Help Support My Fight With MBC
My name is Michelle I am a single mom blessed with 3 kids and 2 bonus kids by marriage & I have two beautiful granddaughters.
I Love God & I Love Life!
I was DX with stage-IV Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) on 4/2017. A Deadly
cancer at the age of 46. 113 women & men die from MBC daily and there is no cure. My Dx is Her2+ with a
sub-type mucinous. How my Dx began was: 
I had tumors in my left breast that had spread to my lymph nodes, liver, lungs, skin & its in my
blood. So my only option to live is through chemotherapy & targeted therapy. My Oncologist made it clear to me I
would not live very long without chemotherapy just a few months if I was lucky. With no option for surgery or
Radiation because at stage-IV your not a candidate for those options at that time.
They gave me the choice to walk away and live out my life to the end or to start
treatment immediately. While I had all my kids there with me going over my scans watching me at this moment I
am sure they were waiting to hear "everything is going to be OK" ... I honestly didn't know if I would be
OK. However, they are worth everything I've had to take to be here on earth spending life with them. Continuously teaching and loving them as a mom should if she can.
WOW its so surreal thinking back what I was feeling that day. In my gut and with god telling me I am not finished
yet even after looking at the inside of my body & how many tumors I had (it looked like you took a paint brush and just splattered my body with paint) there were so many tumors.
I started with 6 rounds of Taxotere, Herceptin, & Perjeta.
When round 6 came around my insurance changed without notice. They sent a letter two weeks later in the mail
so I had no clue. Which resulted in my oncologist dropping me as a patient on the day of round 6 because he did not accept my new insurance & also without notice.
So my fight (plan) so far turned upside down. I had to get another Oncology team which took a month to do
without treatment which is not good at all. quick;y as I could my insurance had found me a Oncologist in
Mansfield TX. I had no time to do research from going to Primary Care to get a referral to
getting my last treatment. we were in a hurry. I had to change all Dr at this time. That is all I had on my mind trying to focus on the positive. Praying my cancer was not spreading.
So we finally set up my 6 round again my last Taxotere with high hopes it was still working. So scan day came and my pet scan showed one small tumor measuring 5 mm (size of a pencil eraser) whoohoo! It was hanging on
attached to my tumor covering almost the entire outside of my breast. I was so excited that it
worked hard enough to get rid of the tumors and nodules covering my body except for those two . So I started my
targeted therapy chemo so we dropped the taxotere because you cant take more then 6 rounds & they keep you
on Herceptin, &Perjeta. This is what I am on for Life every 3 weeks to control cancer cells in my blood from
forming tumors, & slowing down the ones I have from growing larger or possibly getting
rid of them.
So at this moment I went ahead & asked for a mastectomy (my surgeon discussed with me after placing my port in I should ask if i get the opportunity) because the taxotere chemo had
gotten rid of the other tumors & the tumors I had were located in my breast at
this time it made since to me. " With cancer timing is everything" So I brought this
to my oncologist attention at this time and he laughed at me and told me there
was no reason for a mastectomy with a 5 mm tumor?????
He also couldn't remember what hospital I came from on my medical record never got it right! He also never could remember my name or show me my scans and go over them as my oncologist before went over my entire record.
He stated to me the scans showed I was cancer free with this tumor and
the one on the outside of my breast he said was scar tissue from the chemo???? So of course I
questioned all of this because my cancer is incurable & I have a report with a biopsy done of my skin when I first
was DX that it was defiantly Cancer. Its in my medical record. He never even gave me an exam of my breast with
cancer &I made him give me a report he was offended because I asked him why. I was afraid for my Life at this point once again! Many
questions crossed my mind as he shut me up and told me he did not want to be my oncologist any longer because I
immediately questioned him again. I was very uncomfortable & I did not believe he had even read my medical
records and why is he saying these things to me? When I know its not true I have (mbc) & that is dangerous if you
become a number & if its only about the money in the oncology world. So I was frantic, tired, angry, I wanted to
scream so I cried allot decided to agree that we were not a good team & hugged my nurses & had to say good bye. I knew he did not know what he was talking about because I studied my cancer and in my gut I knew. Emotionally, I was distraught! I BECAME MY OWN ADVOCATE THIS DAY I studied my scans &
medical record. I taught myself how to read them & just anything that I needed to know to ask the correct question from blood work to the medicines. So he stopped my treatment again I began my search for another oncologist
because I WAS NOT GIVING UP!
God spoke to me & I finally listened. Two months went by before I could get into
see my new Oncologist for Insurance reasons & we basically interviewed one
another for two hours and he examined me thoroughly better then any Dr had
before very thorough. We set up my treatments again he monitored my breast
tumors on the outside and inside.
I started to fall and felt really bad I wasn't feeling better I knew my cancer was
taking over again. So I took a permanent marker and traced my outside
tumor so my next visit my new oncologist could see how fast it was growing. My
tumor was very hot and it burned constantly I could feel it, When an oncologist
says cancer doesn't hurt I am here to tell you mine did!
