My Good Friend, Crystal G, sat down and added the Fundraiser that my co-workers are hosting, onto her facebook page as an event!
My Friend and co-worker, Katrina M, posted my plea for help and offered a Full Week of Prayer onto her facebook page!
My Long-Time and Dear Friend, Crystal F, posted about my situation on her Facebook Wall and included a donate button for my fund!
I Am So Very Honored and Appreciative.
Tags: Facebook
(The following is an email which I sent out today. I am Scared To Death and So Mad about what has happened to me. This is a disease that should be “Easily” managed if addressed in time; but now, because I was treated incorrectly for 9+ months, I am now fighting for my life.)
April 20 2009
Because I Want To Live – Please Help If You Can, and PLEASE Keep This Email Going!
My name is Denise. I live in Spring, Texas – about 25 miles north of Houston.
I’m 49 years old, single, no children. Three dogs, one cat. I rent my home, I own my truck. I have no partner, no financial assistance… I’m a temp office worker, an Admin, aka secretary, in Houston, Texas; I work Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5:30. I’m one of the “worker bees”. I pretty much live paycheck-to-paycheck. Like so many others…
I have Family and Friends who I am Blessed to have in my life. I am truly fortunate to have the love, friendship and support of my Family and very good Friends.
I have no health insurance.
I’ve been diagnosed with Infiltrating Ductile Carcinoma. An Invasive Breast Cancer. It was mistreated for over a year, with 9+months as a “staph infection”, which allowed the cancer to grow and spread throughout my body – to metastasize. I currently have been diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer and am awaiting the results for metastatic liver cancer. I will be undergoing a head/brain scan to evaluate the possibility of metastatic brain cancer. I am waiting for my official “staging” diagnosis, but am a probable Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer.
My medical outlook is not good. I am trying to maintain a positive mental and emotional outlook, but sometimes it’s difficult.
I’m sending out this email, asking for help. I know things are tough for many people out there, but I’m hoping there will be some who find it in their heart to help me.
I Want To Live.
I’m keeping a Blog to detail this journey I am on, please “meet” me there – http://teamdenise.org/.
I am documenting the appointments and events which I am going though. I have medical reports, images and information which I am downloading daily. I am keeping an online budget of my expenses. I am keeping an online list of my Doctors and all info regarding my situation, diagnoses and treatments. If you don’t see something that legitimately concerns my situation, check back in a day – I may just not have gotten it online yet. Or you can email me – any questions can be directed to me at denise@teamdenise.org, I will reply as soon as possible.
Please read more about me and my situation here: http://teamdenise.org/about/
Please Help Me Survive. Please consider donating directly to my cause, there’s a “Donate” button located on my front page (http://teamdenise.org/)
Please donate a dollar… heck, if you feel like it, donate a few dollars!
Whether you are able to donate or not, I would appreciate if you could find it in your heart to forward this request on. Hopefully others will be able to spare a few dollars for my cause. Others who might have been affected by this horrible disease – who may have lost someone, who may have fought for someone, who may have survived themselves. Others who are able to help me.
I Want To Live, I Want To Survive, But I Can’t Afford To Do It Alone. So I am reaching out…
Whatever You Do, Whatever Religion You Follow, Please Keep Me In Your Prayers – I Believe Prayer is Powerful!
With Hope and Faith,
denise
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
Thanks for your support!
Every dollar, every prayer, every good wish helps me survive!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
A person’s choice of religion is of no issue to me,
Everyone has their personal calling,
But I DO believe that prayer is a Powerful force
So if you pray, Please Keep Me In Yours.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
Please check my website for my progress!
http://teamdenise.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
Tags: Donations
Every time I move,
I realize that the dull ache in my back
Now has the designation of cancer.
I wonder about my headaches
Are they, as I was told, Chemo Headaches
Or will they too be designated as cancer.
I’m not ready for this…
Tags: bone cancer, brain cancer
This
Anger
Inside Me
Raging Wildfire
Burning Inferno
this
despair
inside me
beaten
defeated
this
terror
inside me
griping
frantic
wild-eyed confusion
This
Anger
Inside Me
I am So F*cking Angry.
