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Julia's Breast Cancer Treatment

  • Physio, radiation and post op complications

      5 May 2021
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    Hey everyone!

    So a lot has happened since my surgery in March. I unfortunately got a post op infection and so 8 weeks later I’m still trying to heal. I’ve got a massive hole in my abdomen and have a special negative pressure dressing on which is helping. I’ve needed a lot of physio to get the movement back into my arms, in particular the left side where my lymph nodes have been removed. There is also a lot swelling which is being dealt with by lymphodema massage.

    Right now I’m continuing on my 3 weekly Herceptin infusions, daily hormone blocking medications and once my breast has healed I’ll be undergoing radiation.

    That’s it for now, thanks so much for all the support. I’ve been relying on this fund to help with my physiotherapy treatments.

    Check out my blog on Instagram and Facebook.

    Breast_Cancer_and_me

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  • Complete Pathological Response

      18 March 2021
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    Complete Pathological Response...

    I had an appointment with the breast surgeon and nurse to change my dressings, remove my last 2 drains and to go over the results from the tissue analysis.

    Invasive breast cancer cells - GONE

    There was only the one known lymph node effected by cancer and the cancer has GONE

    NO other lymph nodes showed signs of ever having cancer.

    This is 100% the BEST possible outcome. I asked my surgeon if I could have had any better results and she said “not unless you won the power ball”

    But I did win the powerball. I don’t have f-ing cancer anymore!!!!!!!!

    I can officially call myself a survivor. I HAD cancer. Past tense.

    I still have a long road ahead in terms of recovery and prevention of reoccurrence but I will face that road with every bit of strength and determination I can muster.

    I really want to thank everyone who supported my and showed me so much kindness, I hope you will all continue to follow my story.

    Xxx

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  • First surgery complete!

      9 March 2021
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    Well folks I’ve had my first surgery a marathon 14 hour bilateral mastectomy, lymph node removal and own tissue breast reconstruction. This is the first of at least 4 surgeries so I have a long way to go.

    I’m in quite a bit of discomfort as you can imagine.

    Thank you all for your help and support

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  • Counting down to surgery

      1 March 2021
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    Enjoying the day today as I count down to surgery, one week to go!

    This morning I had my last pre surgery physiotherapy workout which was awesome. I have such an inspiring and positive physiotherapist who does such a great job encouraging me!

    Then we took the girls and the dogs for a family walk at our local park before the day got too hot. The girls managed one lap so Dan took them home while I did 2 more to tire out the dogs.

    Now I’m catching up on The Bachelorette NZ (guilty pleasure) and hiding from the midday heat.

    Let’s hope people are doing the right thing this lockdown!

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  • CT scan DONE!!

      11 February 2021
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    This time I popped into the clinic first and had a line put in through my portacath- I have tricky veins and usually have to be stabbed many times before the ultrasound is brought out to help 🤦‍♀️ so today it was much nicer to have my CT done without all the bruises!!!

    Shortly I have an appointment with the osteopath to have my back sorted out and some much needed acupuncture 😀

    Fingers crossed for some positive news from my CT 😁

    #ct #portacath #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness #breastcancernewzealand #breastcancerunder40

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  • Happy New Year!

      16 January 2021
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    Happy New year everyone!

    What a crazy few weeks it’s been! I had my 6th chemo on 30 December and went back to the clinic the next day for an infusion of steroids, fluids and antiemetics to help relieve some of the nasty chemo side effects. I was then able to attend an NYE wedding of some good friends of ours (amazing wedding, such a good time)

    We’re now in the process of moving house! Hoping to be all sorted and settled in for my LAST chemo session on 22nd! Phew what a mission!

    On the cards for me after chemo is of course my bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction followed by radiation.

    Once I’ve recovered from radiation I’ll start my 13 cycles of herceptin. This is where I’ll need your help, there’s a gap unfortunately of where my insurance rolls over, having already used my yearly allowance. I’m also needing to fund physiotherapy and other complimentary therapies, all of which have been making a huge difference to my physical, mental and emotional well-being.

    Thanks again to everyone who has donated! Please keep sharing!

    Julia x

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  • Planning for 2021

      29 December 2020
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    Julia is heading into round 6 of 7 chemo treatments. Tomorrow and doing amazing!! She's now getting ready for her double mastectomy in March and we are preparing for new treatment expenses in 2021.

    Julia is very fortunate that her insurance company is covering the majority of the cost however there is a shortfall and so we are fundraising to have that amount covered. Julia and her family continue to be eternally grateful for all donations received to date.

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  • The light at the end of the tunnel

      17 December 2020
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    Hey everyone!

    Thanks for following along my story, you can also see what I’m up to on Insta and FB, there are links in the previous updates.

    As for me I only have 2 more sessions of chemotherapy left (yay!!) then I will be looking at a bilateral mastectomy (double) with immediate reconstruction followed by radiotherapy.

    It’s a long road ahead still with more surgeries required down the track to complete the reconstruction process.

    Anyways that’s all for now x

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  • Great News!

      20 November 2020
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    Hey everyone! I have just received the results from last weeks CT scan and according to my oncologist it showed a SIGNIFICANT reduction in the size of the effected lymph node! So she is really pleased with my progress and response to the treatment plan. I’m so overjoyed and overwhelmed at such amazing news.

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  • Half way through chemotherapy!!!