So it grew out of the lines within 2 weeks and I knew I would die if we could not
remove my left breast because the way it attached it self from the outside to the
inside of my breast and kept adding tumors attached to it and spreading to my
lymph nodes again! So, I asked my new oncologist again to remove my breast, I
made it clear that I knew I didn't have long before it spread again to the other parts of my body. I
explained I knew the risk I was taking to be opened up. My point was the
cancer is already growing fast again and this risk was worth taking because either way its growing but on the
upside of things there is a possibility we can get the primary tumor (that I believed was taking over my body) and it could extend my life longer "I am in this not to win but to Live" at this point I felt being
alive was winning even if MBC is incurable! MY LIFE MATTERED..
It's not all pink ribbons & a journey for me its my life and I am at peace with
that. I know & its clear to me my cancer is incurable so I will find ways to extend
my life until all doors close. So my oncologist listened to me & couldn't believe
how fast my outside tumor had grown. Thank the lord he set up a meeting with a
surgeon and she and I talked, she examined me & she was very skeptical because she was worried she couldn't get a clean close because my outside tumor was almost
covering my entire left breast& we wanted to get that removed from my skin completely! Also, she could only take one breast not both with no reconstruction ever in my lifetime. That was hard to hear and fear went all over me
that it would move to my other breast. However, that's a choice I had to make. I called my surgeon back to
confirm everything and that she was OK with moving forward with surgery because we all got the feeling that she was trying to talk me out of it. We spoke for an hour or so on her way home from work and she was
very compassionate about my decision and explained that if the cancer grows
from surgery I could have at least 6 months or more without treatment possibly
with some quality before I would go into hospice and it could go another way
which is she could get all tumors and I would be a miracle surgery basically.
She explained she did not feel good about taking both breast because it would
add hours of being open during surgery & she felt having something natural on
one side will be better then being numb on both sides. Also if my cancer started
growing again it would have a place to go versus my organs or chest possibly. I was OK it made since to me.
So, 9/ 2018 we amputated my left breast with a Radical Mastectomy. She confirmed that the tumor grew from
5 mm to 10.5 cm with a couple of tumors forming attached to it. She removed 11 lymph nodes and 3 were positive cancer. My cancer was trying to kill me as I said it kept growing In this exact place in my breast & she got clear
margins which was the miracle we were looking for! My Oncologist agreed with me that I was once again was on
my way out the door. All of my DR were shocked & agreed my decision was correct that by asking that I saved my
own Life possibly(its so important your oncologist listens to you) so we did another pet-scan to be exactly sure
after surgery & another tumor popped up in my lymph nodes again. We decided to do more aggressive chemo this time to get ahead of the game.
I had to do 8 rounds of AC/Taxol (Red Devil}, That was a tough one he hit me hard & my body still had not healed
completely from the taxotere chemotherapy & surgery & all that goes with that. I knew I could do it & how hard it would be. I had to be stronger then I ever had to be in my life time. I knew God & my angels would get me through & with all of the positive support I finished the aggressive chemotherapy and then went back to my targeted
therapy chemo Herceptin again. No Perjeta this time???
So then I had to meet with radiation DR to see if he would treat that area knowing I am a stage-IV DX patient it was a struggle. however, after going over everything he decided to go ahead to start radiation on my surgery side at
this time. I did 33/33 Rounds I made it through!! WhooHoo!! EXHAUSTING & EMOTIONALLY DRAINING! I had
another pet scan and it showed No evidence of any tumors what a celebration it was!! I rang the bell even though
stage-IV life patients don't get to most of the time because our treatments never end with MBC.
I felt earned it my nurses & support team did to so I RANG it!!
Positive is a beautiful thing to me even though things are not all positive with cancer I am
finding the blessings....
I continued on Herceptin for 8 months. My oncologist wanted to do more scans & it showed another small tumor in my lymph nodes headed to my brain but we could only monitor it. When a tumor measures 5 mm or less they do not consider that a tumor even when my last 5 mm tumor grew in a few two to three month time
to the size of a grapefruit. It will show no evidence of tumors so we decided to get me with a breast specialist
because my oncologist was not one.
I did not have to search or move cancer hospitals again and he could work with
her as a team. There was no break on anything so I did not miss a beat. I am being monitored again. I am about get my brain scan because my new oncologist feels it has spread to my brain or on its way with all of my
migraine headaches they are more often & extremely bad at times. She wants, to be sure this small tumor hasn't
grown since my last pet scan. Usually every 3 months metastatic BC patients have 
routine scans.
