Michelle Cadman

Still free!

2008-12-24T08:28:00.003-06:00

I was told early summer that I am now in remission. My family went to Disney World to celebrate. It was a great time and I didn't get worn out more than what is normal for Disney World, anyway.

In October, I walked in the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer walk and walked the whole three miles with my team! Not at a fast pace mind you, but I did it! I am a survivor!

Now, I have just had my six month check up and all is well. Yea! Bloodwork and all looked good. I was given my calcium drip and a flu shot. I go back again in three months.

I am so thankful to be here and healthy again. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas. It is through His love and grace that I can say I am alive and well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I survived!

2008-05-04T20:41:00.002-05:00

I am an official survivor! I attended East Central's Relay for Life and it was awesome! First, Alana and Tori sang Jesus Take the Wheel and then at the opening ceremonies handed the torch off to me and some others while my friend Tammy's poem was read. Very emotional! Then, I walked the survivor lap, caregiver's lap with my family and friends, and then the relay. It was a beautiful night and $115,900 was raised to fight cancer just in our community. That is so awesome! I am so blessed to live in such a wonderful community. I won the quilt that my school raffled and then came home and slept a good bit of the next day. I started back to work this past Thursday and was glad to get back. I still tire easily but that should get better with time. Take care and come see me. I am so blessed! Love you all!

I Am Finished and Cancer Free!!

2008-04-15T09:28:00.002-05:00

I completed radiation yesterday and saw my whole care team including both doctors. I asked when would I be cancer free and was told that I am and have been cancer free since surgery but had to go through treatments in case of any undetected cells. I am so excited and so blessed. God really took care of me, of which I had no doubt. God is so good! Say a prayer of thanksgiving for our prayers being answered. Talk to you soon!

Almost Finished!

2008-04-08T10:21:00.002-05:00

Well, I am down to five treatments left. I have done well. My skin is just now looking brown and over exposed to the sun. It rubs under my arm but I'm greatful it isn't any worse than it could have been. I am tired. I guess fatigue has finally set in. I get up, take the kids to school, and come home and lay down for a while so I can go to radiation later. This should pass shortly after radiation is complete. I am ready to get back to work. I miss my students and coworkers! I am so blessed to be able to say, "I had it, fought it, and survived it!" (A phrase that I pirated from another survivor.) Come see me or call when you can. God is so good!

I'm over half way!

2008-03-24T16:06:00.002-05:00

I am so blessed! I am a little over half way finished with radiation and doing fine. I have had 18 treatments and all is well so far. I am starting to turn pinkish red and itchy some but not much. I am somewhat tired but I don't know if that is from not resting during chemo, from the radiation, or the pace that I have kept up through all of this or a combination of all. When I finally sit down at the end of the day, that is it for the day and I usually don't get back up except to go to bed. My hair is coming in really fast and really white. I don't remember it being so light before. And I have eyelashes again! Yeah! It's funny how little things like that can make your day. I never paid too much attention to them until I didn't have them. Come see me when you can or call or email me. I check the computer often. Take care!

Last Leg of Journey

2008-02-28T16:13:00.002-06:00

I have started radiation. It went well yesterday and today. I can't really tell that anything was done, yet. I am told that it will build up and I will gradually get more tired and more tired. On the other hand, it is supposed to be much easier than chemo so I should have it pretty good. My hair is really coming in with a lot of gray and some dark. Can't wait to see if its going to be curly like my kids or straight like I always wanted. I am still so blessed and thankful to be doing so well. Call or email when you can!

I Am So Thankful!

2008-02-06T21:00:00.001-06:00

I can now say that I am a true survivor. I completed chemotherapy today and I am alive! I feel fine other than being tired but excited to be at the end of this treatment. I meet with the radiation oncologist tomorrow to see when I start radiation. I pray it will be soon and get it over and done with as well. I am so thankful that all went well with minor side effects. My family and friends are so precious to me and I couldn't have made it this far without them/you! Take care and come see me! Love you all!

My Experience at Relay for Life Kickoff

2008-01-27T19:05:00.000-06:00

I was asked to speak at this year's Kickoff for Relay for Life at East Central, my community. I was introduced by a great friend, Tammy Sampson, who had me in tears before I even started. Then, another great friend, CP Winters, presented a quilt that she made in honor of me for my school team to raffle off to help raise money for Relay for Life. The whole night was emotional for me but I managed through with tears and a big smile. What follows is my speech. I hope it inspires people to give to Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society. Tickets for a $2 donation can be purchased from me or just about any teacher at my school.

