Laura Preston

" You need to write a book. "

I am constantly told you need to write a book or this needs to be a reality show....because nobody would believe the insanity that "life" has been the last 10 years.

There are so many untold stories that have not been told. I constantly get asked questions that start with ....." Whatever happened at...." or " What was it like ...." and I have held tongue and kept quiet. I won't say kept peace, because it all lives within me and it doesn't allow for peace. I have and do pay the price. Others moved on and built different lives, lived selfishly and did whatever they wanted while I have carried it. NO MORE.

People have threatened lawyers, attorneys, non competes, and the list goes on. I just kept moving quietly. Following my values, my heart and my beliefs. I have pivoted. I have held on to what always matters most......but most of all.........

I HAVE LEARNED A LOT OF LESSONS.

I know people show you who they are and we need to believe them.
I know insanity is the same things over and over.
I know employment is not a family.
I know people are VERY unlikely to change.
I know nobody is coming to save you.
I know how they talk and treat others is exactly how they are going to do you.
I know people will use you for what they can gain, and discard you when the purpose has been fulfilled. PAY ATTENTION.
I know keeping peace, not being truthful and dealing with problems, becomes internal sickness.
I know clarity is kindness.
I know people will not help themselves but expect you to save them.

The last year has been insane. From shattering my ankle and breaking my leg on a golf cart with dad, my dad passing, dealing with a nightmare estate situation and now fighting cancer......I have learned one huge lesson.......

I have ZERO f***s left to give. ZERO. NONE.

Time to live a brutally honest life. Time to deal with things in the moment. Don't take days for granted. Don't sweep s**t under the rug. Handle it. Confront it. Apologize for it. Correct it. Have the conversation.

I have never enjoyed the task of writing, but I do love good story telling. I love a good podcast. I love learning from others that have walked the path. Someone that went through something , faced it....came out on the other side-- and said , let me tell you how I did this, and what mistakes I have made.

I have always said "Sharing is Caring".

I built a lot of my career by teaching, sharing and constantly learning.

So I think its about time we head into the vault and start a story time. Time to share the stories, the lessons, the mistakes and the magical huge wins.

I want to heal and recover from this s**t in the last 10 years. I want to empty out the luggage I carry around. I will never forget, not interested in forgiving-- but I am ready to unpack and let go.

Not sure what its going to look like for sure.....a podcast with episodes? A utube channel? Facebook lives? No idea. I guarantee you will want to pop some popcorn and settle in. Definitely entertainment. Some people will get that 15 minutes of fame they always talk about. Think Netflix series with lots of main characters.

Topics you ask? So many to choose from.....family, jobs, narcissists, dementia/alzheimers, caregiving, advance care directives, wills, going back to school, obesity, healthcare, corporate america, friendship...the list is endless.

I always said I play the long game. I was always ok with waiting in the wings for the right moment. I keep good files...full of documentation, recordings, texts etc. Remember, I love facts and clarity. As my dad would always say......TRUST ME.

Not going to write a book but its definitely time to share, learn and release. Time to release some of the anger and heal.

Wait, does this make some of you nervous?

It should.

Stand by to stand by.......while I continue to ponder.

CANCER--- YOU PICKED THE WRONG GIRL~ updated Wednesday 9/2/2026

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on the weekend of my 55th birthday. Breast Cancer. It is Triple Negative. Grade 3. Stage 1B. It is not in my lymph nodes. I will be having 4 chemo sessions of Taxotere/ Cytoxan with a booster shot of Neulasta, and 9 radiation treatments. I have had 6 lymph nodes removed and a lumpectomy. My port for chemo has been placed.
I guess #55 is going to be the year I destroyed cancer.

This post contains the background and history relating to this diagnosis. I will update this ONE post after each appointment.
I want to try to go about my life as normal. Keep working. Keeping dealing with my dads estate issues....and trying to redefine what a normal life was going to look like after losing my dad and my foot injury last fall. Breast Cancer was not part of the new normal, nor will I let it be.

Like everything else.....I will warrior up and handle it.

So here is the history of my diagnosis....stay tuned for updates.

