Pet scan results show no cancer!

What a relief. Now to start the next phase. I'll be taking tamoxifin daily and receive injections of Zoladex every three months to prevent the production of estrogen. In addition, I will also receive Zometa every six months to keep my bones strong. Breast cancer likes to return and live in the bones.

I'll start reconstructive surgery around the first of November.

Thank you for all your prayers.

Pet scan scheduled for Monday morning

Some of lab results are a little high so Dr. Leo is scheduling a Pet Scan for Monday at 8:00 a.m. He said most likely it is nothing to worry about but he wants to make sure. Waiting for test results is so hard. Thank you for your prayers.

Done with chemo!

My last chemo treatment was last Thursday, September 9, 2010! So happy to have it behind me and praying I'll never have chemo again.

I celebrated with one dozen pink roses from my step-dad Ted; lunch, signage, and balloons with the girls, pix with the team at Babb Cancer Center, and ringing the bell!

Pictured in the group photo are left-to-right: Terri, Me, Angelica and Dr. Leo. The medical team at Babb Cancer Center are so awesome. I would highly recommend them to anyone fighting cancer.

First round of Taxotere

The team at Babb Cancer Center said it is typically tolerated much better than the AC. So far, that is holding true, I had my first round of Taxotere Thursday and don't feel nearly as sick. Praise the Lord! I have three weeks off between the last two treatments, that too, is a blessing. Every other week didn't give me much time to get caught up.

My hair is starting to grow back. It's very light in color and fuzzy which makes it stick straight up. LOL. I'm anxious to see how it will change over the next few months.

Kids are all ready for school to start on August 19 (the date of my second treatment). The classes I teach will start the following Monday so I don't anticipate canceling any classes due to illness. My last treatment is on September 9. We are celebrating by taking a much needed family trip to Branson, possibly Silver Dollar City. We are also planning a scrapbook retreat weekend at my sister-in-laws's house in Kansas City later that month.

Thank you for all your prayers, gifts, cards, and dinners. It is so greatly appreciated.

Nearly 300 shirts sold!

Thank you so much for all who purchased tshirts. I was able to donate $1000 to the American Cancer Society at the Relay for Life in Bolivar last month. I will donate the remaining proceeds when I sell the rest of the shirts.

I have about 30 shirts that haven't been sold, most are regular fit Large and Extra Large. Let me know if you are interested, shellylbrown@gmail.com

New Chemo Regimen

On my last visit, Dr. Leo explained there was a new study recently released that pertained to my treatment plan. The study showed it is more effective and easier on the patient to give AC together two weeks apart, then T for three treatments three weeks apart. So we agreed to change my treatment plan accordingly. I had AC only last time and it was a bit easier to bounce back. I have one more treatment of AC on Thursday, then I will get a break for three weeks before the T.

It will extend the treatment plan overall by about 6 weeks. I should be finished with chemo mid-September. Then, I'm celebrating with my scrapbook sisters on a weekend retreat!

New tshirt color

I will be placing the final order soon. One more order of white shirts and blackshirts with the image reversed out as pictured on the right. Please place your orders online, www.shellylbrown.com/order.html before Friday, June 11, 2010.

Hmmm, can't decide which one I like better. Better get one of each.

Two down, four to go

The last chemo treatment was pretty rough. The chemo builds up in your system making each treatment harder. I was down five days this time. I tried to come back to work on Tuesday but didn't make it past 10:30 a.m. The hardest part was missing out on the kids' activities. I felt like I didn't see them for five days. The weather was so nice they were outside playing a lot and I was in the fetal position on the couch or in the bed. Nuff complaining :) Back at work today and anticipating a good two and a half weeks before the next treatment.

Thank you for buying our lunch

Eating out with four children is expensive so we don't get to do it often. However, we decided to stop at Pizza Hut yesterday after church before heading to the baseball fields. When I went to pay, the cashier told me someone had already paid for lunch. Thank you someone! That was truly a blessing.

Haircut

My hair was starting to fall out so had it cut and donated to Locks of Love. I still have some hair but it's very short and will probably all fall out by the end of the week. The last picture was taken afterward while wearing my wig.

First Chemo Treatment behind me

No surprises. Feeling a little yucky. I'm attaching a pic of the "red devil" that cancer patients dread receiving. I received three different types of chemo yesterday, this one was the third. Suppose to make you really sick, especially on day three, tomorrow. Praying I'll be one of the lucky ones.

PET scan came back clean

Praise the Lord!

Ugh...more tests

I guess I shouldn't complain. My dear friend Brooke has multiple tests most days.

Dr. Leo said there are a few spots on my liver they want to check out to make sure they are not cancerous. He said 20% of people have these little lesions on their liver and the other test (no idea what is was called) came back normal so most likely it is not cancer. However, he wants to make sure. So I have a PETscan scheduled for Monday. Results should be back by Wednesday in time for my first chemo treatment on Thursday. He will call me with results on Wednesday, my chemo treatment will start at 10 a.m. and will take approximately 5 hours. My fellow cancer warrior, Christy, will be going with me the first time to show me the ropes...so to speak.

He also said my heart was very strong so he is going to change the chemo drug to something stronger. My treatment plan now consists of 6 treatments every three weeks. He wouldn't give me a straight answer when I asked if it was going to make me sicker so I'm filling prescriptions for nausea medicine now and preparing for the worst.

My mom is hosting a hat and turban party for me on Sunday from 2-4 pm. I'm looking forward to making a fashion statement this summer! Won't everyone be jealous of me at the ballpark this summer when its 98 degrees and they are sweating under all the long, thick hair? :)

Hat and Turban party

As you might expect, I'll be losing my hair due to the upcoming chemo treatment. I've made arrangements with the ladies at Visible Changes to donate my hair to Locks of Love after my first treatment. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

My mother is hosting a Hat and Turban party for me at her home, 1024 S. Maple Circle, Bolivar, Missouri, on Sunday, May 2 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. If you would like to come please RSVP directly to me via email, shellylbrown@gmail.com.

tshirts are in

Thanks to all who ordered shirts! I've raised $450 already and plan to place another order next week.

Farmers Brown team at Relay for Life

If you are interested in joining our team at the Relay for Life in Bolivar, Missouri on June 18, 2010 please send me an email!

Breast Cancer Awareness tshirts for sale

I created this shirt design after shopping for a Breast Cancer Awareness tshirt and finding nothing available with a Scripture reference. The price for the tshirt is $10, XXL are $12.50, all proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society at the Relay for Life in Bolivar on June 18, 2010.

I chose the American Cancer Society instead of breast cancer awareness because so many of my friends and family have been affected by many types of cancer.

You may per-order your shirt online here.

No one ever wants to hear the "C" word...

On February 22, 2010, I received the phone call everyone dreads. A call from the nurse stating the mammogram and biopsy were positive for cancer. It's been kind of a whirlwind since that day. What started out as a very curable DCIS in the right breast has turned into much more. After more tests, invasive cancer was discovered in the left breast (this was silent on the mammogram - scary), and an additional invasive area in the right breast.

On March 16, 2010 I had a bilateral mastectomy. I met with Dr. Leo at the Babb Cancer Center last week and will start chemotherapy treatment on or about May 6. I have a CAT scan and chest xray next week to confirm my body can handle the proposed treatment. Dr. Leo recommended four treatments, one every three weeks followed by an additional dose once a week for 12 weeks. With this proposed treatment, eating seven servings of veggies and fruit a day, working out 45 minutes a day, I can reduce the chances of recurrence to approx. 4%!