Hi, I’m Renee Sendelbach
Mother, Artist, Author, Speaker and Metastatic Breast Cancer Thriver
I have always hated that statement, “So, tell me about yourself.” … Maybe that is why I never ever fit into corporate America?!?!
The short story of me is that I am in my 40’s living with Stage IV breast cancer.
The long story of me is that I am a lover of God and am in awe of Him daily, a wife, a mommy, a daughter, a sister, a friend, an artist, writer, author and fighter–there is no way I am going down without a fight!
I want to share my life here with you for many reasons–to show people that a Stage IV diagnosis is not an instant death sentence, to help people realize that every person is battling something–even if they look great on the outside–we have no idea what is going on inside, and empathy and love is built into us for a reason–TO USE IT!
I believe in God, I believe in Him sending us Angels, people and help in anyway He can.
I am a horrible speller. Sorry up front if this annoys you–I would claim chemo brain but it has been this way all my life. If I say I will do something and I don’t, please don’t get offended–I will claim chemo brain on this one… or that I can be a flake–I really don’t mean to be.
I hope you join me here on this journey I call life here in my own Cancerland–yes, like Alice in Wonderland!
My Cancer Timeline
Click on the date to read more about my journey in Cancerland.
- 01 Aug, 2008
I found a lump in my right breast.
I found a lump in my right breast.
August 1, 2008August, 2008: I found a lump in my right breast. - 01 Sep, 2008
Stage 1, Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Stage 1, Triple Negative Breast Cancer
September 1, 2008September, 2008:
After many tests, it was determined to be Stage 1, triple negative breast cancer
- 06 Oct, 2008
Chemo Treatments
Chemo Treatments
October 6, 2008October 6, 2008 – November 17, 2008:
I received 4 chemo treatments – one every other Monday.
Adriamycin doxorubicin and Cytoxan cyclophosphamide make up the chemotherapy regimen known as AC.
Adriamycin is administered first, followed by Cytoxan.
Cytoxan is a clear fluid once mixed, and Adriamycin is noted for being bright red. Adriamycin and Cytoxan are both given intravenously.
Medications designed to prevent side effects are given before treatment. Administration of the chemotherapy is typically done in about an hour.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/116572-ac-chemotherapy-breast-cancer/#ixzz2WBwallv1
- 01 Dec, 2008
Started Second Chemo: Taxol
Started Second Chemo: Taxol
December 1, 2008December 2008 through January 8, 2009:
Started second chemo.
Taxol
How Taxol Is Given:
- Taxol is given as an injection or infusion into the vein (intravenous, IV).
- Taxol is an irritant. An irritant is a chemical that can cause inflammation of the vein through which it is given. If the medication escapes from the vein it can cause tissue damage. The nurse or doctor who gives Taxol must be carefully trained. If you experience pain or notice redness or swelling at the IV site while you are receiving Taxol, alert your health care professional immediately.
- Because severe allergic reactions have occurred in some people taking Taxol, you will be asked to take medications to help prevent a reaction. Your doctor will prescribe the exact regimen.
- Taxol is given over various amounts of times and in various schedules.
- There is no pill form of Taxol.
- 01 Feb, 2009
Lumpectomy
Lumpectomy
February 1, 2009February, 2009:
Lumpectomy – all margins were clear.
Port-a-cath removed,
- 09 Mar, 2009
Radiation Treatments
Radiation Treatments
March 9, 2009March 9, 2009 – May 1, 2009:
37 radiation treatments
I was deemed CANCER FREE!!
- 08 Mar, 2011
CT Scan Results… Not Good
CT Scan Results… Not Good
March 8, 2011March 8, 2011:
I received a call from my oncologist with my yearly CT scan results…not good.
Learned I had some spots on my lungs that needed further tests.
- 18 Mar, 2011
Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer
Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer
March 18, 2011March 18, 2011:
Learned it is Stage 4 Metastatic Breast cancer that had moved to my lungs, bones and lymph nodes.
- 08 Apr, 2011
Started New Chemo
Started New Chemo
April 8, 2011April 8, 2011:
Started new chemo.
Abraxane
Abraxane, the brand name for the paclitaxel protein-bound suspension, is a drug used to treat metastatic breast cancer. It has been shown to be more effective than Taxol in treating metastatic breast cancer, with fewer side effects, states breastcancer.org. This drug is administered intravenously over half an hour, every three weeks, according to the American Cancer Society; the exact dosage depends on how much you weigh and how tall you are, your blood counts and your response to the drug. Side effects of Abraxane can include lowered white and red blood cell counts, which can lead to increased risk of infection and anemia; nausea or vomiting; hair loss; fatigue; and lip or mouth sores. This medication can also cause neuropathy in the hands and feet, which is nerve damage and feels like pins and needles, with tingling or burning in the extremities, or sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
I also get/continue to receive Zometa once every 6-8 weeks. This is to help strengthen my bones to keep the cancer out.