      19 November 2020
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    Well everyone!!! I’m officially past the half way point in my chemo treatment! Yesterday I had cycle 4 of 7

    This week I was also treated to a beautiful henna crown so decorate my bald head.

    So 3 more cycles of chemotherapy then I embark on a 2 year surgical journey starting with a bilateral (both sides) mastectomy and a series of reconstruction surgeries

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  • Amazing progress from an amazing woman

      5 November 2020
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    Julia, a 34 year-old mother of two had her life turn upside down this year.

    Early in September Julia received a shocking diagnosis of invasive HER2+ ER+ breast cancer after having a swollen lymph node investigated.

    After this shocking diagnosis and a whirlwind of tests and invasive procedures, Julia learned that she would need to partially fund one of the targeted chemotherapy drugs needed to shrink and dissolve the cancerous tumours. Perjeta is funded in NZ only in cases of advanced breast cancer. Julia is lucky enough to still be considered an early stage breast cancer patient. Julia has started treatments and after only two cycles the swollen lymph node has completely shrunk to the point that it can no longer be felt by Julia or her doctors.

    Julia requires 7 cycles of chemotherapy followed by a bilateral (both sides) mastectomy, breast reconstruction and radiation. Julia will spend 2 years minimum having reconstructive surgeries and 5 years of hormone therapy to prevent recurrence of cancers.

    Julia is using her story to help spread awareness of breast cancer in women under 40 in the form of a Facebook blog, documenting the celebrations and the raw experiences while informing and (hopefully at times) entertaining. Julia hopes that by sharing her story she can open up conversations about cancer and help those who are walking this path and their supporters. You can follow Julia’s story on Facebook with the following link: https://www.facebook.com/BreastCancerAndMe/

    Julia is trying to make something positive out of a terrible situation, this fundraiser is designed to help Julia and her family financially as she goes through treatment.

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  • Where from here

      4 November 2020

    Hi guys thanks for all your love, support and donations to Julia and her family!

    There are no words to discribe how much difference this has made!

    We've let this page end and we are going to set up a new one this week with a lower amount to raise the last bit the family needs for Julia's treatments.

    I'll post another update here asap with the link!

    Thanks heaps Dani

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  • It’s working!!

      27 October 2020
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    I have seen my oncologist today and neither one of us can feel my lymph node anymore so it’s pretty safe to say that after only 2 cycles the treatment is working!

    Obviously this is brilliant news and it’s been made possible by everyone of you amazing people who have donated! I cannot thank you all enough xx

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    • 28/10/2020 by Amy

      Best news ever xxx

  • Count down to chemotherapy

      24 October 2020
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    Thanks again to all you wonderful people for donating to my treatment!

    I can’t feel that lymph node at all!!!!!! So the treatment is working!

    I’m feeling really good as I prepare to head into cycle 3 on Wednesday.

    Check out my story on Facebook as I open up conversations about cancer and spread awareness about breast cancer in women under 40

    https://www.facebook.com/BreastCancerAndMe/

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  • Perjeta

      16 October 2020
    Posted by: Julia Kosterman
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    I just wanted to express my gratitude to everyone who has donated to my fund.

    I am so blessed in that I have been offered this additional drug to treat my cancer, and that my health insurance is covering the first 2 cycles. Like most people I didn’t have a spare 15k in savings to pay for this medicine so I’ve turned to friends, family and the public for help.

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  • Fantastic up date!!

      6 October 2020
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    I have some exciting fantastic news from Julia below!!! Xx

    The treatment is working 😊 my lymph node has shrunk!

    These success are exactly why we need to beat this target of 15000 so Julia can get this targeted treatment!!!

    Ever day Julias strength and determination is amazing and is and inspiration!!!

    Shes taken the balls by the horn and shaved it off as she was loosing hair... But i think dam!!! She is pulling it off with style and class!!!

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  • Follow Julia's Journey

      26 September 2020
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    Hey guys,

    Julia has set up a public page for people to join and follow her journey and promote awareness around breast cancer in women under 40.

    Please join and share this page :)

    https://www.facebook.com/jikosterman/

    Thanks in advance for your support

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  • Whats happened todate for Julia

      25 September 2020
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    First of all I’d like to say a massive thank you to all that have donated and shared this give a little page! Thank you is not the right word to use but I’m at a loss for words for everyone’s generosity!

    I wanted to give you all an update on Julia journey so far and how she is doing .. Here goes

    At the beginning of September Julia had a cold and found a lump under her arm, a got a feeling she needed to get it checked out. From here she went through many tests including Ultrasounds, MRI’s and CT’s. Julia was informed that she had tested positive for the lump under her arm and for two lumps in her breast.

    Everything has happened so quickly over that week she was having a poracath inserted for her Chemotherapy to start the follow Wednesday. We started a give a little page to help fund a targeted Chemotherapy drug that has proven to be very effective for best cancer but unfortunately is not funded in New Zealand. Today we have almost reached 8000 of our 15000 goal which is absolutely amazing. Julia is continuing her treatment each day and trying to find ways to stay positive and keep on smiling despite how ill she has felt with her first round on Chemo. She is in the process of organising a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction followed by a blast of radiotherapy afterwards.

    Everyday Julia amazes me I’ve always known that she is a beautiful strong women, but she is going through all of this as still has time to ask others how they are doing. She can crack a joke about different things that are going on even on the days when she just wants to crawl back into bed.

    Please keep the thoughts, prayers, shares and donations going for this beautiful amazing women Julia and her young family so she can attack this big C with everything she can!!

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