Beginning of Treatment

Stuff is About to Get REAL! 

I am into the first couple of miles in this marathon, and while it is exciting, it is also stressful knowing there is still a long ways to go. My body is beginning to feel the physical stress/pain of being poked with needles, sore arms due to IV's/bloodwork (alternating arms consistently), self-injections (over 20 in my stomach), bruising on my stomach from self-injections, body aches, soreness, and physical stress overall from having to go through SO many tests/procedures. The list could go on, but I get it. Jesus made sacrifices for us...died on the cross for us, so I accept the pain I will endure on this journey. I know it will get harder, but the healing of my soul and body is in my future as well. Everyday I feel I am all the more closer to God, and I am also having a better understanding of HIS will for me. I do my best to trust and surrender to HIM. 

More Medical Updates

Dr. Martinez called with my BART results (second part to genetic testing), and no abnormalities!! Good news, BUT she wants me to take another genetic test I meet the criteria for. I am grateful to have doctors who will go above and beyond to give me information. Information is power! She set me up with a genetic counselor, Dr. Patel, and at some point, I may go through testing for Li-Fraumini Syndrome-good times.

Last week I was set up for a breast MRI,  consultation with a radiation oncologist, and chemo teach. I was at the doctor everyday last week...exhausting! So...here it is-The radiation oncologist, Dr. Cohen, was amazing! She had my breast MRI results and informed me I had two tumors measuring at 2.5 cm and 1 cm-lovely. Good news, no signs of abnormalities in my lymph nodes. She does not think I will need to undergo radiation, and quite honestly, I do not want to! She offered to help in any way even though her role on my medical team will be minimal. Dr. Cohen is not only amazing, but an extremely intelligent woman. I met the nurse practitioner (amazing as well!), and she did my Chemo teach which taught me about all the fun things I will get to experience with chemo. Chemo treatment will be every 2 weeks with sessions lasting from 2 1/2-3 hours.  The first four phase of chemo is called the "Red Devil." There is a reason it's called that...boxing gloves on! Good times ahead...I can't believe cancer wants to mess with me, ha. 

Last week of March-BIG WEEK!

How appropriate…egg retrieval during the week of Easter and Good Friday! I had my egg retrieval on Monday March 25th, and they retrieved 14 eggs! I was expecting 11. I found out today that out of the 14 eggs retrieved, 11 were mature enough to freeze! Excellent news from  the IVF nurse at Texas Fertility! A blessing! I am thankful I was able to take care of this before beginning treatment. We are grateful to Magda Salazar for taking me on Monday-love that woman! Procedure went smoothly, but wow, talk about some major discomfort days later. Definitely not fun. Bloating, cramping, and cramps so bad it hurts to walk. Just overall discomfort-fun stuff, huh?

Today I went through a series of tests, and tomorrow I will have surgery to have the port placed. Just in case you are not sure...the port is used for chemo injections. Rather than poking me every visit to set up an IV, they utilize the port instead and place it surgically under my skin in the upper chest area. In general, with this whole experience, I have to keep it light now and then. Weeks ago, I had a girls night with two of my dear friends, Malinda and Amber. I explained to them that I was going to feel weird with no hair, no eyelashes, eyebrows, pumped up with all kinds of stuff, a port under my skin, etc. I said "I am going to feel like a robot." I referenced the song "Mr. Roboto" by Styx and stated "yeah, I am going to feel  like that." Malinda suggested I name my port, and well that is just what we did! My port's name is Mr. Roboto. I included the video to: keep it light, give you a good laugh, maybe make your hair "puff" up from this 80's song…. Feel free to view or not, ha. Thanks to Amber for taking time off to drive me to and from my minor surgery tomorrow. 

http://youtu.be/Gbkhla8Ivlk

Time with "Mini-Me"

