Cristal's Update (Please Read)

It's been a year since I've sent you an update. So much has happened between then but I just didn't feel like writing about it. Cristal was getting better and we were planning our lives again. She had reconstruction surgery last October where they took the expanders out and put the implants in. It was so much more comfortable for her. They had been in so long to stretch the skin.

It was immediately after that, that Cristal began to feel a deep midback pain that radiated to her right side. Massage didn't help and you know I tried. She had chiropractic care, accupuncture which alleviated her pain short term, physical therapy, but the pain returned. She fought with the insurance company to get her an MRI and they denied her. I couldn't believe it. How do they deny someone who has had cancer?

At Christmas, Cristal was at her worst. She couldn't finish participating in the festivities and went to lay down. Two days later, she checked herself into the hospital. We pleaded our case to a doctor and she shared our frustration. She said that Cristal would not leave the hospital until she got all her scans done. We were elated.

We just knew that there was some muscular issue that needed to be addressed. We weren't prepared for what came next. The radiology report saw two tumors in the liver. One was 9.5cm by 3.5 cm. The doctor suggested we see our Oncologist. Of course it was during the holidays so everyone was on vacation either physically or mentally. Fast forward to a week later, we saw our Oncologist. He found another tumor in the pancreas, two more tumors on the outside of her stomach and that pain she had in the back....bone cancer that collasped the vertebral body of her lumbar vertebrae. I lost it. I cried first and Cristal was more worried about me than her diagnosis. Un..fucking..believeable. Here we go again, I thought. Why, I thought? We were so careful, we ate right. It just wasn't fair. Cristal and I had taken separate cars that day. I cried all the way home. Thank you mom for being on the otherside of the phone to hear me sob and wipe away my tears and for praying out loud with me.

The oncologist told us that he did not believe in telling someone how long they had to live. I was pretty cynical at that moment. He didn't have to say anything. All I heard was Pancreas and Liver. But then something he said, shed a beautiful ray of hope.

Cristal did not have pancreatic cancer or liver cancer, it was still breast cancer that had metastasized into other organs which isn't as bad. It was all I could hang onto and I still hang on. Cristal's cancer is triple negative which is the most aggressive. There have been cases where one of the receptors can be positive which is better because there are surer ways to fight it. Killing triple negative cancer is both and art and a science.

I'm sorry to have to lay this all out to you. I've been waiting for answers and I didn't want all of you to have to worry and wait with me. I found out the biopsy report today and so that is why I'm giving you the news now.

So what's next, right? Dr. Glaspy, our oncologist said that "Cristal will be on chemotherapy for the rest of her life however long or however short that is." Those were his words. She is going to lose her hair and this chemotherapy will be stonger than the time before. Apparently pre-operative chemo is not as strong as other chemotherapy drugs. So this is where we are at.

They are going to radiate the bone cancer in her back and give her bone hardening drugs which doesn't carry side effects. She will have chemo, one day a week through her veins which is worrysome since she has so much scar tissue in her veins from previously. The porticath didn't work last time because her veins are too small so there are some issues that may arise. Next week she will have another MRI for her back. She's had two CT scans, an MRI. X-ray and a liver biopsy.

Cristal is scared but strong. She is still ready to fight. I have my armour on standby for when I need it. There are so many things to take care of and we are trying to sort through her affairs. We don't know what the future holds but we will fight to keep Cristal here.

I am asking for everyone's prayers and if you can afford to help her out financially in any aspect, that would be extremely helpful. We are finding out the costs of living trusts and therapies not covered by insurance. We didn't have to ask last time and I was happy about that. We figured it out, but this time anything would be helpful. We spoke to a CPA to find out if there was a way to make it tax deductible but we are not a foundation. If you are in a certain tax bracket, the government will let you deduct 10 percent of your donation. It will just have to be from the goodness of your heart. Please don't worry if you can't help. Keep the love, hope and light coming our way. We love you and I will keep you updated as soon as I learn more. Thank you.

Most Sincerely,
Amber

P.S. Make checks payable to Cristal Rivera-Mitchel
4527 Coldwater Canyon Ave. #3
Studio City, Ca 91604

Cristal's Update

I know...it's been a while, but I'm back to give you a glimpse of hope, something that was gift wrapped from God, the universe, the sun, all the light that collectively, we possess.

Flashback several weeks ago. Every time we've received good news, it usually followed with the words, but, however, also, as well, just things that have taken away from good news. It's been one step forward, three steps sideways. Remember how I kept mentioning in my updates that Cristal would feel numbness or have strange symptoms after the surgery? Well after seeing just about every other doctor, we landed in the neurologist's office.

