AMBER MATTSON-GRUBA

First post: Sep 16, 2013 Latest post: Sep 10, 2023
An annual routine visit to the doctor on August 8th turned out to be a life changing experience for me. While performing a breast exam my doctor found two small lumps on my left breast. I was scheduled for an ultrasound the following week, and a biopsy the week after that. My life quickly became about doctor visits and medical procedures. While we were all hopeful that the lump was a fibroadenoma or a cyst, the results told us otherwise…on August 26th I was told that the lump that was biopsied was indeed breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma. We had the other lump biopsied, which was also positive for the same type of cancer. The second was found to have a HER/2 level that was amplified; this is a more aggressive type requiring chemotherapy. The words that I prayed would never come. I knew all that I could do was research, I met with doctors/nurses/experts, I read about surgery options, treatment, diets, and armed myself with knowledge so I could truly understand what was going on in my body. Just last week I had an MRI to view for invasion to other areas of my breast, the other breast and my lymph nodes…my first results with good news, that the images only showed the 2 lumps!! I now could make my decision for surgery. I am having a lumpectomy performed on September 17th. If all is successful, I will start chemo in about 3-4 weeks, and radiation following that. This is going to be a long road, but it will all be worth it in the end…to see my family grow. I struggle everyday with emotions of fear and anger, but at the end of the day I am happy, I am strong, I am a fighter and I thank God my doctor found those lumps so early.

 

I am so lucky to have a supportive husband, two incredible boys, along with all my family and friends support and love…I thank-you for all your prayers, well wishes and kind gestures!!     

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