Heather's Fight: A Journey of Faith, Hope & Healing

Forgot to post these yesterday! Here is my weekly hair update. The two where you can see my face, the red shirt is from last Monday and the gray shirt is from yesterday. Then the pictures of the top of my head, the one that is closer up is from last Thursday, the other one is from yesterday. Look hoe much it's grown in just a few days!

Hey friends! Today, Andrew and I saw my oncologist. He said everything looked good so far. We discussed our next steps and he gave me options for my hormone therapy. We decided the best course of action will not be the tamoxifen as I originally thought. Instead I will get an injection of zoladex once a month and after the second injection, I will be on anastrozole daily. The reason we chose this course of action is due to the blood clot/stroke risk with tamoxifen. Having a history of blood clots, it concerned me so we chose the treatment plan that does not have a risk of blood clots.

The bad part about this combo is that it can make me have severe menopause symptoms and severe exhaustion. But I will learn to push through those foe the next 5 years. I also will have bone density tests every 2 years from now on as well.

So while we are reaching the end of active treatment, we are nowhere near finished. I'm just going to keep taking it 1 day at a time and keep fighting.

**Meal Train will no longer be active after this Thursday. Tomorrow is the only day open. If anyone would still like to help after Thursday, please reach out to Andrew or I personally. We likely will still need help but don't feel right keeping the meal train open any longer. Thank you to everyone who has helped us over the last 7 months, we truly appreciate you all ❤️

Today marked an important milestone in my cancer journey! I rang my 2nd bell and completed radiation!

I still have a long journey ahead of me but this part is finally over. I'm looking forward to being able to heal and start living my life again. It's going to take time but that's ok.

I'd also like to give a huge thank you to my mom, Marissa and Andrew for getting me to and from radiation over the last month. I couldn't have made it without you guys! I love you ❤️

Please keep praying for healing and comfort. As someone said to me today "I'm not out of the woods yet but I can see the clearing. I still have healing to do."

Hey friends! I know it's been a bit since I updated so I wanted to take a minute to update you!

Tomorrow starts the "cone down" period of my radiation. This is where they will target the radiation directly where the tumor was instead of doing radiation over my entire breast as they have for the last 15 sessions. This will take place for my last 5 sessions. Which by the way, we are down to my LAST 5 radiation sessions!!!! So the countdown is on and I will have my last session next Monday, September 18th.

My journey is still far from over but the hardest parts are definitely coming to an end!

Hi friends! So I wanted to give you an update real quick!

Radiation is so far going well, I am 6 treatments down with 14 treatments to go. The exhaustion is starting to set in again but so far not too bad. We are slowly creeping towards some normalcy but I still have quite a road ahead of me.

I did want to ask for help if you can. Money is very tight right now due to me not working and the extra bills from my treatments, the kids going back to school and of course regular bills. We could use some help financially. I haven't shared the go fund me in quite a while because honestly I do hate asking for help and so does Andrew. But sometimes you just have to suck up your pride and ask. We aren't looking for handouts at all. I am just asking that if you are in the need of graphic tees or tumblers that you check out my small business. Business has been slow but I'm hoping it'll start picking up soon. The link to my website will be in the comments. But this is one of the shirts I offer, it is absolutely one of my favorites ❤️

Thanks for the continued support!

6 months ago today, I got the call that nobody every wants to get. 6 months ago today is when I got my breast cancer diagnosis. The last 6 months have been so overwhelming, difficult, terrifying and so many other emotions. I made it through 2 surgeries, 4 rounds of chemo and Monday I will start my 20 rounds of radiation. After that, I'll be on tamoxifen for 5 years. This journey isn't over but I can definitely see some light at the end of the tunnel!

