Hi all,
My little sister has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. As a result at the ripe old age of 32, she has had to have a mastectomy. This will be followed by around 8 needles (self administered), ultrasounds, blood tests and then egg harvesting for fertility treatment next week... THEN chemo straight after that for 6 months. Following THAT is 5 weeks of radiation therapy.
Family is everything to me so I'm spreading the word of my sisters Go Fund Me page to help out with all the associated medical expenses. It's going to be a real uphill battle and lets face it......... cancer SUCKS! :thumbdown:
Obviously there's no pressure but if anyone wants to donate, here's the link.
https://www.gofundme.com/nicoles-breast-cancer-fight
:thanks1:
I'm so sorry to hear of your sisters situation chooka, you and your family must be besides themselves with worry and I just couldn't imagine how Nicole must be felling. Make sure you give her all the best from the team & me and tell her she will be in our thoughts constantly.
I never know exactly what to say in times like this so i'll just say i'll give what I can and then give a little more from time to time as funds become available.
Keep strong my friend and keep your family close. Greg.
Thank you very much for your thoughts & kind words mate!
I will indeed pass on your kindness :thumbsup:
:holy-moly....... I'm PM you Jugnuts
:faint:
Sorry to hear the news about your sister Chooka, it must be very upsetting.
I hope she feels better and makes a full recovery soon.
I do not know how I missed this yesterday. We will keep her in our thoughts and hope for a speedy, full recovery.
EDIT: Made a small donation. Not sure if it is in AUD or USD but hope it helps!!
EDIT 2: I do not do Facebook but I do know some people who have more damn money than they deserve to have. :wink So I sent them an email to make them feel guilty if they do not cough up some of their ill gotten gains. :rofl: If you see some US/Canada contributions you will know whence they came. My best to your sister! -Steve-
LOL Dataman :)
Thank you for your donation mate. Every little bit will help....especially if you've ever had to pay for parking at our hospitals! It's outrageous.
There will be numerous bills of which not all are covered.
Thank you too Daniel for your kind words mate. The recovery will be a long one (especially if she finds out from her genetic test results soon which will decide if she loses the other boob!)
It's flattering to know that there are still so many kind people in the world and especially here on this forum :thumbsup:
If I'm ever travelling, I'll go out of my way to hopefully meet some of you for a handshake, smiles and a few laughs no doubt.
Thank you for my whole family. I don't know what else to say.
:thanks1:
:rocks
See my PM. Hang in there!
:USA1 :AUS:
Sent you a PM.
I'm sorry to hear this Chooka, I hope my donation helps.
Made a donation, should arrive tomorrow.
Best wishes to your sister Nicole after her recent surgery.
Hi all,
I aplogise for being a bit slack with the updates. Here's an update for you all and thank you once again for your immense generosity!
Update 1 - 18 days ago
Nicole's Update from her meeting with her surgeon today - "Good and bad news from today's surgery follow up appt. They removed a 5cm cancer with 10 nodes removed also. 1 lymph node showed cancer but was contained within that nodes walls.
The small satellite "hot spot" that the MRI picked up was in fact another 12mm cancer at 9 o'clock (the main 5cm cancer was at 1oclock) and that one I couldn't even feel (even after they told me 2 weeks ago that there looked to be a "hot spot" there on the MRI) ....cancer is sneaky!
Bad news is nerve damage is getting worse by the day and I have been prescribed an epileptic drug with heaps of side effects to try and combat the now debilitating nerve pain (that feels like I have an open cut & 3rd degree burns all the way down the inside and back of my arm). This will be reviewed in a few weeks to see if it is still sore but as it stands today it is worsening by the day and now I can only sleep with painkillers and unbearable when the pain killers wear off.
Update 2 - 8 Days ago.
Today (after 2 weeks of fertility hormone injections) Nicole will be admitted to "Day Hospital" for Fertility Preservation procedures to be performed, eggs frozen/stored and to also have the implant Zoladex placed under her skin.