UPCOMING APPOINTMENTS
*9 sessions of radiation
10/21 Follow up with surgeon on all procedures
10/9 Chemo Treatment #4
9/18 Chemo Treatment #3

Completed Procedures & Appointments:

I have continued to work so far during treatment. I have had friends come and stay. I have traveled to my brothers. I take each day one at a time and listen to my body. I keep moving, drink tons of water, focus on protein and try to rest and sleep when I can.

8/28 9:00 Chemo Treatment #2-- woke up dreading the appointment. I was finally starting to feel better and here we go again. Off mom and I went. They had trouble getting a blood return tapping into my port ---took 20 minutes. I was starting to panic, but we finally got it. Bags of treatment went quicker. Same shortness of breath with bag one of chemo. This time there was no ponytail, and I did not do the ice cap since I shaved my head. Ice was brutal again. I am updating this on day 5 after...and I had all the same side effects again this time. The bone pain and shot are still the devil for me. Chemo 2 pictures in the comments.

8/26 Blood labs prior to chemo- White blood cells down. Red blood cells down. Sodium high. Still crazy phosphate, cholesterol and glucose. Levels ok to clear for chemo. Freaks me out, I have never had blood labs look like this.

8/24 Physical PT Evaluation for Lymphedema in under arm area where lymph nodes were removed...drug myself in to appointment. She said my chord under my arm was breaking up. My incision was healing nicely. She added a exercise. Taught me how to manipulate scar tissue to work on breaking it up.

8/24 10:00am--- I shaved my hair off. After my hair shedding for the last 3 days I decided today was the day I was going to pull the Brittany. A hair angel came to my house and mom, her and I sat outside in the sunshine with my best friend Clinton on facetime....and she shaved it off. It was 17 days after my first chemo.

8/20 Physical Therapy Canceled -- to sick

8/12 Physical Therapy- Canceled --- too sick

8/7 10:30 Chemo treatment #1- My first treatment was so scary. They steroids you take the day prior, they fuse into you at treatment and then you take the day after are no joke. I was wired and could not sleep for 3 days. Mom and I loaded up and headed in. Met with oncologist first who said labs were clear to go. I settled into my chemo chair. They accessed my port for the first time which I was so scared to do. They ran saline first, then steroid and then anti nausea medicine, then chemo bag one, saline, chemo bag 2, then saline. Afterwards they attached the neustala shot that would infuse 27 hours later. I wore ice slippes, gloves and hat during the chemo one infusion to try to prevent neurotpathy. I have never been so cold in my life. Its like stand out in a snow bank in the winter with no shoes or gloves for an hour. When they started chemo bag one I felt a flush and then became real short of breath for a few minutes--- so scary and so hard not to panic...but I just closed my eyes and concentrated on breathing--- telling myself--- your ok. Your ok. Then my breathing paced out. The first session took about 4 hours for the first time. My mom sat right next to me holding my hand. The first two days after I was ok, hyped up on steroids. Day 3 I hit a wall. I had horrific bone aches from the shot after that forces white blood cell production. I had zero energy. I hurt and ached everywhere. I got mouth sores and blisters. Everything tasted awful and like metal. It was brutal. All side effects I had read about and was aware of prior. Had nauseous moments but never got sick. After the first two weeks I started feeling better and bouncing back. Share chemo #1 pictures in the comments

8/5 Blood labs prior to chemo- Labs the week of chemo came back ok to proceed. My phosphate numbers were still high but CT scan showed no signs of issues. Glucose and cholesterol were higher than my normal but it has been sitting in dysfuction for 6 months.

8/3 Dentist appointment before chemo because chemo effects the mouth. Cleaning and evaluation. I had 8, yes I said 8 surface cavities due to dry mouth. Small topical cavities that appeared since my cleaning in the spring. Sent it to my oncologist and he said it would have to all wait till after chemo. The thought of waiting freaks me out.....but onward.

8/4 Genetic Results come back negative. No BRACA genes. No genetic reasoning for this breast cancer. This takes masectomy off the table since the tumor has already been removed during the biopsy.

7/30 PT Evaluation for Lymphedema in under arm area where lymph nodes were removed.- Met with a great PT therapist regarding my underarm. Incision is healing well. She took her time and explained lympedema to me in great detail. She measure both ares and I did a impedence measurement of fluid....and I do not have lympedema right now....YAY! However I am struggling with pain, tenderness, seromas and numbness. She confirmed I still have two larger seromas...and I have "chording: in my armpit. I am going to add the explanation and a picture in the comments. She gave me exercises to take home to keep stretching out the area. Told to put heat on it. Don't over stretch and pull it. Slow gentle increases. Can take months to break it down. She scheduled 4 more sessions after chemo starts.

