the big C - Stephanie’s Progression

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the big C - Stephanie’s Progression My progression thru breast cancer.

With the election of the 🍊🤡, I have decided this will be my last shared update on my health and cancer journey. It was ...
07/11/2024

With the election of the 🍊🤡, I have decided this will be my last shared update on my health and cancer journey. It was made perfectly clear that the majority of friends and family do not give two sh*ts about me, my health, or even my life, (or any one else’s but your own for that matter).

So, those of you who DID NOT vote to f**k with my healthcare and livelihood, feel free to message me if you would like to be updated on my progression. The rest of you can wait for my f**king obituary to come out.

05/09/2024

I have been having good days and bad days. Still struggling with my energy level and body strength. Not able to do some of the things I used to do, and it is frustrating to say the least. Neuropathy in my hands and feet is my constant companion. The hot flashes are driving me nuts! Didn’t have them during menopause, so this is all new to me. I just know that when they hit, I want to get nekkkkked! 😆🫣🤣 The medicines I am taking don’t allow me to handle the heat like I used to either. Five minutes outside and I am sweating like a ‘ho in church! 🥴

My face has healed from my fall on 19 July. The scar on my nose is barely noticeable. However, my small finger on my left had was scrapped pretty badly, and it is still trying to heal up. There’s still some pain, and if I bump or scratch it, it sends a shooting pain through my hand and arm. I’m afraid I may have a little nerve damage. 🤦‍♀️

Around Tuesday of last week, my implant in my LB ruptured. I had been doing yard work and was extremely exhausted after 3 days of it, and that evening I experienced some pain in my left chest, so it must have happened then. Apparently it was a pretty slow leak, and I did not notice it until Friday, late afternoon, right before the holiday. 🤦‍♀️ It isn’t painful, but there is a lot of discomfort. Phoned my Dr on Tuesday to let them know what happened. The nurse said it wasn’t out of the ordinary for this to happen, especially after radiation. She said she would speak with Dr Critelli to see what he wanted to do. She called back later and said that the Dr wanted to leave it alone. He did not want to operate on me to remove it so soon before we were scheduled to begin the process of my full reconstruction in late December, early January. He assured me that there was no issue with leaving it alone until then, as long as I could manage the discomfort. I told them that I would deal with it one way or the other. 🤷‍♀️

What a journey it has been to date! 🤯🤦‍♀️

Hoping for easier days between now and my appointments with my oncologist in Oct, radiologist in Nov, and my plastic surgeon in Dec. 🤞🍀

Stephanie Garsee Jacob

02/08/2024

Had my CBC done this AM. Won’t have results until Monday.
🤞

25/07/2024

Last few checkups have all been good. However, Monday’s tests revealed that my white blood count and my neutrophils were both lower than they like them to be. My oncologist stressed the importance of my continuing to take a multivitamin, B-12, and B-complex weekly (which I admitted I haven’t been doing regularly as all of the pills I take give me tummy issues.) She has also instructed me to take an additional 7 day break (14 total), from the Kisqali and ordered another CBC in 2 weeks to see if there is any improvement. 🤞my numbers improve with these adjustments.

20/07/2024

❗️Update❗️3 hrs in the ER and I required zero stitches and I do not have a fractured nose. Abrasions were cleaned and I received a tetanus shot. Banged up, sore, and my pride is a little wounded. And, I’ll be looking pretty rough the next few days. 🤦‍♀️

Thanks for all your sweet messages. I appreciate the support, prayers, and all your well wishes!! 😘😘

23/04/2024

Met with my radiologist this AM. She was pleased with how my skin is now looking in the treatment area. She said it looks like it should now.

Told her that I still have not started the Kisqali as prescribed. She was not happy to hear that. She is as frustrated as I am with the delay, but will have to defer to my oncologist to deal with BCBSTx. She still wants to be notified if and when I begin taking the medication.

We discussed the issues I have with depression, anxiety, and insomnia. I let her know I tried the things she had suggested I try, and I have not experienced any noticeable changes. She said that she would go ahead and prescribe the anti-depressant. She wants me to begin it ASAP, and that she would like to see me again in one month to see how I am managing with the medication. My next appointment is 29 May.

Robin, the sweetest nurse you could ever have, is following up on my prescription for a prosthetic and gathering all the info I need for my insurance to hopefully approve it. She’s doing this after I could not get a straight answer on what I needed from them. Hopefully, that will be approved soon. 🤞

22/04/2024

It’s a bit delayed, but here’s what’s been happening:

4/8 - Met with oncologist and my numbers were looking good at this point. However, she was concerned that I have not began my 2nd cancer med, Kisqali. She said that we could only go a few more weeks without beginning treatment. She said that she would personally begin the 2nd tier appeal with BCBSTx.

4/9 - Met with radiologist. She said that she was concerned that I didn’t look as “bright” as I usually do. She suggested that I take some supplements and meditation to help with my depression and my insomnia. If, after a couple of weeks, I didn’t feel these things were helping me, she would prescribe an anti-depressant for me to take. She was also concerned with the color and texture of my skin in the treatment area. She said it was a delayed side effect and wanted to monitor it. She wants to see me again in 2 weeks.

4/19 - My 2nd tier appeal for my medication has been denied. 🤬

4/22 - Oncologist has re-submitted documents showing proof why she has prescribed Kisqali for the 2nd time. 🤬

4/23 - I meet with my radiologist in the morning for a follow up.

I am at my wits end and extremely stressed out. Needless to say there is no amount of supplements, teas, or meditation that is working for me right now. I do not know the next steps if I cannot get the medication I need. Nothing like some pencil-pushing fake MD at BCBSTx making life & death decisions for their members. 🤦‍♀️

My next appointment with my oncologist is not until May 23. I will also be meeting with my reconstructive surgeon that day as well.

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