Lori’s fight - Cancer picked the wrong girl

10/19/2023

We have had a very long journey over the last 3 years. I had a MRI of my brain a few months ago and another MRI of my chest and abdomen 2 weeks ago. The results came back good and I finally got the okay from my oncologist to have my port removed. It was definitely mixed feelings for me as I was excited and nervous.

So just a few weeks shy of 3 years and I finally got my port removed today!!! I didn’t want to go under anesthesia again after all the surgeries I had so I braved it out and had it removed with a local. I’m so blessed to have Jimmie Williams by my side through this whole process. He is my rock and has been amazing through all of this. Hopefully we are to the end of this cancer journey and can get back to living life to its fullest! 💗

05/01/2023

I’m a day behind but yesterday marked 2 years since I finished my last chemo treatment!!!

This is an important milestone in this journey. The type of cancer I had, triple negative, if it is going to reoccur will almost always happen in the first 2 years. Once you get past this point the chances of reoccurring is much lower. The last few weeks as I’ve been approaching this date has been full of anxiety and worrying. I had my chest CT scan last week and although I don’t have the official results from the doctor I was able to read the radiologist notes on my patient portal and everything is clear and good. This was such a relief!! My next step will be getting set up to have my port removed later this summer.

Thanks everyone for all the prayers and support over the last 2.5 years!!

05/01/2022

Today marks one year since I rang the bell and finished chemo!! We have had a lot of ups and downs through this process but today I celebrate that I am alive and doing well!!!

Over the past year I have had 2 major surgeries. Double mastectomy in June 2021 and DIEP flap breast reconstruction February 15, 2022. My reconstruction was a 12.5 hour surgery and by far the hardest surgery I’ve ever had but I made it through it and doing great. My phase 2 of the reconstruction will be Sept 27 and I will find out on Tuesday when my surgery will be to remove my ovaries. I still have a ways to go in my journey but I can rejoice is saying that I am cancer free and looking forward to making the most of the rest of my life!

Thanks to everyone that has been there for us through this journey!! I appreciate all the continued prayers, love and support 💗

03/05/2022

It’s been a busy week of appointments. Wednesday I had labs and follow up with surgeon. He is very happy with how things turned out and everything is healing nicely. My hemoglobin is slowly increasing and up to 10.2 but is still low. Because of this I’m still super tired and moving slowly but baby steps in the right direction.

Friday I had my follow up CT Scan. Waiting for results and will hopefully have more info on Monday.

Thanks to all that have helped out while I have been down and for all the prayers and support! Keep them coming for continued recovery!

02/22/2022

A huge thank you for all the prayers and support this past week. I apologize for the lack of updates but this surgery was much harder than I anticipated and I wasn’t feeling up to updating.

My surgery last week took just under 13 hours and I was moved straight from OR to ICU since it was after visiting hours the surgeon took Jimmie up to the ICU about 8:45 pm and told them to let him see me once I was awake. Due to some miscommunication at the ICU he finally left at 2 am and was never able to see me or get any kind of additional updates. I remember waking up in ICU and kept asking where he was and why he wasn’t in there. So this was super frustrating for both of us. I was so drugged up after 13+ hours of anesthesia but I remember thinking what in the hell have I done. This was so much worse than any other surgery i have ever had.

The next day my blood pressure kept dropping super low and they gave me fluids to try to get it back up. It slowly started to improve and also go potassium supplements. My days are kind of jumbled together but I believe the second night they drew labs at midnight. I asked why they couldn’t use my port as it was left in after chemo specifically for this reason and they kept telling me it was an infection risk factor but instead poked me 3 times before finally getting blood draw. So we went through this same thing over the next few days. I was too foggy from the pain meds to argue too much but it made absolutely no sense to me. I ended up getting a magnesium infusion and more potassium. By Saturday my hemoglobin level was at 8.0 (and had been trending down for several days). and anything below that requires a blood transfusion but I didn’t want them to draw anymore labs unless they used my port so they ended up sending me home with iron pills and folic acid to try to bring my hemoglobin up. Sunday I felt awful and went first thing this morning for labs to check hemoglobin level. I seriously just cried when the gal at lab told me she wasn’t allowed to access my port for draws. After she saw my arms she went and got different butterfly needle to use and thankfully got it the first time and was super gentle. My hemoglobin is slowly on the rise and just over 9 so I didn’t have to get a blood transfusion today. It’s been a rough week but I am finally starting to feel a little better and hopefully it continues to improve.

