Cancer Fund for Taylor McGlothin
Donation protected
*new update (lengthy but detailed)*
12.27.2016
While I am waiting to receive my 6th chemotherapy, I felt like I should write down certain things that have been occurring lately. Since the pre-medication wasn't administered during chemo #5, I have been severely nauseous. I've also began to notice tenderness, redness, and slight swelling in my hands and feet. The pain is becoming more unbearable each minute that passes. Also, I've been having a difficult time with the simplest activities and I typically could handle with ease. I can't tie my own shoes, can't open a bottle of water, can't annunciate or speak clearly, can't touch anything without my fingers throbbing, can't put pressure or even massage my feet due to the inflammation and constant pain. My oncologist recommended a oral medication called Gabapentin to combat the "Hand-Foot Syndrome" due to an allergic reaction chemo drug Taxotere. It is supposed to relieve the pain in my nerve endings especially the hands and feet. Today is day #3 of taking Gabapentin. For some reason, I feel like it's only causing more issues. I will discuss these ongoing symptoms with my oncologist asap. Today is day 8 of taking 300 mg of Gabapentin(Neurontin). Usually, patients are put on higher doses but I requested the lowest dosage possible since I've never taken the medicine before. Thankfully, I wasn't prescribed anything stronger. I had a severe reaction to the prescription of Neurontin. My speech is badly slurred so it's hard to understand what I'm trying to say. My brain is functioning properly, but my speech has been switched from a normal speed all the way down to slow motion. My oncologist is discontinuing the prescription of Gabapentin since I'm allergic and not tolerating it neurologically. She has also decided to remove Taxotere from my chemotherapy treatment today. I will receive only 2 out of 3 chemo meds: Herceptin and Perjeta. Today's chemotherapy will only lasts 4 hours rather than the usual 6 hours.
When I return in 3 weeks for chemo #7, Dr. Murthy will examine me before making a decision, regarding my upcoming chemotherapies, which will do more good rather than harm hopefully.
I want to thank everyone that has been supportive and uplifting throughout this exhausting and unbelievable journey. I wish y'all knew how incredible it feels when you receive a kind gesture, a meaningful hug, or a sweet compliment. A simple act of kindness can turn the most devastating day into the greatest day of your entire life.
1.17.2017
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope all is well. I was just informed by my oncologist that I will be changed from Taxotere to weekly chemotherapy of Taxol. This means traveling 6 hours to MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, waiting to get my port accessed, waiting to have my lab work taken, so my doctors and oncologists can review the lab results and my counts before each chemotherapy treatment, waiting to meet with my oncologist for follow up consultations, waiting for my name to be called for my weekly cycle of Taxol (another new chemotherapy drug to become acquainted with), along with Herceptin and Perjeta every 3 weeks, then it's 6 hours back home. Hopefully, I won't have an allergic reaction like I had with Taxotere. My oncologist mentioned that Hand-Foot Syndrome doesn't occur with Taxol. I'm hoping to be able to tolerate the new chemo medicine while I adjust and adapt to the sudden change as quickly as I can. I know all of this has been and will continue to wear me out physically, but I am always searching for the silver lining. I have placed trust and complete confidence in my doctors and nurses, but I am aware that I won't be able to rely solely upon them to heal me. Miraculously, I have developed mental strength and physical endurance so I can keep pushing through even when I felt like giving up. No matter the obstacle that lies before me, I am going to try my hardest until I win this fight. Thank y'all for continuing to send love and positivity my way! Bring on chemo #7!