And tomorrow, we will help Marissa move into her dorm at Ball State for her freshman year of college. The last 6 months have been tough but I'm so thankful I'm here and able to see her off on her new adventure ❤️

Good morning! So Friday we hit a snag in my radiation. Because I have an ICD, I have to get clearance before I can start radiation. I was under the impression that my doctor could give that clearance. But because he is a pediatric doctor, he can't. So now I have to see a cardiologist at St. Francis to get clearance. This may not sound like a big deal to most and it isn't except....I can't see him until August 29th. That means it will be almost 2 months after my final chemo session before I'm able to start radiation. That also means my life is still mostly being put on hold until all of this happens.

I'm still exhausted from chemo and everything else. I have no energy really, I'm just tired. I'm tired of doctor's appointments, I'm tired of tests, I'm tired of treatments, I'm just tired. I know I probably sound like a whiny baby but the last almost 6 months of my life, I haven't been able to do anything really. We're struggling financially and I'm just worried about what this delay is going to do to us going forward. On top of all of this, we're trying to avoid a student loan for Marissa's college as we're only projected to owe like $1100 after financial aid (for the fall semester). So much going on!

So please pray for us friends! And if you need Christmas gifts or a gift for anything really, head over to Beautifully Chaotic Boutique to see what all I have to offer (link to website in comments). As that is my only income right now!

Hey friends! Andrew and I had my consultation with my radiation oncologist yesterday afternoon. It went well and I really like him, he seems very thorough and understanding. I will have 20 radiation treatments. 15 of those will be for my entire right breast and the last 5 will be targeted directly where my cancer was. I will go 5 days a week for 4 weeks. He was able to get me in yesterday for my radiation mapping which was great because this will make sure we get moving quickly. I should start the treatments in 1 to 2 weeks. First, they have to map out my treatment and dosage, as well as consult with my cardiologist for cardiac clearance.

We are one step closer to the end of treatments. I won't say the end of the journey because I still have a ways to go for that to happen. But we are inching closer.

Port removal went well! Thanks to the diazepam that my surgeon prescribed, I was much more relaxed than I normally would have been. The worst part was the numbing injections but otherwise I didn't feel a thing. She did tell me I would likely be sore once the numbness wears off but that everything should heal quickly.

I can't tell you guys how happy I am to have this port out. This was the final step to putting chemo behind me. Now we look towards radiation and I can finally see the light at the end of this tunnel. Still have a rough road ahead but it's definitely getting easier. Thank you all for the support ❤️

Please say a prayer for me! I get my chemo port out tomorrow. My surgeon is doing it in her office under local anesthesia so I will be awake. She did prescribe me diazepam to calm me but I'm still super nervous. Anything medical related causes my medical ptsd to trigger. So I could definitely use some prayers! Thank you ❤️

Hey friends! There is something that I have been secretly working on for a few months now. It is something that God has called me to do. Some of you may know that I have talked about starting a non-profit in the past. I've felt led by God that this is my calling but nothing ever seemed to truly fit. Well a few days after my first surgery to remove my breast cancer tumor, I heard God speak to me while I was spending time in His word. I heard "Now you know". Honestly I was confused as heck but what did I now know? So I prayed on it for a few weeks and just basically let Him lead me to what I was supposed to know. Over those few weeks, things started to become more clear. I feel God wants me to start a non-profit organization that will help the breast cancer community here in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. We won't be like most local breast cancer non-profits, we will provide care packages for those who are going through treatment for breast cancer. We are starting out with breast cancer only BUT my goal is to be able to grow this into something that can help those with all types of cancer.

So with all of this said. I am looking for people who would be interested in joining our board of directors. This is what I am looking for:

1. Someone who has had breast cancer or been the caregiver of someone with breast cancer. We will consider someone who has had any type of cancer or been a caregiver of someone with any type of cancer.
2. Must be able to work well in a group setting
3. Must be willing to meet once a month via Zoom or in person
4. Must be willing to advocate for the non-profit
5. Be passionate about helping others
6. Be willing to lead small groups or projects
7. Be willing to help find funding for the non-profit

This is NOT a paid position and completely voluntary. If anyone is interested or know someone who may be interested. Please comment below, message me or email [email protected] and I will send them an application.

