Alyscia Ellis

The day I found a lump in my left breast, I knew with every fiber of my being that it was breast cancer. On October 31, 2018, after a whirlwind two weeks of appointments, mammograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies, I was diagnosed...Stage III A, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I have a 3 cm malignant mass that has spread to several lymph nodes. 

I was immediately wrapped up in the strength and love of my family and friends. They have been with me on my strongest and my weakest days. My daughters held my hands as my friend shaved, first my husband's hair, and then mine. Friends have made sure that I would have many beautiful scarves to wrap my head. Offers of dinner, grading my student's essays, and company during chemo have been given daily. I am truly thankful. 

My oncologist has determined a course of treatment that I am extremely confident in. I began neoadjuvant chemotherapy on November 19th. My first phase of chemo is Adriamycin & Cyclophosphamide (AC) 4 times in 8 weeks with Neulasta injections to help regrow my white blood cells each time. My second phase of chemo will be a weekly dose of Taxol for 12 weeks. We will then begin to plan breast and lymph node surgery followed by several weeks of daily radiation. I will then be on medications for at least five years to help prevent the return of cancer. 

I am a freshman English teacher at a high school in Denton, Texas, where, unless my immune system becomes compromised, I hope to be able to continue teaching through most of my treatments. Staying involved with my classes, National Honor Society, Chess Club, and my Class Officers will help give me something else to focus on and give my students as much consistency as possible. 

This is by no means going to be an easy journey, but with the help of my family, friends, colleagues, and students, I know that I will get through this difficult time. "We may not be able to control every situation and its outcome, but we can control our attitude and how we deal with it." So...I will keep you posted as I kick this thing’s butt!