Final 2 surgeries and Starting a New Year!

 On December 16th, I underwent 1 of 2 surgeries to remove the ports that my chemo was delivered through. I first had my interperitoneal port removed at IMC under anesthesia by Dr. Zempolich. For some reason I though this would be a quick surgery and recovery, but it was actually an hour surgery and a slow recovery because of my weak immune system. It sure felt nice to have that removed as I was able to finally sleep on my side and stomach again once I was healed up.

Two days later I had my chest port removed. This procedure was done in Dr. Poretta's office with me awake on the table. Lidocaine was injected around the port, which really stung, and then she preceded to remove the port. To my luck, I make a lot of scar tissue and the port was stuck in the scar tissue which she had to tug at for a while to finally get the port out. The incision was a lot smaller than the first so I was glad for that. These procedures were a closure to this phase of my cancer treatment so I was actually looking forward to them.

Update # 6 (January 2016)
I have had a lot of people asking how I am doing now and decided to make an update here. Since finishing chemo in December, I underwent 2 more surgeries to remove the chest port and abdominal port that my chemo was delivered through. They were a little tougher than expected, but I am healing well and am happy to have those uncomfortable things out!

I had a CT scan this month that looked good, but I still don't put a lot of trust into them as my original one didn't show I had advanced stage cancer. I also had more labs drawn to check my cancer marker CA-125. My number has been staying around 20 (0-35 is normal) so that is promising right now. 
At the beginning of January, I returned to working part time as a physical therapist at RPT, 3-4 hours a day. It has been nice to get my mind off cancer and the daily doctor's appointments and focus on healing others through their therapy. I still get quite tired after working or just grocery shopping and spend most of my weekends sleeping or resting. 

I have been focusing on a more holistic approach to keeping my cancer away by eating mainly fruits and veggies and avoiding sugar, breads, and dairy. I also have been continuing my exercise regimen by going to the gym everyday after work to regain strength and endurance. Some exciting news for me is that my hair is beginning to grow back! I never thought I would be so happy to shave my legs or pluck my eyebrows again, or see my eyelashes growing back!

Now I will continue to follow up with both my surgical oncologist and chemo doctor every 3 months to make sure it doesn't return!

Overview of 2015

Nobody is as happy as I am to Welcome in 2016!!!
To me, being able to survive through the past year and make it to 2016 means I fought the battle and Survived Cancer and get to see my little girls grow up!

Looking back, 2015 was a busy year!

- We began the year off with exciting news that we would actually be able to have another child and that it would be a little girl! I was given the news that I had complete Placenta Previa and to expect a C-Section for delivery. I spent Jan to March on partial bed rest due to contractions and worked 3-4 hrs/day.  April to June was spent on complete bedrest at home watching Aubrie play outside.

- In March we visited Moab and in May we stayed in Park City

- In April, we received terrible news that Dave and Cher's home burned down

- In the Spring, we took a tour of the Payson Temple where Jeff helped with the woodwork

- On June 12, 2015 we welcomed our baby Brynnley at 7:40 AM at 6lbs 5 oz and 18 inches long born via C-section at Riverton Hospital with Dr. Quinn

- Brynnley was given her Blessing at our home on September 13th

-Brynnley has grown from a tiny newborn to a 6 month old cutie who loves her big sister and loves her veggies

- On June 12th, I also received the devastating and shocking news that I had Ovarian Cancer

-On July 15th, I underwent surgery for my cancer, expecting a Stage 1 diagnosis, but was shocked again to hear after a 9 hr surgery that I was Stage 3C.

- I began 6 extremely rough rounds of Chemotherapy at Huntsman in SLC and South Jordan locations on August 3rd

- I found out the week before Christmas that my CA-125 number was good and was considered CANCER FREE!!!

-Aubrie spent the summer having slurpees, playing in the sprinklers, riding her pink 'Corbett' like a crazy woman, learning to ride her bike, taking dance and swimming lessons and playing soccer in the Fall.  She also loved to visit Grandpa Matt at the Fire Station and having Grandma Susie take her to have her nails done and playing with 'Yoki', Shannon's cat.

- Aubrie turned 3 this year and chose to have a Disney Princess party.

-Jeff continued working for Ivory Homes Warranty Dept. and loved spending time with a new baby and having some time off work

- Sterling and Amanda were sealed in the Jordan River Temple and a few weeks later welcomed Adlyn Evans.

Christmas pictures

To celebrate the end of Chemo, I decided I wanted to get Christmas pictures of the girls since they are only little for so long. Brynnley was 6 months and Aubrie was 3 years old.

The picture above is the best sad face I have ever seen Brynnley make...it is also the first time she has really cried...she is normally such a happy baby. Good thing big sister was there to cheer her up.

The girls went to see Santa at the mall too and neither of them cried. Aubrie asked Santa for Princess nail polish and Minnie Mouse.