1.24.2017
Chemo #8
1.30.2017
Chemo #9
2.14.2017
Happy Valentines Day, everyone! I have been back and forth to MD Anderson every few days for weekly Taxol chemotherapy. Today will be chemotherapy #10 and I will receive all 3 medications which is: Taxol, Herceptin, and Perjeta. Chemo will last at least 6 hours. Before I can go to Infusion Therapy to get my port accessed, get lab work done and processed prior to a follow-up visit with my oncologist, and then 6+ hours of dose dense chemo, I have an appointment for an updated ultrasound this morning. It's an indescribable feeling when you're conversing with the radiologist performing the ultrasound and they suddenly become silent. I noticed her facial expression looked as if she was surprised, shocked, or in disbelief. Luckily, MD Anderson has the latest, greatest, and most advanced equipment. While lying on a hospital bed getting the ultrasound of my chest and lymph nodes located underneath my right arm, I am able to look at my screen so I am able to view the exact images the radiologist is collecting. Having access to real time results that I get to see directly in front of me allows your mind to relax and rest, rather than waiting on the results for weeks. My radiologist asked if she could have my permission to allow a few doctors to look at my ultrasound. I told her that was fine. The brief moment in between her stepping in and out of the room so the other doctors could view my ultrasound, I found myself worrying and my mind wandering off into a negative abyss. Then I began staring at the monitor that was directly in front of my face. This scan was unrecognizable. The ultrasound didn't resemble any of the other scans I've seen before, especially beginning on August 25, 2016 when I experienced my first ultrasound scan.Suddenly, four doctors rushed into my room. Each doctor had the same reaction as my original radiologist. I asked the doctors why they were speechless. Then I quickly realized what had them in disbelief. They showed me an image of a ultrasound that was done on December 5, 2016. When this scan was done only 2 months or so ago, the mass in my right breast was measuring 7 cm. Also during the same time, the 8 out of 8 lymph nodes biopsied all tested positive for cancer and metastasis, which varied in size from 1.9 cm and as large as 3.7 cm. Recently, I've learned that sadly the majority of stage III and IV HER2+ cancer patients see either little to no response from targeted chemotherapy such as: herceptin and perjeta due to the complexity and progression of the cancer. Luckily, I was informed that my stubborn cancer cells have been responding to the chemotherapy treatments. My axillary lymph nodes are reducing to semi normal size and the tumor in my breast is 3.4 cm now. I'm too happy for words. I'm going to soak in all the good news while I get my 6 hour chemotherapy treatment tonight. I can't express how much I appreciate the prayers and good thoughts. So I will just say thank you for now.
2.21.2017
Chemo #11
2.28.2017
Chemo #12
3.6.2017
Today I met with my oncologist and surgeon. My surgery was rescheduled sooner than expected. It was originally set for April 11th. Unfortunately, the toxicity of the chemotherapy was too hard on my hands and feet. Dr. Murthy and Dr. Mittendorf both recommended moving my surgery sooner. I will get chemotherapy tomorrow. However, today my doctors have been discussing my surgery in depth. The severe allergic reaction to Taxotere and Gabapentin affected my hands and feet drastically. My nails became thin and brittle. Recently, my fingernails and toenails simply fell off. It is painful but I can endure it for as long as it takes. Both doctors decided today that I will undergo surgery on March 28th, 2017 at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. Dr. Mittendorf will perform my double mastectomy and axillary node removal. With the likelihood of residual cancer remaining, my doctors recommend 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. Also, my oncologist suggested an entire year of chemotherapy every 3 weeks to prevent a greater chance of the reoccurrence of cancer. These recommendations are due to the severity of the disease, the size of the tumor, and metastasis of the cancer cells to the lymphatic channel. My doctors informed me that I would be a candidate and benefit from the NeuVac vaccine that reduces the reoccurrence of cancer by 50%. Dr. Mittendorf, along with numerous oncology experts, has been working tirelessly on this vaccine for decades. I would be so grateful to receive this vaccine since it's designed specifically for HER2+ cancer cells and patients diagnosed with higher stages of cancer.
I haven't done an update in a long time due to all of the issues I had to overcome.I will make sure to update after my surgery so all my loved ones will know how I'm doing. I just want to let each person know that their love, support, cards, flowers, and prayers have meant and still mean the world to me. I can't possibly thank everyone enough, but I can always try my best. I am also thankful for anyone that took the time to read all of this in its entirety. I honestly couldn't have made it this far without all of you supporting me and loving me throughout this incomprehensible journey.
