Jamie Gilmore featured in MD Anderson CancerWise
Fighting cancer with hope By Erica Quiroz Although Jamie Gilmore’s cancer has relapsed three times, she’s hoping the fourth time will be the charm to finally beat it. Gilmore was first diagnosed at 14 years old with acinic cell carcinoma (ACC), a rare salivary gland cancer. But her most notable experience with ACC happened when she was 20. She had pain on the left side of her face — the exact spot where she had a mass removed six years earlier — and was scheduled for surgery. A happy surprise “This time the tumor was all around my facial nerves,” Gilmore says. “The surgery was going to be five to six hours for removal of the tumor and then another five to six hours for reconstructive surgery.” As Gilmore’s husband and family waited, the anesthesiologist noticed her hormone levels were elevated. “My mom had me on a lot of natural remedies, and I thought that was why,” she says. “When the anesthesiologist came in and said I was pregnant, I was shocked.” Surgery was postponed, and Gilmore was referred to a high-risk OB-GYN at Texas Woman’s Hospital.”My doctor’s first priority was to ensure the safety of the baby,” Gilmore says. “Six weeks after delivery, I would be able to have the surgery.”Gilmore was induced at 38 weeks and her daughter, Mikala, was born Dec. 4, 2002. “She’s our miracle baby,” Gilmore says. Cancer spreads The following January, she went through a 12-hour surgery to remove the cancer and have reconstructive facial surgery.”I looked horrible afterward,” Gilmore says. “But my doctors did a great job, and I couldn’t believe how well the surgery...
Neupogen
Thank god for friends Friends assist when you need help giving yourself a shot. I went from being a fainter when needles are involved to giving myself a shot. Last day of my neupogen shots for the week to help boost my white blood cell...
Chemo
Mobile office at MD Anderson, had Jodi up there working with me again during chemo!!!! Work, work, work Angry stomach today, nothing like 3 emergency public bathroom stops. Thanks to chemo i’m getting acquainted with all the public restrooms on the way to the Medical Center and to the...
Chemo
Just finished chemo and left MD Anderson. Last week was my off week, so I had a wonderful week of feeling almost back to normal. Hoping my stomach will not take me down again, no time to be sick!!!! Masquerade for a Cure is getting close, soooooo much to do Jodi was my chemo buddy today, working in my mobile office (aka hospital room) while getting chemo. Was so awesome that she came up to hang out and work on Jamie’s Hope with me!!...
Masquerade for A Cure
All of us still at the office working, late...
Mikala – our miracle baby
Cuddling with my daughter, just read a story and have not cried this much since my diagnosis, a very similar story of a woman here in Houston who battled cancer and was pregnant at the same time. She gave birth in 2003, our children are 13 months apart and she lost her battle in 2005. I am soooooo thankful that I was able to give birth to our perfectly healthy miracle baby Mikala. Despite having cancer, I am still here today and have had 9 1/2 years with her so far. I plan on beating this disease again!!!!! I pray for the day that I can say I am a 4 times...
Wheatgrass
This is the only thing keeping me from getting in the car and heading to the office. Can smell it:( Wheatgrass doesn’t mix well with coffee!...
Capitol
Austin bound. On a bus full of future leaders!!!!! So excited!!!!! Hoping to meet a few...
Chemo
FYI : (there is no other way to say this) CHEMO SUCKS!!!!!! Week 3 of stomach issues, which confirms this is likely a side effect and not an infection or food poisoning. Chemo pic is last Wednesday when I was actually feeling almost normal again, so happy this is my off week!!!!!!!! Hopefully I will start feeling better asap, headed to the Capitol with my TRLP leadership group tomorrow for law, legislature and leadership day. Super excited, just hope I will have energy...
Chemo
My sister is sleepy Me too. Just finished chemo!! In valet line and about to be on the way...
Volunteers at MD Anderson
Heart pillow from www.TheCommonThreadCircle.org volunteer services gave me. They were walking around with a cart of all kinds of cool hats, scarves, pillows, etc. and giving them out to the patients. I have another heart pillow at home that was given to me by a volunteer and sleep with it under my hip/leg every night!! Helps a lot with the pain from the cancer in my...
Cindy
Cindy working hard!! ~Jamie
Chemo
In the hallway with Cindy at MD Anderson waiting for chemo to start. Long day, super tired and haven’t even started yet Can’t wait to get home and in bed....
Makeup by Wendy
Jamie getting her makeup done by Wendy!!! We love you! TV interview filming today with HCC TV on Dialogue Houston – Laurence Payne. Airs tomorrow Thursday, Saturday, and...
Chemo and needles
Sisterly love. My sister pinching my fat so I could give myself my Neupogen shot to boosts white blood cell production. Cindy and Adam also brought soup, vitamins, boost, etc…. I haven’t moved from bed since Friday evening and am now suspicious that getting sick last week was a side effect of chemo and not an infection. Yesterday : severe stomach issues, extremely weak, loss of appetite Today: stomach a little better, weak, headache, nausea Ready to feel normal again Also, can’t wait for the day there are more effective treatment options with less side effects !!!!! ~...Family Attack!
Attention everyone! Let’s all get on my sister! She needs to be drinking more water / Gatorade, eat right, and take vitamins. I think the chemo is starting to weaken her immune system and she seems to be getting sick after chemo. Mothers and chiefs – please bring her healthy food!!!!...Chemo
2 days after chemo and feeling almost normal. Started Neupogen shots last night, which I actually inject into myself. I have come a long way considering I am a needle phobic fainter, lol. Starting experiencing a little more nausea this time after chemo and the next day, but luckily I have zofran to keep it under control. I think I gained 5 pounds yesterday from Amanda putting food next to my computer every couple hours and then my mom stuffing me with extra food at dinner. Thank god for good friends and family!!! Hoping to find time to squeeze golf into my schedule this weekend, need lots of practice for our golf tournament we are starting to plan for next...
Weatherford International Ltd.
Jamie’s Hope would like to welcome Weatherford International Ltd. as an official Venetian Sponsor ($10,000) of the Masquerade for a Cure event!! Special thanks to Ms. Cindy Gilmore for making it...ER
Got home last night around 2:30 am, almost feeling normal again. So, what did I learn? No salad bars after chemo. I went out to eat after chemo when my immune system was likely at the lowest point. It was also the first day of my Neupogen shots, so my white blood cell count was likely really low on that day. Also, before our daughter went back to school we went to Cabo about 2 weeks ago. My doctor did not recommend travel, probably should have listened I ended up picking something up there and was just starting to get better last week. Lessons Learned: 1. Do not go to Mexico right after chemo when doctor tells you not to travel / just because I’m 30, doesn’t mean I’m invincible 2. No salad bars after chemo...Donate Here
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