Round 5 Take 2

Well, life has a funny way of taking unexpected detours.  My blood work came back yesterday with elevated levels of enzymes to my liver.  This is due to the impact that the chemo is having on my body.  With that at hand my chemo was halted and suggested I try again next week.  I really wanted to try to stay on schedule as much as possible so I was able to convince my doctors to retest me two days later and see if my numbers would have gone down.  So this Friday (10/28/16) I will be going back in to get my blood work retested.  If all looks well I will be treated.

In an effort to get ready for Friday, I utilized my program, Glimmer of Hope, and the service that they offer to me in the way of acupuncture.  I spoke to my acupuncturist and he was able to focus a lot on my liver in my treatment today.

:All of this has really thrown all of us off.  It has been a major feat to try and cover all of the children's schedules and the disappointments that come with the changes to my chemo schedule this time around.  Many friends and neighbors have stepped up to the plate to help us.  My sister in law has three little ones and myself 4 which means we need to cover childcare for 7 children, which we had just done on Wednesday.  That is pretty stressful.  I am most sad that I will miss my children's Pumpkin Parade at school, where they will be dressing up in their Halloween costume and parading around Frick Park.  We've been working on these costumes for some time.  Thankfully my awesome husband is going to be able to make a special surprise visit to see them.  Oh the looks on their faces when they see him.  I'm sure they will feel that warm cozy feeling in the depths of their hearts when they do connect their eyes with his.

  We did miss an event yesterday due to my chemo at Amara's school where they shared their published writing pieces.  Amara has shared twice now how she felt sad that we weren't there. That so breaks my heart but it is life and Amara knows we love her and are so proud of her.  I have given her my kiss on the palm of her hand and have told her that anytime she needs me to just take that hand and place it on her cheek and my kiss will always be with her.  She loves the thought of that.

So our rhythm is off a little and the routine is off but we will get through it.  Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to get this round completed!  That is my hope.

My last blog post mentioned ways you can help.  I mentioned something about sending cards.  Well now that my schedule is all thrown off, I would like to ask for a special favor.  Next Tuesday is Nnenna's 10th birthday.  If I get chemo tomorrow (Friday) my worst day will probably hit on her birthday.  I would like to make her day as special as possible.  If you plan to send me a card, could you send it to her instead of me?  Any little added touch will surely make her day extra exciting, which in turn will bless my heart!
(3979 Brandon Rd. Pgh, PA 15212)

Please stay posted if you plan to visit me tomorrow.  I get blood work at 8 am and will know by 9am if everything is a go.  I will post updates on Facebook if its all good.

Thank you everyone for your love and support.  We truly do need it!

Love,
Amanda and the Agwuocha Family!

We've Made it to Round 5!

My sister will be cold capping with us this time.  She can do it!

Well friends, I have made it to round 5.  The end of this chemo madness is in sight! I can't wait!

The interesting thing about chemotherapy, for me, is that each round presents itself differently. That has made it very unpredictable in finding a rhythm to mastering the art of survival through the treatment.  I'm still trying to figure it out but that may not happen.  The not so glamorous highlights of round 4 where the attack of my taste buds.  My mouth literally felt burnt. Similar to the feeling of when you lose feeling when you sip on very hot chocolate and then your tongue feels funny. That feeling is the worst.  You can't really enjoy eating anything. One day we had wonderful babysitters come over to give my sister in law a break and we went out and just enjoyed the day.  This was about day 8 into round 4.  Lets just say I spent more time in the bathroom than browsing the clearance racks. Ugh... now that's the worst too!

