People hear "stage 4" and automatically think "terminal" but that's not true all the time. My mother had cancer - twice. Stage 3 and stage 4. Long story short - she lived to 90 years old and died of old age because her body shut down, not cancer. I hope this encourages you, Samantha. God bless you and heal you completely and permanently.
I am so sorry what all you are going through . I’ve had 3 back surgeries but I haven’t had to deal with cancer. I think of you so often. I can say God helped me through all of them. You are so strong. I pray you don’t have to deal with anything else. I had the best doctors and the best nurses and hospital, they treated me like a queen. I pray That God heals you of that terrible disease. God is good . I was told that I wouldn’t live past 40 they were wrong God had other plans , I will be 82 in august. My doctors can’t believe I am still here. God has a plan for you. Much love from Ohio. 🙏🏻😞
Samantha, I know how hard cancer is on the whole family. I admire how much energy and care you show during your health battles. You're a great mother and please, never lose hope. My dad was diagnosed with skin cancer forty years ago. His melanoma was black, bloody, huge and required a skin graft the size of an egg. He had more than fifty moles removed and seven turned out to be melanomas. Doctor's prognoses were grim, but he survived and died two decades later from non cancer related causes. I wish you the best and much time with your beloved daughter.
The worst thing about cancer is how much it hurts to think of your children growing up without a mother. I was 47 when I was diagnosed. I have 2 sons. I used to cry so much just thinking of them going through life and being in pain because I would not be there to help them and to console them. Then I set myself a target. The first one was to see my eldest son get a degree. The second target after my son's graduation was to see my youngest finish his GCSE exams (the exams we have in the UK when the children are 15/16 years old). The 3rd target is to see my youngest son finish his A level exams and go to uni. Atm my youngest is just finishing his last 2 A level exams and then he will be off to uni in September. I wish you luck Samantha and many wonderful years with your daughter x
@@bobs1356 that is really unkind to say to a cancer patient and a mother. Samantha's daughter is loved very much. Samantha might live another 60 years. Every day there are new cancer treatments being discovered.
God knew you would be a loving committed mother...none of us knows how long we have....neither does rude @bobs1536....you worries for your baby above your own are what real mothers are made of....you're a perfect example of a loving mother.. I'll be praying for your health and a full recovery!!
Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for hiding your precious baby and keeping her safe from the internet. You are one of the best moms ever! You protecting your baby is everything! Looking forward to part two.
Samantha, that was a very touching story about your spine experience. Suffering from a back fracture and being in intense pain was very uncomfortable for you and I understand it very well. Samantha, you are sensible not to expose your daughter to the social media. She looks so cute with those two little ponytails.
Sorry that the 'pre-op' nurse was so awful and your recovery experience, too. You're an amazing Mom who is tryng to juggle so many balls and doing an amazing job! What an incredible young woman you are.
Don’t they know by having baby or family around you your anxiety would have gone way down, which helps with pain etc. some decisions just don’t make sense. Glad all seems better now. ❤
So sorry you had to deal with all of that. I think they forget how much pain people are in after surgery and don't give it a second thought.Glad you are doing much better and I know that sweet little girl missed her Mommy.Take care and keep healing.
Thank you for sharing your experience. My breast cancer had also spread to my spine. That’s how it was found. I didn’t have surgery though. My cancer is hormone driven so chemo pills shrank the tumor so I finally got relief. I am so glad that experience is behind you ❤
Samantha keep telling your story releasing painful memories will help others know what cancer is and will help you to heal. Through out my life I have experience many different surgeries. Emotional and physical pain is something you will always remember. Crying is important and it always feels better afterwards. MBC in the bones is something you deal with even when you are in remission. The what if I fall is always in the back of your mind. When it happens to me I remind myself to think positive thoughts like so what if I do I will live. I love the ending from your tears to joyful smile that your little girl gives you. This is reality you and your family are beautiful.