I found a lump in May and went for my yearly check up. My doctor sent me for my first mammogram and an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed something suspicious so I was sent for a biopsy. The biopsy came back and I was told the dreaded words, You have cancer. My first thoughts were, “Oh no. Not me. How am I going to tell my mom.” She went through cancer with my dad. How can she go through it with me too? Then my next thought was, “My children and family need me. I don’t have time for this.”

I had two surgeries in June the first to remove the tumor, surrounding tissue, and two sentinel nodes and the second to remove eight more lymph nodes. I had a strong sense of peace going into surgery and was comforted with this verse over and over in my head: Hebrews 13:6 “The Lord is my helper; therefore I shall have no fear.” In pre-op, I found that I knew three people from my high school years so this helped comfort me as well.

After numerous visits to the oncologist, chemotherapy was set to begin the first week in August. The week leading up to treatment, I had several encounters where God intervened for me. I received a text message that I do not know who from telling me that I was healed and to pass it on. A coworker and friend received a message that he shared with me that I had been healed. Another friend gave me some scriptures and prayers to pray on daily like medicine that she had been given from a breast cancer survivor. And my pastor prayed for me and told me that I was glowing with God’s grace. I thanked God for all of these messages and went to chemotherapy.

I have now had 15 treatments of chemo and three left to do. I have had very few side effects and am so blessed to be able to say so. I have lost my hair. I have had heartburn to die for. I have had mouth sores that have finally gone. And now, I’m losing my fingernails. I am so blessed that I have had little or no pain through all of this just a few inconveniences. I have been able to continue to teach through all of this and only miss a half day for treatment and a day here and there to rest. I tell you all of this to say that research is so important and Relay for Life helps fund research. I am participating in a clinical trial. The medications that I am receiving have been proven to work with older and more aggressive cancers. Now the doctors want to prove it is just as effective on younger women with less aggressive cancers. This treatment is less toxic on the organs and side effects are milder. So, I’m glad I was given the opportunity to participate in it.

I will start radiation in a few weeks and will have to slow down. If you know me at all, this is something difficult for me to do and I won’t be able to do it long. I have too much to do.

My family, friends, coworkers and church are what keep me going. I have had tremendous support from them and couldn’t have done so well without them. I get up each day and thank God for another day, and keep going.

Call or email when you can!

Treatment 17 delayed

2008-01-24T06:51:00.000-06:00

Well, I had to put off treatment for a week. I have three mouth sores and if I had treatment yesterday they would only get worse. The last sores I had took 10 days to heal and I couldn't eat because they hurt so bad. These aren't bad yet and I'm swishing to keep them from getting bad. I'll take treatment next week and then one more then move on to radiation. I'm still very blessed to not be sick. Have a blessed day. I know I will.

Treatment 15 out of the way!

2008-01-10T20:06:00.000-06:00

Well, I have now had 15 treatments Whew! Only three left. I am still blessed not to be sick but am rapidly getting exhausted. I need to take off work and rest before I start radiation but just hate to. I will start 1/2 days next week to see if that helps. Last chemo treatment is Jan. 30 then rest a couple of weeks and start radiation for 6 to 8 weeks. God is so good! I am still doing well and no sickness. I pray He continues to bless me this much. Take care and call or email when you can!

Treatments 12 & 13 out of the way

2007-12-30T10:38:00.000-06:00

Well, I have had two more treatments and all is still well. I haven't been sick or anything. My hair is growing back and is visible to most people now. It is going to be really gray and some black. I'll be hitting the bottle to color it as soon as possible! I'm not ready to look old. I have five treatments left and then will wait a few weeks before starting radiation. Hopefully it will go just as well as the chemo has. God is so good and has blessed me so much. I hope you all have a happy and safe new year. We have so much to be thankful for, don't we? Take care and call or email when you can!

Treatments 10 & 11

2007-12-10T17:20:00.000-06:00

Well, I have had two more treatments. All seems to be well with them. I haven't had any other side effects except my platelet counts keep fluctuating. They still have not become normal so I have to get shots either every week. The shot hurts but it keeps me from having to have a transfusion so I guess I can take it. I am so thankful to be doing so well and so thankful for my treatments. God is so good all the time! Take care! Merry Christmas!

Treatment #9 out of the way

2007-11-27T18:28:00.000-06:00

I had treatment #9 yesterday. All went well except my blood count was down again and I had to get a shot. I hate that shot but it is keeping me from having to have blood so I guess that's better. I am exactly half way finished. This medicine seems to be much easier so far. I don't seem quite as tired and I haven't had any mouth sores in a month. So that's a really good thing. My weight is fluctuating. I keep teetering between 128 and 135. I started at 138 so that's not too bad for weight loss. I would rather stay closer to the 128 range but the dr. would prefer I not lose any. I am still so very blessed to be responding to the chemo so well with not too many side effects. Hopefully, I will continue to do this well. God is so good! I am so thankful to be alive and healing. He is the great physician! Take care and call or email when you can! Love ya!