7/29 Called genetics office....still no results. Expecting to have back by 8/10. We continue to wait.
*2 Week Follow Up with my surgeon on my port placement and lymph node surgery- possible seroma aspiration. He said all 3 incision look good and are healing well. I do have seromas from my lumpectomy and my lymph node removal. He did not want to aspirate them...yet. He feels that they will resolve themselves. If they do not dissipate in the next couple of weeks, or if they get worse....I am to call and go in for them to drain with a needle from the incision (aspirate). He wants it to heal more. I was cleared to use heat on the seromas and I was cleared to be in lakes or pools....util chemo (8/7)

*7/21 Pre-Genetic counseling and BRACA test- results will take two weeks. Had a 40 minute precouseling session on genetic testing. At the end I had the option of getting a small, medium or large report. I chose the large report which include 40+ genetic tests. It was a blood draw and it will take 10-14 days to get the results. The main result I am looking for is the BRACA gene. If it is positive it will open the conversation of the option of a mastectomy. The results will not change the chemo plan. Once again......I wait.

*7/21 CAT SCAN RESULTS *** I got my scan results right before I headed to work. The 2 impressions were- 1. No evidence of metastatic disease in the chest, abdomen or pelvis. 2. Left breast and axillary postoperative seromas. The report also shared some gallstones and slight coronary artery calcification. All the rest of my organs and area were clear and normal. This was a huge relief. No other cancer found. My treatment plan was a go.

7/20 Oncology Nurse Visit :to explain chemo process. The appointment was about an hour and 15 minutes...and she talked the whole time. It was all about chemo and the drugs that would be used in the treatments. All the side effects, how to manage them and what to look for as precaution. At the end of all of it, I had to sign a consent form that literally is giving them permission to pump my body full of poison, that I am aware of the possible side effects, that I am going to be sick for about 4 months and I could experience permanent damage to my vital organs. Scary and overwhelming--- with little choice. My after visit summary was 22 pages long and I had multiple books to learn more. Walked out and just wanted to come home and crawl into bed and sleep away this bad dream. Still no CT results, they did put a push on them to have them by my surgeon apt on Wednesday morning. Tomorrow I am off for genetic testing.

7/18- CT Scan : My Alkaline Phosphate #'s is a little high in my last blood labs. That is an elevated liver enzyme which could indicate bone irritation. Looking for gallstones or boney metastasis to rule out any other issues before starting Chemo. It was an IV with contrast which was not fun. When they push the contrast you get a big whoosh of warm. Should have results in a week. Have to admit I am nervous with this test. The last couple of years I have had some weird changes on my blood labs-- white cells and alkaline phosphate. When I got back into my chart I have asked about them each time in the notes...and was told it was normal and nothing to be concerned about. I will be anxious to see if something was actually going on. It was a scan of chest-stomach-abdomen area.

7/17 Consult with my oncologist DR. D: He confirmed my treatment plan. I will be having 4 sessions of chemo therapy- Taxotere/ Cytoxan with a booster shot of Neulasta. I will be doing my chemo treatments on Friday's starting Aug 7. They are every 3 weeks. It is a 150 minute session with a booster shot follow up 24 hours later. He is sending me a for a cat scan due to elevated liver enzymes on my blood lab. It is to rule out gall stones or a metastasis. If anything is found on the cat scan or in my genetic blood test-- treatment would have to be re-evaluated. He did check my surgical incision from last week in my lymph nodes, and I have another seroma. They will give it till my follow up on 7/22 to see if the body absorbs the fluids or I will have to have it aspirated on the 22nd.

7/15 Consult with my radiation oncology Dr. G: I learned today that my cancer is stage 1B. I will be having radiology after my chemo treatments. He is recommending 9-19 sessions--- today recommending 9 with information as is----open to change based on genetic testing and chemo results. Radiation session is about 15 minutes each and Monday-Friday.....so it would be about 2 weeks. It will start 2-3 weeks after my last chemo treatment. I see my oncologist this friday ( 2 days) to learn what that is going to entail.