This was a difficult experience but as usual you handle everything with grace and calm Bless your baby Girl You are a great and caring Mum Big gentle Hugs
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on May 10th 2024. It is ER/PR negative, HER 2 positive stage 2. I stated my first round of chemo ICHP on June 12th. The plan is 5 more rounds and scans then surgery, recover and more chemo rounds. This is so scary cause my mom passed away in my arms last March 23rd 2023 from a different breast cancer that metastasized. She was 46 when she first got breast cancer. In 2021 she had back pain and found out it had spread everywhere. she was 54 when she passed and I’m only 36. Cancer is so horrible
I’m so sorry. I was dx’d with invasive ductal bc on June 14. 2022. Thankfully it was only estrogen positive. I was 47. Since your mom was dx’d so young, were your doctors monitoring you? If you haven’t, I’d definitely go genetic testing to see if you carry any of the bc genes. Prayers for you!
@@kristyhuber7835 I found the lump myself in the shower. They were gonna start mammograms on me this fall. Crazy thing is my cancer didn’t show up on it only ultrasound. I did get the genetic testing done on 71 genes and I don’t carry any gene mutations.
Been following you since the beginning and really appreciate your RU-vid channel and you! I was just diagnosed with cancer of the bladder and kidney. Just had my first PET scan today to see if it's spread anywhere else. Love you Samantha! You're the best mommy! I'm hoping and praying things will work out for you and I have a great feeling they will! For me too! You're so young and vibrant and you have a great husband and family! Can't wait for part two. ❤️
I can see on your face and in your eyes how traumatic this experience was for you. Plus, you almost always minimize what's happened to you! I'm so sorry this happened. To be worried about your baby and kept from seeing your family is horrible. You are so brave. I appreciate you sharing your story. Your daughter is so lucky to have you as her Mom. ❤
It's sad that a nurse felt the need to unload her negative opinions on you right before surgery🙄RUDE!!.You handled that so we'll though❤️..You are such an amazing and strong human❤️And such a wonderful momma❤️
An 8 hour recovery period is wild! I was concerned after my mom's hip surgery when she was in recovery for 3 hours. Glad this experience is behind you.
I would NOT have been able to tell that story. Also I wish recovery would give at least a little time with a family member. It seems like it would make the nurses job easier when their patients are reassured😢 This is such good information. Thanks for sharing!
Nothing like as serious as your story, but I totally relate as I had eye surgery when my baby was 12 weeks old. I remember all the organisation required to express breast milk and make sure she would be ok, then the emotion of saying goodbye to her and my toddler daughter, I hardly thought about my operation, just the babies and getting back to them. You have my admiration. (Mine was over 20 years ago but still a strong memory.)
Samantha, I admire you so much. You are such a strong woman. I wish every nurse who ever cares for you could be like the awesome night nurse. You have such a wonderful husband and precious baby girl. Such a supportive family. God gave you the right people to love you for sure. I wish all good things for you. ❤ Carol
Hi Sam you’re so strong willed … you’re amazing and your little one will grow up knowing this …. I’m on the same meds as you …cancer is awful but when you have a little one ❤no wonder you get upset …. Hoping your doing ok ❤ Claire uk 🇬🇧
Ive been watching you from the beginning your a strong women. Ive been through breast cancer this year. You have been through so much. I just want you to know yout in my prayers everyday day. ❤❤❤❤❤ if you ever get an nurse that makes you feel that way ask for another one. You should not need to feel that way. Nurses are supposed to be caring. What a bitch so sorry ❤ your a GREAT Loving mother. ❤❤❤
I've been through a few emergency surgeries with new babies and toddlers at home and that drive to get back to them is so crazy strong. it's a force of nature. it is far more "back breaking" emotionally being away from your nursling! i'm so happy you still exist, Samantha. You're an amazing human and mama. ♥️ thank you for sharing with us.
I am so sorry all of this has happened to you. You are very strong for a young woman. I want you to know that I pray for you every day. I am dealing with cancer in my family my husband and my brother. It's hard for my emotions. I can't imagine the feelings you must be dealing with. God bless you sweetheart! ❤
Oh sweet, sweet Samantha, may God use your VOICE to bring others in here because your current composure is sobering and humbling. May God fill you with His peace as you continue to walk this very, indescribable journey.