Also, she did not agree with taking me off of Perjeta. So now I am now getting Hercepin/Perjeta target therapy
chemo again every 3 weeks. I will be on this for my Life time to control my cancer from growing & hopefully
shrinking the tumors lingering & keeping me at a stable position to extend my life. Also during this time from all of
the chemo sickness nausea I have developed Bar-rats disease which can or will turn into esophageal cancer per my Upper GI DR. I had a endoscope a few months back and he confirmed this and biopsy came back positive for
bar-rats but no cancer as of yet & I pray it stays that way. Its crucial I stay on treatments per all my DRs.
During all of this time I went from no insurance to having insurance that almost covered everything then it changed to medicare which my out of pocket is 20%. I know that does not sound like allot however, for me my co pays for
my routine and all DRs are up to $1,630 to $2,000 a month & some months less.
MBC has become a career for my survival plan to stay alive and have some quality to be with my kids and grand
kids as long as I can. The Mannah
House in Midlothian TX. has helped me along the way with groceries on & off. Also a few utilities.
( Norma & Sissy are amazing & help so many that are in need)
So I could pay my targeted chemotherapy & whatever medical thing or bill I had to pay to keep extending my Life. I have applied for foundations to
get help to cover for co pays. One that just dropped me they ran out of money
because of the things going on in the world as of today. they are not funded for stageIV treatment any more.
medically co pay program will only cover my premium for medicare monthly. Which I am very grateful for. I have had a team of wonderful people help me raise money through cancer event on & off line & go fund me when I was first DX, There are several who helped me from time to time when I
couldn't get treatments because of this. which got me through without insurance and no income at the time because I am not able to work a
full time job or at all some months due to feeling bad & having to do this has been a nightmare honestly financially on me but I am still smiling &
pushing through . I can not stand up for long periods of time & my body is recuperating trying to heal itself now. I am at the point now where I am so
behind on chemo trying to play catch up to continue treatments and all the care I am getting it is about to stop if I don't come up with money to pay
hospitals & DRs more money. This is why I am reaching out for help. My kids need me & I want to Live Life as long as I can see everyone smiling faces.
My quality is just to be present & spend the time I have with my kids, Grand Kids, & the dear friends that I cherish. Live out my purpose in life to
help others. Even through this nightmare I have made it this far with a positive outlook on Life. I will continue to remain positive in a realistic
manner because no one or nothing is going to bring me down. Cancer doesn't have me nor will control me in my world. Only God does that!
I believe the small things in life are much bigger then they seem & laughter is
healing.
I am a very passionate person in life & If I say I love you I LOVE YOU. When someone needs prayer I PRAY. I want to help others in any way that I
can. My Life revolves around my children & Grand children. I am very blessed to be here
writing this today & all the people who reach out to me & that has helped me & my daughter through this time I am forever grateful for you all.
I CANNOT SAY THAT ENOUGH.
You that are a part of Team Michelle are one of the reasons I am alive with the
good lord above I will always be forever grateful! I have had my ups & downs &
gained some friends & family & I have lost some along the way because of money. Anyone fighting any illness would understand me. I just want to
say I am not asking for help if it effects my relationship with you please understand that Its a fear of mine because of past experiences with love ones during this time & I do feel my Life Matters.
I want to thank all of you if you read to this point of my story & THANK YOU for
every cent donated to help me continue to extend my life .
THANK YOU for all of your prayers & Love & kindness as well that is more important then money
can buy to me. You are all dear to my heart.
I will never give up!
Please excuse my mistakes my fingers are not what they used to be nor are my eyes (old age lol)
#slayingcancerwithasmile
I need Help with Medical Funds to continue my treatments & my DR visits
Here is a list of my DR's if you are in need of a good one mine are all
outstanding I can assure you:
Chemotherapy/ Sammons Cancer Center
Texas Oncology Care /Dr. Blum is my new Breast Specialist / Dr. Douglas Orr is my last one that is also at my cancer center they are both amazing
Palliative care I see twice a month Dr. Casenova I believe this is a must for stage-IV patients & you can get better quicker with this care as a stage-IV
patient/ sammons cancer center
Cancer PM care DR visits randomly and for referrals Dr. Tang
Aqua Therapy for damage o spine from treatments starting everyday for 3 weeks when I have the money to go so I have no information as of yet
cancer Psychologist to cope with my DX once a month Dr Pappito / sammons cancer center
Dentist care to keep away infection its crucial haven't been able to do this because of co pay is $2000 is what my plan is to get my work done after x rays when I can I will give out name
Lymphadema care co pay I am needing to go 3 times a week & help with equipment my insurance does not cover this /sammons cancer center
Radiation DR Scruggs/ sammons cancer center
Surgeon DR Dua/ sammons cancer center
scans co-pay every 3 months
Brain
Pet scan
when or if I need extra scan randomly I will post when that occurs
I will update with visits & even the fun stuff at cancer we get to do while coping with cancer. I will be uploading video soon
THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
If you are not comfortable donating to go fund me I have a paypal which is
[email redacted],com
Stage-IV Needs More!! We Need A Cure NOW!
