Cheryl Whitcomb

On August 15th (a day I had to look up because I am refusing to let it define my life) I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Given that there has been very little cancer in our large extended family, it came as quite a shock. First impressions of the surgeon and wonderful medical team at Virginia Piper Breast Cancer Institute was that this was just going to be "a bump in the road" and a lumpectomy was going to take care of everything. That sounded good to me and I was counting my blessings. I could do this. But as further diagnostic work was done and an actual mastectomy performed, it became clear that we were in for a much longer and trying road to recovery. My cancer is lobular, rather than the more common ductal type, which is a rarer and more aggressive form of breast cancer. Right out of the gates the doctors were looking at twenty weeks of chemotherapy with possible radiation to follow. And while no one said it directly I certainly was getting the impression that we were going for the super duper chemo (I believe they prefer protocol) which is not to suggest that this version is better or the one that you want to get. Clearly not. But such will be my journey with all the twists and turns that it will offer. I can only promise to hold my head up and try to remain optimistic while leaning on family and friends for the support that I will need. I've never liked roller coasters but I think that I just accidentally got on a long steep one. Join me for the ride if you're so inclined (haha).