I have so much empathy and sympathy for you, I know how bad back pain can be. I have a slipped disc at L4/5 and have had constant chronic pain from that for 7 years now and I also have Fibromyalgia. But I can only imagine the amount of pain, not only having cancer in your spine, but for it to have fractured the disc like that and then having the surgery on top of all that. Goodness gracious! Sending lots of love and healing vibes. I hope your pain is as manageable as it possibly can be... 💜
Traumatizing hospital experience! Yikes!! You are a sweet caring mom so tears are reflecting your love and concerns for her! I’m sorry for all that pain and suffering! And very sorry they put an elderly stroke patient with a painful surgery patient - or vice versa! But thankful you survived healed and are thriving again with your cute toddler! Blessings! ❤
What a great mother you are Samantha! You don't cry that often but not being there for your baby hurts. She was in good hands and what will really make a mark in her is your love for her, your care for her. This will just be a bump
@@SamanthaL I rarely post but I had the same experience when my baby was young. Surgery for cancer in my spine. She does not remember my absence. Your sweet daughter will have no effects because of the wonderful mother you are❤
Oh also for my radiation I had to move away the day after surgery and scans to an apt all alone. Nobody could be near me d/t radiation. Not even my dog. Had to be totally alone for 14 days w a no-iodine (basically you can’t eat anything but no salt rice cakes, had to do these for 3 years after every 6 mos)- but it was awful and very sad Also your vid explaining could be very helpful for those w several ruptured discs or a disc above and below one previously- operated- on disc- bc they need a fusion. Same surgery but without putting the pieces of the broken vertebrate together. I’m so happy you had all the help the day of the pics. I would have been totally alone as I am doing this alone (IVF) bc cancer treatment unexpectedly ruined my eggs when I was promised they would not. So as I said in another comment, it’s all alone. And even before that, I had a mess of a family….abusive alcoholics or those that didn’t believe the truth teller (me). One time I had an amazing nurse. The other would bring my morphine/dilaudid (made me feel awful!! I hate dilaudid lol but understand 100% w my back problems now just wanting to be sedated). Unreal they sent you home from the ER. Anyway we both seem like easy pts lol! I think that’s all I wanted to say, but cancer + infertility is so hard, and thank you for your experiences. I would’ve been alone w the photographer and they would’ve somehow gotten a helicopter or something to me. Bc I have nobody to depend on but me 😞
We love you. A good example of positivity,informative and genuinely lovable. My mum went through stage 3 Her+BC i know how hard it is on the whole family. You rock🎉
I had upper back fusion 15 years ago. After the surgery I told my husband I didn’t see how anyone could be in this much pain and still be alive. So I understand what you’re saying.
My heart breaks for all you had to endure. First of all, they never should’ve sent you home in that state, and you are better than me because I would’ve been like “emergency, let’s go”. I totally understand how it feels to leave your baby. I had a major surgery at 12 wks pregnant, 2 more surgeries before he was 1, and a really big surgery right before he was 3. I feel like people don’t understand what it’s like to leave your baby. It doesn’t matter about the surgery. My surgery when I was 12 wks pregnant was to put another j tube feeding tube because I had to stop my IV nutrition because another infection would’ve killed us. The day before surgery I had to see my OB and she informed me that we needed to do a cervical biopsy, which terrified me, and I was still spotting when I arrived for surgery. This horrible nurse told me that since I was only 11 wks if anything went wrong they couldn’t save the baby. I knew that, she didn’t need to say it. I’ve been dealing with medical stuff and surgeries since I was a kid, and I can be a pretty difficult patient in some situations like what you went through being alone. My surgeon had them bring my fiancé to the PACU before I was even awake because I woke up crazy. They kept asking me about pain and I hustled kept repeating “my baby”, and I was in horrible pain, but I needed to know. The finally got me into ultrasound. But, the hardest surgery was when I didn’t see my son for 8 wks, I was losing it It’s okay to have emotions, that’s your baby, and you are a mama bear. I’ve walked out of the hospital with a blood infection because my son wasn’t doing well, I went back to the hospital, but there’s nothing worse than not having your baby. I feel like the staff wasn’t being sympathetic to your needs. I can’t believe they had you in PACU for 8 hrs. I e heard of that in the ER waiting for a bed, but your surgery was scheduled. You are so strong and an amazing mama!