There's been something weighing on my kind and heart a lot lately. I cried to my Mama today about it actually. Warning, I'm laying my heart out there with this post. Please be kind.

But the last 5 months have taken a huge, huge toll on my mental health. My depression is so bad right now and everything just seems to be making it worse.

It isn't a secret that I haven't worked in 5 months, I just haven't been able to. And I get sick of hearing others say "well so and so worked all through her breast cancer treatment." OK that's great and I truly mean that! But I'm not so and so, I had preexisting health conditions and my entire care team, including my husband and mother, agreed I needed to not work until I was finished with treatment. Simply put, I can work my small craft business as I can but otherwise, I have no income right now.

We're struggling on just Andrew's income with all of the extra medical bills, back to school costs and just simply everything that comes with having a family. No matter how much everyone tells me it isn't my fault, I feel like I'm the reason we're struggling. I'm the reason we have to get help for things that we shouldn't have to have help for. I wasn't even able to give Marissa a graduation gift because money has been so tight.

I'm not asking for a hand out or pity, I'm just not doing ok mentally right now and needed to get it out. Please pray for me.

Update! Port removal has been rescheduled for July 27th. It was be done in my surgeons offices I'll only be there about an hour.

Also, I'm craving brownies so if anyone would maybe wanna drop a pan on my porch, I wouldn't complain 🤣😂🤣😂 kidding....sorta!

Good morning friends!

I will be hosting a Fundraising event in my VIP group for my small business Beautifully Chaotic Boutique. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly to help Andrew and I will our bills and my medical bills.

The event will feature exclusive Tee and Tumbler designs that will not be offered anywhere else in my shop at least not until later this year. I will also have pop-up deals, a grand prize, plus much more! If you're interested in joining the event, the link will be in the comments! I hope to see you there!

Now I need to take a moment to brag on my wonderful husband. The last 5 months have been just as hard on him as they have me. I know many people will say that isn't true but trust me it is. I can't imagine this from his point of view, watching the person you love with your whole heart get that cancer diagnosis. Then having to watch them go through the surgeries, the chemo rounds, radiation, all of it. That has to be so, so hard. But he has been absolutely amazing through everything. He refuses to miss appointments, though he'll likely have to miss most of my radiation since there will be a lot of them in a short amount of time. I am truly blessed by God for sending this wonderful, loving man into my life. He has been my rock through this all. He has taken over taking care of the dogs, the household chores and even takes care of me when I can't take care of myself. He's an amazing husband and father, I just felt he needed to be acknowledged for everything he does for myself and our family. I love you babe!

Happy first day of July! July is my birthday month! My 39th birthday (July 6th) will look a lot different this year due to my cancer diagnosis. That's ok though because by the grace of God, I am alive and beating cancer one day at a time!
My birthday actually falls on my "good" week so hopefully I'll be able to celebrate if even a little.

Most people I know who are pushing 40 are upset or unhappy about it. But not me. Now don't get me wrong, I do wish time could slow down for sure. But I am not at all upset about turning 39 and heading straight for 40 next year. You see, I was never supposed to live past 1 or 2 or 3...you get the point. I have had to overcome so many health issues in my life that were designed to take my life. But I beat them, just like I'll beat cancer. To me my birthdays are a blessing, another amazing gift from God. I am a survivor, I am a fighter, I'm a dang warrior and I will be celebrating ME all month long!

So here is to not only me, but all the July babies! Celebrate every day 🩷💜

So while I have felt better this round, I think I've allowed myself to over do it as well. Tonight that caught up with me and I'm feeling absolutely horrible. The rain and storms the last few days definitely haven't helped, especially with my fibromyalgia.

So tomorrow will be spent cuddled on the couch watching Harry Potter with our youngest Haley. I don't plan on doing anymore than I absolutely must tomorrow. Hopefully it helps! Please say a prayer for me tonight. Thank you ❤️

So far round 3 has been my easiest one! That doesn't mean I haven't been sick, that doesn't mean it isn't hard. It just means it's been the easiest one so far. I still feel absolutely awful and not up to doing much, but I've been able to stay awake more this round. I'm currently able to sit in the living room with Andrew and crochet a little. This is a huge improvement over the last 2 rounds. Let's pray it continues this way!

PS. How cute is this new crochet pattern I'm learning???

Here we go...Round 3!

Saw Dr. Khanal said everything looks good. My blood counts are good, a few are slightly high but it's due to the steroids I have to take the day before, the day of and the day after. He's happy with how I am progressing and while my symptoms have sucked, he's still happy that they haven't been as bad as they could be. He did put me on a 2nd nausea med that I can alternate with my Zofran to hopefully keep my nausea at bay. Here's to hoping it helps!

Keep the prayers coming please!

Hey friends! I go for round 3 of chemo on Tuesday. The last round kicked my behind and I'm still not feeling great. But I will keep pushing forward and taking one day at a time.

Bills are still piling in and we are drowning. If anyone can help, even if it's just to share this post, we would appreciate it! My business Beautifully Chaotic Boutique, LLC is still open so that is another way to help support us as well.

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e76bbd93
Meal Train:https://mealtrain.com/wq9k01
My Business: www.beautifullychaoticdesign.com

Thank you for all of the love and support we've already received. I can't tell you how much we appreciate it!

I know I haven't posted in a while, I'm sorry for that. Round 2 of chemo knocked me on my behind and was very rough. Thankfully, I am starting to feel better. I'm still not feeling great but definitely headed in the right direction.

Please keep the prayers coming ❤️

I have to keep reading this verse over and over today. This round of chemo is hitting me much harder than round 1 did. I was up sick almost all night, I am still feeling pretty sick this morning as well. I'm exhausted, dealing with a flushed face, hot flashes and just not feeling great in general. I'm also an emotional mess over the toll all of this is taking on my family and finances.

So please pray hard for me today because I am 100% not ok. Physically, mentally, emotionally, I am just completely drained. I know God will provide but I am definitely struggling right now and need Him more than ever . Thank you ❤️

Good morning! I feel so bad sharing this again but our savings is running out from medical bills, regular bills and extra costs associated with the kids being out of school for the summer. I'm still unable to work, though I am still doing my best to run my Beautifully Chaotic Boutique, LLC business. If anyone is interested in placing an order, that would help too!

But please share the gofundme even if you can't help financially. Cancer is hard, cancer treatment is expensive even with insurance. We appreciate all of the help we have received so far more than words can say. Please know that it has taken me days to make this post because I feel absolutely horrible asking for help. I don't do well with accepting help and asking for it is truly breaking me down. But we're starting to drown in bills and we have worked so hard to get where we are, I don't want to start getting behind. Thanks everyone ❤️

Heather's Breast Cancer Journey, organized by Beth Smith Hi, my name is Beth and I am raising funds for Heather who was recently diagnosed with bre… Beth Smith needs your support for Heather's Breast Cancer Journey

Good morning! I made it through chemo yesterday just fine. But started feeling a little nauseous last night. I'm not feeling too great this morning after not sleeping much the last few nights. But I am feeling well enough to sit outside with my coffee, birds chirping and God's word open in front of me.

My faith in God is something that keeps me going daily. I'm so thankful I'm able to enjoy the weather and spend time in His word. I know in the coming days all I will want to do is sleep so I'll take this chance while I can.

Keep praying for us. The next 2 weeks are going to be rough again.

All hooked up to my pre-meds just waiting on the pharmacy to send over my chemo drugs. We did see my oncologist before treatment and he said my blood work looks a good but my iron is a little low so we'll check that next time. He may put me on an iron pill if they continue to be low. Otherwise, I look good and he's happy with how round 1 went. He did say my symptoms should be very similar for round 2 to how they were with round 1. I'm praying he's right!