Please keep me in your prayers over the next few weeks as I continue to heal and recover. On a positive note, the surgery itself went well and everything is healing nicely! I have a great support group around me. Jimmie as always is my rock and made sure everything was taken care of with me and at home, Olivia stepped up to help with Arianna and stuff around the house, my parents and Tiffany for helping with Arianna and my sweet Arianna who has even been a big help with getting me whatever I need since I’ve been home. I have had so many offers to help and I greatly appreciate it!

02/15/2022

So I haven’t posted in quite awhile and today we are back at the hospital. After 7 months of waiting I am finally getting my reconstruction surgery today. Surgery time is 7:45 am and will take 10-12 hours with 2 surgeons. I’ll have to be in ICU for 4 days afterwards. Please keep me and my family in your prayers today as this is a huge surgery!

10/28/2021

10/27/2021

A year ago today I got the news that no one ever wants to get. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. This past year has pushed my body, mind and soul to its limits but I was able to come out on top.

The two weeks leading up to my official diagnosis I was a complete basket case. I cried more in those 2 weeks than I had in years. The unknown is seriously the worst thing ever. Once I got the call that the mass was cancer I almost had a sense of calm finally. I knew what I was dealing with and as much as it sucked I was finally able to wrap my brain around it. My fight instinct kicked in and I was ready to figure out a game plan to kick cancer’s ass.

This past year has been one of the worst things I have ever been through and wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. But I learned a lot about myself and have a new appreciation for anyone that has been through this before. It is brutal. I’m not going to lie. I had days I could barely walk from the couch to the bathroom but I didn’t give up and fought like hell. I continued to work (at home) through the entire 6 months of chemo and only took off on my treatment days. I had to slow down with everything I did but I tried my damndest to keep things as normal as possible for my family at home. Jimmie was a huge help with anything I needed and he pushed me when I needed to be pushed to keep my fight going. I couldn’t ask for a better person to be by my side through the entire thing. I love him so much more because of it.

I am surrounded by some pretty amazing family & friends that helped me get through this past year. I am so thankful for that! This whole thing has also made me stop and evaluate what is most important in my life and focus on enjoying my time with my family and friends. I can’t thank everyone enough for all the love and support. I am truly blessed 💗

Since it’s breast cancer awareness month do me a favor and if you haven’t had a mammogram go do it!!! Don’t put it off until it’s too late.

10/22/2021

Our office started a team for a virtual walk that Chubb is hosting this weekend to raise money for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. This is the type of cancer that I have so it hits close to home. If anyone is interested in joining our team or making a donation for our team the links are:

https://runsignup.com/cancerpickedthewronggirl

https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-1?raceId=95202

I greatly appreciate all the continued love and support!!! If you are able to donate or join our team we really appreciate it!!

10/15/2021

One year ago today I went for a routine mammogram with absolutely no idea there was anything wrong. The next morning I got the phone call that I never expected…..there was a suspicious lump that needed further testing. This past year has been one hell of a ride but I am so thankful that I am still alive and cancer free!! I was 42 and that was my first mammogram because I had put it off for too long.

For those that have been putting it off or procrastinating to get it done Please Please Please go get it done!!!! It could save your life like it did for me 💗🎀💗

10/01/2021

It’s been awhile since I posted but today is 5 months since my last chemo! Tomorrow is the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month!! It’s hard to believe it’s almost been a year since all this started. I am very blessed that I am now cancer free and getting back to a normal life. I am super excited to finally have some hair again too!!!

I met with the new plastic surgeon a few weeks ago regarding reconstruction surgery. They are getting me set up for labs and CT scan to prepare for surgery. Since the surgery is 10-12 hours they typically only do 1 per week so they are a little behind with covid. I’m not in any rush at this point. I’m focusing on getting back in shape and rebuilding my strength to prepare for the surgery. Jimmie has been crazy busy with work so hopefully things will be a little slower when it comes time for surgery.

