Super Wendy Fights Again

My name is Wendy.  Here is the start of my story, see it continued down below under "update."  People have told me that I am the most energetic, positive person they know.  I always have been a good friend, listener, supporter, and the list goes on.  I surround myself with love and people who love me in return.  


In 2009 my mom lost her life to breast cancer.  She was my best friend, and I miss her every day.  She was the best mother anybody could ever hope for.  All she ever wanted was for me to be happy.  

And then I met my husband who is the most supportive person and best friend.  Our life together has just been simply magical.  


Then back in November 2014, I felt a pain in my right breast.  Having been told that pain is not cancer, I wasn't too worried about it at the time, not to mention I did not feel a lump.  Then overnight a lump appeared.  Since I was laid off back in May 2014, I didn't have health insurance because under the affordable health care act, it was 250 dollars per month, and I just didn't have that since I was unemployed at the time.  Same thing in December, no health care.  
Then a miracle happened, and January 1st came a completely active health insurance card that I now pay every month (and it went up, I now pay 281 per month and  my copays are ridiculous).  So I went to the Doctor.  She ordered a mammogram and ultrasound for the next day.

The results of those tests said that it was not breast cancer! They told me what cancer looks like.  My pictures looked completely opposite of what cancer is.   My husband and I were so relieved.  It was just an infection we were told and then I was given a dose of two different antibiotics.  So I took those antibiotics, and the pain continued and I thought oh the antibiotics are just killing the infection that I have.  Went back for a  follow up with my Doctor who put me on yet another 14 day dose of antibiotics.  And then she ordered a second mammogram and ultrasound.  The lump then felt smaller.  My breast looks like someone kicked it and it's black and blue. My husband even asked me if back in November if I ever hit it against anything that would make it bruise.  
After the second mammogram/ultrasound the results were that the pictures didn't look any worse than last time but that they didnt' look any better either.  That is when my Doctor set me up with an Oncologist, who ordered the biopsy.  Then on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.  
I have all the love, support of all of my family and friends.  And I couldn't have better friends.  But I was in shock, did not expect those results.  Doctors say this is totally treatable, and that I WILL live with treatment.  The problem that nobody should ever have to deal with when just being diagnosed with such a terrible disease, is that I simply cannot afford my treatments.  I am ONLY one week into this, and already owe so much in my copays.  
On top of all of that, Doctors say my best chance at having kids once I do beat this cancer, is through fertility treatment, and that they want all of this payment right up front, and although I am trying to get a loan for these payments, I am not too hopeful this will be able to happen as time to get approved for this loan is just not on our side.  My biggest dream was to be able to have a child with my loving husband and to raise her/him to be the best person she/he can be.  
I'm scared enough of going through this long process, because as many times as ALL my doctors say I am going to LIVE, I can only picture holding onto my mom's hand as she was breathing her last breath.  I am staying strong, and positive.  I WILL do what she could not do, and that is to LIVE, to SURVIVE.  And one day I just hope I can be just as good a mother to my future child as she was to me.  Anything that you can contribute, any amount at all, I will never be able to have the words to express my gratitude.  I WILL beat this, I WILL Survive.  Thank you all very much! 

This video is very special to me.  I made this slideshow to play at my wedding, and danced to this with my brother for our brother sister dance.  

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UPDATE:
On August 16, 2016  I had a colonoscopy. I was not very worried about this since I have no family history of colon cancer. But a routine cat scan back in April showed what doctors thought was nothing but had me take the colonoscopy as a precaution. Turns out that this was a tumor. Biopsy proved it to be cancer. 
A month later after a complete whirlwind I found myself back in the hospital around one year after my double mastectomy.  They removed the tumor. Doctor says he removed the cancer from my body and that it was so small he even had trouble finding it during surgery. But he did. But this feels so surreal. Like I'm in this nightmare that I just want to wake up from and everything will be okay. 
But it's not. This is reality. 
Before surgery I was told to fight the colon cancer I might only need surgery and that's it. But turns out this is not the case. I was told that I now will need to go for chemo again. AGAIN.  My hair is still growing from last year. Almost at a point that I can be happy with. Turns out I'll have to say goodbye again. I'll have to push back my chances at having a baby. Again. And that's really all I have been focused on the last few months while taking my breast cancer maintenance meds. 
I'm still trying to catch up with all the medical bills from last year and now it's adding up even more. It's very overwhelming. 
I am asking for anything to help out if you can. And all the prayers and well wishes.







With all my heartfelt thanks,

Wendy