Zoladex is a hormone therapy drug that has been shown to help protect the ovaries during chemotherapy & must be taken out (with a new one put in its place) every 28 days for the duration of Chemotherapy. Zoladex works by placing the body into a state of menopause and suppressing oestrogen, needless to say the side effects can be unpleasant. Unfortunately there are no rebates or discounts available for Zoladex it must be purchased by Nicole & then taken into her appointments for the doctors to implant.
Finally, this Friday Nicole will see her Oncology team to find out exactly where and when her Chemotherapy will begin.
Update 3 -
Nicole has had another appointment with her Oncologist & will finally begin Chemotherapy next Friday 17/2 Nicole will be having chemo once every 3 weeks for the first 4 cycles (12 weeks) and then every week for the remaining 12 weeks (totaling 6 months altogether).
Ongoing extreme nerve pain and cording in Nicole's left arm is still an issue but she is working hard on her exercises to hopefully improve this over time.
All in all the surgery was a success. She has a MASSIVE scar through running from her armpit right across to her sternum.
Apparently the first 3 months of Chemo are the hardest on your body. She's been told the 3 months of treatment after the first 3 month round will seem like a walk in the park.
My parents are trying to help as much as possible because there's so many chores to be done with a chemo patient. Sheets must be washed each day..... her husband can't even sit on the same toilet without sterilising it first because of all the radiation that leaches from her body. It's pretty full on.
I'll try to be more prompt with the updates sorry.
:thanks1:
Don't know how I missed this one but donated tonight. Cancer is a terrible disease and I hope that you sister can get through this with the least amount of pain and discomfort.
I also put a post on the BOINC@AUSTRALIA Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7742313626/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/7742313626/)
Thank you very much Dingo! You're too kind :thumbsup:
I noticed you shared it on Facebook.. Thank you.
You know....most of the support my sister has received, has been from you kind souls on this forum. It's amazing really considering none of us have ever met.
Words can't express the kindness & generosity that I've experienced here on this forum. It's unbelievable.
:thanks1:
:rocks
Another quick update on my sister's treatment :thumbsup:
Update from Nicole on where she is at with her treatment and how she's doing-
Dose 4/4AC 0/12 taxol done yesterday. Still feeling yuck and sweating it out. Another 3 weeks to recover then I start my weekly dose of taxol, done every week for 12 weeks then onto daily radiation.
Oncologist said I am doing excellently...though he just means handling my chemo. I hope to do a video to share a few important things about my treatment, cancer etc with everyone when I feel up to it as I keep hearing quite a bit of misunderstandings from people and with all the cancers around these days I can't understand why. It will be another week before I feel even remotely up to anything I'm sure, but my new free relaxation sounds app is helping heaps to get some sleep...I love the sounds on it from rain to peepers and a cat purring, waterfalls.
I also want to once again thank those who have helped me with the gofundme page my sister did for me ❤️ it has meant I have been able to have acupuncture every 3 weeks for the chemo side affects at the Bloomhill cancer centre (it really does work !!) and lymphodema treatment also once every month to reduce the lymph build up in my now lymph node compromised left arm. It really does mean a lot to me to be able to have those treatments and it wouldn't be possible without all those fantastic people who have helped and I deeply thank you! You have no idea how thankful I am daily to you for your sacrifice/help that means the world to me . Also last but not least, thank goodness for my family and husband.
Hey chooka .... didn't see the earlier thread about Nicole, but made a donation today and hope it helps. Had the big 'C" 14 years ago and still around. Glad I boinc for cancer as 2 of my projects. She sounds like a fighter. Good on Her and her family!! :BigGrin
Hi Neil,
Thank you very much for your generousity! It means a lot.
The community here has been truly amazing. :greet
Glad to hear you have beaten the "Big C" mate! It certainly highlights the importance of telling people you love them on a daily basis...because once they are gone... you can't say it to them ever again.
Cheers
Andrew
Hi Chooka,
I'm so sorry to hear the news. I was just browsing the forum and came across this.
I was just wondering if there were any new updates?
I hope she makes a speedy recovery.
Stay strong man,
Best Wishes
Zach
Hi Zach,
Once again I've been slack with the updates sorry :thumbdown:
Well the good news is my sister has finished the last of her chemotherapy. She looks like your typical chemo patient with the loss of hair etc and I think she's glad the chemo is over with. It's extremely taxing on the body.
