Bernice’s Story

Site created on December 28, 2021

Houston, We Have a Problem... 

If you are on this site chances are you either saw the news on social media, heard from a friend, or were one of the lucky few to be told directly from the horse's mouth...

Me, I am the horse, and to be frank I kinda wish I was a horse right about now, or anything other than what I am, which is a F!*&#$@ cancer patient😖 

On December 17 at 5:39 pm I received the call that changed my life, the mass in my right breast that brought me in for imagining on the 14, along with the one found under my right axilla (love saying that word) that same night both tested positive for cancerous cells. I had a biopsy on Dec 15 and it took slightly more than 24 hours to get the results, no bueno.

The hardest part of this has been telling folks and seeing their eyes tear up or their smile fade. Disappointing people is extremely hard to digest. 

The whole experience from the first screening to diagnosis has been a whirlwind, but as someone with a history of breast cancer in her family this moment has always been a matter of "when" not "if." I had tested negative for BRCA two years ago and that gave me a sense of hope, however I never stopped doing selfexams and that is what  saved my life.  

I am now embarking on a scary journey and there are A LOT of questions. As a Type-A person with generalized anxiety disorder, I respond well to having an ironclad plan. I thrive on being told what to do, what to expect, what to eat, what products to use, yet, there is very little out there that isn't supertechnical medicine journals or blogs with annecdotal information that doesn't really fit the mold.  

With this resouce and through this experience one of my main goals - other than surviving this shit - will be to give back by sharing as much as posible. 

It is my sincere hope that sharing every part of this, from what to eat before a PET scan to what products to use during chemo, can provide someone going through this a first hand look into navigating  one of the most scary, difficult and exhausting experiences and know that they are not alone. 


Newest Update

Journal entry by Bernice Creager

Brief:
  • Finished last round of TCHP treatment 
  • Returned to full Taxotere Dose
  • Received another dose of nausea meds via IV like Round 5
  • Finished chemo like a champ!

On Friday, May 13 I was lucky enough to have my last cycle of chemotherapy.

Holly was my nurse, she was the one who administered my first cycle so it was only fair that she be there for my last one. She is phenomenal and was the nurse who inserted my PICC line as well.

On the way to the Kaiser I was distracted after the digital billboard on the side of the highway suddenly showed my face and a message.
David let me know he had collaborated with our friend Christian and together they had gathered messages from friends and family to display through out the day.

I had let Christian know I could see this billboard from the infusion center and asked for a message, I didn’t know there would be several throughout the day and all over the city.

The best part was the infusion station I was designated was on the corner and I could easily see the signs during the treatment.

Since my infusion center does not have a bell, I made the most of it by bringing cake and dressing in fabulous attire to celebrate the occasion.

I was able to celebrate with all my nurses especially Bronda, my nurse navigator and Jamie the nurse manager.

There were lots of pictures and smiles but nothing what was waiting for me at home.

When I arrived home my little sister Cindy greeted me and walked me around through the side yard. As soon as I turned the corner the mariachi band started playing, confetti guns went off and I saw my loved ones including my mom and grandma who I had not seen since Christmas.

It was an emotional moment and I loved every minute.

Friends from Santa Rosa drove up and we were able to have an amazing evening.

Then around 6 it was time to taken my penguin cold cap off for the last time!!!!


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