Help Linda beat breast cancer!

1 in 8 woman get breast cancer. Today, I'm the one. Here is my detailed story, sharing because it was so unique and overlooked by over 100's of medical professionals in 5 different hospitals this past year in Washington state. I hope my story, helps another person.

I'm going to start here, August 2021, I had Covid pneumonia & was in ICU for 5 days fighting to stay off the ventilator. I let them poke, prod, and scan anything to save my life. I was given strong medicine to beat the pneumonia and keep covid at bay. I had xrays, CT to chest, MRIs to chest, echos, lung tests, and tons of labs. I was sent home on oxygen and saw multiple doctors; pulmonoligist, cardiologist, nepheolgist and my PCP. Finally, February the leash attached to my face came off, I was able to maintain oxgyen levels without it. I felt free. No more oxygen!!! Freedom was short lived, March 3rd, my small intestine kaleidoscope into my large intestine, very rare for adults. It became infected and they couldn't see why. They had me swallow a camera capsule to see inside my intestines. Within a hour it got stuck in my small intestine. The camera capsule was to exit the body after 48 hrs, mine took 11 days. Then next 8 weeks, four different hospital and stays later, my GI specialist transfered me to UW as they had tools to get into the 20ft of small intestine. A special MRI to my small intestine showed a tumor in small intestine blocked & caused the intussusception. Told I had cancer and had to remove it. Devastation hit and I planned accordingly for my sons. Life insurance current, access to my financial accts, gardian for my 17 yr old son, and my will. 9/15/22 I had a mammogram to confirm 4 masses and 1 lymph node suspected due to how large it was. They followed up with a ultrasound and found a 5th mass. At this point I'm getting numb, but still emotionally breaking down more each visit. I called my oldest and told him I needed him at my appt., I never told him I had "C" because we were told I had it earlier and really didn't believe it at this point. 9/16/22 we sat down with hemo/Oncologist and he said my labs looked great. But had gotten the PET scan results and needed to start a treatment plan. My ears rang, tears fell, my mask was soaked, I couldn't speak. My son did it all. He ordered STAT biopsies, CT to chest/abdomen/pelvis, genetic testing, and a full bone scan because he thought with my symptoms it was stage 4. After all this treatment would start: chemo 6 months, radiation and mastectomy, then reconstructive surgery. I was a zombie for the rest of the day. My son said, this time next year it will be over. All I could think of was what this beast inside me was taking; MY feminity, MY beautiful large natural breasts that I loved, MY long sexy hair, MY lashes, nails and eyebrows will all possibly fall out. Who will I be? I kept pleading to God, I will take anything, but I can't walk this storm. Give me anything else, just not this walk. 9/19/22 largest mass, 17mm biopsied. 9/23/22 appt with hemo/Oncologist to confirm diagnosis of what type of cancer, possibly stage 4, but definitely stage 2. Diagnosis: ER/PR positive, HER2 positive. Again, I went numb and just moved through appointment with my eldest son taking charge. We wanted a 2nd opinion at Seattle Cancer Alliance and the hemo/Oncologist agreed. The next 2 weeks are a blur: 9/28 genetic testing Oct 1 MRI breast Oct 3 bone scan Oct 5 MRI to brain Oct 6 3D echo & consult with SCCA Oncologist and surgeon. At this appt. we were told it's Stage 2, curable but must start ASAP. I cried so hard, and jumped off exam table to my eldest son. I would meet my grand babies and see my youngest married one day! So much joy in that 30 min appt. I knew then life was mine to take and own! But, I was also told I had a 7mm mass in my right breast that the mammogram, breast ultrasound, PET scan, bone scan and CT of chest ALL MISSES! He wanted to biopsy everything! October 19 port placed (surgery) Oct 20 MRI guided biopsies right masses Oct 21 Ultrasound guided biopsies left masses and lymph nodes. Oct 27 started 6 rounds & will have radiation at some point. But we also found out the mass in mybrightbwas benign and my lymph nodes had detection of cancer but of unknown. I said, hallelujah Jesus! My prayers were being answered! I wasn't terminal and this all is curable cancer!! I knew this was going to be hell, but this was doable! My infusions are every 21 days, and with very agressive medications because how aggressive this cancer is. My hair, lashes and brows will fall out probably next treatment November 17th. I will loose more weight, mostly body mass due to the chemo common side effects. When I have chemo, I will go home with my oldest son and his wife to Everett. They took such great care of me, and made my visit as normal as we could. Gental hugs while I cried, or telling me to lay down, was the most tender moments of last week. I just wanted to roll up and disappear but they kept interacting with me. As hard as it was, I powered through and now I am day 8 of 126 of chemotherapy! I can do this!!! I am struggling going on social media, announcing my diagnosis because of negative vibes that can come from that. I'm demanding, only good at thos point. I'm a small business owner of a tshirt business and want to be honest with my customers. I've changed my workflow and adapted a vender to help print my designs for my customers. I've always been put together, my hair, breasts, lashes & nails. Now it's all being stripped from me. I'm so angry. I'm Christian and faith driven. Trying to trust God. Trying to just let go, let God have it, but how, when it's going to be so bad? I'm so unbelievably scared. I won't know who I will be and fear that I will spiral into depression. I've faught all year to live. I am so tired, but understand God has a plan. This test is going to be hard, but God loves me and I will follow his light, not the enemies darkness. I won't be deceived! I am ENDURING MY TRIAL, standing firm to what God has given me. Because once I've STOOD the trial, I will be crowned the gift of life. Just as God promised, if I love & trusted in him. I graciously accept all prayers you would honor me with, as I walk through this storm. ❤️ God bless you all.