Candice Macy

She's done!! (hopefully for good)

2009-10-26T12:48:00.005-04:00

Candice has finished radiation and chemo and has been declared, for now, cancer-free!! She's having a party to celebrate. Details soon to come.

UPDATE (from Candice):

Just an FYI people, I am not cancer free. Nobody is ever really declared cancer free, but it is more or less called remission. I am NOT in remission so do not misunderstand. I had scans done in August, and they were negative. That is good news, but cancer cells are microscopic and hard to detect, SO keep praying because more than 70% of the time, in people my age, the cancer comes back. So... until I can reach six months from today, keep the prayers rolling fans.
-Candice :)

CANCER FREE!!

2009-09-09T17:17:00.002-04:00

Candice had a PET scan a week or two ago which revealed that she is finally CANCER FREE. This is incredibly encouraging and exciting news. She has been fighting long and hard and it won't always be easy from here on out, but at least the chemo is over and there is no cancer in her body. Now, Candice will have a month and a half of radiation treatment to be absolutely sure the cancer is gone and won't come back. Please keep praying - this is still a difficult treatment, and Candice still needs our support.

On another note...Candice and Skylin are moving to Rochester, where Sky will enroll in school and Candice may take a class or two, herself. We'll see...

LAST DAY OF CHEMO!!

2009-08-03T10:57:00.008-04:00

Well, friends - it's been a really long, hard road for Candice. She's had a very tough time with chemo and has been struggling a lot. I should post more often, but often it's tough to spread bad news. And there have definitely been some bumps along the way. But today is her last treatment, and she deserves a HUGE congrats for pushing through with this, especially when she had all but given up several times.

Candice still needs our support and prayers! The fight does not stop here. She will start radiation treatment that will last for about 7 weeks (every business day!). It's not easy, and she's not looking forward to it. Please keep sending positive energy her direction.

On another note...Candice is planning to move to Rochester. Skylin will start school in the fall at Rochester School for the Deaf, and Candice will be able to continue radiation in Rochester. I'll try to keep everyone updated. Please join me in supporting Candice in her continued struggle to beat cancer and find peace in the world. PRAY pray that it doesn't return, and that the final PET scans find no evidence of cancer in her body.

Love you, girl.

(PS...the roses are from the Race for the Cure day - Candice loved them and wanted me to take photos).

Keep Fighting, Candice!

2009-06-25T11:14:00.004-04:00

Candice in the early days:

Congratulations, Candice! You're more than halfway through this chemo ordeal!

This is an update for everyone who is out-of-touch with Candice's situation. I went and spent the week with her for the last round of chemo, and saw that she is not fully getting the support she needs. Is anyone available to sit with her for a few hours on chemo days? Or drive her to the hospital? No kids allowed, but surely someone would baby-sit for a good cause like this. Also, Can anyone help take the dog out occasionally? Drive Skylin to school? Come wash the dishes once or fold the laundry? This is me asking, not Candice. She is exhausted and fighting this battle the best she can, but is often lacking the basic help that every cancer patient needs.

OR....even better....Candice would love to have friends and family just check in on her. Stop by. Stay for an hour. Just an hour here or there would make a huge difference. She doesn't always have the strength or energy to go out...so when people come to her, it's so incredibly helpful and supportive. Just donate a little bit of your time...just once or twice. I promise it will mean so much to her.

Thank you to everyone who is already helping. Let's do more! Candice has a pretty high tolerance for pain and suffering, and I doubt she's fully letting on how hard this is for her. Remember her in your prayers!

The Race was a Huge Sucess!!

2009-06-17T09:14:00.009-04:00

My apologies for taking so long to post photos. I've been delayed by things like crashed hard drives.

The Race for the Cure was an amazing day with a HUGE turnout. Candi's Angels raised almost $3000!!! Candice was determined to "race," despite the fact that she was worn out just walking from the parking spot to the race site. She was totally cute and wore her game face (and her "I'm too sexy for my hair" hat). Candice spray painted a shopping cart pink and we decorated it with pink "spirit." She climbed in and rode in style while the rest of us walked (and a few team members ran!). Many thanks to Zach who joined the team the Friday before the race, and was then tasked with pushing the cart the whole way!