Aubrie thought it was so funny to wear Mommy's hair.

Christmas miracles

Since being diagnosed with Cancer in June, I have been overwhelmed by all the help that has been offered by our ward members, neighbors, and my family. Both of my grandma's have sacrificed their time to babysit every week along with my parents taking a lot of time off work to help with the kids, along with Shannon helping me out while she is home for the summer. Due to me being so sick, weak, and exhausted, I needed somebody to be with me 24/7 to make sure I was getting my medications on time, eating, driving me to my appointments (almost daily) and helping with the kids.

In December I had a few wonderful surprises provided to our family. The first one was at my RPT Christmas Party the first Saturday in December. I was asked to come up to the front and informed that my work chose our family as the Sub for Santa family. My parents and sister surprised us by bringing the girls to us during the announcement. All of the clinics in the company had been collecting money from patients and staff for our family and was shocked to hear that $8,000 had been raised to help with medical expenses!

We were again surprised by a knock at our door and "the Grinch" with Christmas dinner and some toys for the girls. The Grinch was Miss Shenna, the director of the daycare.

Another blessing was being the recipients of the 12 days of Christmas by 2 families. We received wonderful gifts, gift cards, and food which helped us out so much.

Then on the 20th of December, we were again surprised by a handful of people on our doorstep and hearing the news that we were chosen as Toyota of Bountiful's Sub for Santa Christmas Wish family. They provided us each with a large garbage sack full of gifts for each one of us, Christmas dinner, and lots of baby food and diapers! What a blessing!

The blessings we received continued into January when the Bishop's wife helped to set up a fundraiser at Chick-fil-a. Chick-fil-a donated 10% of the money they made from 5-7pm. We had a wonderful turnout full of neighbors and friends.

Brynnley is 6 months old!

I can't believe how quick this little munchkin has grown! Brynnly is 6 months old!

My cute 6 month old baby is growing up so quickly.
Brynnley:
- is still quite petite and weighs 13.15 lbs and is 26 inches long
- started wearing her helmet to correct her flat spot at the beginning of December and has been a trooper as she has to wear it 23 hours/day
-loves to sit in her walker and play with toys
-is a good eater and loves to snack on gerber puffs
-sleeps most of the night but will wake up for a bottle about 2 am.
- is such a happy and content baby and hardly cries


We saw Dr. Rodney Schmelzer at Primary Childrens who said her flat spot is mild-mod and recommended a helmet for a few months to re-shape Brynnley's head.
 Here she is getting fit for a custom helmet made by the orthotist, Alan.

Brynnley is such a trooper with her helmet! She can have it off for 1 hour a day and she doesn't seem to mind the helmet at all. I think it bothers Jeff and I more than her!

Chemotherapy is complete!

On December 30, 2015 I completed my 6th and final round of chemotherapy. I decided to do the IP chemo one last time and boy was it tough. I was extremely sick and weak and ended up having to have a blood transfusion due to low red blood cells. I was so bloated after each of the IP chemo rounds and felt like I gained 10 lbs due to all the fluid and chemo put into my stomach. 

Even though Chemo was complete, I still had to get the Nulasta shot the following day due to my white blood cell count not looking so good and me being at a high risk for infection and hospitalization. 

My CA-125 blood marker continues to stay in the normal range but varies from 16-20. As long as it stays below 35, I will be happy. 

Me hitting the 'graduation gong' at Huntsman on my last day.

Now the plan is to have a my ports removed in December and have a CT scan in January and follow-up with Dr. Beck for CA 125 levels and with Dr. Zempolich for exams every 3 months.

Cancer updates go fund me

I thought I would put the updates I had posted on my GoFundMe account on here to remember the journey:

GoFundMe campaign:

Excited for the birth of their second child after a high risk pregnancy, the day finally arrived! Mckinzy's OB  arrived at the hospital in the middle of the night to help deliver a baby via C-Section. A healthy baby girl,  Brynnley was born 3 weeks early. 
Imagine the surprise when  the Doctor discovered McKinzy's ovaries were the size of tennis balls during the surgery.  (They should be almond or marble sized).   He removed one ovary and biopsied the other. Sadly, two hours later a positive Cancer test arrived. Shock and  tears for this young mom and her family as they recieved the news.  How could this day be so bitter sweet?  
 McKinzy put herself through school and is energetic, dedicated and focused. She normally works full time helping others professionally as a Physical Therapist. She loves her family, job and community! She strives and prays that she may continue taking care of her family and working.
Extensive surgery and biopsies have been scheduled and an aggressive chemotherapy plan made due to the rapidly growing ovarian cancer.  Sadly a full hysterectomy and ovary removal will be performed when dreams of more babies were in the future. 
Please help this mom have the opportunity to fight, live and raise her sweet little family. She means so much to so many people! Her family, community and employment love her. This new baby needs her mom. Her extended family support group is working hard on her behalf too but we need a team and you can make a difference!     
This honest, hard working family seeks support for medical bills and  prayers to help us win this fight against ovarian cancer.   Thank you for your love and support!


