Zapped, feeling radioactive Day 1 & 2

Zapped, feeling radioactive 

My radiation oncologist leads a team that includes technicians and nurses. During each session,

I lie down on a special table. It looks like a surf board. The entire breast is given a dose of radiation. It feels like when you have X Rays taken… except at some point when I opened my eyes, it looked like fireworks where going off. Not to mention I closed them immediately, prayed and dosed off.

Each session lasts about 30 minutes. Most of this time is spent positioning your body to ensure the treatment is given exactly as planned. Treatment is given once a day, five days a week, 35 sessions.

Later I enjoyed a cup of coffee with my friend Kim Cheiken. Thanks Kim for holding my hand the first day, and bringing me magazines!

Radiation therapy is planned specifically for me, the type of cancer and the shape of my body, so sessions cannot be split between different treatment centers. The therapy plan is based on:

·        Tumor size, type and location

·        The type of breast surgery I had

·        The shape of my breast and my body

Today was the second day of treatment. As I’m going onto the machine, the hospital released a code RED on the second floor. This only happens to me! It was a fire drill.

Thank you for your prayers, well wishes, good thoughts and love. God is the head of my team. I have no doubt He is with me during these moments. Cancer cannot take away my salvation, my relationship with Him nor my faith. I rejoice in Him. I praise Him during my darkest moments, because I can feel the breakthrough, the blessings that are starting to pour down on me. His plans for me are bigger than my current circumstances.   

Let’s see what day 3 brings on.

Blessings,

Donna G. 

After Surgery Cancer Treatment via Radiation

After surgery cancer treatment via Radiation

I had my first simulation appointment yesterday. The radiation oncologist will determine the exact area that will be treated, the total radiation dose that will be delivered to the affected area, how much dose will be allowed for the normal tissues in the targeted area, and the safest angles (paths) for radiation delivery.

The staff working with the radiation oncologist (including physicists and dosimetrists) use sophisticated computers to design the details of the exact radiation plan that will be used. After approving the plan, the radiation oncologist authorizes the start of treatment. 

On the first day of treatment, and usually at least weekly after that, many checks are made to ensure that the treatments are being delivered exactly the way they were planned. Because radiation can affect healthy cells, my doctor needs to be sure of the course of treatment. I am in a waiting period again for about a week, until the team studies the simulation results.

The area selected for treatment usually includes the affected area, plus a small amount of normal tissue round it. This helps reduce the likelihood of tumor recurrence from cancer cells that have spread to the normal tissue next to the tumor (called microscopic local spread).

I have one week off until treatment begins. Prayers are always appreciated. I’m ready to get through this!

Blessings,

Donna G.

American Cancer Society Relay for Life Bartram Services

 Relay for Life Bartram at Trout Creek Marina, April 25, 2015 

Today, I met Mel Toran, Sr. Director of Commuity Engagement for American Cancer Society. Here are some tips:

Ph ACS 2345

Services
Road to Recovery - drivers available to take you to treatment

Look Good, Feel Better
Lic. Cosmetologist consultation and free make up kit

Reach to Recovery
Matches a diagnosed breast cancer patient with another

Hope Lodge #3 in Florida to open at the Mayo campus, there are 31 lodges nationwide

Share the love.

Donna G.

Relay for Life Dinner Speech, Trout Creek Marina, April 25, 2015

Relay for Life Dinner Speech, April 25, 2015

Today, I celebrate the bravery of women who have passed away and those of you who have fought or are fighting cancer. From you I learn and keep fighting.

“I heard the words no woman wants to hear: breast cancer”

Cancer, in less than two months, has impacted my life. It has brought to my attention to enjoy what’s important and who is priority right now.

I now smile about what is going well.

I have put together a team of caregivers: my family, prayer warriors, researchers, doctors and friends. I consider myself blessed and fortunate that the tumor was found early and the prognosis is promising.

I had no symptoms, no lump.

It is important to go to your annual, routine mammogram. If I had waited until age 50, as some recommended, I may not have lived to be 50.

It took a mammogram to notice anything, then an ultrasound and a biopsy to confirm that more work was needed.

I was clean one year ago. But this cancer was invasive.

If I had waited one more year, surely the cancer would have spread and become a much bigger problem. By then, a lumpectomy would not have been sufficient.

I am a woman of faith. No matter what I’m going through, I praise my

God. As a believer, you must understand that everywhere we go, we

are on the adversary’s territory. This is why we get attacked. I have

one warning to this adversary: when my God shows up, RUN!

Something amazing happens when you let go and let God take over.

The need we may face is great, but His grace is GREATER!

In the middle of darkness there is a miracle.

In the middle of darkness others may be listening.

In the middle of darkness God shows up!

I have been tempted and tested. See, the enemy may poke all he wants, but he has no discernment, so he waits for me to react; he waits for my confession.

“I declare the enemy knocked out. I declare this decease knocked out.

I declare my Commander-in-Chief has won the fight.”

Devil, bow down!

“Fear can keep us up all night, but we do not have a spirit of fear.”

2 Tim 1:7   For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.

My family and I did not adopt a spirit of fear. We told friends and family that this was not a sad moment, but one for action.

I acted to defend against the adversary's attack. I went to experienced friends, lined up top-flight medical help, gave others roles as prayer warriors, I established a blog to communicate widely instead of using these crucial hours in countless conversations. The blog inspired others and brought me here. Thank you Tonia for asking me to speak.

Others said I was strong.

Others said I was courageous.

But what I am is faithful.

I put God at the head of my team, I gave Him my trust and relied on my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The result was no fear.

The result was confidence.

The result was peace.