Tags: Poetry
It’s like I’m in some cosmic toilet that just keeps flushing, and I’m the turd that just manages to hang on.
Yes, the preliminary results are in, and they are not good. They could be worse And I imagine they will be, cuz we are waiting on more results.
Let’s present the “good” news…
While the size/condition of the breast tumor has not diminished enough to be considered significant, the activity within the 6 lymph nodes Has decreased considerably. So, the “evil of chemotherapy” seems to have done Some good Despite the “totally wrong” vitamin regime I was on.
Now, on to the Bad News…
We appear to have Metastasis
There are (most probably) 4 vertebra tumors – T9, L2, L3, L5 and possibly the mid sacrum (definition of sacrum) or see this illustration
So… the backache I’ve had the past 6 months is Not attributed to my weight or being out of shape, it’s most likely attributed to cancer in my bones.
Secondary Bone Cancer.
Bone Cancer.
Unfortunately, the Neulasta, which promotes the production of white blood cells, also makes it difficult for the PET to distinguish between healthy bone overproducing cells and cancer. So it will be 2-3 months after I stop taking the Neulasta before we can get a truly accurate reading for the bones. The vertebra are pretty definite in reading, it’s the long bones that we are not sure about…
But wait boys and girls, there’s more.
My liver enzymes are up very high. Too high. So high in fact, that it’s indicative of metastasis to the liver. Those results won’t be in til early next week (April 20-24), but it’s pretty much a given.
And… for the cherry on top of my party
Since we have activity in the bones and (probably) liver, we need to do a scan to check the brain cuz breast cancer typically metastasis to the bones, liver and brain.
At this point, I’m looking less like a Stage 2
and more like a Stage 4.
It’s a party.
In my Body
A cancer Party.
It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.
I’m screaming.
Tags: bone cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan
I had some blood work done which will chart my tumor markers, specifically something called CEA… My last oncologist never did this test, so I have idea what my baseline was, but Burzynski Clinic uses them, as does MD Anderson, so I have to hope they mean Something.
From what I’ve found online, it appears that some Drs find Tumor Markers a good resource, while others don’t place much weight on such tests as a diagnosing tool.
My EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, aka HER1) is 86, reference range is 67-87, so it appears that I am “borderline”.
EGFR: The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which the epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. This epidermal growth factor receptor is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, and may be why these cells divide as actively as they do. Also known as EGFR or ErbB1.
My HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) is 2.8, reference range is <11.5, so it appears that I am good on that one…
HER2: A gene that helps control how cells grow, divide, and repair themselves, important in the control of abnormal or defective cells that could become cancerous.
My CEA as of April 15 2009 is 63.1 ng/mL
I’m told that is high…
The cost is pretty expense, I’ll look around at other labs and see if I can get a break…
What is a Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Tumor Marker Test?
“Question: What is a Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Tumor Marker Test?
A carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tumor marker test is a blood test that is done during treatment to monitor your progress. The results of this test may show how effective your treatment is on your cancer.
Answer:
About Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
The carcinoembryonic antigen is a protein that shows up in your blood, and is normally found in the tissue of a developing fetus. After birth, the mother’s blood levels of CEA should disappear. Smoking produces higher than normal levels of CEA, so you should abstain from smoking for several days prior to your test.
Normal and Abnormal Results of Your CEA Test
A normal value of CEA is a range from 0 to 2.5 micrograms per liter (mcg/L). For a smoker, expected levels of CEA range from 0 to 5.0 micrograms per liter (mcg/L). High levels of CEA may be an indication of cancer, but some people will test high, even though they do not have cancer. The results of a CEA test must be considered along with your symptoms, general health, lifestyle factors and the results of other tests.
Uses For the CEA Blood Test
Doctors may use the CEA blood test for a variety of reasons:
Other Tumor Marker Info:
“Tumor Markers; AFP, HCG, CA-125
Tumor markers are molecules occurring in blood or tissue that are associated with cancer and whose measurement or identification is useful in patient diagnosis or clinical management. The ideal marker would be a “blood test” for cancer in wich a positive result would occur only in patients with malignancy, one that would correlate with stage and response to treatment and that was easily and reproducibly measured. No tumor marker now available has met this ideal.