When Cristal had an MRI of her brain to make sure that her triple negative cancer didn't travel there, they found something else so we were referred to a neurologist by Cristal's oncologist. They realized that her brain wasn't evenly distributing her spinal fluid. There are these four ventricles, there like these pockets that drain spinal fluid into one another. Well the third ventricle seems to be pinching off. The first ventricle was unusually bigger. It's a condition called Hydrocephalus. It can be serious and corrected with surgery followed by more surgeries later on. After careful consideration, the doctor communicated that it seemed Cristal's brain had compensated for this issue. So he hypothesized that she was born with this condition.  Since they don't have any other MRI's to compare, he will subject her to another scan in three months, but he was sure she wouldn't need a shunt put in.

So back to the present...

Cristal's oncologist said that she's CANCER FREE!!!!! Yes, I said it, cancer free without additional news although she is still undergoing radiation. She's had six weeks of treatment and probably about ten more days to go. She's just started her boost treatments which is a higher concentration of radiation to problem areas. Her skin is really dark purple and red. She was fine for a while but she's really feeling the burning, swelling and itching associated with radiation. We still do lymphatic massage, range of motion exercises and we are tired, emotionally exhausted and exhilarated, nonetheless, we are thankful to God and Santa. We're having a kick ass Christmas aka Crismas!!! I am singing at the top of my lungs with the GLEE cast singing background. So we are almost at the finish line.

At the end of the year, I always reflect, almost with a slight regret that another year is ending and that I must let go and start over. Not this year! I am sprinting forward and I'm not looking back, at least not for another year. I don't want to feel what we've gone through. I just want to embrace this feeling, this high that there is life and love, and miracles bigger than you,than me than all of us.

I hope this Christmas gives you an extra something beautiful because no matter what you've been through, no matter how much you suffered, lost or gained there is change and room for pure goodness. I love you all. Thank you for caring and Happy Friggin' New Year!!!!

Love,
Amber

Now Back to wrapping presents. =)

Cristal Update (Pain Mangagement)

Hello All,

It's been a while. I've been meaning to write you all but the struggle to unite time and energy formed somewhat of a challenge this past week. Alas, here we are...

Earlier this week I was sitting in an overcrowded waiting room back at our oncologist's office and there wasn't enough seating available. It took me back to the days of the chemo suite. Unbelieveable how many people are fighting cancer, not counting our pets. Cristal and I were awaiting the news of what was to come....more chemo,how much radiation, was there a discount for hospital parking?

But first, let's digress, it's been over a month since I've informed you of Cristal's status. I have to say, she really looks great. If you saw her today, you would never even know the struggle and perseverance she's endured over the course of this year. She looks amazing. Internally is a different struggle. As you know Cristal had reconstruction surgery where the plastic surgeon put expanders in her chest after her double mastectomy. These expanders need to be pumped with air and injected with saline to stretch her skin. Since the right breast was compromised after they found the tumor had grown, the right breast was disproportionate to the left. Therefore, it will take longer to expand the right.

The first time the bandages were removed from her chest, I was preparing not to show the reaction by brain would scream. Cristal's back was toward me when the surgeon was revealing his work. He asked me and another friend of Cristal's if we wanted to see. So we looked. I wanted to call him Picasso. Okay, Picasso meets Edward Scissorhands at this stage. You could see where his work was progressing. The breasts were taking a nice spherical shape before he injected her with the saline. We were surprised that she looked that good. Now there are two scars that are diagonal across each breast. Clear tape that acted as stitches held the skin close together.

We've known that it would be a race to build Cristal's breasts before radiation starts. As you now, radiation and implants aren't buddies. If the breast gets radiated before the reconstruction is finished, they won't be able to stretch her skin and would compromise the implants. The surgeon would need to take skin from her back to correct it which would mean another surgery, another trauma yet to another part of her body. I think Cristal would rather deal with the possible deformity than pay for the embrace of vanity.

Getting her breasts pumped keeps her in discomfort. Her chest walls have been tight, her back in spasms and the scar tissue forming under her arm, pulling. Luckily, I do massage. But I didn't want to cause her unnecessary harm so we visited a great physical therapist in El Segundo. Her name is Kathy and she works with UCLA. After the tenth day post surgery, it was time for Cris to do range of motion exercises. It was also important for Cris to get lymphatic drainage because of the possible lymphodema caused by exercising an arm that has little or no lymph nodes. So Cris learned her limitations because otherwise she'd surpass them on GP (general principle). That's just who she is...thankfully. We both learned how to treat her arm gradually and follow up with rerouting her lymph fluid manually.

