Marilyn's Road to Recovery
Donation protected
Hello dear family and friends! I know it’s been over a year since my last update, so I wanted to share a snapshot of my journey so far. First, I wanted to say thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, love and messages as well as financial and emotional support. The kids and I are eternally grateful for everything!
As most of you know, I received five months of IV chemotherapy which had extremely harsh side effects and took a great toll on my health. During this treatment, I was instructed to undergo further procedures and multiple additional biopsies. Just six weeks after finishing chemo, I had a breast conserving mastectomy in which 3/4 of my breast was removed along with an unexpected removal of ALL my lymph nodes from the armpit area. Due to these findings, my diagnosis of stage 2 beast cancer advanced to stage 3 due to the rapid extensive spreading of the malignancy.
Following recovery from surgery I began daily radiation treatment on Oct 1, 2018. At this time, my oncologist restarted me on chemo in the oral form. I was on this medication until June 16, 2019. During March 2019, I had a required surgery to reduce the risk of reoccurance and spread of cancer.
I am currently on a hormone blocker that I will be taking long term, along with other meds to help with side effects of treatment. I continue to need occupational therapy as I have lost some range of motion and strength throughout my right arm. I also have significant swelling in my right upper extremity, also known as lymphedema. In addition, I suffer from neuropathy in both my hands and feet alongside fighting daily fatigue. In the next couple of months I will be having yet another surgery.
Everyday is a struggle. I have been unable to work throughout this aggressive treatment which has put a financial toll on myself and children. It is unknown at this time if and when I can return to work. Your support has tremendously made a positive impact on our lives. I will never stop fighting! Any financial aid on this life altering battle will allow me to be one step closer to being a survivor. It will alleviate monetary stress as I focus on making a full recovery from this illness. At least, that is my hope and prayer
As most of you know, I received five months of IV chemotherapy which had extremely harsh side effects and took a great toll on my health. During this treatment, I was instructed to undergo further procedures and multiple additional biopsies. Just six weeks after finishing chemo, I had a breast conserving mastectomy in which 3/4 of my breast was removed along with an unexpected removal of ALL my lymph nodes from the armpit area. Due to these findings, my diagnosis of stage 2 beast cancer advanced to stage 3 due to the rapid extensive spreading of the malignancy.
Following recovery from surgery I began daily radiation treatment on Oct 1, 2018. At this time, my oncologist restarted me on chemo in the oral form. I was on this medication until June 16, 2019. During March 2019, I had a required surgery to reduce the risk of reoccurance and spread of cancer.
I am currently on a hormone blocker that I will be taking long term, along with other meds to help with side effects of treatment. I continue to need occupational therapy as I have lost some range of motion and strength throughout my right arm. I also have significant swelling in my right upper extremity, also known as lymphedema. In addition, I suffer from neuropathy in both my hands and feet alongside fighting daily fatigue. In the next couple of months I will be having yet another surgery.
Everyday is a struggle. I have been unable to work throughout this aggressive treatment which has put a financial toll on myself and children. It is unknown at this time if and when I can return to work. Your support has tremendously made a positive impact on our lives. I will never stop fighting! Any financial aid on this life altering battle will allow me to be one step closer to being a survivor. It will alleviate monetary stress as I focus on making a full recovery from this illness. At least, that is my hope and prayer
Organizer
Marilyn Caraballo
Organizer
Deltona, FL