- 02 May, 2011
Abraxion Continues
Abraxion Continues
May 2, 2011May, 2011:
I continued on with abraxion every other week.
- 26 May, 2011
PET Scan
PET Scan
May 26, 2011May 26, 2011:
my PET scan showed GREAT improved.
We decided to stay on the abraxion until my next scan.
- 05 Jul, 2011
Big Update
Big Update
July 5, 2011July, 2011:
The spot that we thought had shrunk had actually grown – back to the drawing board with chemo choices.
Started carboplatin and gemcitabine.
Gemzar is the brand name of the chemotherapy drug known as gemcitabine, which is commonly used to treat pancreatic cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer and metastatic breast cancer. It is often used in combination with other chemotherapy medications as, according to Cancer Research and Treatment, it is tolerated well by patients and produces few long-term side effects
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/41409-gemzar-chemo-side-effects/#ixzz2WC5T4RqL
Carboplatin is a chemotherapy medication given to cancer patients typically through intravenous infusion. According to the MayoClinic.com carboplatin treats several types of cancer including bladder, breast, lung, testicular, brain, skin, ovarian and endometrial. Chemotherapy is designed to kill cancer cells but unfortunately kills the body’s normal cells also which causes side effects.
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting occurs due to effected receptors in the brain and damage of the stomach lining. The Chemotherapy Source Book states that nausea and vomiting are common side effects of carboplatin. Nausea typically occurs 24 hours after infusion but also less commonly occurs several days after chemotherapy.Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/131554-carboplatin-chemo-side-effects/#ixzz2WC65tVVW
BSI 201
I was also accepted on a trial drug – BSI 201The purpose of the study is to assess the safety and establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination of BSI-201 with chemotherapeutic regimens in adult subjects with histologically or cytologically documented advanced solid tumors.
Based on data generated by BiPar/Sanofi, it is concluded that iniparib does not possess characteristics typical of the PARP inhibitor class. The exact mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated, however based on experiments on tumor cells performed in the laboratory, iniparib is a novel investigational anti-cancer agent that induces gamma-H2AX (a marker of DNA damage) in tumor cell lines, induces cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase in tumor cell lines, and potentiates the cell cycle effects of DNA damaging modalities in tumor cell lines. Investigations into potential targets of iniparib and its metabolites are ongoing.
During this time, I had to get 2 blood transfusions because my white blood cell counts got so low.
- 01 Dec, 2011
NED!
NED!
December 1, 2011December, 2011:
I was able to start just the BSI trial drug because my counts were so low and not bouncing back AND I was NED – No Evidence of Disease – means no cancer was showing up on scans!!!!
I continued on BSI 2 times a weeks and life was clicking along.
- 06 Aug, 2012
Hello, Bill
Hello, Bill
August 6, 2012August, 2012:
My right leg went numb and for me to move my right side took so much thought…I knew something was wrong.
After going to the ER and an MRI, we found out I had a mass in my brain.
- 03 Sep, 2012
Brain Surgery
Brain Surgery
September 3, 2012September, 2012
Had brain surgery to remove mass.
It was the same breast cancer that had moved to my brain.
- 01 Oct, 2012
Steroids & Intuition
Steroids & Intuition
October 1, 2012October, 2012
Had brain radiation.
Went crazy from steroids – had to be put in the hospital for monitoring.
Had several more MRI because I just felt something was not right.
- 01 Nov, 2012
Bill Is Back
Bill Is Back
November 1, 2012November, 2012:
Found out the tumor was back…same spot.
- 28 Nov, 2012
2nd Brain Surgery
2nd Brain Surgery
November 28, 2012November 28, 2012:
2nd brain surgery.
This one was a little more invasion to ensure he had it all.
I woke up not being able to feel my right side and couldn’t walk without a walker.
- 24 Dec, 2012
Christmas Miracle!
Christmas Miracle!
December 24, 2012December 24, 2012:
Christmas Eve God told me to walk with just my cane – I did it and kept doing it!
- 01 Jan, 2013
Walking & Driving Again
Walking & Driving Again
January 1, 2013January, 2013:
I started physical therapy to help with my walking.
I started practicing driving in a parking lot – I had to teach myself how to drive with 2 feet…I still drive this way!
- 01 Feb, 2013
Slowly Healing
Slowly Healing
February 1, 2013February, 2013:
We were on our own – my mom had left and Eric’s parents left – it was time to figure out our new normal.
Another MRI – showed my brain was healing from radiation and surgeries.
- 01 Mar, 2013
Ulcer
Ulcer
March 1, 2013March, 2013
I walked around the block by myself – no cane!!
PET scan showed a spot on pancreas – after MANY test and a scope later, we found out it was an ulcer…I will take an ulcer any day!
- 01 May, 2013
Here We Go Again…
Here We Go Again…
May 1, 2013May, 2013:
My right leg went numb again and I knew – something was wrong.