Unfortunately she now starts DAILY radiation therapy. I can't remember how long that's for but I'm seeing her today for my mum's 64th birthday so I'll ask and let you all know.
I believe they had to stop the chemo a little bit early due to Neuropathy
Definition - "Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to nerves, most commonly the sensory nerves (nerves that sense touch, heat or pain). As chemotherapy travels throughout the body to target and kill cancer cells, it can also cause damage to the nerve cells"
So basically she's losing feeling in her fingers & toes. Nicole also has quite a lot of fluid build up in her left arm due to having the lymph nodes removed on that side.
I think Nicole would just like to hurry up and get this over with. She really wants to find a job and get back to some normality in life.
She was very happy to hear from a youtube celebrity (I guess that's what you would call him..... he has 1.3Mil subscribers) that's she has spoken to over recent months. Stonemountain64 is a pretty funny guy and the world could use more humour. My sister's not MASSIVELY into computer/console games but she does have a great sense of humour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA2ihDhbWDk
Thanks for the words of support Zach! :thumbsup:
The group here on this forum has been absolutely amazing :worship
:rocks
Radiation treatment is everyday for 5 weeks. :thumbdown:
Quote from: chooka03 on July 31, 2017, 04:49:16 AM
Radiation treatment is everyday for 5 weeks. :thumbdown:
That really sucks.
Hey Chooka,
I'm gad to hear she finished chemo as we all know what chemo does to people. I have never heard of it causing neuropathy though, that sounds horrible!
At least the radiation therapy isn't for a very long time, I'm sure she will be back to normal life soon, as she sounds like she is doing an awesome job fighting.
That's great that she has been talking to a really well known Youtuber! How did she get in touch? I went and watched a few of his videos and I agree, he is really funny, i'm sure his sense of humour would be appreciated. It's nice to know that there still are caring people around, I feel like this forum is full of them, which is amazing.
Keep us updated,
Zach
Kicked in a bit more to Nicole. Tell her to spend it on something totally foolish. :rofl:
:greet
Thank you Zach and Dataman!
Yes Zach...it is great to see some caring people still in the world and I feel most of them are here on this team! :love
Dataman - I'll pass that message on.... thank you sooo very much from all of our family!
P.S..the little boy in this picture is my son :D
Loves his auntie Nicole. Especially when she was driving the excavators and bobcat around the property that they live on.
https://www.gofundme.com/nicoles-breast-cancer-fight?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=CTA_view_campaign&utm_campaign=donation_receiptv5
:rocks
Hi Chooka
Just saw the latest on Nicole, and sent another contribution. I never had chemo, but that radiation sure had weird side effects. Nothing I couldn't handle tho. Dataman has a bloody good idea suggesting she spends it on something frivolous - maybe some good Aussie Beer of her choice?? (only a suggestion, of course LOL). :cheers: All the Best to Her and Family!! :BigGrin
Neil
Thank you very much Neil, you're too kind!
:thumbsup:
:rocks
Thanks for the updates Chooka. It's good to hear Nicole's treatment is progressing as planned and with the exception of her neuropathic pains all seems to be going as well as can be expected so far, well at least under the circumstances anyway. Although from what i've heard it's at least possible her neuropathy will slowly get better after her treatments are over & her body starts to return to normal, of course there are never any guarantees with these types of things it just depends on what caused it & how bad the damage was, but it is at least possible.
I've have had peripheral neuropathy in my hands and in my lower legs & feet for the last 4 or 5 years, although mine is caused by arthritis in my spine that's growing inwards & putting pressure on the nerves in the spinal column. So on that one level I do understand some of what she's going through.
As mentioned from what i've read that giving time many people do eventually get relief and I hoping that's how it goes for her. There's still a way to go yet, but I got my fingers & toes crossed everything works out the way she wants it too in the end.
Anyhoo.. all the best to you, your sister & your family.. Greg
PS: Please keep us informed.
PSS: I'll donate again as soon as I get some more funds.
A quick update from my sister....
