt when I felt a lump on my breast. I quickly got in my car and resumed a self breast exam. What I noticed was that the lump was not easily found and that I had to be in a certain position to feel it. I called a doctor that I knew specialized in women's breast care immediately and scheduled to have a mammogram and ultrasound done to determine what the next step should be. Once the mammogram and ultrasound were performed I knew that a biopsy was required. While I waited for the appointed time to have my biopsy done I prayed and asked God for guidance and peace. The type of biopsy I had done is called a stereotactic needle biopsy. This is done with the assistance of a mammogram and a  computer with me the patient laying face down on the procedure table. All in all for me it didn't hurt I just felt pressure on the area being biopsied and it only took 45 minutes for the whole procedure. I was able to resume most of my normal activities for that day just no heavy lifting for 24 hours. I was able to take my daughter to the zoo with her friends we had a ball.

I do not intend to let this obstacle keep me down I intend to be strong, diligent, faithful, prayerful and joyful during it all.

Peace, Love and Blessings
Caula