Help Mandy Start the Next Chapter
Donation protected
MY STORY
It was a Sunday evening in June of 2018 when I found the lump. I was brushing my teeth when I felt something unusual, just under the skin on my right breast. I called the women’s center right away Monday and was seen on Thursday of the same week.
The following Wednesday, three days after Father’s Day, I lost my Dad to colon cancer. I spent several weeks in South Dakota, assisting with final arrangements and, honestly, going through the trauma that is losing a parent.
THE DIAGNOSIS
The Nurse Practitioner performed the exam and informed me that lumps and cysts are common for women during their menstrual cycle. Because I was mid-cycle, she recommended I wait and watch until after my next period and if the lump was still there, I was welcome to follow up. The lack of urgency gave me a sense of security and it was another 2.5 months before I realized it wasn't going away on its own.
I was less prepared than I thought I’d be when she gave me the results – positive for invasive ductal carcinoma. The lymph node biopsy showed it had metastasized to at least 3 lymph nodes and I was already stage II. The cancer was positive for the HER-2neu protein, progesterone positive, and estrogen positive. All these things combined meant it was aggressive.
Just waking up after my port was put in. The port was the first step in the diagnosis becoming "real".
CHEMO AND TREATMENT
I began 20 weeks of chemotherapy in September of 2018 (and you can read about the first day on my CaringBridge site.) The first type of chemo was AC, which is a combination of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, administered via infusion through a port every other week for 8 weeks. The AC was followed by 12 weekly infusions of Taxol.
First day of chemo. Mom was with me the whole way.
The side effects of chemo began immediately and were extensive. I suffered from debilitating cramps during the 12 weeks I received Taxol, nausea, incredible fatigue, severe diarrhea, loss of appetite, hot flashes, insomnia, heart burn, nail changes (a toenail came off!), severely dry skin, numbness, pain and tingling in my hands and feet and I lost my all my hair – even my eyebrows, eyelashes and nose hairs. You’d be surprised at how important nose hairs are! I had severe and frequent nose bleeds without their protection.
My hair began to fall out in handfuls and I took the jump to shave it off. It left me with really painful stubble - a sensation that's hard to describe.
Ruben shaved his beard so I wouldn’t be alone with my new 'do.
IMPACT OF CANCER DIAGNOSIS
Treatment required a reduced work schedule and even though I tried to work as much as possible, I was only able to maintain 18-25 hours per week between the side effects, doctor appointments and chemo schedule. It was necessary I quit my second job as a bar manager.
Home. Recovering in the softest, fuzziest sweater ever.
REMISSION
I had a successful lumpectomy on March 1st and the surgeon was thrilled to share the great news: the chemo had done its job and obliterated the cancer. She reported I’d had the best possible outcome: a complete pathological response. No cancer was found in the area of the breast where the tumor had been or in the 6 lymph nodes removed from my underarm area. This meant I was officially in remission.
My face when it really started to sink in that I’m in remission. Grateful!
HOW CANCER CHANGED ME
The changes a cancer diagnosis inspires has seeped into all areas of my life and in April, my husband and I decided to separate.
While we care very deeply for each other, we have both changed as individuals and need space and time to evaluate ourselves, our paths and what we want in our life before we remain in a relationship that ends in anger and resentment.
We've both found new apartments and have started the process of separating our household. I'll be moving to my new apartment in the Northeast neighborhood of Minneapolis on May 30th, which is fast approaching!
I had severe cramping during Taxol, so got a good dose of pre-meds that just kinda knocked me out.
WHAT’S LEFT?
I've completed chemotherapy and my surgery, and I still have to finish radiation.
After a 4 week break to heal from the lumpectomy, I began 6.5 weeks of daily radiation therapy. The side effects I’m experiencing are radiation burns and skin breaks, fatigue, nausea and swelling - have I mentioned fatigue at all? (I feel like I’ve been nothing but tired for a year now.)
The final stages of treatment will be spread out a bit: I have 7 rounds of Herceptin to complete and I’ll also be on estrogen blockers for 2-5 years. Herceptin targets the HER-2neu protein which is a major component of what makes the cancer aggressive. When I’ve either had children, decided I don’t want children, or discovered I can’t have children, my ovaries will need to be removed.
Heated paper gowns all the way, baby!
HOW YOU CAN HELP
At various points throughout my journey, I’ve had family and friends express a desire to help and I'm at a point where I can tell you what I need. The lost income impacted my ability to keep up with payments and an unexpected move combined with a stack of medical bills has proven to be more than I can handle on my own.
This brings me to you. The help I need and am asking for is financial in nature and the impact of your donation is enormous. You and your donation will help lift a heavy burden from my shoulders and mind, giving me the freedom and opportunity to continue to learn new ways to eat and implement healthy habits of exercise and self-care that a continued cancer-free life requires.
Approximately 70% of the funds will go toward medical debt, 20% will go toward getting caught up on past due household bills and 10% will go toward deposits and costs related to moving.
Thank you for the support and for sharing my story. I couldn’t do any of this without you.
- Mandy
My friend Melissa and I at an art event where artists spoke about how their art relates to nature and the environment.
My colleagues at Lunds & Byerlys Catering made sure to celebrate the last day of chemo with me by decorating my cubicle.
My hair, eyebrows and eyelashes have started to return along with the green and growing things this spring.
I just might keep the short hair and boy brows. It's lookin' pretty good!