"15 Radiation done ✅ 10 left. I have a big tanned square on my chest with a heap of new freckles on it. It's only a little tender when my bra or chicken fillet touches it all day but so far totally bearable. My pec muscle is tightening up but I stretch it daily to keep it from seizing.
The pain I had after surgery is worse with radiation but still bearable during the day. I'm not really tired too much yet however they tell me the first 2 weeks you feel nothing and I've done 3 weeks so far but it gets worse towards the end and just after. My Radiologist says my skin is looking great and handling it well. I'm still working hard with my exercise physiologist to regain my strength and be able to get back some of my normal self. Even though I've lost weight the only shirts I have that work with all of this are my work shirts.
My hair is growing back, although thin and some greys I had are actually turning brown again thank god. I'll post a pic soon. Thanks again for the support and words of encouragement. Nothing goes unnoticed by me. (Except when I was on chemo lots went unnoticed)."
So all in all Nicole is on the road to recovery. The end is in sight for the treatment and hopefully, some normality can return to her life.
Thank you to everyone for your support!!
:rocks
Thanks for the update chooka.
I'm glad things are going well for her.
That's great Chooka, she sounds like she's well on her way. :thumbsup:
Thanks for the update.
Great to hear. Hope she continues to improve.
Great news!!... (From my sister...)
"All CLEAR! No sign of cancer anywhere atm. I just have a larger saliva gland on the right that's benign and all fine just weird like me😂. Will be having a DO sometime soon at Brighwater hotel for anyone who wants to help me celebrate the end of a very long and hard year with good food and good company.
Time to try and get fitter so I can do what makes me happy & hopefully return to work in the new year. Thanks again for all the support peeps😘. Keep up the good vibes. It's still going to be a nervous next 5years after which my survival odds will go from 50% to 75or more! Can't wait."
A big thank you one more time to all of you here at TEAM BOINC AUSTRALIA! Your support and well wishes have been simply amazing and it's something I'll talk till my end of days. The generosity & kindness expressed here by people I've never had the privilege of meeting has been mindblowing :thumbsup:
I'm looking forward to helping my sister both mentally & physically now to get her back on track and focused on future work..... and some fun of course. Because what's life without some fun to offset our tribulations. :love
:rocks
P.S...If anyone would like to meet in QLD's Brightwater Hotel when we have a small shindig, please PM me and I'll send the details. You are more than welcome! :thumbsup:
Great news chooka.
Thanks for posting.
:cheers:
Fantastic news please wish her the best from me and the Team.
Great to hear chooka. :yes
Glad to hear she's doing well, thanks for the update Chooka
Awesome news Chooka!
So glad to hear
Great news Chooka, glad to hear.
Greetings Chooka
Excellent news to hear.
Thankyou for allowing us into a piece of your private life. :wavey2:
All the Best to Nicole (and you too) !! v: v:
My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer last month. She is 32. She is going in to get all her lymph nodes remove next week because it was detected in some of the nodes that they took out last month. She hasn't even recovered yet from the first operation and she is going in for another one. :thumbdown: After that she will start the chemo and then the radiation. No idea on time frame yet but from what I have been reading it seems like a long hard process. We already have two kids and weren't planning on anymore so at least we don't have that added cost of harvesting eggs like your sister Chooka. After the first operation we were feeling pretty positive and then a week later when they told us she would need chemo and another operation we have been pretty emotional. A family friend died from breast cancer and we keep thinking of her so it was good to read your sister's survival story.
So sorry to hear Shift make sure to give her our best wishes and let us know if there's anything else that we can do to help.
All the best Greg.
Hi Shift,
I'm sorry to read about your wife's cancer.
Yes my sister also had the lymph nodes removed, chemo etc. It's been really tough for her and a similar age to your wife.
The biggest issue she has now is what they call cording -
https://www.healthline.com/health/axillary-web-syndrome
She wears a pressure bandage all the time and it's been very uncomfortable even after all this time.
Nicole's hair has grown back at least so she feels a little less...butch for lack of a better term :) But her hair has grown back curly...which is a bit funny even for her as she's always had straight hair. She has also picked up some temp work which is great but unfortunately my sister's outlook on life changed a bit afterwards and it's put a lot of pressure on her marriage. A real lot. Not to mention the financial strain of not being able to work.