Just keep praying for us please ❤️

This past week has been crazy busy! I am so glad that it was a good week health wise for me. Most of the chemo side effects were gone by Monday of last week, though dizziness and exhaustion are two that held on. Thankfully, I was able to push through those to be there for the various end of school year things for the girls.

And by the grace of God, I was able to watch my oldest baby girl walk across that stage to graduate from high school. I am so very proud of everything she has accomplished throughout the last 4 years. She didn't have any special cords or anything but she did graduate Cum Laude by maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA. Now she will head off into the world and continue her education at Ball State next year.

Also, tomorrow is chemo day! Round 2! I'll post an update tomorrow! Maybe 2!

Good morning!

As many of you know, I am currently unable to work right now due to my cancer treatments. I am however, still operating my small Tumbler and Tee business but sales have been slow. So this weekend I am doing a sale to try to get a few orders to help us out financially some. If you'd like to see what all I have to offer, the link to my website will be in the comments.

Normally I would not post my business on this page but everyone asks how they can help so I figured this one time would be ok to do so. If you can't order anything, please go to my public business page and share something you think others may like.

Thank you all again for your continued support. We love you ❤️

Weekend Sale

Buy 1 Tumbler or Tee, Get 1 Tumbler or Tee 50% off.

Code: Weekend50
Sale valid through 11:59pm on Sunday, May 28th. You can mix and match tumblers and tees. The lowest priced item will be 50% off.

*Custom designs are not included in this sale.

Tonight my sweet baby had her 5th grade awards ceremony. She has grown so much this year even with everything going on. I call her my sidekick because she is always right beside me.

As I sit here, eating ice cream and reflecting....I am so very thankful that God has allowed me to be well enough to be able to still show up for my girls when they need me. It wasn't easy sitting outside in the heat for her awards, especially with that wig hat on. But I did it so she knows that I will always be there for her no matter what.

This journey has been hard on us all but I'm thankful to be here to celebrate all of my girls accomplishments.

I wanted to go ahead and share the gofundme again. Even if you can't donate, please share. We are burning through our savings quickly due to hospital bills, medicine costs and other essentials that I need while going through chemo. It's hitting us hard with me not working right now.

If you would prefer not to donate through gofundme but still want to donate, message me as I do have several money sharing options. We truly appreciate any help we get and the money is absolutely being used for my cancer costs.

Thank you ❤️

Heather's Breast Cancer Journey, organized by Beth Smith Hi, my name is Beth and I am raising funds for Heather who was recently diagnosed with bre… Beth Smith needs your support for Heather's Breast Cancer Journey

I am going to be super open and vulnerable with you guys. I knew it was coming but it's still hard. Friday, my hair started shedding more, yesterday even more. Then today it started coming out in clumps. After I took a shower and realized I was partly bald on top, I asked Andrew to shave it.

I was oddly ok until I looked in the mirror. Then I broke down while Andrew held me. I know this is part of it but it's so, so hard. I feel like cancer has taken so much from me and I'm scared to see what else it takes.

Please pray for me. I know its only hair, but it was my hair and I was very attached to it.

As we celebrate Mother's Day, I want to take a moment to highlight my 3 reasons for everything I do. They may not all be mine biologically but the love I feel for them is the same no matter what. These sweethearts are my whole world ❤️

Happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing Mama's out there. I hope your day has been wonderful ❤️

I haven't updated in a few days because it's been rough. I have been so nauseous, sore and exhausted the last few days. All I've really managed to do is sleep. But this evening, despite how I felt, I went to take pictures with my baby girl before her senior prom.

Now, before anyone comes at me...I did wear a mask until just before we snapped photos and then immediately put it back on. But I refuse to allow cancer to keep me from showing up for my girls. This is a big event for her and I wasn't going to miss it. And dang isn't she gorgeous???

But now, I'm curled up in my chair relaxing with Andrew as we watch a movie.

