Jennifer’s Story

Site created on January 24, 2021

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As I approach my year soon of when I was diagnosed I have decided this is a good place to share my stories and give info! As you know I have been fighting through breast cancer treatments since January 2021! I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the left breast. It also was in my nodes. This was completely shocking when I found out. I first thought about my family.. it so not fair for them! My life flashed before my eyes, I cried a lot. It was so much to take in. So ..they staged me at Stage 2b.I also had genetic testing done and was told most people are negative! They told me don’t worry most are not genetic. Wrong! I found out I was positive for genetics! I carried the palb2 gene mutation! I remember thinking what the hell is that?! No one has had cancer in my family. And why me?! You never think even for a moment your going to get cancer! So unbelievable.. even almost a year later I have these thoughts! I immediately started doing a ton of research to learn all I could. I met with an amazing team At LBMMC Todd cancer center, and they wanted to give me all modalities they had to fight this! I was firstly put on Tamoxifen ( death pill):/which will stop estrogen production as my cancer feeds on estrogen and progesterone! I then started getting stuff done. I had many appts to test for possibly cancer somewhere else in my body, I had MRI’s, pet scan, blood tests, an echocardiogram and got my port placed. I just couldn’t believe-this was my life now!  I had been good to my body, healthy and exercising… why oh why?! It was a scary time ..but I just got through it best I could! I went into survival mode! I met amazing doctors and my team is very good, im thankful for them. They wanted me to have Chemotherapy ( asap) which went from February thru End of May! It was brutal, I got tired but I did it! I had it every three weeks and the first week post chemo was full of fatigue, nausea and weakness. I pushed thru.. and now I’m Done! Next, I had to recover from the chemotherapy (I felt very weak),to get strong enough for my surgeons to do my double mastectomy! We knew it would be a DMX ( both) because having the palb2 makes me more at risk.. I wanted them gone. I rationalized it with well they ( the boobs) had done their job, I breast feed 3 kids and even had implants done a few years ago! I wanted the cancer taken out! So… in June I got healthier and stronger as I wanted that Surgery ASAP! We decided on also doing immediate reconstruction with lymph node dissection. I loved my breast Surgeon and plastic Surgeon. I felt in good hands. I was at peace with them taking my breasts as I knew it, never again to have my own. My breast tissue was ALL going to be gone.. the cancer was going to be gone! I knew we had to get rid of of both in order for best outcomes. June 30th is the date. I ended up having an almost 9 hour Surgery and was in hospital for 3 days! When I came too …n looked down at my chest.. I felt alil lump so I knew it was successful. I knew it would be ok.He told me if it went well he would be able to put a tiny bit of expansion in the expanders( my new boobs). I was thankful for that. I soon learned we did have a complication as my left nipple didn’t look good, it was purple/black. Thru the bloody steri strips it looked quite darkened. They told me I’d have to undergo hyperbaric treatments in effort to heal the skin to survive. I had had the nipple/skin sparing option. I ended up having about 6 hyperbaric treatments I believe. It was a bit claustrophobic and nerve wracking.. but I handled it. Somehow I got thru that. Medication helped! So the next step after surgery was to heal! Resting and healing was my life for quite awhile. I slept a ton. Matt and my family did everything, i felt very cared for. Then I started getting fills into my expanders! They take a needle with a magnet and “fill you up”! We did it slowly. It hurt alil not too bad and they felt tight. He had to stretch the skin a bit. I slowly got better and healed and was finally able to exercise again! That was a relief. I then felt good enough and even went on a retreat ( in the mountains) with 45 breast cancer survivors I didn’t know! Perfect strangers. Wow. It was quite the experience. More on that later! Anyway, next up is radiation per my doctors and I had surely hoped what I had done already would make me a candidate to skip it. Nope! They wanted 33 rads sessions! Dang. So we geared up and focused on a date to start this. BUT.. little to my knowledge we ended up with a set back! I got a Seroma on Oct 2- which is my youngest bday! Matt and I were away for the night and on our way home my left breast was full and swelling! It was scary and I didn’t feel well. He drive me straight to see my PS, who met us at his office after a Surgery he had. He took me in and immediately knew he had to admit me.. direct admit to Lbmmc. Ugh!! I couldn’t believe this! I was mad. It sucked but I needed iv antibiotics and possibly Surgery. Omg why?? That hospital visit I was there for 5 days! I had great care.They had to take out my left expander , clean it all out and hopefully he could put an implant. He told me I did have a chance that it was so infected that he would leave me flat! I was scared of this.. but knew I was n the best hands. He’s a magician! Dr. Hurvitz is so great and I’m thankful for him and all he did to help. I had to get another drain.. omg they are literally the worst! I had to recoup and rest for a few weeks! Knowing I couldn’t exercise.. again sucked. It has been my go to and life savor thruout my life.

Newest Update

January 08, 2024

Journal entry by Jennifer L Reynolds —

Well it's been a bit! Happy New year! I think i do alot of reflecting in this cold month of January! I am quite focused on living everyday for positive purpose. But.. It was the month 3 years ago that I was diagnosed with the big scary C word! Forever etched in mind but not going back there always marching forward! I am stronger and stronger mentally and physically as I get father out! I am very Happy to say that I am 2.5 years in remission. I will always count and celebrate as the milestones are every thing! I still can't seem to completely stay away from The cancer center, as I still get my checks. But.. I have moved to once a year for my breast surgeon, 6 mos for my "blunt and bold" oncologist.  Don't get me wrong always will be grateful for my team but.. when an appointment is coming up it does bring up negative emotions. I am now much better at not letting it affect me, I am
A survivor! A Thriver!! I am grateful!!!
I am going back in for Lymphadema PT prevention, it hurts a bit but i push threw it like a boss.. chatting it up with the best DPT around.. Jen! She's great and she and Gaye have really helped me feel supported thru my journey. I've had my labs done and they are good! I guess I get it less often since I'm not on the Lynpsrza. My energy has gotten much better in the last month! Two months I guess it took .. I was on that for two years! 
So... I went to another retreat.. imagereborn in Utah! It was awesome. I was alil nervous but it felt freeing and I was excited to meet a few other ladies with similar journeys! Wonderful weekend. So peaceful. I will keep doing them as they do so much for you and I love meeting others.:) When I went on the retreat I was still contemplating what to do about immune therapy. I wanted to be off it all n not take anymore meds. I felt DONE! No one quite understands the side effects and all struggles they cause on a daily basis! These ladies along with family and my pushy conscience.. told me take it Jen.. just try the Tamoxifen again! I was given this one as soon as I was diagnosed but then quickly went in to chemo and could not tolerate it! Anyway I'm back on it... and hoping I can somehow manage for 2 more year's minimum as he requested. I will do whatever it takes to be here for my family. So.. life is good. Busy! Loving my baby mama business,as it's doing well, love the  LC work At hospital and I even have something new in the works! I guess I like  to stay busy. I have plunged hard into Pilates, added mat Pilates, some spin and hope to do much more in the fitness arena. Staying positive helps propel you forward. Move your body! That too helps every thing! We got this!😊🙏
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