Wow 😮😢Sounds like a horrific experience. I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that. And that nurse certainly sis not help the situation. Glad you are on the mend ❤
Sam the reason why you felt so bad for your gorgeous daughter , because you are a beautiful caring dedicated mum , sam i am a nurse and i had patients say to me , oh joan i am glad your on shift . I have had words with nurses to please be more compassionate and have empathy , i also was diagnosed in December of multiple myeloma and that effects my bones , no one could blame you for being frustrated and upset , you should not be apologetic , nurses who cared for you . Should know better . Sam i am so sorry you are going through all this , but we will get there , Sam even though you have gone through so much , your concern for another patient just highlights the beautiful person you are . Well girl we will both get there , i am s mum of two gorgeous daughters so we have so much to look forward too , looking forward to to your post , please take care and rest , most of all be very proud of of who you are . As all i can see is a lovely mum . Pushing through to be there for her family . And we can do this x x love from Melbourne Australia ❤❤❤
@@SamanthaL my pleasure , sam i watched your recent video , and i understand the pain , your courage and strength and devotion as a wife and mother is just beautiful , Sam ignore rude comments ( these sad people are just so miserable so unhappy , they feel the need to criticise a wife a mother , who is telling her story , to raise awareness and to help out , i think with a cancer diagnosis , i have learned life is definitely way too short to worry about nasty people , we are all different and we do things differently , you are doing on amazing job , we will get there , stay strong and always chat to us about anything . We are all there for you ❤️❤️
Sorry you had some bad nurses at the hospital. Some people aren't caring enough to take care of others. It's too bad you couldn't have your daughter with you. That had to be extremely hard. Your daughter's pigtails are everything!!
Thank you for sharing your experiences. It’s amazing how well you look after all you’ve been through. So glad you have your beautiful baby and awesome husband to give you the motivation to keep going! And thank God for your mom, dad and sister! Isn’t it wonderful how God set us in families! He knew how we’d always be there to support one another! Praying for your continued well being!! 🙏❤️🙏
Samantha Praise God your ok they fixed it just get better your so strong sometimes you can’t see all the strength others see ❤ I’m sorry you had to go through another hurdle but here you are Amen Amen❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Good to see you Samantha. You still look young. Congratulations . Is she your 2nd child? I thought you had your first after you stopped the estrogen blocking tablet. I think you was in college when your cancer started so you was very young. lt just proves very young women become fertile again quickly. My daughter-in-law aged 41 has become infertile. They planned for later trying from age 39. I am sorry you are in agony with the pain in your back. My two lower spine vertabrae fused together naturally after months of excruciating pain. The only way l felt comfortable was driving. I can imagine your lower back pain is unbearable. I love your videos because you tell us as it is and show us things. It's educational and a great help for young women going through cancer. Wishing you and your family happy times. ❤
For future surgeries, 1)Always ask for a compassionate care person for anxiety after surgeries, have it set in stone ahead of time. I simply call the hospital and deem my husband as mine. I feel so bad for the people i see during recovery that have nobody, knowing how much better i feel with my person there. 2) bring like 10 pillows with you, just buy the $4 ones bc you might leave some behind by accident, but it will show for more comfort while you are there and also for the ride home. We call them my nest lol I'm proud of you and you are doing amazing being a mother and just an incredible person. Praying for you 🙏
Gosh.... I am mad for you too!! So much to go thru....and you are such a good mommy and you missed your baby ..if I were your nurse I would have spoiled you ❤
I once had a roommate who had come to hospital after choosing to refuse dialysis and pass from kidney failure rather than wait for her stage 4 cancer to finish her. We were in one of only 4 double rooms in the hospital which were meant fo patients who could take caee of their own basic needs. I belonged there. She did not. I did my best to care for her as the toxins rapidly built up in her body and brain. She became increasingly confused with each passing hour and I eventually found myself feeding her, dressing her and helping her find her way to the toilet. The nurses and her daughter were fully aware of this, btw. One day, while I was in the shower, they brought her dinner, sat her up in a chair with her food and just left. As I was getting out of the shower a particularly nasty nurse burst into the bathroom, glared at me as if I was the worst sort of human alive, yanked the towel I was in the process of drying myself with right out of my hands and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Apparently that "poor nurse" had to clean up the mess my roommate had made while attempting to feed herself and she was very upset with me for "neglecting my duty" to feed my hospital roommate. I finished drying myself as best as I could with a washcloth while crying my eyes out.