Tumor markers can be used for one of four purposes: (1) screening a healthy population or a high risk population for the presence of cancer; (2) making a diagnosis of cancer or of a specific type of cancer; (3) determining the prognosis in a patient; (4) monitoring the course in a patient in remission or while receiving surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
No test meets all of those requirements. Specifically, no marker has been established as a pratical cancer screening tool either in a general healthy population or in most high risk poulations. The reason for this is the relative lack of sensitivity and specificity of the available tests, given the low prevalence of cancers in most population groups. Given the low prevalence of cancer in general, even tests that are highly sensitive and specific may have low predictive values.
Tumor markers include many substances that are not readily systematically organized.Those discussed here are generally products or the cancer cell, although none is unique to cancer cells; they represent aberrant tumor production of a normal element. Some markers are produced by the organism in response to the cancer’s presence.“
Tags: CEA test, Tumor Markers
Went to take the 2nd PET Scan today. What a difference from the first one – in many ways…
Location:
Houston Medical Imaging
3310 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77098
713.524.9555
Technician: Juliette
It’s really a beautiful building with a nice courtyard and central fountain… someone there is a collector of geodes and rock/mineral formations cuz there were Many of them, especially the Enormous one at the front door. It’s a purple amethyst geode, probably close to 6ft tall. Too bad someone painted the outside green, cuz it looks like a big misshapen pickle…
Anyway, back to the PET Scan
It was $1400, and that was the discounted rate. Wham.
The prep for the procedure itself was much different than the first one at North Cypress Medical Center.
At Houston Medical Imaging, first Theresa, the orderly, put me in a room, sat me in a nice comfy overstuffed recliner, and covered me with a blanket. There was no TV or phone like at North Cypress Medical Center, but I had brought the laptop that Rob was lending me, so that I could Blog, and Mom left her cell phone so I could make calls (she was waiting in an outer waiting room while I was being prepped).
Then the technician, Juliette, came in to administer the trace. We talked a bit as I was prepared for the injection. She was recently expecting, so she could not administer, but she was there making sure everything went as procedure required. When she saw the cell phone, and I asked to plug in the laptop, she looked at me like I was crazy.
What she told me was pretty much as follows:
~This is a very sensitive test, and in order to get accurate results, you need to lie as still as possible, no unnecessary movements, no stimulation – no phone, no laptop, no water, nothing. We will administer the injection, then we will turn off the light and close the door. You will need to relax for the next 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, you will go to the bathroom and empty your bladder, and then you will have the scan run.~
Wow. BIG difference from the first test… could be why it was “subpar”.
The only thing, besides the actual test being performed (of course) that was similar between the 2 scans, was that both places had very nice people. That helps…
So they injected the trace, wrapped me up, turned off the light and closed the door… I quickly realized I was getting cold, so I did call out for more blankets, which were brought, plus an extra one to wrap my cold head. For the next 45 minutes I drifted in and out of a light snooze.
When the time was up, Theresa came to escort me to the Scan Room, and we got it going. I’m not claustrophobic, so I managed to fall asleep a couple times during the scan too.
I hope we get a good read and some good news comes my way. So much bad news lately.
After the scan was complete, Mom and I packed up and I went back to work.
I get the feeling there will be quite a few days like this… medical tests and then back to work. ~sigh~
(Results HERE)
Tags: Houston Medical Imaging, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan
April 15. Tax Day. Day of Reckoning…
Mom and I went for the appointment at Burzynski Clinic. What an experience.
First and Foremost – the feeling of Hope there is overwhelming. There is no smell of chemo, no sense of doom.
We met with Dr. Lordes Deleon, who would be my primary physician; Dr. Fu, an oncologist who came to The Clinic from MD Anderson; and Dr. Burzynski, himself.
It was a long time, took most of the day. And turned out to be very emotional. Eye-opening.
We had to go through financial planning, to be sure that I could afford the treatments. I don’t know how I will, but if I decide that this is the path for me to follow, I will have to find a way.
The final meeting with the Drs was the most relevant.
As we’re sitting there talking, Dr Burzynski keeps mentioning “the spread of the disease”.
what…?
“the spread of the disease within your body…”
what…?