The last few months we have been very busy with the kids and activities. We did a little fishing, Cierra turned 21 and is back at college, Liv started her Senior year and Arianna started 3rd grade. Arianna and I both had birthdays a few weeks ago and did our annual birthday picture session. For Arianna’s birthday we had a roller skate party. She told me she really wanted me to skate with her at her party. I haven’t skated in over 20 years but this kid has missed out on so much the last year that I made her request happen. I skated 5 or 6 rounds with her. Not well but I did it without any injuries or falls 🤣 For those that know what a clutz I am this is amazing lol! I still can’t believe my baby girl is 9! She has grown up so much over the last year. She has been my helper through it all.

The company I work for is an agent for Chubb insurance. Our office started a team for a virtual walk that Chubb is hosting in October to raise money for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. This is the type of cancer that I have so it hits close to home. If anyone is interested in joining our team or making a donation for our team the links are:

https://runsignup.com/cancerpickedthewronggirl

https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-1?raceId=95202

I still have 3 surgeries ahead of me but it’s much easier to confront knowing that the cancer is gone! We greatly appreciate all the continued love and support!!! If you are able to donate or join our team we really appreciate it!!

06/30/2021

Today we finally got the news we have been hoping for….My scans came back clear and my pathology report shows no remaining signs of cancer!!! This means NO radiation and NO chemo pills!! I am CANCER FREE 💗💗💗

When we began this journey in October I wasn’t sure I’d ever make it to this day. To say I am overwhelmed with happiness and relief is an understatement.

I am still recovering from surgery and will take awhile to get back to 100% but damn this feels good 😉 I have a few more surgeries to go for reconstruction and o***y removal but the hard part is past me and I am ready to start enjoying life and living it to the fullest! This has made me stop and put my life into perspective and focus on family, health and happiness ❤️

I had a great day today with Jimmie Williams and Arianna at Science City celebrating the good news and enjoying some family time.

A huge thank you to everyone that has supported me through all this. You are all amazing! There are way too many names to list but I appreciate each and every person that has called, texted, brought us dinner, sent flowers/goodies, and prayed for us. It means the world to me 💗💗💗

A special thank you to Kacie Robey! Even with everything she has had going this past year she has been a great support to me and constantly checked in on how I was doing. My heart is breaking for her right now. Please keep her and her kids in your prayers as her husband Doug lost his battle with cancer on Monday. They need all the love and prayers they can get.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I am still recovering from surgery. They took the 4 drains out last Friday and that was a huge help. Recovery is slow going but I’m moving in the right direction. I’ll be glad to start having more use of my arms later this week and I am starting back to work next Tuesday.

On a side note, Today is 2 months since last chemo and my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes are growing back good!!!

06/16/2021

5 days post surgery and slowly getting better. I’m really having to adjust to not doing anything that involves moving my arms. I had my follow up with the plastic surgeon yesterday and everything looks great so far. I am still super sore, swollen and just all around tired from the pain pills. I’m weaning myself off of them because I hate having to take them but don’t want to be miserable either.

I have follow up with breast surgeon on 22nd to go over pathology report to determine if any additional treatments are needed and then will go back to plastic surgeon on 25th to have my drains removed and expanders filled.

I received some beautiful flowers today from the owners at my work Peter & Veronica Mallouk! I am very blessed to work for a company that genuinely cares about their employees.

Please continue to pray for smooth recovery and healing 💗 thanks for all the love and support!

06/12/2021

I received some beautiful flowers today from Burns & Wilcox which is a brokerage I work with. I spent all day resting and relaxing! I was able to take a short shower and sat outside for awhile in the shade while Jimmie cooked dinner. I’m still super sore but glad to be alive 💗 I’m absolutely blessed with an amazing family and friends.

06/11/2021

Made it home from the hospital! So glad to be home and resting.

06/11/2021

Pretty much what I’ve been doing since surgery finished 🤣 Surgery went good and they will send everything out to pathology and will have results in a few days. They only removed 1 lymph node on left side along with double mastectomy and tissue expanders put in.

They had a hard time getting my pain under control initially and got just about every pain med under the sun. It’s under control now and was able to eat a little dinner and doing lots of sleeping. I have been out of the bed twice and made it to the bathroom! That is a huge step lol. Jimmie just left for the night and I’m going back to sleep. Thanks for all the prayers and keep them coming. 💗