Amazing Amy Grace

This is a letter written by Mandy (Amy's Mum) Kiaora family and friends, Have finally got a moment to send out an email to you all with an update on amys progress, and to send you all very merry xmas love and thoughts. Its been a long road waiting to find out exactly what further treatment the oncology team feel is best for Amy. Finally two weeks ago after a meeting with the chemotherapy and then the next day a meeting with the radiation team, they have worked out a treatment plan for Amy. To date Amy has agreed with the team that she will have chemotherapy, due to commence December 12th. Amy has decided not to go ahead with radiation after long deliberation. The side effects from this far out weighed the results she was hoping for thru radiation. It was going to reduce her chances of cancer reacurance in the breast by 10-15%. This is a risk she has decided to take. We totally respect her descision. The percentage of cancer reacurance in women with breast cancer under 40 is a lot higher than most. She is wanting to tackle this small percentage through positive healthy relationships, love, life, laughter and a holistic well being approach. Although Amy has had 100% clearance from her surgeon. Due to the cancer being found in her lymph vessles they can not be sure that it has not travelled to the nodes and in other areas. The 15 lymph nodes tested were clear. However this is where the chemo will hopefully zap any stragling traces. Amy will start to loose her hair within 10 days of chemotherapy, so before that happens she has decided to shave her head. Many women choose to do this so that they dont experience their hair coming out in great clumps. Amys hairdresser has offered to come to her home to do this. She has a special day planned with nico to do this together, along with the rest of us. So loosing her hair is one side effect of her chemo. Amy will also experience, anemia (low blood count), feeling sick, fatigue, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, high risk of infection. They say the first week is usually these symptoms and the second week her immune system will be low so she will stay clear of anyone who has a cold or a flu or any bugs of any kind. The third week you start to feel ok agin as your body needs to prepare for the next onslaught. She will also keep a daily dairy of her temperature or any chances or feelings she has while going through the chemotherapy. All this is over a five month period, with ongoing hormone therapy drugs for five years. After the five months Amy will have breast reconstruction and eventually have amazing beautiful breasts. The oncology team are amazing! So supportive and positive about the future. I remember the first conversation Amy had with her surgeon when she was first diagnose with cancer. I was with her and Amy said please be honest with me about everything! I am the sort of person who likes all my ducks walking in a straight line. And he replyed.......Amy, all your ducks are in for one hell of a rollercoaster ride. It will take a year, but you will come out the other side. And that is what it is! The hugest rollercoaster ride anyone could ever imagine. Amy has been amazing throughout the whole process!!! we are so proud of her. There are times when she falls appart and it just feels to huge, but the next day after a good night sleeps she picks herself up and gets going again with her amazing positive attitude and the inspiration of her beautiful son Nico. There is no doubt there is sometimes when Amy feels frightened, angry and sad. But that is largely about the unknown future of this disease. None of us can truly understand the full extent of how Amy feels about the emotional and physical scars cancer leaves behind. Amy has said there are no words to describe the changes this journey makes in your life. Amy is in this to survive! The long term prognosis is good. With the hormonal type of cancer Amy has had there is only an 18 -20% chance of this coming back. Once she gets to the 10-15 year mark without cancer she will have full clearance!! whooohooo. We would like to say a huge big thank you to you all! Your love and support, txt, phonecalls, cards, meals, boxes of veges, gifts, and listening to us when we have been needed to listened to has been amazing!!! We could not get through this without you all. Some of you know about the 'give a little' cause others havent heard yet. The give a little cause is a website that enable people to set up a fundraiser for anyone they feel the need to help. And that is excactly what a friend of Amys has done. Rachel has set up a fundraiser for Amy through 'give a little' to help amy get to the Gawler welness centre after her chemo has finished for relaxation and healing. Amy has spoken to her surgeon about it and he has said he knows many people who have been there and found it really helpful to get back on their feet from surgery and chemotherapy. If this is something you feel you would be able to give to, we would really appreciate it. All the info is on sight at: www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/GivealittletoAmyforGawler Now a big huge thank you to all of you who have already given to this! We are so blown away by your generosity. Thank you! And finally we would like to wish you all a very happy christmas and a wonderful new year. From all of us Carr family. Thank you to every one, you are all amazing!! Thats it for now from us. We will keep you updated. Much love Kia Kaha always Mands and john xxxxxxxxxxxxxx