Kelsey's Breast Cancer Fight
I have been very hesitant to put together a GoFundMe account as I would much rather give than receive! I do have a lot of medical bills from all the tests, appointments, treatments and of course more for the upcoming surgeries. I have always had the mindset, I can take care of it on my own. Well, I have been reminded over and over by friends and family, it's ok to tell your story and let others help as they choose. So here I am!
I have 4 wonderful children who are my world. They keep me on my toes and provide many stories for future memories and laughs. My mom always told me, I should write a book, it would be a best seller. LOL! I never did start that book, but today I am sharing my breast cancer story.
In March 2021 I noticed a circular painful bump on my left breast. This bump was on top of a large lump that had been growing for nearly 2 years, however, the Mammograms and Ultrasounds had showed everything was ok until the nickel size bump showed up. Within 1 week of seeing my primary Doctor I was diagnosed with Lobular Breast Cancer. I remember feeling numb, scared, emotional and unsure what the future held. I worried about my kids, how they would take the news and how I would do everything on my own. I knew in my heart I would be ok. This was another chapter of my life story, I knew God would make good of this, and I needed to trust him as I had with my past trials.
I had many appointments and tests with my first Oncologist, except the ones that should have been done such as a PET test and Mammoprint. I was also told I would need 6 months of Chemo then a double mastectomy and possibly radiation.
I'm so thankful for God bringing the right people into my life at the right time. Thank you Maggie and Dr. Gray for directing me to an amazing Oncologist, Dr. Bloom. Six days from a surgery in which I would have my chemo port placed and biopsies of my lymph nodes, I switched my care to MN Oncology. Praise God I did!
MN Oncology was able to get the proper tests approved and completed quickly to provide a treatment plan that would work. The Mammoprint is a test that shows if Chemotherapy would be effective or not. Well guess what?! Chemo would not have worked/shrunk my tumor and I was almost started on a 6 month course of it! A true blessing I switched my care. ADVICE: GET A SECOND OPINION. Instead of Chemo I was started on Endocrine or Hormone Therapy which suppresses my Estrogen and Progesterone and in turn reduces the size of my tumor. There are side effects to the Hormone Therapy and most days I don't feel well but it could always be worse. Some of my side effects: Hot Flashes, cloudy thinking, short term memory loss, joint pain, feeling overwhelmed, exhaustion and some days it's difficult to manage life! The day to day tasks seem hard when they used to be second nature. I am not on Chemo but I have been told some of my symptoms are similar to Chemo brain. Whatever it's called, it's not my most favorite thing, but I am very thankful the therapy is working!
After less than 2 months on this therapy, my tumor is less than half the size!! My surgery consult went well. I was told I would have a double mastectomy in August then 6 weeks of daily radiation. After healing and radiation are complete, I will have reconstructive surgery. I found there is a newer surgery that uses tissue from your abdomen and/or back for reconstruction. I'm very excited about this and pray this will be an option for me.
Over the last few months I have felt so much support. I am thankful and blessed to have so many prayer warriors and great people in my life. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, praying for me and helping me feel so supported. What I have learned so far from this experience, get a second opinion, allow others to help, trust in the Lord and live each day to the fullest.
God Bless you all. Sending Hugs, Love and prayers.
Kelsey Thompson