Thank you SO MUCH to all who donated and pledged. It was an emotional day for me, seeing all the survivors in pink shirts, some just barely making it across the finish line. Everyone there was racing in celebration or in honor of someone. We were there in celebration of Candice and her mom, another survivor. Georgia Parker, a former director and beautiful person, was also in my memories.

Way to go, team!

More photos can be seen at my Flickr site, here.

To Jan Peterson, of Kansas, who makes us feel loved and look kah-yoot! Bless her for these wonderful do-rags!"

2009-05-31T21:38:00.012-04:00

(Post title courtesy of Candice). HOW ADORABLE ARE THESE LADIES?? LOVE IT.

BUT....

I'm sad to report that Candice had a terribly hard week. She's called it the worst week of her life. The type of chemotherapy that she received last week (and that she'll be receiving again a week from tomorrow) was almost unbearable. She was weak, exhausted, and felt very very sick. She had terrible dreams, and the chemo is making her very emotional. Through it all, she's been taking care of a 7 year old daughter, and a rambunctious dog.

In short, she's in the very thick of this terribly difficult battle and she could use all the support she can get. I'm planning to stay with Candice through the next round of treatment. Anyone want to take the dog for a couple days?

Please send your prayers, love, and gas money Candice's direction.

Also...THE RACE IS IN 2 WEEKS!!!!

Latecomers, please sign up, or pledge your support. We'll all be out there June 13th. Click HERE to join the team or make a donation.

Many many thanks.

Mohawk!!

2009-05-16T18:36:00.004-04:00

Candice decided to make the best of a crappy situation, and, since she knew she'd be losing her hair soon...she decided to have a little fun in order to make Skylin laugh. The word is that it worked perfectly!!

Sassy

2009-05-12T17:06:00.002-04:00

Well...Candice's hospital stay didn't last all that long (thankfully) and by this past weekend, she was making sassy comments to me as usual, so I knew she was feeling better. Yesterday, though, she had her second treatment in the series of eight that she'll be receiving over these next months. "Treatment" equals chemotherapy, which equals suck.

So, as usual...send cards, thoughts, prayers, money, food, and JOIN the Race for the Cure team!!

In the Hospital

2009-05-07T12:25:00.004-04:00

Minor setback. Candice came down with a fever yesterday and called her doctor just to let them know. They did an assessment, and determined she did not have enough white blood cells to fight it, so she was sent to Buffalo General Hospital, which Candice has referred to as a "prison" and the "worst hospital ever." She's been there since yesterday, getting shots and intravenous antibiotics. She wishes she was home, and doesn't know exactly when she's getting out. I don't know much more than that...it's been a little tricky getting information from Candice, plus, she hasn't been feeling well. But she's feeling better today, and we're hoping she'll be sent home soon. Anyone in that general vicinity? Sounds like she could use a visit from a friend.

Here's Candice and Skylin on a freezing day in March:

A note about chemotherapy

2009-05-04T20:10:00.005-04:00

Candice's treatments will be every other Monday at Buffalo Medical Group. She made it through her first week with flying colors. Well...actually, it was very difficult for her, and she was tired and miserable and nauseous for several days. For the past couple days, however, she's been feeling great. Her next treatment is a week from today and unfortunately, she told me the first dose is the easiest. Pray it ain't so. If anyone would like to send a care package and you need Candice's address, let me know.

Chemo

2009-04-28T23:49:00.004-04:00

Hey, everybody. Quick update. Candice started her chemotherapy treatments yesterday. Today she was very tired, but I haven't had a chance to communicate with her further. I've been out of town and will post tomorrow. But I can guarantee that this is the time when Candice will start needing the most support. Chemo is not easy on the body. She's going to need help with daily tasks because she'll be so exhausted. Also, meals would undoubtedly be greatly appreciated.

Candice also said her bloodwork and her MUGA scan (to check the heart) came back good. Will know more tomorrow. Keep her in your prayers!

Candi's Angels for the cure

2009-04-22T14:56:00.012-04:00

Team Candi's Angels has a fundraising goal of $1,000 and WE NEED YOUR HELP! Check out CANDICE'S PAGE and from there you can click to see the CANDI'S ANGELS TEAM PAGE. You can donate online to either the team fund or to an individual team member. The money's all going to the same place - towards breast cancer research and awareness, to help prevent and treat (and eliminate!) this horrible disease. Any and every amount is greatly appreciated!

And we're not stopping at $1,000. That's our first milepost. Let's raise as much as possible for Candice's sake. And her mom's. And her aunt. And for everyone we know who has been touched by this horrible disease. (Sisters, friends, cousins, mothers, bosses, daughters, aunts, grandmothers...even men can get breast cancer).

Help us reach our goal! Come out and support the team! And please...spread the word.

There's less than 2 months before the big day! Remember to visit CANDI'S ANGELS TEAM PAGE. Also, some basic event information can be found here.

RACE (or walk) FOR THE CURE!!

2009-04-21T13:45:00.010-04:00

Time to get running and walking! It's the Susan G. Komen Race (Candice calls it the Walk) for the Cure!

WHEN: June 13, Delaware Park (Buffalo, NY) 7-11am (Well, the actual race is at 10, but there's stuff before and after, so if you're lazy or old, just come when you can.)

JOIN or DONATE to team “Candi’s Angels.” Want to be on the team? Please contact me for information (hibbert.karen@gmail.com). The captain needs to know who is participating so you can get your free t-shirt and be in the team photo! You do not have to run, walk, or participate but you can still come for the FREE STUFF, BEER TENT, survivor parade, and big party!!! (Oh, and Candice says you’ll get to watch her jiggy if she can). So fun! The donation/pledge forms can be downloaded here.

You can print the form and get donations whether or not you are participating. Contact me for the address to where you should mail forms/donations. We only have about a month to raise as much money as we can!!!

Ready. Set. Go. Do it. Now.

Further information can be found at www.komenwny.org.

Here’s the Race Day schedule from the Komen Western NY site:

7:00 am - Race Day Registration
7:30 am - Team Photos at the Team Challenge Tent.
NO PHOTOS WILL BE TAKEN DURING THE SURVIVOR PARADE.
Pre-Race Activities, Raffles, Give-A-Ways
8:30am - Breast Cancer Survivors’ Photo
9:00am - Pre-Race Program ~ Survivor Parade
10:00am - 5k Run/Walk & 1 Mile Family Fun Walk
11:00am - Food Tents, Family Activities, Raffle, Sponsor Events and Awards Ceremony

Can't make it to the Buffalo Race? Find a Race near you! But come on out and support the cause!

Scan results are negative!

2009-04-19T11:13:00.004-04:00

Please keep your prayers, support, and cards coming. Candice's CAT and bone scans came back negative. That's good news! No significant masses anywhere else in her body. Candice is having sort of a rough time, though, with this whole ordeal. She's upset, overwhelmed, and Friday was "miserable" so she still needs our support...and please visit if you can! Bad days and good days are bound to come and go for her, and Friday wasn't a good one. BUT no evidence of cancer anywhere else in her body! She also had a blood test to confirm the scan results (results forthcoming).

The next step is to have a test to find out whether the cancer is genetic. If so...further steps may have to be taken to be certain it doesn't return. Pray that it isn't! The test is Tuesday.

AND...there will be 4 months of chemotherapy for Candice, with treatments every two weeks. This is, of course, necessary and good. But of course she's upset that it will ruin her summer and make her exhausted. I'm guessing she'll need continued support with meals, daily house tasks, and help with Skylin. She still has to meet the Roswell oncologist about chemo, because she doesn't sound particularly happy with the one she met yesterday.

You can do this, Candice!! Stay strong. Everyone's rooting for you. We love you.

Good Friday News

2009-04-11T10:00:00.008-04:00

Happy day! Candice had her post-op yesterday and found out some good stuff. The doctor found cancer in only three of her lymph nodes that were removed during surgery...which in itself isn't particularly good news...but it was expected, and Candice was told that any less than 4 enlarged lymph nodes is the same prognosis as zero affected lymph nodes. SO. That's wonderful!! (Once the cancer spreads too far into the lymph nodes the chance of cancer spreading around the body is higher). She does have some fluid accumulation which should resolve itself in a few weeks.