@@SamanthaL Fortunately, that sort of behavior isn't something one can excuse, so after I told my doctor what had happened, I never had to deal with that particular nurse again. Soon afterward, my roommate was moved to a room where she could be properly cared for by those qualified and paid to do so.
As a mother, nothing makes us as emotional as our children. No matter how old they are. I know your surgery is over and you are back in Virginia. I’m so sorry you had to go through this experience but thank you for sharing the raw reality of cancer. Your videos have helped so many! 🩷
I had this surgery too, but with less bone removal. It sounds like you had what is called a posterior instrumented fusion, possibly with an L2 corpectomy. If they took out the vertebral body and replaced it with a block of bone or a metal cage (strut), then that would be a fusion with corpectomy, but then you would need an incision in the front (or side, I think) to place the cage. Perhaps they just removed the bone bulging into the spinal canal and let the original bone fuse back. The important thing is that the integrity of your spinal canal has been restored as this could have given you all kinds of problems later on like incontinence, weakness and numbness in the legs and loss of muscle mass. And you must be a few mm taller now! I don't know if they told you this but it is important to strengthen your abdominals and avoid bending the back over to lift things. When you stand up, suck your belly button in a bit and keep the transverse abdominus engaged when going down the stairs or playing with your daughter. Because you are fused across the entire vertebrae the adjacent disks now will bear more wear from bending. However, we don't bend much at L2, so it is possible to adapt well enough. Even though you look like you recovered well, you have to give yourself several months to feel normal again, as there can be a lot of inflammation even if it is done as a minimally invasive surgery. The experience you had with the other patient in the room must have been dreadful, especially after such a difficult surgery, but what the nurse told you going in is just nuts. They are supposed to reassure you, not scare you. You're quite resilient.
Thanks for your comment! I don’t believe they removed any bone. They did tell me it can be over a year until I’ve recovered completely, but so far it’s going well!
@@SamanthaL Yes, I found it took 9-12 months to feel like there is no hardware in the back. You should not feel anything in the back with your fingers. The screw heads are set in "tulips" to anchor the rods that are a few cm underneath the muscle. There can be inflammation and scar tissue, though, and that's what you might feel.
@@bengt_axle I have lumps in my back that I can see and feel. My doctor told me that’s where the screws are. I asked if I should try to massage the area and he said it wouldn’t help because it’s the screw I’m feeling and not scar tissue. Apparently I need more back fat in order to not have them jutting out like that 🤷♀️
@@SamanthaL Ouch! I'd think the erector spinae is thick enough to bury the screw heads. Maybe you can have the hardware removed after 15 months or so. You could have also lost some muscle while waiting for the surgery and because of your long illness. Screws can come loose but they always check for that with post-op x-rays. I did spinning (indoor biking) and other exercises to strengthen the back, after about 3 months or so.
I just was in the hospital for eight days and my back was sore from the bed. They put on a blowup mattress on the bed but it did not help much. I also asked for some extra pillows and they said they could not find any. Next time I am going to bring extra pillows.
Is this a 2nd spinal surgery? I thought you were now at home in VA? I am so sorry you are going through all of this. I am 1 yr out from my BC diagnosis, dbl mastectomy.
I had a very similar surgery. My tumor fractured T12. I had a fusion and debulking of the tumor to prevent it from impacting my spinal cord before radiation. They removed a rib to get to the area. So painful. So much post-op anxiety and depression. Sending you my love and strength. ♥️
@@SamanthaL oh ok, I thought that may be the case. Did not know if I had missed a video. God bless you, continued prayers for you and your sweet family. This BC diagnosis has been a Trip for me. You are such a strong person.
I have had 2 prolapsed discs & the pain is absolutely off the scale....utterly unbearable. Sitting is a nightmare, cars are a nightmare, steps etc. Get all your saying!! x
I don’t remember saying that, but maybe. I was informed beforehand by my doctors, but not in the way this nurse said it. I definitely think people should be informed about how painful it is, but this person was like trying to get me to back out of a surgery I very much needed