The good news is she is cancer free now mate and it's onwards and upwards.
Life is precious and the guys here on this forum were unbelievably support (considering none of us have ever met) Likewise, if there's any was I can help please sing out. Even if your wife wanted someone to talk to about the process I'm happy to ask my sister if it helps remove any questions or fears.
Are you on the Boinc@Australia Facebook page?
Andrew D is me :wave:
Sorry to hear Shift.
I hope her treatment goes well.
As JugNut said, please pass on our best wishes.
Terrible news Shift, sad to hear.
I wish your wife and you the very best.
Bad news for certain. Best wishes for a full recovery. Let us know if there is anything we can do.
Steve & Karen
Greetings Shift
Very unwelcome news again to hit our small close knit crunching community, indeed sad to hear.
Please pass on our best wishes for a full recovery.
Mark, Donna and Family.
My best wishes as well Shift. 40 years ago my wife also had breast cancer. I remember it well, but there is always hope that eases the pain.
Thanks, everyone. Yesterday the specialist told us that they had a meeting with a bunch of specialists and they were split 50-50 on whether to remove the rest of the lymph nodes or not (they took out 6 before and 3 had cancer in them). If we remove them there is a significantly higher chance of lymphedema (30-50% chance). My wife wants the nodes out because she will always be worrying that there is still cancer in there but I'm not so sure since the radiation and chemo should kill any cancer anyway and lymphedema seems pretty horrible and means daily exercises. Now she is doubting her decision. She is booked in on Tuesday so has to decide by then. Arrgh :banghead we are not great at making decisions!
I'm sorry to hear Shift, that's horrible news. Best wishes to you, your wife and your family.
As everyone has already said, if there is anyway we can help out, let us know.
Zach
Quote from: chooka03 on January 23, 2017, 08:12:45 PM
Hi all,
My little sister has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. As a result at the ripe old age of 32, she has had to have a mastectomy. This will be followed by around 8 needles (self administered), ultrasounds, blood tests and then egg harvesting for fertility treatment next week... THEN chemo straight after that for 6 months. Following THAT is 5 weeks of radiation therapy.
Family is everything to me so I'm spreading the word of my sisters Go Fund Me page to help out with all the associated medical expenses. It's going to be a real uphill battle and lets face it......... cancer SUCKS! :thumbdown:
Obviously there's no pressure but if anyone wants to donate, here's the link.
https://www.gofundme.com/nicoles-breast-cancer-fight
:thanks1:
How is your Sis Chooka? Long time no hear.
:oz:
That really sux Dataman, sorry to hear that your sister is not doing well. Give her my best.
Quote from: Mike Mitchell on December 28, 2019, 11:35:14 AM
That really sux Dataman, sorry to hear that your sister is not doing well. Give her my best.
It's Chooka'a sis, I don't have one.
Ahh, got it. 👍
Quote from: Dataman on December 27, 2019, 04:53:57 PM
Quote from: chooka03 on January 23, 2017, 08:12:45 PM
Hi all,
My little sister has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. As a result at the ripe old age of 32, she has had to have a mastectomy. This will be followed by around 8 needles (self administered), ultrasounds, blood tests and then egg harvesting for fertility treatment next week... THEN chemo straight after that for 6 months. Following THAT is 5 weeks of radiation therapy.
Family is everything to me so I'm spreading the word of my sisters Go Fund Me page to help out with all the associated medical expenses. It's going to be a real uphill battle and lets face it......... cancer SUCKS! :thumbdown:
Obviously there's no pressure but if anyone wants to donate, here's the link.
https://www.gofundme.com/nicoles-breast-cancer-fight
:thanks1:
How is your Sis Chooka? Long time no hear.
:oz:
Hi Dataman,
My sister is going well thanks for asking.
The latest is - "Currently NED (no evidence of disease) After 5 years (currently @3yrs) I come off the extra special watchlist and go on 3 monthly appointments."
Nicole said thank you once again for all the generosity. It is great news that she is currently cancer free. She's very lucky and can now close in on that 40th birthday in a couple of years :)
:cheer1: