Since learning about my cancer diagnosis, the word ‘overwhelmed’ has been consistently used to describe everything. Overwhelmed about the journey ahead. Overwhelmed about the medications and medical procedure ahead. Overwhelmed with balancing parenthood, work, and life. But overwhelmed really describes our feelings on the love, support, outreach, graciousness, compassion, and selflessness of others to help ease our angst. It brings me to tears each time I get another message about someone praying for us, thinking about us, or someone who has reached out to support us in other ways. Our army is amazing and we are so incredibly blessed to have each and everyone of you as part of it. 💗
This week was ‘quieter’ compared to what the upcoming weeks will be like. Wednesday the 15th, we met with our oncologist. She was compassionate, knowledgeable, and put many of our worries about the upcoming treatment schedules at ease. She gave us specifics about what our (tentative) treatment timeline will look like, and we have been able to adapt Blake’s work schedule so his off days coincide with my chemo treatments. We will not get a more accurate stage of the cancer until after my scans next week and the beginning of the following week. Again…waiting. One of the most difficult parts of this whole journey.
Thursday the 16th I had my chemo port put in in preparation for my first chemo treatment on December 30th. Overall the procedure was simple and straight forward. I will do 6 chemo treatments, each 3 weeks apart during the ‘intensive’ phase of chemotherapy. This will last ~18wks and I will then continue with chemo treatments every 3 weeks through December 2022. A whole year of these drugs that are fighting to kill off every terrible cell of this evil disease. During the ‘intense’ phase, I will start off taking 4 different chemotherapy drugs, then continue with two of these through the remainder of the year. After intensive chemo, I will go through the radical mastectomy and reconstruction. Our family has always been blessed with ‘all natural’ bosom sizes, so it will definitely be an adjustment to have ‘fake’ ones. Blake is excited he gets to help me pick out the size…but we have different preferences for this 😉. After reconstruction, I will have 33 radiation treatments, Monday through Friday, for 6+ weeks, while continuing with my chemo treatments. Whew…that’s a lot of appointments and a lot to process. Again overwhelmed comes to mind.
One of the most overwhelming parts of this past week is the incredible financial gifting and support we have received. We never expected or anticipated to receive a fraction of the support (financial or emotional) we have received so far. We sincerely want to thank each and every one of you who has donated to our medical fund. We know everyone has their own bills and things to pay for, so the fact that so many of you have or have considered supporting us is incredible and so touching. Cue more tears…
We have some incredible friends who have supported us over the years. Two of our good friends have graciously offered to raffle off a week at their vacation home in the OBX to one person who has donated to our gofundme (https://www.gofundme.com/f/alysas-breast-cancer-treatments). Colin and Casey Bunn have a beautiful house that sleeps 17 people in the OBX. For each $20 donation, you will receive 1 ticket for the raffle and they will choose a winner on New Years Day. Again…wow. Overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the selflessness of our friends and family financially supporting this journey and also offering an incredible gift to someone for supporting us. See the flier below.
My husbands social media post on Thursday really hit the nail on the head. There are absolutely no words that begin to describe the love and support we feel. We will not let this cancer get the best of us and we will take control, even in small ways. We plan to do posts on Sundays so we can recap the week and then prepare for the upcoming week. Over this next week, we ask you pray for positive scans, that the cancer has not metastasized anywhere else, and for strength as we move closer to starting treatment.
Love,
Alysa & Blake
‘Let your hears not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.’ -John 14:1
https://www.gofundme.com/f/alysas-breast-cancer-treatments
Taking control with one thing at a time…including over my hair:
Alysa's Army 