Treatment #8

2007-11-20T05:08:00.000-06:00

Treatment 8 went fine once I got started. The phlebotomist was out on vacation so a new person was in there and took forever to get my lab done. Saw the dr. and I will now see him every other week. My blood counts were much better this time. Red count finally starting to come up enough to improve. I have no mouth sores this time. Praise the Lord for that! I feel fine and am going to take it easy all week. I am going to give in and rest as much as I can. So by next week I should be ready to take on the week at work and not wear out. Take care and email when you can. Most everyone who reads this, I don't respond back directly because I don't have everyone's email address. Come see us when you can. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. I sure will. I am so blessed to be here!

Treatment #7, New Medicine

2007-11-17T21:41:00.000-06:00

Well, I had my new medicine on Monday the 12th. I received six medicines and will get most of that each time. Benedryl to keep from having a reaction to the drug. Kytrol for nausea. Decadron for appetite. Taxol, the chemo medicine. Liquid Pepcid to keep my stomach from getting upset. Then, my red blood count was still low so I received a shot, Epogen. I am blessed that I have done okay this week. Nothing new occurred because of the new medicine but my tastes changed like they did after the first treatment. Hopefully they will come back to normal by Thanksgiving. My hair is starting to grow back. I have a thin layer of white fuzz all over my head. Dr. Clarkson said since my dosage is low, a lot of times the hair comes back instead of falling out. I am praying for that! My eyebrows and eyelashes have almost totally fallen out now. Just a few here and there. I'm learning to paint them on nicely. My fingernails are starting to lift and may come off. That is a side effect but one that isn't usually seen. They will grow back just like the hair. It doesn't make me I guess. I'm pretty weak today. I started getting weak Thursday and it has just progressively gotten worse. I know my blood counts are down again because the inside of my eyelids are white. I may not be able to receive chemo on Monday. We'll just have to see. So, other than being tired, I'm blessed. I'm not sick and I am thankful to be alive. God is so good!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-11-03T17:06:00.001-05:00

Busy Weekend

2007-10-31T10:58:00.000-05:00

Well, I had a very busy weekend. I went to Camp Bluebird, camp for cancer survivors. It was a lot of fun. I made a bluebird house that each first time camper gets to do. We painted tote bags, played games, had devotions three times a day all weekend, listened to testimonials, and ate, ate, ate. They fed us constantly. It was really nice. On Saturday, I went to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Biloxi. I met my team of Mom, Tommy, Kristi, Kim, Lindsey, Anita, and five other ladies there. I walked half the walk which was 1 1/2 miles at a very slow pace and then sat out the rest. Next year I will be able to do the whole walk with no problem. I left there and went back to camp. Came home on Sunday afternoon and then started feeling bad on Monday. I went to the dr. for my calcium shot and told them how tired I was. They checked my red blood cell count and found that it was dangerously low. I had to have a shot to try to boost those cells like the shot I already got to boost my white blood cells. I stayed home all week to try to get some strength. Started running a fever yesterday so they took some blood and started me on an antibiotic. I'll have test results back late this afternoon. Other than that, I'm doing fine just a little weak. I'll be good as new soon. I'm half way finished with all treatments. Keep praying for me and call or email when you can. Love you all! God is so good!

Treatment #6 Out of the Way

2007-10-24T21:30:00.000-05:00

I had treatment #6 Monday and my shot yesterday. I took Aleve last night and it kept most of the aches away until about lunch today. I worked today anyway to keep from missing so much work. It went fine but I was glad to get home this afternoon. This was the last of the first two medicines that I have to take and the last shot. Praise the Lord! He has been so good to me. I made it through the tough part. Hopefully, this next medicine will be easy on my body. I will take it every Monday for 12 weeks starting in two weeks. Then we go from there to radiation and I don't have details on it yet. I am going to Camp Bluebird this weekend for cancer survivors and to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday. I hope I get a rest time in there somewhere. Take care and come see me. I'm truly doing fine! Love ya!

Treatment #5 out of the way!