Update #1 (July 19, 2015)
I underwent surgery on Wednesday July 15th and unfortunately we found out the cancer has spread throughout my entire abdomen. I had hundreds of cancer granules on my organs making my stage of cancer at least a 3c which means it is in both ovaries and spread to the abdomen and lymph nodes. I had multiple organs removed including my ovary, uterus, spleen, appendix and hundreds of cells over my liver. This was shocking news to us all as my CT scan was clear. Thanks to all those who have supported me and my family at this time and together we will beat this!

Update #2  (August 2, 2015)
Here's an update on my journey: I met with my chemotherapy doctor to set up my chemo schedule which will begin this Monday. Since I have so many microscopic cancer cells in my abdomen and pelvis even after my surgery, I am doing a more aggressive form of chemo called intraperitoneal chemo. I have a port in both my abdomen and chest and will have 9 days of chemo through these ports and then get a week and a half off and repeat it for 6 rounds. Our goal is to be cancer free by Christmas.

 Round 1, Second day of Chemo at Huntsman

I am healing well from my big surgery and am ready to fight through the next step to becoming cancer free and being able to live for my family and daughters.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us this far in my journey to fight ovarian cancer.

Update #3  (September 2015)
Good news today....my CA-125 number is 27! What does this mean? Well this is the blood marker that the doctors use to track progress with Ovarian Cancer and to see if chemo is doing it's job. When I was first diagnosed my number was 350, normal range for no cancer is 0-35, so I am pleased to be in the normal range now. Unfortunately, I still have 3 1/2 more rounds of aggressive chemo to go. Chemo has taken it's toll on my body as my hair has fallen out almost completely, I have lost a lot of strength, and chemo brain has set in, but I continue to have a positive outlook and will put up a good fight with this nasty cancer in my body.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support for both me and my family. We couldn't do it without your help!

Update #4 (October 2015)
Good news continues as my CA-125 number continues to decline and is now at 19 compared to 350 when I was diagnosed. I just completed round 4 of 6 and am definitely feeling the effects of the chemo. For round 4, I went back to the aggressive chemo and had the chemo placed in my abdomen. This type of chemo is especially hard as I have the equivalent of 2 big gulps of fluids/chemo put in my abdomen. I have been having complications with this type of chemo as my body is not filtering off all the fluids and my weight fluxuates 10 lbs from week to week. My doctor has advised me to take another break from this type of chemo for my 5th round and just have the IV chemo (which is still tough, but I call it the 'easy' chemo).
The side effects from chemo are getting worse for me as my energy level is very low and my white blood cell counts are low which places me at a high risk of getting sick. I have to be very careful who I am around and where I go out in order to avoid becoming sick. I am still attempting to work as a physical therapist a few days a month to keep my life as 'normal' as possible.
I want to thank everybody for the prayers, meals, help and donations in my behalf as life is difficult with more medical bills coming in each day.

My inspiration for fighting for my life:

The 4th and 5th rounds of chemotherapy were Taxol and Carboplatin through my IV port only due to me becoming very sick and retaining fluid with the first 3 treatments. My body tolerated these changes much better and I only had chemo one time a week for 3 weeks. It took a lot of thought and convincing myself that for my final round I need to return to the IP chemo for my last push to kill this nasty cancer inside me. At my doctors appointment at the beginning of November, Dr. Beck gave me some not so pleasant news. She said if the cancer returns weather it be early or late it will be terminal. She said there are options for prolonging my life but once it is back it will always be in my body. I also have a 70% chance of it returning in the next 3-5 years. I came home from this appointment in tears and a hopeless feeling. After talking about this with my Mom, we decided we were going to take a few approaches to keeping this cancer away.

I met with a guy who cured his own cancer without chemo just by changing his diet and and making lifestyle changes. He gave me tips including taking supplements, drinking RO water, not eating gluten or sugar, and meditation.

These pictures were right after Round 3 and I still had eyelashes and eyebrows.

Update #5 (November 23, 2015)
Today begins my final round of chemotherapy!!! It has been a long 5 months since my cancer was discovered and even though it's been a tough road, I am grateful it was caught before it took my life. I was told by my doctor that I have a 70% chance of it returning and becoming terminal in the next 3 years due to the aggressiveness of ovarian cancer. I have chosen to take this news and spend the next phase of my life focusing on keeping the cancer away though nutrition. Through this journey I have come to truly believe in miracles and will remain positive despite the news I was given. I have had a wonderful support system including neighbors, my ward family, co workers, family, friends and especially my husband and Mom and Dad and am so grateful for the help and love along the way. Even though my body is getting more exhausted by the day, I look forward to having better health and energy to take care of my family again.