Debbie’s journey began prior to December 2020, she was declared CANCER FREE June 23, 2022, and she and husband Gary have been greatly involved with Pink Fishing, through television, radio, newspaper, working events as volunteers. They have become a huge part of our Pink Fishing family and we are forever grateful!! Glory be to God!
Now it’s time to continue life with a new vision. Committed to enjoy every moment, to make every new minute of life worth more than the last minute. I have a date that will be forever etched in my mind….. 12/30/2020, I need help, I need a diagnostic mammogram, I have no insurance, Misty Schmidt referred me to you, Pink Fishing, Inc. I have not been diagnosed, I just know that I have a lump and need a special mammogram and I do not want to be dishonest on the application.
DEBBIE AND GARY’S JOURNEY THROUGH BREAST CANCER
When she told me in July 2020, she found a lump in her right breast, I told her you need to get checked. I was devastated and lost; no insurance, I did not know what to do. Deb finally found help through Misty Schmidt and Pink Fishing. I was relieved. When Deb went through chemo, because of COVID, I was not allowed to go in with her, I had to sit in my truck not having any idea what was going on. The surgery finally came, and we, my daughters and I, were overjoyed he got all the cancer. ~Gary Bell
January 2020, I found a small lump- in my right breast, I thought it was a caffeine cyst, I have had one before. Let it ride for 6 months, finally told Gary, then I saw Misty bring in some Pink Fishing clothing, I briefly asked her about it. I waited until the first week of January then went to Misty in tears. She Convinced me to see my primary care doctor. We had several conversations with Carolyn Nichols, RN, representing the entire Pink Fishing Team.
I went to see my nurse practitioner, she is sending her referral for a diagnostic mammogram to Ross Breast Center, I am so scared. January 19, 2021, I just confirmed my appointment with Ross Breast Center. It is for Jan 26 at 7:45 am, I have no funding available, no insurance. My blood pressure is very high, not knowing how to pay for my visit to Ross Breast Center. The waiting is so hard, thank you for thinking about me.
Application through PF was made for assistance, we made multiple phone calls to area centers and organizations including NBCF who immediately went to work on finding further funding, specialized centers for diagnosis, one of which was Ross Breast Center. Pink Fishing placed a call to them to determine the cost of a mammogram and potential ultrasound if deemed necessary, emergency meeting of our PF BOD for approval, another call to fund the testing. We also sent a care package.
January 24, 2021, received my package, I WILL and so will my girls wear our shirts VERY PROUD I don’t know you but I love you and Pink Fishing!!!! I heard from Ross Breast Center today and thank you so much for all you all are doing. Getting nervous about it. January 26 – This is how my mammo went today … it is not cancer yet, but it will be soon, biopsy on Friday, get results from that then he will schedule me to see a surgeon, then surgery to remove it hopefully no chemo. I probably won’t know much Tuesday but, on the way home, I am stopping by to see Misty, if it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t be doing this, a BIG step!
So, the next steps for PF were to assure her that she would not be alone during this journey, that we are here for her, search for ways to help fund her biopsy, again, the NBCF came through with multiple options.
They changed the date for my biopsy, it is now February 5 at 1 in the afternoon; February 5 – on the way home from biopsy, it sure hurts now; next is treatment then surgery. Don’t know what kind of treatment yet, depends on what the surgeon says. I get results from biopsy Tuesday morning. February 8 – my anxiety level is so high I don’t know if I can sleep, have to get up at 4:30 in the morning, Dr is going to call me at work between 7-8 am.
Debbie, we are going to get you through this. You have a huge new family that cares and loves you! NEVER FORGET THAT!
OK, thank you for saying that! I needed to hear it. February 9 – got results back it is CANCER, oncologist and surgeon are next. I don’t know how I am going to do this financially.
Well then, we need to roll our sleeves up and FIGHT!! You are not alone in this battle!
February 10 – heard from Ross Breast Center today, they talked to Net Health and since I now have a diagnosis, I need to apply for Medicaid through them, it will be 10 days before I know if the state accepted it or not. February 24 – I am doing ok, have my down days, have some people give me negative thoughts but try super hard to brush them away… February 26 – I was accepted for Net Health, I will know by next Friday if I am eligible for cancer Medicaid, she said with the cancer history in my family that I should qualify. March 4 – I am approved for New Hope for Cancer Medicaid … I have an appointment consultation with the surgeon tomorrow at 9:15 am. March 6 – I have 3 options: 1. chemo then lumpectomy then radiation. 2. chemo single mastectomy radiation 3. chemo double mastectomy. I don’t go back and see him until I have a MRI and see an oncologist; confused kind of leaning towards option 3 because of breast cancer in my family. March 10 – MRI Friday morning. appointment with oncologist that afternoon, Monday appointment with surgeon find out results of MRI and schedule surgery! March 13 – well long story short … I have to do chemo once a week for 4 months before surgery. March 17 – had to have a second biopsy done today on lymph node then I go see oncologist to learn about my treatment. March 17 – couple days this Friday I have an echocardiogram, blood work, and have my port put in. March 23 – I get my first chemo infusion April 2, 1 day a week for 4 months 16 infusions, I think.
We just hope you know how much we care and that we are sending all our FIGHTING WARRIORS to you!! You are a part of our family; we are in this together!