Today (10/25/16) I met my plastic surgeon for the first time.  My sister, who flew in from Minnesota, got to join me for this appointment.  With her living so far away, this was such a gift to have her with me!  Thanks Julia!!! And thank you Paul and all of your friends and family for releasing her for a few days!  I've been sharing with Julia all about all the different types of reconstruction that one can get when going through all of this.  Most women choose to get implants, but I am going in a little different direction. Why not, right?  I have chosen to move forward with a a procedure known as DIEP Flap reconstruction.  Basically it is an all natural option that uses other parts of your body to take skin and fat to form new breasts.  I have plenty of flab to spare. Four kids will do that to you!  So as I have said to my family, this just may be the silver lining. Most likely they will use excess from my abdomen.  I'll take that!  Now this surgery is super intense and extensive.  It will require a 12 week recovery where I will be majorly limited.  With four kiddos that will be quite the challenge.  We are still trying to figure out how I will not hold Toben for 12 weeks.  Pray for us on that detail please. December 12 will be my surgery date.  I will first be seen by my oncologist surgeon who will perform a double mastectomy.  After she finishes her work the plastic surgeon will come in and perform the DIEP.  All in all my surgery will most likely be 10 or more hours long.  I will be in ICU for 2 days and then will most likely be in the hospital for an additional 2-5 more days.  Since my surgery will be in December, we hope to get everything ready for the holidays early and hopefully I will get the children's gifts in order before then.  On the plus side I have friends who have offered to wrap the gifts!

In the meantime these past few weeks have proved to be a whirlwind.  On October 16th, my cold capper, and wonderful sister in law, gave birth to a healthy beautiful baby boy. I had the privilege in helping her labor at home and time her contractions.  When she got to the hospital she was 8cm. She had a wonderful natural birth.  I am so proud of her!

Two days later, my beautiful mama went in for her second surgery to open up a 100% blocked carotid artery. She is still recovering but is in good spirits.  I love you mom!!

My awesome cousin, uncle, brother and husband have decided to gift me with...wait for it...SECOND FLOOR LAUNDRY!!!! Yes you heard me right!  So we are in the throws of remodeling a closet in our 90 year old home. Lots of fun!  I am so grateful for this, you don't even know!

To add to all of that, my third daughter, Olanna, who does occasional modeling gigs was assigned to do a photo shoot for PA Tourism just yesterday (10/24/16)  So even this week has been a whirlwind with me needing to drive her a good 3-4 hours away, staying overnight, shooting all day in the Allegheny National Forest, and did I mention it was freezing cold!  All in all it was an amazing experience and Olanna did amazing!

Looking towards our future needs here are the ways you can join us in supporting our family:

Prayer!!! I will have a follow up ultrasound and MRI on Nov. 19th.  Lets pray together for great results! I am praying for complete response! God has been teaching me through all of this that even though life has handed us some really crappy circumstances, that even in the good and the bad, it is an opportunity for Him to make himself known to me in deeper ways. His power can be shown through my hardships.  Life doesn't always have to be amazing.  Life will disappoint.  But Gods love can and will become so real through all of these hardships if you are looking for it in the right places.  Your prayer for me has helped me to stay positive, strong and rooted in my faith. Thank you!

Cards in the mail:  Yep they mean more than you know.  I am very sentimental and take every single card to heart.  It brings me right back to my relationships with each and everyone of you.  Thank you so much!!!

Cards can be sent to 3979 Brandon Rd.
                              Pittsburgh PA 15212

Childcare:
Like I said before, I need to really know and trust you with my babies but I will need lots of help starting from Dec 12th to prob February sometime.  If you are one who can help us in this way please reach out to me.  I would like to compile a list of helpers and then reach out to you to see where you can fit in to the schedule.

My meal train is set through to Dec 12th.  Keep your eye out for new dates to open up.  You all have been super amazing in helping us.  I honestly will remember each and every meal and from whom they were from!  Thank you! Here is the link to check out in the next few days for more dates. https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/md91g6

I will be having my chemotherapy today (10/26/16) 8-2 most likely at the Wexford Health and Wellness Pavilion in the Cancer Center. 2311 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090
 Feel free to stop on over and say hi.  My sister will be helping me cold cap.  We posted a few funny videos of her learning the ropes of cold capping!  God bless her!

As always if you feel led to give here is the link:
https://www.youcaring.com/barnabas-and-amanda-agwuocha-602767

Feel free to share my story.  Going through this ordeal, reading the stories of others has been so helpful!

Ok I need to catch some zzzz's  but I love you all!!! Mwah, Mwah, Mwah!!

