Unfortunately our 2018 begins with finding out I have breast cancer.
The statistics so far are as follows:
1-11-18 - Mammogram that turns out to be suspicious
1-17-18 - Second Mammogram ( confirmed cyst in right breast)
1-26-18 - Biopsy
1-30-18 - Cancer diagnosis
We head to the doctor on 1-30 believing we will hear that I have a cancerous cyst that will be removed and I will move on with my life. All good. A little pain for a bit.
Instead we find out although it is small, it is mighty. It is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I break down in the doctor's office when she tells us I will need radiation. And chemo.
The good news is we caught it early. Very early. However, between the type of cancer and my genes, I still have a lot to go through.
The doctor wants to get me scheduled for surgery as soon as possible but we have to wait for a few more results. I also have to have an MRI.
2-1-18 - Time for an MRI. I have never had one so this is a new experience for me. I dress in scrubs (I have always wanted a pair but not for a real medical reason) and head in. I also am getting really used to having those little white bracelets.
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| Trying to stay positive! |
I hate IV's but an IV is required. They roll me into the machine and 30 minutes later I am done. Not horrible, not pleasant.
Now I have to wait for results. On Friday (2-2-18) the nurse from Midwest Breast Center calls to tell me she has the results of my MRI. No cancer in my left breast and no cancer in my lymph nodes!!!!
However, a little enhanced area around the cyst so they will need to do a little larger lumpectomy.
She tells me the doctor (the surgeon, Dr. Limpert) will call and discuss next steps.
On Monday, I hear from Dr. Limpert. She reviews the MRI results again and then tells me that my Her2 results came in. They are positive (which is not good) . This basically means the cancer is more aggressive.
I sent an email to David and Tiffany explaining what I know at this point:
Overall, I am in GREAT shape. I just need to go through the treatments to make sure we get it all.
My tumor is very small which is great. 8 mm
It is in a duct in my breast.
It has NOT metastasized which is GREAT
Genetics - not so great
Because it has grown outside of the duct, it is now considered invasive. - No great
Treatment is now based on my genetic testing.
You can be Triple Negative which means you won't respond to a lot of medication and it is harder to treat. I am NOT Triple Negative.
The factors are:
Estrogen receptors: You want them positive - Mine are Positive. but only 30 % and weak. So medication could treat 30% of the cancer cells, but weakly.
Progesterone receptors: You want them positive - Mine are negative
Her2 - (measures the aggressiveness of the cancer) You want to be Negative. Mine are positive
All of this means I will have to have specialized treatment.
After the lumpectomy tomorrow they will run additional tests since they will have a larger sample of tissue. After I have those results, I will work with my oncologist to plan the best strategy for treatment. It may be radiation and chemo or chemo then radiation. The test will also help decide what type of chemo and how much.
With the Her2 being positive, I will need something called targeted therapy. Likely a drug called Herceptin. My doctor told me not to Google it because it will all look very "gloom and doom" - which it is not.
So basically after the surgery tomorrow I wait for more results.
I have trouble focusing lately. Too much going on in my head. I have random thoughts that jump into my head all the time:
- Jim is out of town and I have to take my navel ring out prior to the MRI. I can't get it out! What does a person do when they can't get their piercing out? (I finally got it out)
- Do you lose your eyelashes when you have chemo?
- I'm likely keeping my boobs and losing my hair
- Who is going to take care of Jim while he is taking care of me
- Will I be able to work
- Wow I have a great support system
- My ob-gyn called me to give me support after they received the results. He called twice before he
got me and said he would have kept calling until he reached me in person.
Jim is extremely supportive. I don't know what I would do without him. He is keeping me laughing for sure! Tonight we had to go bra shopping for bras I can wear after the surgery. Only Jim could make that a fun experience.
Well, time for bed. Tomorrow I am off the begin the real journey......
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