I get my first chemo infusion April 2
Dear heavenly father, we come to you to ask that you give Debbie the strength she needs to undergo chemotherapy treatments. As we all know, the many awful side effects there is of chemo. We ask you to give her the extra strength she needs to get through this as peacefully and as quickly as possible. Lord God, you say ask and you shall receive. So, we are asking you to please lay your hands on Debbie and take all her pain, nausea, weakness, & fear that she may encounter while she undergoes her treatments. Lord lift her family and friends up as well. Give them the peace and strength they need to help Debbie on her journey. Lord God, we pray for quick healing of this cancer so that this beautiful mother, wife, & friend to so many can be back to her normal self. Lord, with you all things are possible. In Jesus’s holy name we pray, Amen.
Thank you, that prayer is wonderful means so much having Pink Fishing, I feel as though you are right here love all of you. 2-3 hours yet, feeling a little sleepy. About 20 minutes. Home and resting, next treatment is April 23.
April 8 – Doing better just tired all the time. I have that generic test May 4.
April 15 – My hair started coming out today.
This will pass…. Hair does not define who you are, your heart is so full of giving, kindness, and love. You are a beautiful person!
Thank you, I needed that.
April 16 – Going to Martin’s Mill to get something done with my shedding hair.
April 17 – Prayer by Richard Rhodes, Still Waters Bass Club, Abilene, TX.
April 18 – The prayer he said was awesome. You took me by surprise I don’t know what to say except thank you and love you all.
April 23 – Wow, 2nd infusion, wow, I look fat! 3 ½ to 4 hours. Leaving for today, 2 down!
April 24 – Little sore but doing good.
May 9 – Mother’s Day.
May 14 – Getting started on number 3, have my river rock right here. I have 3 more treatments then hopefully surgery.
June 24 – Went good at doctor today, he couldn’t a feel lump, is scheduling me for ultrasound and getting an appointment set up with a visit to see a surgeon. He said I still have to do my last 2 treatments, 1 tomorrow and the last July 16.
July 9 – Just left RBC, cancer is HALF the size it was!
July 12 – As of Friday, I will have 6 treatments after sugery, probably more. I go to surgeon on 29th to set a date for surgery.
July 15 – Oncologist NP said I have about a 90% chance of having to have chemo after surgery.
July 16 – About another hour and a half! 2 bags left, I feel like crying!
Ringing the bell!!!
Misty Schmidt, thank you for being with me!
July 29 – On our way to surgeon! Fixing to begin the 2nd part of my journey, thank you all for being part of it with me! Ok, I am at the doctor’s office, anxious as ever!
Leaving doctor’s office, surgery is scheduled for August 11. Double mastectomy should only be in hospital overnight.
August 2 – Got my results back from that genetic test, I am positive for 1 gene. Texas Oncology provided a test for them just for the same gene, they got their test back and by the grace of God, they are negative!
August 4 – Heading to Tyler for pre-op appointment. Getting it done, boy, they need your life history here!
August 11 – A tearful good bye to Hazel, we are on our way, let’s get this party started.
August 12 – I am going home!!!
August 22 – I go to surgeon tomorrow hopefully to get these drains out!
August 23 – He took the left drain, made me keep the right for 2 more weeks. Said he wants it to drain more.
September 7 – Tomorrow I start the 3rd and last part of my journey.
September 8 – Ok I am here an hour early, let’s get this journey going and treatments over! This is what my treatments will be until end of January or 1st of February. Blood work is great, I start maintenance in 2 weeks. Herceptin is what I will be getting 6 treatments.
September 9 – I am so looking forward to meeting my Pink Fishing Family in October! It was never expected to be this way, thank God for the people, Pink Fishing, folks who have prayed for me, sent their love and support through my journey, I don’t know what I would have done without all of you!
September 21 – Well, I lost the last of the tape from my surgery…looks odd, I start chemo Wednesday.
September 22 – My hair is coming back dark and gray!
My driver is taking me to my chemo. 30 minutes is all it will be this time. The treatment went well. They gave me Herceptin which is what I had my last 3 treatments.
September 28 – Here I am 3rd day back to work, I was off 6 weeks.
October 2 – He’s wants his feed.
October 13 – Headed to Tyler for appointment with my oncologsit NP.
Guess what I got today? Fake boobies!!! Feels weird!
October 21 – I finally got to meet some of my Pink Fishing Family!
December 2 – Saw oncologist Monday, said I will have to have chemo until April. I am going into my 4th maintenance chemo tomorrow.
December 23 – Round 5 of maintenance chemo.
March 17, 2022 – NP visit was good, blood work was good, 2 more chemo infusions after tomorrow then I WILL BE CANCER FREE!!! There is no way I could have done all this without Pink Fishing and all of everyone’s support. I am soooo emotional right now it’s pitiful!
March 18 – Fixing to start my 3rd infusion.
April 27 – Can’t wait to see you, soo excited! I can’t put it into words how I feel overwhelmed, I guess you all mean so much to me!
April 28 – Woo hoo fixing to leave doctor’s office, we are all clear for tomorrow!
April 29 – I am ringing the bell and celebrating at the Texas Roadhouse!!!
Carolyn and Dewey Nichols, Leisha and Allen Loggains, Susan Due, Gary Bell were there to celebrate with me.
June 16 – I get my port out on the 23rd, he does it in the office!
June 22 – Such anxiety waiting on tomorrow. I feel like it’s my last big hurdle of my journey with breast cancer!
June 23 – Done, I am officially CANCER FREE!!!