3.7.2017
Chemo #13
3.27.2017
tests/scans
3.28.2017
Surgery
3.29.2017
Post-Surgery Update:
"Taylor's surgeon Dr. Mittendorf came into the waiting room after surgery and told us that she preformed the double mastectomy and removed the right side axillary lymph nodes with complete success and no complications. Taylor is is in a lot of pain but she is doing fine. She once again faced a difficult challenge and once again she conquered it masterfully. Taylor is in great spirits and we just made it home from Houston around 6:00 pm on Wednesday. Let me say taylor is as strong as a rock. Since September she has been absolutely put through the ringer both mentally and physically but through it all she continues to fight and continues to smile and that should inspire all of us. I know there are several in our community and across the world fighting the same fight taylor is fighting and taylor and I hope and pray each night that all of those effected by this horrible disease will be blessed with with good results like taylor has been so far. She still has a long way to go and has taken on every challenge and won so far. In the next couple weeks she will start back on her targeted therapy treatments which is basically like chemo except it's not called a chemo drug. It's designed to target the particular type of cancer taylor has. She will start radiation around the first of may. She will have to be in Houston five days a week for 6 weeks. Just another hurdle that taylor will defeat. I know my phone has a lot of unreturned calls messages and text and I promise I will contact you all as soon as possible. With the amount I have I'm sure Taylors phone has double so please be patient with her on returning your calls, messages and text. I'm sure she will be resting the next few days and she is still having neuropathy pain in her hands so it's a limited amount of time she can hold the phone before the pain is unbearable.
Taylor and I would like to thank Dr. Mittendorf and her staff for doing such a wonderful job on Taylor's surgery. They are such a wonderful and talented group of people and we owe them a great deal of gratitude. I've heard different stories from different people and not everybody is gonna have something good to say about every hospital but taylor and I would highly recommend MD Anderson Cancer Center to anyone. To me they are the most compassionate , knowledgeable and caring hospital I have ever been a part of.
Taylor and I would also like to thank everyone for their kind messages and uplifting prayers. Sometimes we all have some doubt in our lives and besides reading scripture it is so comforting reading each and everyone of you alls messages of sincere thoughts and prayers.
We would also like to thank the family members that attended Taylors surgery. To each of you I know it meant the world to taylor that you was there.
Taylor and I would also like to thank each and ever family member, friend, associate and even sometimes total strangers from around the world that has helped or donated to us financially. I always knew something like this would hurt financially but never realized exactly how much. We have been financially exhausted for several months now. If it wasn't for all of you that have helped us out we would have never made it to this point. I want to thank you all for helping save Taylors life. She is a beautiful soul and she means the world to me and many others.
Finally I would like to personally thank Taylor's dad Tristan Layne Mcglothin. He has gone out of his way bending over backwards to do any and everything he can to make sure taylor has everything she needs and is well taken care of. I admire him greatly. I can see the love he has in his eye for taylor and I know that nothing in the world could ever stop him from protecting and taking care of her. I have nothing but the upmost respect and love for this man.
Taylor or I will try to keep you all updated as we go. We thank you all. Please feel free to share." -David Swillie
P.S.