Today, I would not change a thing. Because I am even closer to God and I learned so much in so short a time.

Protect yourself from toxic friends, seek out the hopeful ones. Don’t be sensitive to what people may say to you. Some responses might be:

 “Oh, no” or “I knew someone who didn’t fare well”

OR even Christian friends may say…

“Your cancer is part of God’s plan.” Really? That makes me want to say, First of all, it’s not my cancer, I do NOT take ownership. Second, what does God have planned for you? (Actually, I wouldn’t say this back…) God’s plan is bigger than my current circumstance. 

Don’t be offended when people offer their help. Don’t be afraid to accept the help. My friends know if they offer to help I will put them to work. Don’t feel obligated to make contact, or return calls. Find ways or a support system where you can post or blog or have someone blog for you.

Cancer does NOT define us. Repeat after me…

It cannot silence courage

It cannot corrupt faith

It cannot steal eternal life

I know I have a challenge ahead of me in this journey and you do, too. Let’s choose to inspire others, to encourage them, to give hope.  Let’s pledge to take action, to spread awareness, to support research, to support treatment and prevention.

I want to dedicate this bible verse to you, Isaish 53:5  

He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; and with His stripes we are healed.

Choose Hope.  Fight in Faith.  Live to Win.  

Be blessed. 

In the middle of the storm I confess peace

In the middle of the storm I confess peace

Some of you have asked, why I have not blogged lately. This is a waiting period for me, (2 weeks).

I have met with the radiation and chemo medical team.  I recently had an Ecotype DX test done. This test is a genomic test that analyzes the activity of a group of genes that can affect how a cancer is likely to behave and respond to treatment. The results of the Ecotype DX test, combined with other features of the cancer, can help me make a more informed decision about whether or not to have chemotherapy to treat early-stage hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer or radiation therapy.

I continue to be overwhelmed with your love and support. Thank you Kim Cheiken, (my lawyer friend who took excellent notes) and for driving me to Mayo for this important consultation.

I received beautiful flowers from a former student and his family. This touched my heart.

My gratitude to Switzerland Community Church-Sunday class for your generosity in providing meals for my family during this week, Terry Sharkey, Connie Davis and Nancy Justus. May God bless you seven times more.

Thank you Janet Robles for your continued support of love, more flowers and meals. (My biology-guru and researcher).

Cards continue to arrive, and I must admit I’m loving it. Moments like these, it is therapy for me to read the messages, and feel your love! I received your cards Ann Breidstein, Sonja Willets and Jessica McQuaig who gave me pink gifts! xxoo

For now, I covet your prayers for God’s Will. I pray for peace not only for me, but for all those affected by this interruption in my lie. It is easy to pray during difficult times; it is not easy to praise in darkness. To believe what you don’t see is faith; continuing to see “that” which is not there is faith. I choose to stay faithful. I choose to praise my God!

Blessings, 

Donna  

I Receive Life Through the Word of God. (John 10:10)

Apart from Me, you can do nothing – with God all things are possible. (John 5:5-6) (John 16:23) (Matthew 19:26) (Matthew 18:18-19)

Today, the incision got drained again and antibiotics got switched. I feel much better now.  On my second appointment, I had a Radiation Oncology consultation. Seems to me, radiation is the way to go. It will be aggressive, six or seven weeks, 5x per week; side effects fatigue and sunburn.

Tomorrow, I have an oncology consultation to determine treatment options. Every organ and tissue of my body sanctions in the perfection that God created it to function.  (Mark 9:23)

I pray and ask you to join me in prayer to make the right decision for my treatment. Kim Cheiken, a dear friend, will be driving me tomorrow and will take notes for me.  Did I mention she lives an hour-plus north from me? The blessings just keep pouring down on me!  

Terry Sharkey, my Sunday class teacher drove 2 hours to get us a meal yesterday. My church family is amazing. We live far from our chosen church. We don’t ask, we don’t expect, but God moves people’s hearts and so the ministry begins.  Rumor has it Sharon M. also from church class, is delivering a meal tonight. Wow!

Renee Pinsky, thank you for the gift you made to Children’s Concert Society Remembrance Fund in hopes of a speedy recovery. What a great way to honor someone by supporting the CCS efforts to enrich music education in Summit County. (This is one of the first boards I sat on when I got married and moved to Akron, Ohio in 1994).

Friends: I am blessed to feel your love, your prayers and to have your help.

My family is overwhelmed with your LOVE; what an awesome support system we have.   

Donna Guzzo

The Name Jesus Carries Weight / I had a setback

The Name Jesus Carries Weight.

The name Jesus begins to do the work. If cancer wants to move in, it doesn’t have the right to move in. It doesn’t have the authority in my body. Jesus does!

Since Monday, April 6 in the evening, I’ve had a setback. I ended up at Mayo today. The result: Fluid collecting around the operation site (seroma)

Sometimes fluid continues to collect near the wound after your wound drains have been taken out. This is called a seroma. It causes swelling and pain and can increase the infection. My Surgeon’s P.A. had to drain the fluid off with a needle and syringe. She may need to do this a few times in the next few days. I was placed on antibiotics and asked to rest. The downside, no pain medication!  I must rest the arm affected to avoid further complications.

By Saturday I start arm exercises. In the flesh I say, “Joy” – not.  

In the spirit, I know I am a product of Grace. I heard it from Jesus, in the New Testament.  Here I go again, speaking to the cancer: I refuse to let you sit on my throne of emotions. I walk in abundance, favor, overflow, healing and miracles.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Donna Guzzo

P.S. Thank you Ruth for raising to the occasion on your sick day to bring me soup.