Midway Ultrasound Results

Hey, Hey!!! Round 4, here I come! I can hardly believe it.  Round 4 is here. This last round sure was a doozy!  The long and short of it was that I had my chemo effects that lowered my immune system and BAM! I got hit with an awful cold.  Having the cold is hard enough, but add on loose bowels, vomiting (yep, had that this time), sheer exhaustion, sores all over my face and other parts of my body and round three was not looking good.  Thankfully through grace, prayer, rest, and love from all of you, I was able to recover.  I am still fighting the cold with a stubborn cough but I'm managing.

This past weekend my husband and children had the privilege to take my mother in law to NYC to catch a flight from JFK to Lagos, Nigeria.  We drove the 7 hours and got her there safely.  She had been living with us for the last 8 months.  In those months we were able to help her with her own health and wellness.  She is now back in Nigeria with much improved health!  We are so thankful for our friends and doctors who loved us and her so well!  Thank you!  During our time in NY, we were able to show the children around, introducing our Alma mater, Nyack College. We took them to the city and had some good ole family fun!  Such a great distraction to help the time pass to get me to round 4! (more pics uploaded on Facebook)

Here is an example (not mine) of a
spiculated tumour.  Mine originally
looked a lot like this.  The spiculated
parts that jet out are now hardly
spiculated which is great!

So today, October 4, 2016, I had my midway ultrasound followed by an appointment with my surgeon Dr. Duggal.  She is such a wonderful doctor full of warmth. She is very personable and takes her time to answer all of your questions and explain everything!  She is the doctor who chose me to be a part of the Glimmer of Hope program that has been such a blessing in my life!  I had my ultrasound and then Dr. Duggal came in and explained to  me that everything is moving forward in a positive direction.  Overall in the beginning I had 4 tumours, two that were smaller and two that were more visible.  As of today, the two smaller are completely gone!  The other two are making progress.  One is still about the same size, but the shape of it is softening and the spiculated characteristics are dwindling.   The second one is about 2cm smaller than its original size.  My lymph nodes look good.  Dr. Duggal didn't have any concerns and was feeling good about my progress,  I am halfway through my treatment so lets see how the next three rounds go.  November 16th is my last chemo treatment.  On November 18th I will have a follow up MRI and then on the 22nd an ultrasound and appointment with my surgeon again.  Join me in praying for great results!


I am tentatively scheduled for my surgery of a double mastectomy for December 12.  I will have a long recovery period where I will not be able to pick up my babies for at least a month. That is going to be tricky and will require a lot of help. It will also be the holidays, which means I will need to get myself organized and ready for Christmas before then.  I will have a busy few months ahead!!!

Upcoming Ways You can Support Me:

Thank you friends for all of your love and support.  It blesses me and my family more than you know.  This process is much like labor.  It is hard and oh so painful, but it has moments of rest in between to help you gear up for the next one.  So here I am gearing up for the next one! Please pray for me as I enter into round 4.  Pray my cough subsides, pray that my heartburn is tamed, pray my sores heal, pray my hair stays,pray that my heart stays strong as the Herceptin can be hard on my heart and I do feel it palpitate sometimes which reminds me that my heart is working hard, pray my tumours shrink, pray for my family and the stress my husband has to endure.  Pray! Pray without Ceasing!

Had a bad eye reaction at round 3

This is the kind of discomfort
that you just have to lie in your
bed with your eyes shut and
do absolutely nothing!

Please continue to send me letters of encouragement!  I love it!  I am saving each and everyone of them!  My address is 3979 Brandon Rd. Pittsburgh PA 15212.

My meal train is filling up but there are a few more dates that are available on our Meal Train

Also if you would like to give towards my cold capping and medical costs click here: Amanda's YouCaring Cancer Fundraiser

Childcare is also going to be a major need from Dec. 12th on.  If you are interested ( and I need to really know you, sorry they are my babies) let me know.


Tomorrow I will be at the Wexford Heath and Wellness Pavilion (10/5/2016 from 8-3)  at the cancer center.12311 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090  My mom and my cold capper sister in law will be with me but if you are in the area and would like to bring us snacks or smoothies we would love to see you!

Love you!! Catch ya later!

Amanda