2007-10-10T14:27:00.000-05:00

Well, after a week's delay with sores in the mouth, I finally received treatment #5. It went fine. I had my shot yesterday and am home achy today. I'll be good as new tomorrow. I'm a third of the way finished. Praise the Lord! The mouth sores are gone and hopefully will stay gone. I am rinsing my mouth daily with a rinse that will help keep them away and I am drinking lots of liquid to keep me hydrated. The dr. assures me that what I'm going through now is the roughest and the rest should be easier on me. We shall see. Take care and call or email when you can. Thanks for all the prayers and support! Love ya!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-10-06T12:24:00.001-05:00

Awesome Day

2007-10-06T12:11:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was an awesome day! I organized a team for my school to raise money for breast cancer awareness. We were allowed to pay $5 and wear blue jeans for the day. Forty-two teachers paid to support the cause at my school. Then, I received an email from the middle school and they had twenty-eight teachers do it also. Between the two schools, we raised $375 for the day. That is so awesome! I plan to do this every October to help out. So many people are touched by this disease.

And, several of my co-workers decided to wear pink do rags for me. It was so thoughtful of them. They are great supporters for me.

I go for chemo treatment #5 Monday. I pray it goes as well as the others have. I'm a third of the way finished. Take care!

Treatment #5 delayed a week

2007-10-01T16:28:00.000-05:00

Because of all the mouth sores, Dr. Clarkson wants me to skip chemo this week to let them heal and do treatment next week. If I received chemo today, it would have made the sores worse and would be really hard to clear them up. So, I just had my drip of Zometa (calcium) and came home. I lost 4 lbs. from not eating because it was too painful. I'm headed to the fridge now to see what I can find. I did get a spot of good news, I guess. Dr. told me that the last medicine that I have to take for 12 weeks will be not as bad as what I have already been through. If that is the case, then I am definitely going to survive and will proudly wear that purple shirt at Relay for Life for Survivors! Thank everyone for their prayers! God is so good! Take care and I'll update next week!

Chemo treatment #4

2007-09-18T20:17:00.000-05:00

Well, I have had my fourth treatment. It went better this time than the last two. My nurse made sure the pharmacy mixed it exactly so I didn't have to wait for hours. After lab work, the dr, and treatment it was only two hours and forty-five minutes. Treatment is an hour by itself. I was home by four. I had my shot today and was told by the dr. to take advil before the shot to help with the aches. Funny how they waited until number four to tell me that. Oh, well. Live and learn. I'll know for the next two times anyway. I am taking the day off tomorrow to rest whether I sleep all day or not. I at least won't be in front of a class teaching and can just relax. Church and my coworkers are bringing dinner tomorrow so I don't have to cook. I thank God everyday that He has answered my prayers that I would not get sick or look sick. I am truly blessed. Take care! Call or email any time. I am truly fine! Love ya!

Chemo Treatment #3

2007-09-07T23:20:00.000-05:00

Well, after a busy Labor Day weekend, I had treatment #3. Chemo wasn't so bad as usual. The pharmacy messed up the dosage again so I had to wait quite a while for them to mix more but I finally got it. You know, I finally figured out what chemo treatments are like. It's like little aliens on Star Trek lined up against the wall and hooked up to machines getting fluids or meds. And, now without my hair, I fit right in with the aliens. Ha! Most of my hair has fallen out so I am wearing a lot of hats, scarves, and a wig. I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

I had my shot of Neulasta on Wednesday to boost my new growing cells and my immune system. This was probably the worst effect I have had so far. I was so tired on Thursday, that I could hardly function. I ached all over like the flu. Thank goodness for Jeff, my mom and church family. I couldn't make it without them. Jeff had to close so my mom came up and took Tyler to ball practice. A teacher friend took Lana to the middle school football game. My church family brought dinner. I slept on the couch all evening until I went to bed at 9:00.

Today, I am much better. I don't ache all over but I still tire easily. That's just something I'll have to adjust to for a while. I can do all things with God who strengthens me. I know He is with me. Take care!

Side Effects

2007-08-22T19:58:00.000-05:00

Well, the only side effect I have had up to this point is killer heartburn! I have been given a prescription for that so I should get some relief soon. But today, unfortunately, the inevitable happened. My hair is starting to fall out. Mostly the white but some of the dark brown is too. I'll post a picture with my hats or do rags when I figure out how to tie them. I hear bald is beautiful and when the hair comes back I hear it is really pretty too. We will just have to wait and see. This to shall pass. God doesn't put more on us than we can handle. I am blessed not to have the sickness that goes with it. Looks aren't everything. Love you all!

I survived Chemo #2

2007-08-20T21:17:00.000-05:00

After sitting in the infusion center for three hours, I finally received my treatment at 4:30 and was sent on my way by 5:00. I am feeling sluggish at the moment but not sure if its the chemo or lack of sleep from last night. I go back tomorrow for my shot to boost my white blood cells and then I am done until after Labor Day.

