Team Nicole
Donation protected
First of all, thank you for taking the time to read my sister, Nicole’s story and we appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers. They mean so much to her, her family and all of us. We have had so many people ask how they can help and if a “go fund me” would be started….so, here it is and it's really the best way that we can think of to help relieve some of their stress as no one really can be prepared for something like this.
So, how did she find out she has breast cancer?
Nicole has had fibrocystic breast disease, where she would occasionally get lumps but they were never much of a concern and would go away after a few weeks. A few months ago, Nicole told me she had one that wasn’t going away and she was going to get it checked out (just like the ones she has had before). We didn’t think much of it. So, she had an ultrasound done and the doctor said that the lump in her left breast was ok but that he noticed another area in her right breast that looked concerning. So, on 3/27 she had some biopsies done. On 3/29 at 6:15pm, she called me in complete shock and told me that she had just hung up the phone with her doctor and that he told her she has breast cancer.
What type of breast cancer does she have?
She has triple positive, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. For anyone familiar, she is Er+, Pr+, Her2 + and she is seeing an oncologist at the West Clinic. She has seen her oncology surgeon and next week will have an MRI, bone scan and CT scans done to see if the cancer has spread. This morning Nicole will have her port a cath placed as she is about to begin 4 months of aggressive chemo. After seeing the effectiveness of the chemo, it will then determine how extensive the surgery or surgeries will need to be. Radiation will also follow the surgery. Because she is HER2 +, she will be treated once every 3 weeks for a year with an IV medication that is an added benefit to help prevent recurrence and she will also take an oral medication for 5-10 years. Again, this treatment can change based on what all of the scans show. So, please pray for clear scans.
Nicole has remained so positive and if you know her, you already know how tough she is. Nicole is one of the funniest, most loyal and loving people on this earth. She has been a nurse for 21 years and 13 of that has been spent as a NICU nurse taking care of some of the sickest babies in the Memphis area at Regional One Medical Center. Five years of this time she spent caring for children with cancer in the ICU at St. Jude and 3 years spent at Le Bonheur. Some of the families of the children and babies that she has cared for over the years still stay in touch with her today because of the awesome care she gave their precious babies. That says so much about her, doesn’t it?
The night she found out, her main concerns were: 1) How were she and Colin going to tell their girls? 2) How was she going to tell our parents and our sister, Steph (who was out of town)? 3) How expensive is this going to be and what if she can’t work? All of the normal thoughts that ANY of us would have with this news. Obviously, the first two have been taken care of but now we can start helping to take care of and help them prepare for the third one. We all know that a change in our normal work pattern due to a devastating disease, like cancer, can affect our finances in a big way. Many of the tests, procedures, and supplies she will need throughout this are NOT COVERED or are out of network with her insurance policy. She has done such a great job helping to care for her family and all of her patients…we thought this would be a good way to try and help take care of HER during this time and the impending financial burden. She has dedicated her life to saving others, and we want to help with providing the necessary things needed for her during this time so that she can focus on just getting better. We will also be coordinating meals for them during her treatments and after her surgery. (Meal information will be posted soon).
Finally, along with Nicole, please include Colin, Mary Chandler and Josie in your prayers. Colin has been such a rock for her and helped her remain positive. Mary Chandler and Josie are doing well but it’s going to be hard for all of them to watch their mother & wife fight cancer. Mary Chandler starts college in August while Josie will be starting high school. Also, for our parents, who are having to watch one of their children endure a very difficult fight. Again, thank you and we will keep all of you updated.
So, how did she find out she has breast cancer?
Nicole has had fibrocystic breast disease, where she would occasionally get lumps but they were never much of a concern and would go away after a few weeks. A few months ago, Nicole told me she had one that wasn’t going away and she was going to get it checked out (just like the ones she has had before). We didn’t think much of it. So, she had an ultrasound done and the doctor said that the lump in her left breast was ok but that he noticed another area in her right breast that looked concerning. So, on 3/27 she had some biopsies done. On 3/29 at 6:15pm, she called me in complete shock and told me that she had just hung up the phone with her doctor and that he told her she has breast cancer.
What type of breast cancer does she have?
She has triple positive, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. For anyone familiar, she is Er+, Pr+, Her2 + and she is seeing an oncologist at the West Clinic. She has seen her oncology surgeon and next week will have an MRI, bone scan and CT scans done to see if the cancer has spread. This morning Nicole will have her port a cath placed as she is about to begin 4 months of aggressive chemo. After seeing the effectiveness of the chemo, it will then determine how extensive the surgery or surgeries will need to be. Radiation will also follow the surgery. Because she is HER2 +, she will be treated once every 3 weeks for a year with an IV medication that is an added benefit to help prevent recurrence and she will also take an oral medication for 5-10 years. Again, this treatment can change based on what all of the scans show. So, please pray for clear scans.
Nicole has remained so positive and if you know her, you already know how tough she is. Nicole is one of the funniest, most loyal and loving people on this earth. She has been a nurse for 21 years and 13 of that has been spent as a NICU nurse taking care of some of the sickest babies in the Memphis area at Regional One Medical Center. Five years of this time she spent caring for children with cancer in the ICU at St. Jude and 3 years spent at Le Bonheur. Some of the families of the children and babies that she has cared for over the years still stay in touch with her today because of the awesome care she gave their precious babies. That says so much about her, doesn’t it?
The night she found out, her main concerns were: 1) How were she and Colin going to tell their girls? 2) How was she going to tell our parents and our sister, Steph (who was out of town)? 3) How expensive is this going to be and what if she can’t work? All of the normal thoughts that ANY of us would have with this news. Obviously, the first two have been taken care of but now we can start helping to take care of and help them prepare for the third one. We all know that a change in our normal work pattern due to a devastating disease, like cancer, can affect our finances in a big way. Many of the tests, procedures, and supplies she will need throughout this are NOT COVERED or are out of network with her insurance policy. She has done such a great job helping to care for her family and all of her patients…we thought this would be a good way to try and help take care of HER during this time and the impending financial burden. She has dedicated her life to saving others, and we want to help with providing the necessary things needed for her during this time so that she can focus on just getting better. We will also be coordinating meals for them during her treatments and after her surgery. (Meal information will be posted soon).
Finally, along with Nicole, please include Colin, Mary Chandler and Josie in your prayers. Colin has been such a rock for her and helped her remain positive. Mary Chandler and Josie are doing well but it’s going to be hard for all of them to watch their mother & wife fight cancer. Mary Chandler starts college in August while Josie will be starting high school. Also, for our parents, who are having to watch one of their children endure a very difficult fight. Again, thank you and we will keep all of you updated.
Organizer
Amy Arnell
Organizer
Hernando, MS