Ann Krajewski

Welcome to my CaringBridge site. I've created it to keep friends and family updated. I appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most.


Dear family and friends,

I never thought that I'd be the one creating a CaringBridge site for myself.  I've always been on the other side, but now it's my turn.  A routine mammogram in June showed a "suspicious lump" in one of the ducts in my left breast.  The "suspicious lump" turned out to be a malignant tumor and and on July 24th I was diagnosed with Stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer.  Specifically, the tumor is 3.5 cm, hormone positive (it feeds on Estrogen) and HER-2 negative (it is receptive to typical cancer drugs).  This type of breast cancer is the most common, is very treatable, and has a low recurrence rate (5-10%).

On August 3rd I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy.  Unfortunately, the lymph node biopsy included cancer.  My oncology plan now included chemotherapy to give me the best chance for that low recurrence % rate.  The best tried and true research supports an oncology plan of lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and anti-hormone therapy (a pill).  My prognosis is good, and at this time I don't have any evidence telling me otherwise.  However, there are no guarantees as we all know.   

My oncology plan (if everything goes as planned):

-Starting September 15th, I'll receive chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin hcl) and Neulasta every 2 weeks for a total of 4 treatments.  Anticipated end date: October 27th.
-Round #2 of chemotherapy (Paclitaxel) once a week for 12 weeks.  Anticipated end date: January 19th.
-Much anticipated 3 week break!
-30 radiation treatments beginning in February and ending in March?
-Another much anticipated 3 week break!
-Start anti-hormone pill (Arimidex) in April


I WILL be brave, positive, gracious, and hopeful during this journey.  I will rely on my faith to keep me anchored and centered.