*please share with everyone to shed light and bring awareness about cancer
*please make a donation if you feel like assisting and helping me overcome this deadly disease
Whenever I open my eyes each morning, I am blessed to enjoy another day and I try to soak it in as much as possible. I will list below a few reminders that help me with putting the finer things in life back into perspective
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
*enjoy the 'small' things
*say 'i love you' and truly mean it
*cherish every moment
*always choose love over hate
*spend more time with your loved ones
*smile and laugh often
*be humbled
*love the life you live
#makingcancerhistory
xoxo,
Taylor Autumn McGlothin
12.27.2016
While I am waiting to receive my 6th chemotherapy, I felt like I should write down certain things that have been occurring lately. Since the pre-medication wasn't administered during chemo #5, I have been severely nauseous. I've also began to notice tenderness, redness, and slight swelling in my hands and feet. The pain is becoming more unbearable each minute that passes. Also, I've been having a difficult time with the simplest activities and I typically could handle with ease. I can't tie my own shoes, can't open a bottle of water, can't annunciate or speak clearly, can't touch anything without my fingers throbbing, can't put pressure or even massage my feet due to the inflammation and constant pain. My oncologist recommended a oral medication called Gabapentin to combat the "Hand-Foot Syndrome" due to an allergic reaction chemo drug Taxotere. It is supposed to relieve the pain in my nerve endings especially the hands and feet. Today is day #3 of taking Gabapentin. For some reason, I feel like it's only causing more issues. I will discuss these ongoing symptoms with my oncologist asap. Today is day 8 of taking 300 mg of Gabapentin(Neurontin). Usually, patients are put on higher doses but I requested the lowest dosage possible since I've never taken the medicine before. Thankfully, I wasn't prescribed anything stronger. I had a severe reaction to the prescription of Neurontin. My speech is badly slurred so it's hard to understand what I'm trying to say. My brain is functioning properly, but my speech has been switched from a normal speed all the way down to slow motion. My oncologist is discontinuing the prescription of Gabapentin since I'm allergic and not tolerating it neurologically. She has also decided to remove Taxotere from my chemotherapy treatment today. I will receive only 2 out of 3 chemo meds: Herceptin and Perjeta. Today's chemotherapy will only lasts 4 hours rather than the usual 6 hours.
When I return in 3 weeks for chemo #7, Dr. Murthy will examine me before making a decision, regarding my upcoming chemotherapies, which will do more good rather than harm hopefully.
I want to thank everyone that has been supportive and uplifting throughout this exhausting and unbelievable journey. I wish y'all knew how incredible it feels when you receive a kind gesture, a meaningful hug, or a sweet compliment. A simple act of kindness can turn the most devastating day into the greatest day of your entire life.
1.17.2017
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope all is well. I was just informed by my oncologist that I will be changed from Taxotere to weekly chemotherapy of Taxol. This means traveling 6 hours to MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, waiting to get my port accessed, waiting to have my lab work taken, so my doctors and oncologists can review the lab results and my counts before each chemotherapy treatment, waiting to meet with my oncologist for follow up consultations, waiting for my name to be called for my weekly cycle of Taxol (another new chemotherapy drug to become acquainted with), along with Herceptin and Perjeta every 3 weeks, then it's 6 hours back home. Hopefully, I won't have an allergic reaction like I had with Taxotere. My oncologist mentioned that Hand-Foot Syndrome doesn't occur with Taxol. I'm hoping to be able to tolerate the new chemo medicine while I adjust and adapt to the sudden change as quickly as I can. I know all of this has been and will continue to wear me out physically, but I am always searching for the silver lining. I have placed trust and complete confidence in my doctors and nurses, but I am aware that I won't be able to rely solely upon them to heal me. Miraculously, I have developed mental strength and physical endurance so I can keep pushing through even when I felt like giving up. No matter the obstacle that lies before me, I am going to try my hardest until I win this fight. Thank y'all for continuing to send love and positivity my way! Bring on chemo #7!
