Donna’s Story

Site created on September 24, 2020

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


My story: 
Well ... I now have Stage 4 breast cancer that was diagnosed on September 10th, 2020.  I have had cysts in my breasts from my early 20s and have gone running off to doctors since then getting mammograms and such to find no issues.  Only cysts.  In 2017 I did such a run to a scary mammogram to get reported back only a cyst.  I missed my next 3 years of mammograms.  In 2019 I had a health scare with my brain!  I was at a work conference when early one morning I couldn't walk straight and was seeing in black and white.  I had scans, spent a week in the hospital being scanned and tested.  I went to a heart doctor and a gynecologist for cancer tests.  Nothing.   But I did not go to my mammogram and that cyst was still there.  Or maybe it was a new one.  In May of this year I was watching my grandson when he slammed his head into my breast and wow, that cyst hurt.  In July my other grandson did the same and actually bruised me.  OK, time to go get this cyst checked out.  But the cyst was diagnosed as breast cancer.  PR/ER positive, HER2 negative.  After many scans and biopsies it was confirmed Stage 4.  It had spread to my bones and liver.  The doctors have decided on 4-6 months or chemotherapy to reduce or stop the cancer growth.


My family has so lovingly helped me set up this page.  I will try to contribute or they may contribute so you can follow my journey.  This diagnosis brings amazing blessings that are impossible to see without it.  One of the greatest blessings is the clarity of my incredible, beautiful, life that is filled with love and adventure.  I am loved and that is the greatest gift in life.


Peace, love and abundant joy to you all!!!


Donna

Newest Update

Journal entry by Donna Benz

I got my PET Scan results last week.  The doctor was so happy and excited he actually said while making a rainbow arc with his hand, "It's Beautiful!!!!!'  It cracked me up since he is such a serious man most of the time.  Jimmy was there with me and I started to introduce him but the Doc says, "oh I know Jim.  I learned that you have a very large family'.  I bit my tongue from saying, "you have no idea Doc ... those are just my brothers and sisters".  😀

So the PET Scan showed I have no cancer left in my lymph nodes and most other areas were greatly reduced but a few grew.  Yuck.  Isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder?

After my hospital stay I had to rehab and gain weight.  Ha!  That is the first and probably the last time a Doc had told me to gain weight.  Actually she was a nutrition specialist and really talking to my family saying things like "extra gravy, salad dressings and sauces'.   Heck  ya I can do extra gravy ...   Heck yes!  Well I quickly caught back up and now am on a regular but high protein diet.  I also get to have a PT guy come to my house and lead me through exercises.  That's one way to get your exercise done.

My liver is still leaking its called Ascites.  That's the bad part.  Sandy has to come over and 'drain' me every couple of days.  Did we tell you how wonderful she is.  I hope this goes away soon.  But if that's all I have to complain about .... ok.

I'm doing well.  If I could ask my prayer warriors to pray for my liver that would be amazing.  God bless you all!

Love y'all too,  Donna

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