7/13 Pathology Results: All 6 lymph nodes were negative for carcinoma. We get to win this one!

7/9 Injection into lymph nodes, Removed 5 lymph nodes, drained seroma on lumpectomy incision and inserted a port. - Long day. Injection was incredibly painful. No complications in surgery. They said they were taking 1-3- then ended up taking 6. Not readying into it. Port hurts and feels awkward. Was at hospital 10am- 4:45pm. Long day.

7/6 Post Op Appointment with Surgeon - Said incision looked good. Confirmed diagnosis. Said treatment would involve chemo and radiation. We had to do lymph nodes next to see if has traveled. Booked next surgery. Said I had a seroma on the the area where we did the lumpectomy- needed to aspirate at same time. Would also be placing chemo port while I was under. We book an appointment for genetic testing to see if we need to discuss masectomy. Possible MRI or Pet scan ahead as well pending on lymph node results.

7/30 Spoke with Peer Surgeon about results. My surgeon was on vacation. He confirmed what I read. I thought triple negative was good news, it is not. Triple negative is one of the worst breast cancers.

6/29 Received Pathology Report via My Chart - Diagnosis was invasive ductal carcinoma- Grad 3- Triple negative. Negative margins.

6/24 Lumpectomy- Had a tumor/mass removed to diagnose it since we could not get to it in a punch biopsy.

6/22 Sensor Locator appointment with possible 3rd attempt- The sensor was located -- it beeped thank god. They measure the distance from sensor to mass-- the surgeon could work with this bad placement. Thank god I did not have to do again.

6/15 Clip insertion appointment. 3 attempts. Place one that was too far away...the other two attempts failed due to so much lidocaine in the area they could not guide the clip. The mass is deep up against my chest wall do the lidocaine has to be placed deep and the sensor needs to be placed deep. This appointment was AWFUL. Lidocaine was very painful. Did not like this radiologist at all. Zero communication to me as the patient.

6/8 Meet with Surgeon regarding biopsy- tumor/mass was seen during attempted biopsy. Could not get a sample so surgeon wants to remove it to be safe and sure. Doubts its anything, but doesn't want to give it another year. Have to have a clip placed on it to direct the surgery. Back to radiology I go.

6/1 Punch Biopsy and mammogram-- Failed Biopsy- too close to chest wall to get a sample. Was very painful because of location. Didn't try second attempt because could puncture the lung,

5/26 2nd Mammogram and Ultrasound- Had to repeat for a "suspicious" area. They read it on sport and then referred for a punch biopsy. There is something appearing for the first time that was not there last year. More than likely a fatty cyst but want to be sure.

5/19 Annual Mammogram - business as usual, last test for the year. I have one every year. We don't have a breast cancer history in our immediate family.

FRIENDS IN THE ST. JOSEPH COUNTY AREA.......NEED YOUR EXPERTISE

We are looking for recommendation for a probate LITIGATION attorney. Preferably someone in the Sturgis/ Three Rivers area. Seeking a personal recommendation from experience.

Contested.....such a strong word. Sounds long doesn't it?

No statement has ever been more true.

It’s a love story….

Humor Brings Father and Son Closer and Reveals a New Model for Care | A Caregiving Story Role Models | A Caregiving StoryCarlos Olivas III is a Latino, male caregiver to his veteran father who has mild dementia. Carlos and his father butted heads...

Christmas date with mom…. We are off to defy gravity🧹

In all my years on this earth, I have learned that dying is inevitable. No one can stop it. We have one life to live. The material things we invest in are left behind. Memories therefore, are important to me.
So, I'm going to start a "reunion of friends". The idea is to see who reads a post without a picture. If no one reads my post, this will be a very short experiment. But if you are reading this message, make a comment using a single word about how we met. After that COPY this message on your wall and I will also leave you a word. Please, don't leave a word and then not bother doing the second thing. Let’s go! My friends are important to me, especially right now! Now it is your turn.

HANDY MAN QUESTION: * DISHWASHER*
Paul Preston

My dads dishwasher keeps backing up into itself. It is never used. But every couple weeks I smell a sour smell, and I open the dishwasher to find the bottom full of standing water, without it having been run.

Any thoughts on how or why?
The sink backing up into the dishwasher?
A bad switch?
Who do I call.....a plumber?

Would appreciate any thoughts or experience.