1.24.2017
Chemo #8
1.30.2017
Chemo #9
2.14.2017
Happy Valentines Day, everyone! I have been back and forth to MD Anderson every few days for weekly Taxol chemotherapy. Today will be chemotherapy #10 and I will receive all 3 medications which is: Taxol, Herceptin, and Perjeta. Chemo will last at least 6 hours. Before I can go to Infusion Therapy to get my port accessed, get lab work done and processed prior to a follow-up visit with my oncologist, and then 6+ hours of dose dense chemo, I have an appointment for an updated ultrasound this morning. It's an indescribable feeling when you're conversing with the radiologist performing the ultrasound and they suddenly become silent. I noticed her facial expression looked as if she was surprised, shocked, or in disbelief. Luckily, MD Anderson has the latest, greatest, and most advanced equipment. While lying on a hospital bed getting the ultrasound of my chest and lymph nodes located underneath my right arm, I am able to look at my screen so I am able to view the exact images the radiologist is collecting. Having access to real time results that I get to see directly in front of me allows your mind to relax and rest, rather than waiting on the results for weeks. My radiologist asked if she could have my permission to allow a few doctors to look at my ultrasound. I told her that was fine. The brief moment in between her stepping in and out of the room so the other doctors could view my ultrasound, I found myself worrying and my mind wandering off into a negative abyss. Then I began staring at the monitor that was directly in front of my face. This scan was unrecognizable. The ultrasound didn't resemble any of the other scans I've seen before, especially beginning on August 25, 2016 when I experienced my first ultrasound scan.Suddenly, four doctors rushed into my room. Each doctor had the same reaction as my original radiologist. I asked the doctors why they were speechless. Then I quickly realized what had them in disbelief. They showed me an image of a ultrasound that was done on December 5, 2016. When this scan was done only 2 months or so ago, the mass in my right breast was measuring 7 cm. Also during the same time, the 8 out of 8 lymph nodes biopsied all tested positive for cancer and metastasis, which varied in size from 1.9 cm and as large as 3.7 cm. Recently, I've learned that sadly the majority of stage III and IV HER2+ cancer patients see either little to no response from targeted chemotherapy such as: herceptin and perjeta due to the complexity and progression of the cancer. Luckily, I was informed that my stubborn cancer cells have been responding to the chemotherapy treatments. My axillary lymph nodes are reducing to semi normal size and the tumor in my breast is 3.4 cm now. I'm too happy for words. I'm going to soak in all the good news while I get my 6 hour chemotherapy treatment tonight. I can't express how much I appreciate the prayers and good thoughts. So I will just say thank you for now.
2.21.2017
Chemo #11
2.28.2017
Chemo #12
3.6.2017
Today I met with my oncologist and surgeon. My surgery was rescheduled sooner than expected. It was originally set for April 11th. Unfortunately, the toxicity of the chemotherapy was too hard on my hands and feet. Dr. Murthy and Dr. Mittendorf both recommended moving my surgery sooner. I will get chemotherapy tomorrow. However, today my doctors have been discussing my surgery in depth. The severe allergic reaction to Taxotere and Gabapentin affected my hands and feet drastically. My nails became thin and brittle. Recently, my fingernails and toenails simply fell off. It is painful but I can endure it for as long as it takes. Both doctors decided today that I will undergo surgery on March 28th, 2017 at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. Dr. Mittendorf will perform my double mastectomy and axillary node removal. With the likelihood of residual cancer remaining, my doctors recommend 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. Also, my oncologist suggested an entire year of chemotherapy every 3 weeks to prevent a greater chance of the reoccurrence of cancer. These recommendations are due to the severity of the disease, the size of the tumor, and metastasis of the cancer cells to the lymphatic channel. My doctors informed me that I would be a candidate and benefit from the NeuVac vaccine that reduces the reoccurrence of cancer by 50%. Dr. Mittendorf, along with numerous oncology experts, has been working tirelessly on this vaccine for decades. I would be so grateful to receive this vaccine since it's designed specifically for HER2+ cancer cells and patients diagnosed with higher stages of cancer.
I haven't done an update in a long time due to all of the issues I had to overcome.I will make sure to update after my surgery so all my loved ones will know how I'm doing. I just want to let each person know that their love, support, cards, flowers, and prayers have meant and still mean the world to me. I can't possibly thank everyone enough, but I can always try my best. I am also thankful for anyone that took the time to read all of this in its entirety. I honestly couldn't have made it this far without all of you supporting me and loving me throughout this incomprehensible journey.