It was a Sunday evening in June of 2018 when I found the lump. I was brushing my teeth when I felt something unusual, just under the skin on my right breast. I called the women’s center right away Monday and was seen on Thursday of the same week.
The following Wednesday, three days after Father’s Day, I lost my Dad to colon cancer. I spent several weeks in South Dakota, assisting with final arrangements and, honestly, going through the trauma that is losing a parent.
THE DIAGNOSIS
The Nurse Practitioner performed the exam and informed me that lumps and cysts are common for women during their menstrual cycle. Because I was mid-cycle, she recommended I wait and watch until after my next period and if the lump was still there, I was welcome to follow up. The lack of urgency gave me a sense of security and it was another 2.5 months before I realized it wasn't going away on its own.
I was less prepared than I thought I’d be when she gave me the results – positive for invasive ductal carcinoma. The lymph node biopsy showed it had metastasized to at least 3 lymph nodes and I was already stage II. The cancer was positive for the HER-2neu protein, progesterone positive, and estrogen positive. All these things combined meant it was aggressive.
Just waking up after my port was put in. The port was the first step in the diagnosis becoming "real".CHEMO AND TREATMENT
I began 20 weeks of chemotherapy in September of 2018 (and you can read about the first day on my CaringBridge site.) The first type of chemo was AC, which is a combination of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, administered via infusion through a port every other week for 8 weeks. The AC was followed by 12 weekly infusions of Taxol.
First day of chemo. Mom was with me the whole way. The side effects of chemo began immediately and were extensive. I suffered from debilitating cramps during the 12 weeks I received Taxol, nausea, incredible fatigue, severe diarrhea, loss of appetite, hot flashes, insomnia, heart burn, nail changes (a toenail came off!), severely dry skin, numbness, pain and tingling in my hands and feet and I lost my all my hair – even my eyebrows, eyelashes and nose hairs. You’d be surprised at how important nose hairs are! I had severe and frequent nose bleeds without their protection.
My hair began to fall out in handfuls and I took the jump to shave it off. It left me with really painful stubble - a sensation that's hard to describe.Ruben shaved his beard so I wouldn’t be alone with my new 'do.IMPACT OF CANCER DIAGNOSIS
Treatment required a reduced work schedule and even though I tried to work as much as possible, I was only able to maintain 18-25 hours per week between the side effects, doctor appointments and chemo schedule. It was necessary I quit my second job as a bar manager.
Home. Recovering in the softest, fuzziest sweater ever.REMISSION
I had a successful lumpectomy on March 1st and the surgeon was thrilled to share the great news: the chemo had done its job and obliterated the cancer. She reported I’d had the best possible outcome: a complete pathological response. No cancer was found in the area of the breast where the tumor had been or in the 6 lymph nodes removed from my underarm area. This meant I was officially in remission.
My face when it really started to sink in that I’m in remission. Grateful!HOW CANCER CHANGED ME
The changes a cancer diagnosis inspires has seeped into all areas of my life and in April, my husband and I decided to separate.
While we care very deeply for each other, we have both changed as individuals and need space and time to evaluate ourselves, our paths and what we want in our life before we remain in a relationship that ends in anger and resentment.
We've both found new apartments and have started the process of separating our household. I'll be moving to my new apartment in the Northeast neighborhood of Minneapolis on May 30th, which is fast approaching!
I had severe cramping during Taxol, so got a good dose of pre-meds that just kinda knocked me out. WHAT’S LEFT?
I've completed chemotherapy and my surgery, and I still have to finish radiation.
After a 4 week break to heal from the lumpectomy, I began 6.5 weeks of daily radiation therapy. The side effects I’m experiencing are radiation burns and skin breaks, fatigue, nausea and swelling - have I mentioned fatigue at all? (I feel like I’ve been nothing but tired for a year now.)
The final stages of treatment will be spread out a bit: I have 7 rounds of Herceptin to complete and I’ll also be on estrogen blockers for 2-5 years. Herceptin targets the HER-2neu protein which is a major component of what makes the cancer aggressive. When I’ve either had children, decided I don’t want children, or discovered I can’t have children, my ovaries will need to be removed.
Heated paper gowns all the way, baby!HOW YOU CAN HELP
At various points throughout my journey, I’ve had family and friends express a desire to help and I'm at a point where I can tell you what I need. The lost income impacted my ability to keep up with payments and an unexpected move combined with a stack of medical bills has proven to be more than I can handle on my own.
This brings me to you. The help I need and am asking for is financial in nature and the impact of your donation is enormous. You and your donation will help lift a heavy burden from my shoulders and mind, giving me the freedom and opportunity to continue to learn new ways to eat and implement healthy habits of exercise and self-care that a continued cancer-free life requires.
Approximately 70% of the funds will go toward medical debt, 20% will go toward getting caught up on past due household bills and 10% will go toward deposits and costs related to moving.
Thank you for the support and for sharing my story. I couldn’t do any of this without you.
- Mandy
My friend Melissa and I at an art event where artists spoke about how their art relates to nature and the environment.My colleagues at Lunds & Byerlys Catering made sure to celebrate the last day of chemo with me by decorating my cubicle. My hair, eyebrows and eyelashes have started to return along with the green and growing things this spring.I just might keep the short hair and boy brows. It's lookin' pretty good!Organizer
Mandy Herrera
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN