Feb 17, 2023
As many of you heard, I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer this past week. For those of you who haven’t, I’ll get you caught up in a minute. I’ve created this private group as an easier way to keep my family and friends informed on what’s going on. My loved ones are far and wide so its hard to keep everyone informed but if it were my family member or friend I’d want to know!
Ok, here’s the story so far…
I had an abnormal mammogram that led to 3 biopsies which all came back positive for “invasive carcinoma of no special type.” I don’t have a “stage” but they are small and spread to at least one lymph node. Assuming they haven’t spread farther that would put me as “stage 1” but that part is Google talking. What I do know is it is “grade 3” (out of 3) which is the worst and means it’s aggressive and spreads quickly. The good news is I am positive for “HER2” which is a hormone receptor on the cancer cells and there is an anticancer drug that targets this making treatment easier. (HER2 is generally bad because that’s what makes it aggressive but it can be treated so… good and bad) My radiologist has already made me an appointment with a surgeon on Monday who will be the head of my team and refer me to an oncologist. He also said I’m looking at chemo and surgery but even though it’s going to be rough I’m going to be “just fine.”
I’ve been taken off the schedule at work and put on an extended leave with my CASA program I was working with so I can focus on getting through this. It’s going to move quickly so I’m trying to get ready for what’s about to come.
I’ve already received a lot of love and support and I really appreciate it! Thank you to every who’s reached out expressing love and concern or offered to help!
Feb 20, 2023
1 week! Such a small milestone in a large journey of many unknowns! But thankfully I’m generally quick to accept what’s not in my control and roll with it. This isn’t a choice? Ok, fine! Let’s do this!
I had my consultation with the surgeon today. She didn’t say much that I didn’t already know. Start with chemo then surgery 4 to 6 weeks after that. We already knew that part. The chemo will be a cocktail with 2 more meds that increase the outcome all done through IV.
They did a blood draw to do genetic testing so I will know if the kids are at risk (genetically at least). And it might answer why because I’m pretty young for a breast cancer diagnosis. That comes back in a couple weeks. She’s referring me to an oncologist and will also order a full scan to see if there is more somewhere else. I’ll know when my oncology appt is tomorrow, it was too late in the day when I left to schedule it tonight.
She will also schedule for me to have a chest port surgically put in to save my veins from all the poking.
I think that’s about all. Oh and she’s against Girl Scout Cookies because a cookie shouldn’t have a year long shelf life.
Feb 22, 2023
We met with the oncologist today. Here’s the scoop…
I have a few things to squeeze into the schedule over the next week, like 2 MRIs, 3 CTs, an echocardiogram, port placement, and blood work all by next Wednesday. Then hoping to start chemo on Friday the 3rd.
Chemo will be IV therapy made up of 2 chemo meds plus 2 anticancer drugs together every 3 weeks until mid-June. (6 total) then I continue the anticancer drugs on that same 3 week schedule for a year. The anticancer drugs have less intense side effects so once the chemo part is over the IV therapy should get easier. 4 to 6 weeks after the chemo part of the IV therapy is done I’ll be doing the surgery and then, because it’s in the lymph node, radiation therapy after that.
They will do blood work and Dr visit before every chemo appt monitoring things and measuring things to make sure we’re making progress.
Total treatment plan is one year.
So, how am I doing with all this? I’m perfectly fine actually! The same happy person I was before all this started. I have been on the other end receiving cancer news of a loved one and I know that’s hard to hear but I am doing just fine! I didn’t choose cancer but I can choose to not let it make me emotionally miserable too! I choose to be happy despite it all! I’m not scared, I’m not sad, it is what it is, and I’ll get through it just fine!
The only thing I might be a little nervous about are the scans this weekend to see if it’s worse than what we already know. Assuming it’s not… I got this! If it is then we’ll regroup and start over. We should know by Monday.
Feb 27, 2023
2 weeks since diagnosis. T minus 4 days until chemo starts.
I’m having my port placement surgery today. The thought of surgery used to petrify me, but in the grand scheme of things this seems pretty small now. Thankfully nothing is on my schedule tomorrow, then Wed I do my pre-chemo blood work and “Chemo Teach” where I learn more about chemotherapy and what to expect. Thursday is my echocardiogram and then Friday is day 1 of my 1 year long treatment plan. (Assuming it doesn’t change)
Busy week. One day at a time!
I’m in post op, surgery went well but first some good news finally! I got a call from my surgeon while I was still in the waiting room for my surgery and she said they read all the CTs and MRIs and it has not spread!!!!!!! Hallelujah on that one!! What a HUGE relief! Best news in the past 2 weeks!
The port is officially in. I was awake for the whole procedure. Local anesthesia and mild sedation which really only made my vision blurry but nothing else. It was kinda creepy. But the least of my problems right now. I wasn’t even nervous or scared which is so out of character for me. But I think the good news right before I came in helped a lot!
Overall I’m doing pretty good!
Post op should be an hour so not much longer then I’m outa here!