So every morning and evening, Cristal stretches both arms in various positions and then we follow up with lymphatic massage and drainage. We reroute the lymph fluid across her back or chest very slowly. The range of motion is important for a couple of reasons. First, the scar tissue that's formed has to be broken up. Second, radiation requires that your arm be in an upward position that can only be achieved if she works at it. So it's been time consuming.

In the meantime, we've been going to follow up appointments for various scans, CT scans, pet scans, ultrasounds, physical therapists, internist, plastic surgeons, regular surgeons, oncologist, radiologist oncologist and next a neurologist. Cris has been complaining of a numbness in her big toe after surgery which makes no sense to any of the doctors.

So back to the waiting room in the oncologist's office. We met with Dr. Glaspy and he checked Cristal out. He was very pleased with her progress. She is not getting anymore Chemo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! However,she is ordered to receive five weeks of radiation, five days a week. We were surprised to hear that. That's a rigorous schedule. So we are arming ourselves with Aloe Vera, Oncomar which keeps the cancer from returning, No antiperspirant deodorant. She's to use baking soda or corn starch. I can vouch for baking soda, It really works and doesn't contain heavy metals like aluminum that is extremely toxic. She can't use harsh soaps. She's to put a cool pack on her radiated skin to to cool it down. She'll use a routine cream or lotion four times a day to prevent the skin from getting dry, sunblock, probiotics, curcumin, mushroom extract, ten cart wheels a day, etc. You get my drift.

So that's what is next. Cris is on her last leg of recovery which is perfect because a new deductible starts January 1st. Thank you all for supporting her. She is doing great. She is managing her pain and discomfort and she's been off the pain medication for about three weeks. She's amazing, truly.

Also, end of October, I am getting myself checked out for early screening. Wish me luck as well. Thank you for your prayers, purified thought and all the light that even surpasses the sun. Thank you.

Love Forever,
Amber

Pathology Report (Crossing the Threshold)

Hey Everyone,

Life has been a serious challenge this past year and you've all ridden the emotional roller coaster with us, some wearing no seatbelts, others, waiting for the next ride. Cris and I have teetered on the edge of angst and exhaustion but have not waiver ed in our hopes as our friends have reminded us to have faith. Although at times, I've quietly cursed the uncertainty, I could always look beside me and see a very strong woman with such poise and grace.

Yesterday we received a call from Dr. Chang. After removing Level 1 and Level 2 nodes, she took a deeper sample, Level 3 lymph nodes and as you all know, took samples of the pectoral major muscle to see if the cancer had spread. (deep breath)...........................

Cancer was NEGATIVE!!!!!! Her margins were clear. The pectoral muscle, CLEAR!!! Finally, some good news! Finally, we could exhale. Today we would breathe. I don't know what tomorrow brings, but today she is fine. Today, she won! We are so elated and blessed. We are crying without sadness, weeping without grief. We are exhaling without suffocation. I jumped up and down and poor Cris, had to physically contain her excitement. We laughed and just sat down and looked at each other. It seemed like the physical exhaustion of trying to maintain just settled in. We were in disbelief.

We took a walk around our neighborhood and sat at the park and watched people who didn't seem to have a care in the world, and finally felt like....one of them. Thank God and thank you, for all your prayers, and all your good thoughts and please keep them coming because we have only crossed the threshold. We still have to see what's on the other side. But we venture into the unknown more confidently.

We love you!!!!
Amber

Cristal Follow Up Update September 11, 2010

I thought I'd give you a quick update on Cristal. We spoke to Dr. Chang the next day and the blood clot is BETWEEN THE SKIN AND MUSCLE! So it isn't in her cardiovascular system, and let me tell you, I was not feeling very confident after hearing that. So the clarification was much appreciated. I guess I jumped the gun. As far as her lymph nodes, they removed level 1 and level 2 only. Level three looked fine to her so Cristal will see a radiology oncologist for radiation. She'll then go to physical therapy to work on her range of motion.

I know we've talked a little about the lymphedema and the pressure cuff she might have to wear on a plane. A lot of times the lymphedema is caused by the radiation. We will battle those effects with supplements and medical foods. We also have a nurse that visits the home every day to check Cristal's vitals and to make sure her dressings are decent. Dr. Chang will ultimately remove them next week.

We won't find out about her pathology report until next week as you already know. So I think that's good news. We can all breathe a sigh of relief.