- 16 May, 2013
Brain Surgery Number Three
Brain Surgery Number Three
May 16, 2013May 16, 2013:
Had third brain surgery.
- 17 May, 2013
Home & Updates
Home & Updates
May 17, 2013May 17, 2013:
I was able to go home – I guess I am getting good at recovering from brain surgery!?!?
Yes, I was able to walk. My leg felt (and still feels) heavy and asleep, but I now know and trust it will do what it needs to do in order for me to walk on it.
Met with brain radiation Dr to talk about brain radiation to clean up area.
Got kicked off my trail drug – had very mixed emotion about this.
- 29 May, 2013
Radiation Mask
- 30 May, 2013
MRI
MRI
May 30, 2013May 30, 2013:
Another MRI to “map the area” for radiation.
- 01 Jun, 2013
Brain Oncologist Visit
Brain Oncologist Visit
June 1, 2013June, 2013:
Brain oncologist – he is sending in every last piece of sample tissue they have taken for over 250 other possible markers.
I have a feeling that this has something to due with hormones even though I am classified Triple Negative…this research will give us more insight to this.
- 05 Jun, 2013
Brain Radiation Treatments
Brain Radiation Treatments
June 5, 2013June 5-7, 2013:
Had 3 brain radiation treatments.
- 15 Jun, 2013
Recovery
Recovery
June 15, 2013June 15, 2013:
I am still recovering from surgery and radiation – I am tired but not exhausted which is nice.
- 30 Sep, 2013
Seizure
Seizure
September 30, 2013September 30, 2013:
Had small seizure but it was determined NON cancerous.
- 01 Dec, 2013
Narcosis Swelling
Narcosis Swelling
December 1, 2013December, 2013:
Had narcosis swelling – symptoms mimic those of tumor.
- 01 Apr, 2014
Another Encounter with Narcosis Swelling
Another Encounter with Narcosis Swelling
April 1, 2014April, 2014:
Had narcosis swelling again. We were scheduled to go on cruise but had to cancel.
- 01 Jan, 2015
Cancer-Free Milestones!
Cancer-Free Milestones!
January 1, 2015January, 2015:
3 years of being cancer free in my body!!
18 months of being cancer free in my brain!
- 01 Mar, 2016
Rushing For Treatment
Rushing For Treatment
March 1, 2016March, 2016:
My white counts started dropping drastically. Dr. H took me off Xeloda to see if they would come back up…they didn’t. She ordered a bone marrow biopsy to what was going on.
It came back positive as MDS or pre-leukemia.
Here was the problem with that, I HAD to get treatment for this or I had 18 months. Then, everyone was afraid the original breast cancer would come back.
It took Dr. H a few attempts for her to find a bone marrow transplant doctor to do this…being Stage 4, having had 3 brain surgeries most of them didn’t want to touch me with a 10 foot pole. BUT she found Dr. Barryman in Dallas. We met, he said yes and we were off.
Next we had to find a donor match. This happened in record time…they found 4 PERFECT matches, and before I knew it I had the transplant date: October 30.
- 30 Oct, 2016
Bone Marrow Transplant
Bone Marrow Transplant
October 30, 2016October 30, 2016:
Bone marrow transplant date!
- 01 Jan, 2017
Cancer-Free!
Cancer-Free!
January 1, 2017January 1, 2017:
I am home from the hospital and all my blood test are coming back great!
- 13 May, 2021
Not Fun Birthday Surprise
Not Fun Birthday Surprise
May 13, 2021May 13, 2013:
I turned 35…and what a treatment!
Got an MRI and it showed the tumor was back in the same spot.
Cancer Terms and FAQ
In non-cancer people terms – hey, I would have NEVER understood this stuff if I weren’t living in Cancerland.
2 years later THE SAME CANCER (still breast cancer) had spread to my lungs, lymph nodes and bones.
About a 18 months after that, it again spread to my brain.
Stages of breast cancer range from stage 0 – stage 4
It is still made up of breast cancer cells.
Here is how I understand it to work…they inject me with biologically active sugar water and if there are cancer cells, they drink it up the sugar water. Then when they run me through the scanner, if any cells are lite up, the scanner sees them – which are cancer cells.
In medical terms:
The system detects pairs of gamma rays emitted indirectly by a positron-emitting radionuclide (tracer), which is introduced into the body on a biologically active molecule.
Three-dimensional images of tracer concentration within the body are then constructed by computer analysis. In modern scanners, three dimensional imaging is often accomplished with the aid of a CT X-ray scan performed on the patient during the same session, in the same machine.
If the biologically active molecule chosen for PET is FDG, an analogue of glucose, the concentrations of tracer imaged then give tissue metabolic activity, in terms of regional glucose uptake.
Information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positron_emission_tomography
I now get MRIs once every 4 weeks.
Different treatments call for different frequencies.
Some past chemo meds made me feel like complete crap, so this is a walk in the park compared to those.
I would SO much rather be NED, be on this drug an go 2 times a week.