BUT. Candice is feeling great. She's moving about and recovering quite nicely and plans to start chemo in about 2 weeks.

She'll have a CAT and bone scan on Monday, and then she'll go back to see her doctor next Friday. He'll check her status, and review the scans to be sure the cancer hasn't popped up anywhere else in her body (Keep praying about that one!). At that time, Candi girl will meet with an oncologist, and she also plans to get a second opinion at Roswell. After both consultations we'll know where and when she'll be getting chemo treatment.

In the meantime, Candice is starting to get her nerves back (I guess much of her skin is numb from surgery) which is really good, except that it does mean more pain. But she did some easter egg colorin' with the family yesterday, and now Skylin and her cousins are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Easter Bunny tomorrow.

What Would Yoda Do?

2009-04-07T11:31:00.002-04:00

Try to imagine cancer as a little piece of evil energy (Darth Vader, if you will) inside your body. It feeds off your negative emotions and attitudes in an attempt to destroy all that is good within you (and hence growing stronger with the Dark Side.) But, much like Darth Vader, there was once good in your cancer (after all, even cancerous cells were at one time normal, healthy cells living in harmony with the rest of your body) and that good can be restored.

Regaining this balance requires overwhelming your tumor and overpowering your cancer with signals of strength, hope and love (Use the Force, young Jedi.) Without a doubt, the strongest weapons in our arsenal to accomplish such a feat are humor, smiles, laughter and an unyielding positive attitude...and if you've got one, a light saber couldn't hurt.

(HAHAHAHAHA. UM...Thank you, Candice for this bizarre contribution, found here.)

Thank you!!

2009-04-06T20:02:00.005-04:00

Candice wanted me to send out a BIG thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, flowers, cards and well-wishes. They've made her feel all "wahm and fuzzy" inside. She's doing so well that she's told me she plans to sneak out and drive around this week even though she is not supposed to. Ack! Since she's obviously a bit stir crazy, she'd love for people to keep sending stories and emails. (Please! maybe it'll keep her from getting behind the wheel! And Candice behind the wheel even without a major surgery and pain killers in the mix can sometimes be a scary thing...)

Sorry Candice. :) I've driven with you.

Um...this completely awesome photo is Candice defending her childhood position on Old Maid (which, according to her mom, was to cry every time she got the old maid). Still yet-to-be-determined is whether Skylin is a better loser than her mommy.

Candice is home, recovering, and feeling a little better each day. She is very grateful for all the help people have given her. She can move about a bit, but of course there is pain. Her post-op appointment is on Friday. I think at that time we'll find out what the doctor found in her lymph nodes...if anything.

Headed home

2009-04-03T12:51:00.005-04:00

Candice is leavin the hospital behind. She's off to her mom's now and I'm hoping she'll get to see her daughter, have some good food, and rest, rest, rest. Though, by all accounts she's been texting people ever since she was out of surgery (minimally). Stubborn! This is what gives me hope for her complete recovery. She's not going to sit back and wallow in the pain.

Adorable photos of Candice "reading" (signing) a bed-time story to Skylin below (pre-surgery). LOVE IT!

Out of surgery!

2009-04-02T17:41:00.003-04:00

Candice's surgery is over, and her mom says it went well (Hurray!). There were some enlarged lymph nodes which the doctor had anticipated and removed, but other than that, it sounds like the tumor had not spread to any surrounding tissue, which is very good news. While she was "under," they also inserted a port in Candice's chest through which she'll receive the chemotherapy.

Surgery sucks!!! So she'll feel like she was run over by a truck for at least a day or so, but then slowly she'll begin to feel better. Tonight Candice will probably stay in the hospital, and then she'll go to her mom's house to begin recovery. If anyone would like Candice's address to send cards, flowers, food, etc...please contact me: hibbert [dot] karen [at] gmail [dot] com.

Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Top 10 reasons to get cancer

2009-04-02T00:49:00.013-04:00

Today will not be an easy day for Candice. She heads to the hospital at 10:30am and her double mastectomy surgery begins at 1:30pm.

