Myself, Ryan & Emma Kay are so blessed to have so many friends & family who care for us! We thought this site would be a useful tool to share information about my journey & updates on how I am doing. Please feel free to read my journal updates too. Continue to keep your sweet thoughts & prayers with us. Read my full story, journal & view my photos. Thanks for the love, support, & PRAYERS for DONNA!
Ryan, Emma Kay & I live in Plano, Texas. Ryan & I met in 1998 living in an apartment right next door to each other. I was living with my sister, Angie at the time and would see Ryan from time to time thinking, "My he is so cute!!" Well, to make a really long story short (and to save space), on April 28, 2001 we were married! In 2002 we purchased our first home & were ready to start a family. On November 24, 2003 our sweet Emma Kay came into our lives. She is a pure JOY & BLESSING from God! We have been extremely blessed in all aspects of our lives. We have amazing families, close friends & Lots of love for each other. We have many plans for the future but shortly after Ryan & I returned from our 5 year (wonderful!) anniversary trip to San Francisco our world as we knew it turned into a complete whirlwind of shock & complete disbelief of what was now happening in our lives!
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on May 23, 2006. I discovered the lump on May 15, 2006, by mistake while bending over playing with Emma Kay. No family history of breast cancer so that was not even in my mind. I have no family history. I made an appointment for my yearly OB exam on Thursday, May 18, 2006. My doctor felt the lump he seemed fine but recommended a mammogram since I will be 35. We had been trying to get pregnant since Oct 2005 with no luck,which now I know is a blessing I have not gotten pregnant! Emma Kay was in my cousin's wedding that weekend so I made my appointment for my first mammagram on Monday, May 22nd.
Right from the first mammogram I was fine I thought. When they took me to another mammagram room, took more pictures I started to get a little nervous asking "why so many pictures, this is like the 20th time to be smooshing my boobs!" The sweetest nurse Mary Beth took me to another room for a sonogram & to meet with Dr Miles. Right when she walked in I knew something was wrong. My whole world was about to change like I never invisioned!! My sweet husband was at the office in 30 minutes while my biospy was being done. I had 3 hollow needle staple biopsies. I was told that I would probably have the biopsy results by Wed, May 24th. But the Dr said she was putting a rush so hoped to have sooner. I still had HOPE I would be fine!
On Tues, May 23, 2006 Emma Kay & I were at my parents in Rockwall, Tx . When I returned home I had a message from Dr Miles to give her office a call, she had the results. I called her back at 4:30pm. I had only missed her call by 6 minutes. I was so scared! I prayed before I made that call. The doctor said, "My sweet Donna, this is going to be a long journey for you." She said the results all came back positive. CANCER!! Complete shock! I immediately called mom, right when she answered I think she knew. She was crying. I could not even talk. Dad got on the phone too making me feel stronger & said it is going to be okay because we love you!
It was hard telling my husband when he got home, he was not prepared. The call came a day earlier than expected. Lots of tears. But my sweet Emma Kay, would say, "Mommy where is your happy face?!" She is the reason I will try to have more smiles and laughs than frowns and tears!
That same evening my OB doctor called saying he & Dr Miles were able to review together. He gave me some names of the best breast surgeons in Dallas. Dr Sally Knox is whom I choose as my breast surgeon. My 1st appointment, was June 2nd at 9:00am. I had my two strongest men my be side, Ryan & my Dad! It was an extremely long day. Dr Knox diagnosed me with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Grade III in my left breast. It is a little over 1 inch, scheduled for surgery Thursday, June 8th. A day surgery! 2-3 hours for the procedure/surgery and 2 hours for recovering then I go home that same day to heal. Dr Knox recommended a lumpectomy and taking a group of my lymph nodes under my arm. Then I wait until my follow appointment June 20th for the results. My first visit included blood work, EKG, skelatory X-Rays, Bone Density scan, MRI, CTC scan and met with Dr Knox for June 8, 2006 surgery prep.
The medical details are below:
Diagnosed at age 34 on May 23, 2006 Tumor was 4 cm Grade 3 Stage II (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma) ER-, PR-, Her2/neu - (Triple negative) Genetic Testing 10/16/06 BRCA1 & BRCA2 NO Mutation Detected! -I have No Family History- Opt'ed for a Left breast Lumpectomy w/sentinel node mapping & axillary disection, 3/16 nodes positive on 6/8/06. Chemo: 4/AC then 4/Taxol (DONE w/CHEMO on 10/20/06) Radiation: 33 Total (DONE w/Rads on 12/28/06) 5/30/2007 ~ Dx'd w/ early stages of lymphedema in left arm - P/T required every month!
11/9/2007 ~ In ReMission (no evidence of disease!) Yippee!!
9/1/2022- New Breast Cancer diagnosis in right side found during routine yearly 3D imaging/sonoguided needle core biopsy.
I’m DONE with Radiation days! I was able to upgrade to the more powerful machine last Friday (insurance approved!) so my last 5 treatments under this “Rad” Frosty. So, # 21 over & DONE! Meaning instead of 33 zaps this machine was able to shorten my time to 21 zaps ❤️absolutely unreal I’m done with radiation..So many emotions as I share this update today..more I wanted to share but today it’ll be short & sweet as Emma Kay comes back in town tonight for Prestonwood’s Gift of Christmas last 7 performances as Mary through the weekend. Her voice singing brings me such comfort. We are so proud of her as she also wraps up her semester finals at Baylor University today & next week too.
Our family has endured so much these past months BUT we felt & continue to feel all the prayers wrapping us up. God is Good!
Merriest of December Days along with blessings of health & joy into the new year 2023! Thank you for following my journey of healing..now onto cancerFREE days.
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I’m done with Radiation Days! Hallelujah!
Emma Kay portraying Mary in Gift of Christmas 2022
Emma Kay & Caleb as Mary & Joseph in Gift of Christmas
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