The Relentless Fighter! Stage 3 TNBC
Donation protected
Jerisha’s Relentless Fight Story
My name is Jerisha Goodwine (Ree) I am a 36 years old single mom of 4 (3 boys and 1 girl) and on August 2, 2018 I was officially diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. On July 30, 2018 I went to my scheduled prenatal appointment, yes I was 38 weeks pregnant with my only baby girl, I told my doctor there was a lump on the left side of my breast that had been causing irritation and pain for about three and a half weeks. I told him that originally I thought it was irritation due to my underwire bra so I stopped wearing underwire bras, when that didn’t help I began applying warm compresses to see if that would alleviate pain possibly due to backed up milk glands but when that didn’t bring relief I knew something was absolutely wrong. So my doctor examined it and knew immediately something wasn’t right and ordered me to go to the imaging center to have an ultrasound and mammogram performed. I wasn't prepared for what was to come in the days to follow. After I received the ultrasound and mammogram the doctor advised that I needed to have a biopsy done. We established that it would be best to induce me then come back for the biopsy, so I went to the hospital that same night which was the 30th of July to be induced and unfortunately my daughter was not ready to come. I stayed in the hospital for three days. The morning of the August 1st the doctor came and told me to go get the biopsy done because the baby wasn’t responding to the induction attempts and he didn’t want to break my water because it would mean I would have to have an emergency C-section and that could delay treatment if the biopsy confirmed cancer. I went to have the biopsy done, they collected five pieces which was a horrible experience hearing the snipping of my breast tissue. I cried the entire time. At this point the mass had grown to 10cm and was taking up half of my breast. I then went to work the next day which was 8/2/18 and around 11:48am I received a call that changed my entire life. The doctor informed me that I did indeed have breast cancer. All I could think about was my children and their well-being. My Ob/Gyn then scheduled me to be re-induced on Sunday 8/5/2018. So I ended up having two epidurals in less than four days but the best part of it all was that my beautiful daughter was born healthy and strong on 8/7/18 at 12:18 am. Unfortunately, I couldn’t enjoy my daughter like I dreamed of because I had to immediately find an oncologist and oncologist surgeon. I was only able to nurse her from the right breast for one week before I was advised to stop. I met with the Surgeon Dr. Ojo, and she scheduled me to have my chemo port implanted on the upper right side of my chest on 8/17/2018 and then on 8/20/2018 I had my first chemo treatment. Since I was adopted at 2 weeks old so I never knew my full genetic history. Being adopted was a blessing because I had some pretty awesome people that loved me as their own. Due to my biological mom’s drug abuse, I was born with drugs in my system and they had to pump that out before for I was adopted so if truth be told, I HAVE BEEN A RELENTLESS FIGHTERlong before what has become my current reality. Unfortunately, my adoptive parents passed away while I was still a child. My mom died when I was 15 and my dad when I was 11. Due to the fact I was adopted my doctor ordered a BRCA test which confirmed that I am a gene carrier for breast and ovarian cancer. It made things clearer just a tad bit because I have never had any health complications so I didn’t understand how at 36 I ended up with breast cancer. I returned to work around the 23rd of August because I had no choice, my thought process was and still remains, “Who will take care of my children?" Who will make sure the rent is paid so that we don’t have another homeless experience? Who will make sure my growing children have clothes and their needs are met? So although I had just been hit with. BRCA 1 positive result, positive stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and surgery to implant the chemo port I went back to work at the mortgage company but around 9/15/2018 I had to stop working at the mortgage company due to the stress level it brought on. I am currently working part time at a hair salon and hoping to start a job overnight in the next few weeks so this is why your generosity with donations and/or assistance is vital to me because you aren’t just helping me you are helping my children not have to feel the full sting of what we are going through. I am now eight chemo treatments in, I lost my hair about five weeks ago, and I have begun to experience nail discoloration as well neuropathy. It’s overwhelming and quite stressful but I keep pushing because my children need me. Most recent treatment update is the last week of November 2018, I will begin the 2nd half of the chemo treatments and those two drugs are harsher than the Taxol and Carboplatin that I am currently taking. The next two drugs are Cytoxin and “The Red Devil”.... yep the fact that one of the drugs has been nicknamed the Red Devil should speak volumes. I will undergo that treatment until the first week of February 2019 and then the 2nd week of February I will have surgery to remove my Fallopian tubes and ovaries (remember being BRCA 1 positive I am the gene carrier for breast and ovarian cancer) The 3rd week of February I will have the bilateral mastectomy (removal of both breasts and damaged lymph nodes) then I will undergo 33 cycles of radiation. Once the radiation is complete we will begin what will be a series of 4-6 surgeries for the reconstruction of my breast. That includes removal of fat and muscles in my stomach. There are many nights that I cry due to the pain that wraps my body, or from the pain in my mouth due to the Chemo causing my entire mouth to become sore. The hours people don’t see are some of the most painful and scariest hours. I have my moments where the tears come but I pull on my faith and the promises of God and regain strength and hope to fight one more day!
My name is Ree and THIS is my story!! I will fight!
#NoCancerFormedAgainstReeShallProsper
Isaiah 54:17
Peace and Blessings,
Jerisha Goodwine
** I am having a fundraiser on 10/28 in my honor to help sustain things as I go through treatment and the surgeries. I am also going to be a blessing to other women that share this fight and journey.