The nausea today has not gotten any better, only worse. I also have taste buds changes going. Absolutely nothing tastes good except bananas and this vanilla milkshake! Pop is disgusting, coffee is disgusting, everything else tastes bland or nasty. This is not fun!

So if you're out and about at any point near my house and would like to do something to surprise me....A vanilla or banana milkshake will really hit the spot 🤣

Here it is a little after 3am and yet again I can't sleep. Good news is, yesterday I got the dose of Neulasta I was wearing. So that patch is finally off my arm and I'm back in my bed instead of on the couch. It was only one night this time but it was rough.

Yesterday wasn't too bad. I had some nausea and fatigue but I was still able to get some things done I needed to. I did hit my water goal yesterday and even went over by about 20oz. That is something I will consciously have to make sure I'm doing because I'm bad about forgetting to drink anything.

My pre-meds should begin wearing off today and I'm honestly nervous how I'm going to feel once they do. I'm awake right now because I feel so sick to my stomach that I can't sleep. I was told that my white blood cell count should start going down around Friday (tomorrow) and that's when I would start feeling worse and have the lowest immune system. According to my oncologist, I will have two rough weeks and then one good week between each round. Oh and the Nuelasta is likely to cause bone pain.

I am definitely in for a rough few months here. Yes, I am anxious and a little scared but I also know my God is bigger than anything and I trust in Him to see me through. Keep praying please!

Final chemo update for today! I am home and feeling pretty good! I have the Neulasta On-Pro patch that will inject me with a drug to help boost my white blood cell count. I'll get the dose of meds tomorrow around 5pm and can remove the patch around 6pm. They told me I'll likely feel pretty good through Thursday and then by Friday, I'll likely start to feel cruddy. So please pray I don't get too sick. I also have to keep tabs on my temperature during chemo to make sure I don't develop a fever. If anyone is interested in helping us, we could use a new thermometer ours works only half the time. I'm adding one to the Amazon wish list in a minute. It isn't super expensive but we just don't have the extra money right now to spend. So I'll make due if I need to.

I am beyond exhausted so I'm going to take a nap and hopefully that helps. It's been a long day for sure. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for my family and I. We do truly appreciate you ❤️

Also a quick edit to add a PS. If anyone perhaps wanted to bring me something sweet to eat....I've been craving a Cinnabon or cinnamon rolls but wasn't able to get any made before lol I'm mostly kidding but......

Long wait for labs and such but the first chemo med is currently going in. It just started and I'm praying for no allergic reaction.

Please keep the prayers coming today. I know I have a lot of amazing people praying for Andrew and I today so I feel a lot calmer than I did even an hour ago. But please keep them coming because my anxiety is high today.

Chemo bag is packed (chemo bag courtesy of one of my best friends ❤️), snack bag is packed, water is made. Now it's time or Andrew and I to head to the Cancer Center for my infusion!

Today is the day! My first chemo infusion will happen later this morning. In the photo below, I may look like I'm in good spirits but the truth is, I'm anxious as can be. I only slept about 2 hours last night so I'm wearing makeup to hide the bags under my eyes (thank you Seint makeup!). I'm exhausted and will likely take a nap once we get home, possibly during chemo, but a nap will happen today.

The next 3 months will honestly be the the toughest battle I've had to fight. This is all foreign territory and I'm learning to navigate as I go. So many people have tried to help by telling me I've survived tougher battles than this with my heart. But the truth is, I haven't really. With my heart I know what to expect, I've faced it and fought it my whole life. I've faced many scary times with my heart and yet, somehow this situation is SO much scarier.

So today as I face this new treatment, please keep me in your prayers. I'm anxious and I'm scared, but I'm also hopeful and I trust in God to see me through.

PS. No, I will not be alone today, Andrew will be by my side as he has been every step of the way. Honestly like he has been and is for every challenge we face. God sure did bless me with an amazing husband and I hope he knows how much I love him ❤️