I Have Cancer
I was diagnosed with stage 3 grade 3 breast cancer in November 2016. In October I went for my yearly mammogram- I knew there was something lumpy going on that came and went with my cycle. After my first screening I was told to do more tests. They did a second mammogram
And an ultra sound. The radiologist said it was just a cyst- no worries!
I went to my ob/gyn and asked if he could aspirate it-- a simple procedure to drain it. He tried a few times with no luck - this was a large mass by now about the size of a hard boiled egg.
He sent me to a breast surgeon- her nurse also tried to drain the "cyst" using ultra sound to guide her. No luck. She ran and got the surgeon. The surgeon cleared her lunch schedule to work me in. She took several biopsy samples of the mass. After she was done she leaned over me and said "I am a straight shooter and I will tell you what I believe is going on- you have a very aggressive form of breast cancer and we need to move on this fast before it spreads to your other organs." Whoa! I swear I felt fine! I saw my primary care physician the month before - all of my bloodwork was fine! I was shocked at how this could have easily slipped by!
The next week the surgeons office called confirming the cancer diagnosis. I wad promptly put into medical test hell- Ct scan, bone density scan, genetic tests, breast MRI (my least favorite), echocardiogram,etc. I also had to get my iud removed. I met with my oncologist - a nice, warm, motherly older lady who explained my diagnosis and treatment plan- chemo for 4-5 months, surgery and radiation. The MRI revealed the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. I had estrogen-positive breast cancer- the most common kind. My genetic tests revealed what I already knew- no genetic profile of cancer (no one in my family had cancer). After all the tests I was soon on the surgeon's table getting my porta catheter installed-- a simple procedure. The next week I was in for my first round of chemo. The actual infusion part want too bad, but the "chemo hump" 5-6 days after was pure misery- the anti-nausea meds caused constipation and I would have to sometimes double up on them. There was little sleep because my digestive system felt like it was full of toxic sledge (which it was). The little sleep I did get was while I was in a rocker recliner (laying down made me feel more ill). Also, a day after chemo you get a shot which is supposed to build your white blood cell count- this shot drains your energy like anything! Thankfully they give you a week off chemo to recover. By day 7 I was beginning to feel human again.
Yesterday I day round 3 of the hard core anti cancer drug chemo. At the end of the month I will start the estrogen-killing part of my chemo for 12 weeks.
I never thought I would get cancer- I was a little cavalier about it because I had no family history of cancer. I've learned that your hormones put you at risk and can be a playground for cancer cells to go rogue. I read 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with cancer. I also strongly believe my Mirena iud had something to do with my cancer diagnosis- it was placed in my body in September 2015- no cancer, no lumps. Then October 2016 I suddenly have a giant tumor...hmmm....
The other thing I will say about cancer is that while the diagnosis is bad, it brings out the best in the people around you. My daughters hug me more, my friend has already knitted me 8 hats, friends have dropped by, sent me cards and just showing me a lot more love in general.
I hope someone is showing you lots of care and love too regardless of having a cancer diagnosis!
And an ultra sound. The radiologist said it was just a cyst- no worries!
I went to my ob/gyn and asked if he could aspirate it-- a simple procedure to drain it. He tried a few times with no luck - this was a large mass by now about the size of a hard boiled egg.
He sent me to a breast surgeon- her nurse also tried to drain the "cyst" using ultra sound to guide her. No luck. She ran and got the surgeon. The surgeon cleared her lunch schedule to work me in. She took several biopsy samples of the mass. After she was done she leaned over me and said "I am a straight shooter and I will tell you what I believe is going on- you have a very aggressive form of breast cancer and we need to move on this fast before it spreads to your other organs." Whoa! I swear I felt fine! I saw my primary care physician the month before - all of my bloodwork was fine! I was shocked at how this could have easily slipped by!
The next week the surgeons office called confirming the cancer diagnosis. I wad promptly put into medical test hell- Ct scan, bone density scan, genetic tests, breast MRI (my least favorite), echocardiogram,etc. I also had to get my iud removed. I met with my oncologist - a nice, warm, motherly older lady who explained my diagnosis and treatment plan- chemo for 4-5 months, surgery and radiation. The MRI revealed the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. I had estrogen-positive breast cancer- the most common kind. My genetic tests revealed what I already knew- no genetic profile of cancer (no one in my family had cancer). After all the tests I was soon on the surgeon's table getting my porta catheter installed-- a simple procedure. The next week I was in for my first round of chemo. The actual infusion part want too bad, but the "chemo hump" 5-6 days after was pure misery- the anti-nausea meds caused constipation and I would have to sometimes double up on them. There was little sleep because my digestive system felt like it was full of toxic sledge (which it was). The little sleep I did get was while I was in a rocker recliner (laying down made me feel more ill). Also, a day after chemo you get a shot which is supposed to build your white blood cell count- this shot drains your energy like anything! Thankfully they give you a week off chemo to recover. By day 7 I was beginning to feel human again.
Yesterday I day round 3 of the hard core anti cancer drug chemo. At the end of the month I will start the estrogen-killing part of my chemo for 12 weeks.
I never thought I would get cancer- I was a little cavalier about it because I had no family history of cancer. I've learned that your hormones put you at risk and can be a playground for cancer cells to go rogue. I read 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with cancer. I also strongly believe my Mirena iud had something to do with my cancer diagnosis- it was placed in my body in September 2015- no cancer, no lumps. Then October 2016 I suddenly have a giant tumor...hmmm....
The other thing I will say about cancer is that while the diagnosis is bad, it brings out the best in the people around you. My daughters hug me more, my friend has already knitted me 8 hats, friends have dropped by, sent me cards and just showing me a lot more love in general.
I hope someone is showing you lots of care and love too regardless of having a cancer diagnosis!