At Gruene Hall: Before with long hair

My oncologist told me I would lose my hair within 14 days of chemotherapy. I've always had long hair, so I did not want to go through the experience of finding my long hair everywhere. I made the decision to cut my hair super short, and Zelina wanted to do it with me. So, on March 23 (my sister's Michele's birthday-shout out!) we cut our hair together. Zelina's hair is much longer than mine, and I knew she was nervous to cut her hair. What a brave and meaningful act…I have always taken care of Z and protected her. Now, she has taken the role of being brave to protect me. I love her chingos and will forever hold onto the memory we created together. (Pics below: The Experience)

My sister Zelina came in for the weekend, and we had some great quality time together. Z and I went to Einstein's bagels to experience the pretzel bagel (YUM), got manis and pedis, and then went to our hair appointment. Let me just say, the salon I go to is incredible, and I have the best hair stylist! Erica St. Clair at Urban Betty took care of Z and I. I am thrilled she was part of a special memory and moment in our lives. 

A Surprise Visit

I believe God has a way of blessing us with gifts when we least expect it to remind us He is always with us. He also sends special people, angels, in our lives as a way to bring comfort and joy! About an hour before our hair appointment, I received a surprise visit from a very special woman in my life! She is one to follow and amire. In graduate school, I had the honor of having Dr. Ovando as one of my professors. The professors I had at UT are the BEST, and my 2009 cohort family has managed not only to keep in touch with each other, but also with our professors. Dr. Ovando came to visit me and give me a very special gift. She is part of a group at her church that knits shawls for different life milestones, and she knitted a pink shawl for me. Dr. Ovando wanted to give it to me personally. I cannot tell you how much it meant to me…I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. My last picture with long hair was taken with Dr. Ovando. I feel so honored. Thank you God for sending a special angel to visit me.

Chemo

Travis has been my rock, and he has been my rock for many years now. I love that he keeps things light and knows when I need a laugh. Really, he knows me better than I know myself, and he keeps it real for me too, ha. It is also a journey for him. Travis will be with me on Thursday at my first chemo treatment. I am imagine he will keep me distracted and full of laughter. I am not sure how I will respond to chemo, so I am going one day at a time. We will keep you posted on how it goes! Prayers, positive thoughts and energy…love and appreciate all of them!!

A special message to my Alvarado family: Easter is a tradition, and I am bummed we will not be there. Nobody does Easter like the Alvarado's, and if you know my family, then you know exactly what I am talking about. Grito, dance, and celebrate for us! We will be there next year and have so much to celebrate! ESO!! 

Easter 2012 with our Easter Baskets

 Much love to all of you!
Clari

Crossing the Start Line

Cas and Clari and Gruene Hall

20+ years of friendship with each of these girls!
(Jaime, Melissa, Christina, and Stephanie)

Spring break is over, and so now what…? It's time to cross the start line and get this race going! It's been about 6 weeks which is really hard to believe, but thanks to all of you, I've made it through each day to face what's up ahead. Again, thank you for the prayers, support, and positive messages. Please keep them coming not only for me, but for my family and Travis. It is a journey for them as well.

I struggled with decisions for surgery, but I believe God placed these challenges ahead of me to help me reach out to HIM so I could make the right decisions. Yesterday I began to receive HIS will for me. On Monday March 18th, Travis and I went to see my breast surgeon to discuss surgery options. Dr. Martinez could sense I was still struggling with the decision, so she suggested chemotherapy first. There are many benefits, and it would give me the time I needed to prepare for surgery, find a plastic surgeon, and determine the best options for breast reconstruction. After much discussion, I felt this was the choice I needed to make for my journey. She performed another exam and ultra sound. I have some growth to my tumor which is now measuring at 2.5 cm. If I opted for surgery now, I would not be a candidate for a lumpectomy. I do not want to rush surgery or reconstruction, so I am starting chemo first. 