3.7.2017
Chemo #13
3.27.2017
tests/scans
3.28.2017
Surgery
3.29.2017
Post-Surgery Update:
"Taylor's surgeon Dr. Mittendorf came into the waiting room after surgery and told us that she preformed the double mastectomy and removed the right side axillary lymph nodes with complete success and no complications. Taylor is is in a lot of pain but she is doing fine. She once again faced a difficult challenge and once again she conquered it masterfully. Taylor is in great spirits and we just made it home from Houston around 6:00 pm on Wednesday. Let me say taylor is as strong as a rock. Since September she has been absolutely put through the ringer both mentally and physically but through it all she continues to fight and continues to smile and that should inspire all of us. I know there are several in our community and across the world fighting the same fight taylor is fighting and taylor and I hope and pray each night that all of those effected by this horrible disease will be blessed with with good results like taylor has been so far. She still has a long way to go and has taken on every challenge and won so far. In the next couple weeks she will start back on her targeted therapy treatments which is basically like chemo except it's not called a chemo drug. It's designed to target the particular type of cancer taylor has. She will start radiation around the first of may. She will have to be in Houston five days a week for 6 weeks. Just another hurdle that taylor will defeat. I know my phone has a lot of unreturned calls messages and text and I promise I will contact you all as soon as possible. With the amount I have I'm sure Taylors phone has double so please be patient with her on returning your calls, messages and text. I'm sure she will be resting the next few days and she is still having neuropathy pain in her hands so it's a limited amount of time she can hold the phone before the pain is unbearable.
Taylor and I would like to thank Dr. Mittendorf and her staff for doing such a wonderful job on Taylor's surgery. They are such a wonderful and talented group of people and we owe them a great deal of gratitude. I've heard different stories from different people and not everybody is gonna have something good to say about every hospital but taylor and I would highly recommend MD Anderson Cancer Center to anyone. To me they are the most compassionate , knowledgeable and caring hospital I have ever been a part of.
Taylor and I would also like to thank everyone for their kind messages and uplifting prayers. Sometimes we all have some doubt in our lives and besides reading scripture it is so comforting reading each and everyone of you alls messages of sincere thoughts and prayers.
We would also like to thank the family members that attended Taylors surgery. To each of you I know it meant the world to taylor that you was there.
Taylor and I would also like to thank each and ever family member, friend, associate and even sometimes total strangers from around the world that has helped or donated to us financially. I always knew something like this would hurt financially but never realized exactly how much. We have been financially exhausted for several months now. If it wasn't for all of you that have helped us out we would have never made it to this point. I want to thank you all for helping save Taylors life. She is a beautiful soul and she means the world to me and many others.
Finally I would like to personally thank Taylor's dad Tristan Layne Mcglothin. He has gone out of his way bending over backwards to do any and everything he can to make sure taylor has everything she needs and is well taken care of. I admire him greatly. I can see the love he has in his eye for taylor and I know that nothing in the world could ever stop him from protecting and taking care of her. I have nothing but the upmost respect and love for this man.
Taylor or I will try to keep you all updated as we go. We thank you all. Please feel free to share." -David Swillie
P.S.
*please share with everyone to shed light and bring awareness about cancer
*please make a donation if you feel like assisting and helping me overcome this deadly disease
Whenever I open my eyes each morning, I am blessed to enjoy another day and I try to soak it in as much as possible. I will list below a few reminders that help me with putting the finer things in life back into perspective
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
*enjoy the 'small' things
*say 'i love you' and truly mean it
*cherish every moment
*always choose love over hate
*spend more time with your loved ones
*smile and laugh often
*be humbled
*love the life you live
#makingcancerhistory
xoxo,
Taylor Autumn McGlothin
Organizer
Taylor Autumn McGlothin
Organizer
Natchez, MS