If you or your business would like to be a sponsor or make a donation, please feel free to call me directly or email me [email redacted]
Zelle: [email redacted]
Cash App: $RelentlessFighterREE
GoFundMe: TheRelentlessFighterRee
My name is Jerisha Goodwine (Ree) I am a 36 years old single mom of 4 (3 boys and 1 girl) and on August 2, 2018 I was officially diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. On July 30, 2018 I went to my scheduled prenatal appointment, yes I was 38 weeks pregnant with my only baby girl, I told my doctor there was a lump on the left side of my breast that had been causing irritation and pain for about three and a half weeks. I told him that originally I thought it was irritation due to my underwire bra so I stopped wearing underwire bras, when that didn’t help I began applying warm compresses to see if that would alleviate pain possibly due to backed up milk glands but when that didn’t bring relief I knew something was absolutely wrong. So my doctor examined it and knew immediately something wasn’t right and ordered me to go to the imaging center to have an ultrasound and mammogram performed. I wasn't prepared for what was to come in the days to follow. After I received the ultrasound and mammogram the doctor advised that I needed to have a biopsy done. We established that it would be best to induce me then come back for the biopsy, so I went to the hospital that same night which was the 30th of July to be induced and unfortunately my daughter was not ready to come. I stayed in the hospital for three days. The morning of the August 1st the doctor came and told me to go get the biopsy done because the baby wasn’t responding to the induction attempts and he didn’t want to break my water because it would mean I would have to have an emergency C-section and that could delay treatment if the biopsy confirmed cancer. I went to have the biopsy done, they collected five pieces which was a horrible experience hearing the snipping of my breast tissue. I cried the entire time. At this point the mass had grown to 10cm and was taking up half of my breast. I then went to work the next day which was 8/2/18 and around 11:48am I received a call that changed my entire life. The doctor informed me that I did indeed have breast cancer. All I could think about was my children and their well-being. My Ob/Gyn then scheduled me to be re-induced on Sunday 8/5/2018. So I ended up having two epidurals in less than four days but the best part of it all was that my beautiful daughter was born healthy and strong on 8/7/18 at 12:18 am. Unfortunately, I couldn’t enjoy my daughter like I dreamed of because I had to immediately find an oncologist and oncologist surgeon. I was only able to nurse her from the right breast for one week before I was advised to stop. I met with the Surgeon Dr. Ojo, and she scheduled me to have my chemo port implanted on the upper right side of my chest on 8/17/2018 and then on 8/20/2018 I had my first chemo treatment. Since I was adopted at 2 weeks old so I never knew my full genetic history. Being adopted was a blessing because I had some pretty awesome people that loved me as their own. Due to my biological mom’s drug abuse, I was born with drugs in my system and they had to pump that out before for I was adopted so if truth be told, I HAVE BEEN A RELENTLESS FIGHTERlong before what has become my current reality. Unfortunately, my adoptive parents passed away while I was still a child. My mom died when I was 15 and my dad when I was 11. Due to the fact I was adopted my doctor ordered a BRCA test which confirmed that I am a gene carrier for breast and ovarian cancer. It made things clearer just a tad bit because I have never had any health complications so I didn’t understand how at 36 I ended up with breast cancer. I returned to work around the 23rd of August because I had no choice, my thought process was and still remains, “Who will take care of my children?" Who will make sure the rent is paid so that we don’t have another homeless experience? Who will make sure my growing children have clothes and their needs are met? So although I had just been hit with. BRCA 1 positive result, positive stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and surgery to implant the chemo port I went back to work at the mortgage company but around 9/15/2018 I had to stop working at the mortgage company due to the stress level it brought on. I am currently working part time at a hair salon and hoping to start a job overnight in the next few weeks so this is why your generosity with donations and/or assistance is vital to me because you aren’t just helping me you are helping my children not have to feel the full sting of what we are going through. I am now eight chemo treatments in, I lost my hair about five weeks ago, and I have begun to experience nail discoloration as well neuropathy. It’s overwhelming and quite stressful but I keep pushing because my children need me. Most recent treatment update is the last week of November 2018, I will begin the 2nd half of the chemo treatments and those two drugs are harsher than the Taxol and Carboplatin that I am currently taking. The next two drugs are Cytoxin and “The Red Devil”.... yep the fact that one of the drugs has been nicknamed the Red Devil should speak volumes. I will undergo that treatment until the first week of February 2019 and then the 2nd week of February I will have surgery to remove my Fallopian tubes and ovaries (remember being BRCA 1 positive I am the gene carrier for breast and ovarian cancer) The 3rd week of February I will have the bilateral mastectomy (removal of both breasts and damaged lymph nodes) then I will undergo 33 cycles of radiation. Once the radiation is complete we will begin what will be a series of 4-6 surgeries for the reconstruction of my breast. That includes removal of fat and muscles in my stomach. There are many nights that I cry due to the pain that wraps my body, or from the pain in my mouth due to the Chemo causing my entire mouth to become sore. The hours people don’t see are some of the most painful and scariest hours. I have my moments where the tears come but I pull on my faith and the promises of God and regain strength and hope to fight one more day!
My name is Ree and THIS is my story!! I will fight!
#NoCancerFormedAgainstReeShallProsper
Isaiah 54:17
Peace and Blessings,
Jerisha Goodwine
** I am having a fundraiser on 10/28 in my honor to help sustain things as I go through treatment and the surgeries. I am also going to be a blessing to other women that share this fight and journey.
If you or your business would like to be a sponsor or make a donation, please feel free to call me directly or email me [email redacted]
Zelle: [email redacted]
Cash App: $RelentlessFighterREE
GoFundMe: TheRelentlessFighterRee
Organizer
Jerisha Goodwine
Organizer
Lewisville, TX