Today I went to see my oncologist, and we discussed my chemo treatment. I will have tests and future ultra sounds to see how the tumor is responding to treatment along with observing how much the tumor will shrink. Once I am done with chemotherapy, then I will have surgery. Chemo will take anywhere from 4-6 months. My first chemo treatment will begin next week on Thursday March 29th. So here is what my next week will look like:

• March 20-Wednesday: See Dr. Burger (fertility doctor) for ultra sound, set remaining calendar for injections, and set egg retrieval procedure date
• March 21-Thursday: Appointment with a radiation oncologist and chemo training 
• March 23-Saturday: Follow up with Dr. Burger then go to San Antonio and cut my hair SUPER SHORT!
• March 24/25Sunday/Monday: Egg retrieval procedure
• March 26-Tuesday: Tests..lots of tests! EKG, CT, bone scan, etc.
• March 27-Wednesday: minor surgery-placement of my PORT for chemo
• March 28th-Thursday: Big Day-First chemo session
• March 29-GOOD FRIDAY: Follow-up with Dr. Hellerstedt (oncologist) for post chemo injection

Yep, I have a SUPER BUSY week ahead of me, phew! Today was overwhelming, but I have some peace of mind treatment will begin next week. Again, it's a "different kind of marathon," and I have crossed the start line! In addition to all of this, I signed up for a clinical trial that focuses on physical activity during treatment. The data will help other women along with doctors and researchers learn more about the impact of diet and physical activity on young women diagnosed with breast cancer. As an educator, former PE teacher/coach, and runner, I feel it is something I need to do for other women…and for me. 

Fast and furious is how I described the past 48 hours, and I am ready! I am taking time off from work the next two weeks, but I plan on continuing to work as I tackle treatment. 

Addie 

Ellie

My sister Michelle and my nieces

While the past 6 weeks has been trying on me emotionally and physically, spring break offered some rest and relaxation. Travis and I spent some time on the beach and visited with family and friends. When we got back to Austin, we spent time with my sister Michelle and my nieces (Ellie, Addie, and Isabella), and soaked in some SXSW. I included some pics from the break. I especially love the VERY impromptu $5 camel rides on Riverside...best time ever, ha! According to my niece Addie, the striped "horse?" was a donkey! The time with my nieces was priceless. 

Enjoying some sun at Port  A

Travis and I will continue to keep you updated. Again, thank you for the love, prayers, and support! More to come...


Much love to you~Clari

SXSW pic with my nieces ;)

Travis with the girls at Town Lake park

A Couple of Updates

My next unforeseen moment…I had NO idea the process for preparing for this journey would take so long!! March 5 marked one month since my diagnosis. I honestly thought I would be having surgery by now, but it will be few more weeks. However, I do have a couple of updates I'd like to share. 

Update #1

I finally received the results of my genetic test. The good news…I DO NOT have a gene mutation! My family was certainly relieved to hear that :). I was happy to get the news, but I have to admit…I asked myself over…and over…WHY ME? Why did I get cancer? Well, I know that I may never know, and I certainly cannot beat myself up about it. In the next couple of weeks, I will make a decision on the type of surgical procedure to have. Lumpectomy? Unilateral Mastectomy? or Double Mastectomy? I waited on the results to help me with the decision, but I feel like I am back to square one! I am going back to my breast surgeon on March 18 to help me iron out more details. 

Update #2

Livestrong's Fertile Hope sent me great news last week! They are covering the cost of medication and one year of storage for the egg retrieval/freezing process. Insurances, even for recently diagnosed cancer patients, do not cover fertility services. The news from Fertile Hope was a blessing! I start the process next week, and it should be complete by the end of this month. The plan is for my surgery to be shortly after that. 

Spring Break!

Looking forward to our break next week. Sunday we will start out in San Antonio. Zelina's friend Robin (http://www.robinjanskyphotography.com), will do a mini-photo shoot of me before I cut my hair SUPER SHORT (Warms my heart to say, Zelina is cutting her hair short with me). The photo shoot is being done at Gruene Hall. Pictures will come soon! After the photo shoot, Travis and I will be traveling to Corpus Christi (Travis' first time in CC) to enjoy the warm spring weather on the coast. Pictures and more updates will come soon!

Love~Clarissa