BUT...Candice is a nut job (if I do say so myself) and of course she still has her sense of humor. Here's her contribution to today's post:

Top 10 reasons to get cancer:
1) You get to stop shaving (once chemo begins)
2) Never have to worry about that horrible task of finding a bra that won't fit anyways
3) Doing your hair has never been easier
4) Mammograms won't hurt any more
5) Nobody can tell when you're cold in the pool anymore
6) Boys will have to skip "second base" and go straight to third...
7) Free bikini wax (Brazilian style)
8) Get waited on, hand and foot
9) Jogging isn't quite so "bouncy"
10) Improved friendship with Karen (!!)

(ok, really don't get it, quit smoking and eat your freaking broccoli)

Pray today!!

Top 10 Worst Ways to Break Cancer Diagnosis News to Your Family

2009-04-01T01:33:00.000-04:00

#10: Wear an "I've Got Cancer" t-shirt around the house.

#9: Use overly intricate (and thoroughly confusing) means:
-Spouse: Honey, you don't look so well. Are you feeling alright?
-Response: Well, if by 'are' you mean 'do', and if by 'feeling' you mean 'have' and if by 'alright' you mean 'cancer', then the answer is yes, I most certainly do.

#8: Vanity license plates: [2MR GUY], [KEMO GAL], [CNCR SUX],[CNCR FITR]

#7: Via text message. ( omg! ive gt cancer. not kewl. )

#6: Make your family play connect the dots with your twisted logic:
"Ya know, I was thinking about what a horrible disease that cancer is and how Fate must really hate someone to inflict such a horrible curse on them. Well, apparently Fate hates me."

#5: The Relativity Approach:
"Well honey, I got fired from my job for sleeping with the cleaning lady, who apparently gave me HIV. You should get yourself checked out ASAP. Ha ha, just kidding about that...by the way, I have cancer.

#4: "Alright everybody, raise your hand if you DON'T have cancer."
(raising your hand at first, then slowly dropping it as everyone watches)

#3: On the Jumbotron at a sporting event.

#2: Through clever subtleties:
Spouse: Do you have Billy's basketball schedule for next week?
Response: I'll tell ya what I don't have...the ability to properly regulate cell growth and proliferation anymore.

And the #1 worst way to break cancer diagnosis news to your family:

"Knock-knock" ... "who's there?" ... "I have cancer."

Thank you to Cancer Is Not Funny.

Prayer chain for Candice!

2009-03-31T19:39:00.000-04:00

Candice sent out the following message today, and would like to spread the word:

I need you to perpetuate this prayer chain whether or not you believe in God because I do. I need you to pray for me starting now through Sunday, on the hour, every hour for the following four things: 1. That they get ALL of the cancer out of my body. 2. That they get ALL the right lymph nodes. 3. That whatever they might have missed, ask God to take them with Him, and the most important of all: 4. Tell God that I want very much to watch my little girl grow up. Pray hard, pray loud, pray long. Get loud, persistent and annoying so that God HEARS OUR PRAYERS. Tell your friends and family, get strangers in on this prayer chain, God will listen! He MUST! The surgery is Thursday from 1:00 - 5:00, the prayers should be strongest at this time. Thank you!

Sad news

2009-03-30T22:32:00.001-04:00

When Candice called me to tell me she had cancer, I wasn't sure what to think. I cried. It's devastating. And unfair. I was angry. It's maddening. And then I booked a flight to Buffalo. I went with Candice and her mom to the doctor's appointment on Friday and heard the doctor say "aggressive cancer." I listened to him say that he had to remove her left breast and several lymph nodes. I tried to imagine how I'd feel in that situation. And then I heard Candice tell him to take them both off. She explained to him that she has a 7 year old daughter and can't be taking any risks. And that was that.

Speaking of her daughter...I had the pleasure of meeting Skylin this past weekend for the first time. I was so blown away by how happy this child is ALL the time. She's so adorable and happy and funny. I can't imagine a better reason for Candice to fight this evil cancer.

Her surgery is Thursday, April 2nd at 1:30.