Michelle’s Fight TNBC & Adrenal Insufficiency

Hi, my husband's cousin (Nichole) started this fundraiser for me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer & has transferred the account to me permanently as of 9/4/2023. Here is my story:

On June 27th, 2023, I found a lump in my breast. After a series of tests (exam, diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, and multiple biopsies), I was diagnosed with metastatic, Breast Cancer on July 18th. The type is "triple negative" invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3, stage 3 because it has spread to my lymph nodes on that same side. Triple Negative is one of the more aggressive types of breast cancer. 

**UPDATE** On December 3rd I was also diagnosed with Central Adrenal Insufficiency as a side effect of Keytruda. This was after two episodes, the last of which resulted in a loss of consciousness, an ambulance ride and 4 days in the hospital. This is now a PERMANENT condition, which causes sudden, extreme fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and can quickly become an emergency, making it difficult to work with any sort of regularity. 

I completed IV chemo on December 26th, and had my first of two surgeries on January 31, 2024. Pathology showed that I still had isolated cancer cells in 3 out of 9 lymph nodes that were removed. After I healed from surgery; I had 30 rounds of daily Radiation. I have started a 6-month regimen of oral chemotherapy, which is proving to have more intrusive side effects than the IV chemo. I will have a second surgery in the fall. 

I will now need to take replacement steroids forever, wear a medical alert bracelet, carry emergency doses of steroids on me at all times, and I am looking into a medical alert service dog once the cancer part is over. The amount of this fundraiser will likely increase with this new development. 

A friend and cancer survivor recommended that I name my cancer, as it gives us more power over it. Our family has decided to name my cancer Larry (IYKYK).

I am fighting this with both traditional and alternative therapies, as well as a close-to-zero carb carnivore diet, which I started in October of 2022. This way of eating has healed so many of my other health issues and given me so much energy and motivation. I believe that having my metabolic health on track has given me the strength to face this cancer head-on!

I started 20 weeks of chemotherapy on August 15, 2023. Chemo was once a week for 12 weeks (Taxol & Carboplatin), then every other week (Adriamycin & Cytoxin - The Red Devil) for 8 weeks.

Chemo was in conjunction with Keytruda immunotherapy every three weeks, which we stopped after the 5th infusion when my pituitary/adrenals shut down. Also in my toolbox is a carnivore/ketogenic diet, acupuncture, massage, supplements, natural, and alternative therapies as well, followed by surgery, radiation, and eliminating toxins from my life as much as I can.

Many people ask about donations of money or what I might need. My income has been greatly impacted greatly due to my reduced hours to make time for all of the appointments I’ve had to have so far, and as I try to anticipate the side effects and recovery time I may need as chemo continues & surgery takes place. It is increasingly difficult to work regularly with the adrenal insufficiency, as symptoms often come on suddenly and can become very serious very quickly. 

I started a YouTube channel as a sort of video journal. I’ll be sharing video updates about my treatments, my carnivore diet, and my spiritual thoughts. Please subscribe if you are interested in keeping up with my journey (I hope I get better at editing).

Link: https://youtube.com/@ARefinedMe