Deb Long

Wow! My story... First of all, Jesus is the best thing that every happened to me...... If anyone should ever  tell my life story...that's the song that comes  to mind as I settle into my recliner at SHCC. 

It has been an awesome year thus far.  I enjoyed seeing one niece graduate from college and another from high school both with honors. The fruit of my labor as far an my career is paying off... On June 21 I accepted an administrative appointment to Tate  High school.  My summer was high energy.  VBS at Springfield; Birthday cook off with T;  Dave and Busters with my sistaz and  Tweak,  Ni-ni and RJ.; Family time at the Homefront ; reunions  times two; two sessions of summer school.  Wow!  Enjoyed every second! 

I started in my new position officially on July 1st.   The first full week of July I was all hyped up!  As I scurried around checking on facilities and getting things organized, I felt great.  Around the middle of July,  I noticed an uncomfortable knot under my arm.  I showed it to Ladon.  Of course, I asked him what he thought.  He suggested that I get it checked out.  I made one appointment with my Gen Doc... Nothing was available till August.  I ended up calling my gynecologist who was able to get me in earlier.  I met with my gynecologist on July 27.  As I chatted with him I'd almost forgot to mention this uncomfortable lump.  My mind was on other stuff.   His nurse asked me if I told him about my arm..  He checked and said... We will refer you for a mammogram and ultrasound to check things out.  I had the appointment on August 2nd.  God is amazing!  The ultrasound tech noticed something wrong with  my right breast as well.  After the ultrasound and mammogram.  I waited... Finally they emerged and suggested I get a biopsy of the right breast and underarm area-lymph nodes.  

August 10, 2016-- scheduled biopsy appointment at the Ann Baroco center at sacred heart campus.
Friday, August 12, 2016... Jocelyn and Doctor who preformed the biopsy contacted me by phone. I was in Marianna cause mom was ill in icu... They were willing to give me the results over the phone. I sat down held Ladon's hand... My mom was completely out of it at this time. The doctor said the sample they took from the breast and from the lymph node were indeed cancer.  I was stunned but relieved at the same time- I know that seems weird.  It was like now I know... Let's get going!  What do I need to do now to get rid do this bastard!  Of course a very emotional time ensued.  Fortunately, I was with  husband, my mom, sisters, brother and family.  

Ladon and I went down stairs to another waiting area to debrief an just take a deep breath.  Then Sacred Hearts nurse navigator Jocelyn followed up...
Jocelyn ... Returned to the phone to help schedule and guide me to the next phase... I told her I was ready to meet with doctors and move forward with treatment. She called back within minutes with an appointment for Monday, August 15, 2016 with Surgery Group Doctor Caluda.*Maggie is dr Caluda's nurse.. Helpful... By this time mom was doing much better-Thanks God!  My sisters and niece stepped up to the plate to while I returned to Pcola to get the ball rolling.  We met with Dr. Caluda Monday, August 15... He was great.  He said he was positive he could take care of this cancer.   He did a breast exam and checked my lymph on the neck, under arms.. He asked me about which oncologist..I told him Dr. Alsayed.  He was familiar with Doctor Alseyed.. He said they would be working together. His suggestion was to do chemotherapy to shrink both sites. Monitor the sites and then surgically remove. He said he could probably save my breast once the area has shrunk. However, if not he works with surgeons who can reconstruct based on what I want. I told him my biggest concern was getting the cancer. If he had to take it so be it. I asked him about the spread of it and how long it has possibly been in there. He said they would probably do a Mri or pet scan.. He would collaborate with Doctor Alseyed in deciding which one. No need to do both they would work together.
He said it would not change in weeks but months. He said it may have been there six months or less based on what he sees now. Ladon asked about nutrition. He said just eat healthy and get plenty of protein. 

Wednesday, August 17, 2016 appt. with Doctor Alseyed oncologist. Dr. Alseyed indicated that I have hr2 ++ breast cancer stage 2.. Since cancer is also located in the ancillary lymph nodes. He said the her++ was the best case scenario.  I will start with chemo treatment on August 25😕❤️💕.  I will have treatment 12 weeks with taxol.. Then every two weeks with a more potent chemo round. He says I'll be fine. He will monitor me and take blood work weekly.  He told me I would look back on this year 20 years from now and think about it like a boot camp I went through.  He was very easy to talk to. 

Dr. Caluda's will conduct out patient surgery to install a meta port for my treatments.  August 23rd... This was the first time I've ever had surgery.  Everyone was helpful and reassuring. They spoke well of Doctor Caluda.  Ladon hung in there with me.  I'll have to sleep sitting up at least the first night.  Of course that's easy on my side of the couch.  Thank God!

Dr. Alseyed ordered a PET scan... August 24th...  This was neat.  Injected solution I sat in a dim room for about an hour then they did the scan.  I was concerned about not fitting she reassured me that I would definitely fit.  I just closed my eyes mostly as I slid back and forth on the table.  Dr. Alseyed will receive the results and review them with me on the 25th.  Response...He said it hadn't spread just in the right  breast and right lymph node... We were able to view on the computer in his office.  

Dr. Alseyed ordered a echocardiogram as well to check my heart before we start treatments. August 19th.. Went in before work.. It was just goo put on my chest and an ultra sound of my heart.. About 40 minutes total.  Wiped off goo and headed to work.  Dr. Alseyed received the report as normal heart function... I thank you God!

August 25.. First day of treatment...infusion.
So much info in between....😍
September 18.... Special hair cut 😜..