Jeff was in an accident coming home from work Sunday evening and totalled his car. A lady on a motorcycle lost control of it and hit Jeff head on in the passenger's side. She crossed into his lane of traffic ( she was going east and him west) and ended up in the 25 foot embankment. Jeff is fine but the lady was air lifted to USA Medical Center in Mobile. She will lose her leg for sure but we don't know any more than that. The lady ended up being a long time customer of Jeff's. He is really torn up over this.

Please continue to pray for my family. I know these prayers are being answered. Love you all! Call or email when you can.

A Few Days After Treatment

2007-08-09T20:58:00.000-05:00

Well, the first day was fine. Not much different. Day 2 I was sluggish until lunch. I kept waiting to get sick and never did. I had a shot to boost my blood cells and that led to Day 3. I was sluggish again until lunch or so and achy all over. It gave me flu like symptoms but that's all. Day 4 still no sick feeling, a little less achy, and a little more energy. I will probably feel better each day until my next treatment and then it will start over again. I am praying every day for strength against the sickness and trying to stay positive. Call when you can or email. If I don't feel well or am resting the kids will tell you. Take care!

I survived!

2007-08-06T14:14:00.000-05:00

I survived my first chemo treatment. It didn't hurt or last for very long. I had to have some blood drawn first, send it to lab, see the dr., and then go to the infusion center. I was given some medicine to prevent nausea that lasts for 3 to 5 days. The nurse double checked my chemo medicine because it wasn't dispensed like the dr. ordered and so we had to wait for more medicine to be added to that. Then, I got my chemo. It went in through my port and took about 20 minutes. I went to eat with Jeff and came home to nap. However, I haven't napped but only rested because I couldn't sleep.

I am excited, nervous, anxious but not really scared. I have been told three times in the last few weeks that God has spoken to people and that I am healed. And I believe that. My new preacher prayed over me at church yesterday and said I am glowing with God's grace. Now, I just have to go through the medicine part for my body. I go tomorrow afternoon to get my shot to boost my immune system. Then I won't go back until the 20th for the next treatment.

Keep praying for my family and me. We are strong and I am going to beat this. Call if you want. I am fine! Love ya!

Thank you!

2007-08-01T19:20:00.000-05:00

Thank you to all that have commented on this site. It will be so nice to read when I am having a down day. ;) I love the joking comments and sincere ones as well. It makes it a whole lot easier to be positive about it. Who knows. I may get enough courage to get a tattoo. Up to this point in my life, I have been too chicken to get it because of the needles. After the next few months, I may get that nerve. :)

I will receive my first round of chemotherapy on Monday and then return Tuesday afternoon for bloodwork and an additional shot to boost my immune system. Pray for my strength and courage through this. I'll post as soon after as possible to let you know how I handled it.

Take care!

Newest Update for July

2007-07-29T20:17:00.000-05:00

Well, I had my port put in for chemo on Friday, July 27. I will be starting treatments on August 6. I will be getting two medications by port once every 14 days for 12 weeks. Then after that, another medication once every 14 days for 12 weeks. I'm ready to get it started and get it over with. The whole process will last about 26 weeks. I have been told that I will most likely lose my hair within the first 14 days. So get ready to see me in hats and scarves. I'll post a pic as soon as I take one. I know I can do this and get well. I can do all things with God and He is with me all the time! Keep praying for my family and me as we take on this disease. Love ya!

Good News!

2007-07-05T08:09:00.000-05:00

I was told at my follow up appointment that none of the other lymph nodes were involved meaning there is no more cancer! Dr. Bailey was able to get it all. Praise the Lord! I have an appointment with the oncologist on Wednesday to see where we go from here. I'll keep you posted!

This is me!

2007-06-26T07:37:00.001-05:00

I'm Michelle and this is my journey.I'm a mom to two great kids, Alana and Tyler. I spend most of my time doing things with or for them but occasionally do things for me. I'm a school teacher and am working on my degree to add counseling to my license. I love to scrapbook and take pictures, visit with family and friends, and travel. I am married to a wonderful guy, Jeff. He is my soul mate and I could not make it without him. And, so my journey begins. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on June 4. Since that time, I have had two surgeries this week: a lumpectomy to remove the tumor in my breast and an axillary lymph node dissection to remove some cancerous nodes. I will get the results of the node dissection some time this upcoming week. I will have to go through chemotherapy and radiation. I have strong faith in God and he will bring me through this. I have tremendous support from my family, church family, co-workers, and friends. I thank you and love you all.