So I am sitting there looking like a fool as the Drs inform me that there is a high possibility that the cancer has spread to my bones – specifically my spine – and to my chest cavity.
what…?
Dr Burzynski looks at me and says “surely you knew, surely your Dr told you of this?”
what…?
So, as Mom and I are sitting there, we all go over the results of the initial PET scan, the one that Dr Keller had read to us.
* At least 6 lymph nodes affected, with a stew of 7-10.
* Multiple left axillary adenopathy with difuse scattered activity within multiple nodes.
* Abnormal tracer accumulation in the mediastinum predominate pretracheal and subcarinal regions suggestive of subtle metatastic adenopathy disease in this region.
* Minimal scattered activity within what appears to be either the EG junciton or the thoracic psine as previously noted consideration to bone scan may be of further benefit to evaluate for an subtle osseous metastasis.
* Minimal scattered activity in the region of the EG junction which is difficult to evaluate if this is esophagus versus osseous abnormality and correlation with bone scan is suggested.
The Burzynski Clinic Drs are amazed that we don’t know this information, that Dr Keller didn’t go over all this with us.
Bottom line:
* The lymph node activity is much more than “2″ that Keller had told us.
* There is suggestion that the cancer may have spread to my bones and perhaps to my chest cavity.
* Several times in the report, the Radiologist suggest a bone scan – nothing was said by Keller.
Further tests are Definitely needed.
Keller simply neglected to mention this information to us…
Lovely.
Needless to say, I’m in a Total State of Shock…
Tags: alternative treatments
Thanks for bearing with me while I got the “Donate” option up and running.
Things that were Supposed to happen fast are dragging, and things that were Supposed to go slow are rushing up on me.
If desired, you can now make a donation towards the payment of all medical and living expenses associated with my cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, I am not able to give any tax receipt for your charity, but I am looking into teeshirts and stuff.
Two situations which have depleted my savings and income, and continue to do so:
* I do not have health insurance. I am a Temp employee. Due to the chemo treatments and associated meds, my medical bills continue to rise; and the surgery and then radiation phase of my treatment will be even higher.
* I am a Temp employee, and if I do not work, I do not get paid. I am still working through this as much as I can, but I am missing a lot of work due to tests, Dr appointments, chemo treatments and the many side effects of chemo. The continued decrease in my income is going to make it difficult to keep up with my basic living expenses (rent, utilities, food)
So – if you’d like to make a donation of any size, it would be greatly appreciated. If you are not able, or choose not to, I would appreciate your prayers for me.
In either instance, I would Greatly appreciate if you would pass this site along as one that is worthy of people’s attention.
Much Thanks for any type of assistance – donation, prayer, passing my site!
Tags: Team Denise, update
Today had follow-up #2 with the oncologist, Dr Casimir of Northwest Cancer Center.
Again, I spent more time with the nurse, Katy, than with the Dr herself. Again – not much confidence.
I mentioned that I was still experiencing heart issues – palpitations, skipped beats, extra beats, racing. Katy asked if they had done an EKG on me, I said no. Nothing else was said about that.
I mentioned that I was still on my vitamin regime. Katy seemed somewhat surprised to hear this, and stressed that I needed to stop taking vitamins as, according to Katy, vitamins lessen the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
WTH? Seven weeks into chemo and this is just now being brought up. I’ve never made a secret that I have, for the majority of my adult life, been on a progressive vitamin regime, and Now I’m told it works against chemo? Just another reason for me to see chemo as an antiquated treatment and Dr. Casimir’s thinking as confined within “The Box”.
Regardless, I brought an “offering” of sorts for the Dr, a gift… a cute pink shoe/purse magnet set, since she is such a shoe fan. Hoping, I guess, for some acknowledgment as a patient.
Maybe if I had insurance, maybe if I wasn’t there as a beggar.
And beggars can’t be choosers…
When I asked, I did get official notification that I am a Stage 3B. About Flipping Time it was mentioned.
I looked up breast cancer stages, and got the following info…
“Cancer stage is based on the size of the tumor, whether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive, whether lymph nodes are involved, and whether the cancer has spread beyond the breast.“
“Stage IIIB describes invasive breast cancer in which:
Lovely.
Tags: vitamins
