Chrystal Sanchez

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I wanted to start this site so that I can keep you guys up to date on how I am doing.  I have such an amazing tribe and support system, I am lucky to have you all.  Lets get started!


I felt a new lump and got in right away for my past due mammogram.  I was nervous because this one felt different from the others that I have had in the past. I had a mammogram and an ultrasound on 4/21/21 and the radiologist came in right away and said that I needed a biopsy.  At that point I knew in my gut what it was.  Before my biopsy my radiologist did confirm that it was breast cancer, but she needed the biopsy to determine what type of breast cancer it was. I waited a week and the biopsies came back and I had 4 tumors that all came back as Invasive Ductal Carcinoma grade 2 (ps grade is different than stage) we will not know what stage breast cancer until after surgery. At that moment I went through all of the emotions from devastation, sad, mad confused and anxious. I had all the morbid thoughts that you would suspect to have.  Then it switched and I went into battle mode. I am in a good head space, I am realistic with myself, and I know that I am tough enough to handle what is about to come my way. I know that I can handle this.  Since my diagnosis I have been on a ride that I cannot get off of, I have appointments everyday, sometimes two a day.  For those of you who know me well, this is a lot. I am much too laid back for this.


As you all know Mike works in the medical field and his team of people (shout out to my angel Kassie) was able to refer me to an amazing group of Dr.'s in our area. Kassie was able to call my surgeon on her personal cell phone and get me in right away. My surgeon is Dr. Yarrow McConnell, she specializes in surgical oncology and breast cancer. I absolutely love her and she makes me feel safe, comfortable and truly cared for. Everyone that I talk to, nurses etc., sing her praises and how lucky I am. On 5/3/21 Dr. McConnell went over my treatment plan with me and she then referred me to my medical oncologist,  Dr. Sibel Blau. My first impression of Dr. Blau was "Wow, she's a boss bitch". She was straight forward, no fluff, and got after it. I appreciate that about her. I do not need someone to baby or sugar coat cancer for me. Lets get to the point, and she did just that. Her team and other members in the medical community that I have met have all referred to her as a shark. I'm terrified of sharks in real life, but not this one. On a side note, Dr. Blau's husband Dr. Anthony Blau is also an oncologist who is a professor at the University of Washington and member of Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and a scientist in cancer research. This makes me feel like I am getting two for the price of one.  I feel like my ducks are in a row now.


This is my treatment plan so far: Port placement, 6 cycles of chemo therapy spaced 3 weeks apart, followed by radiation therapy, surgery and possible more chemo depending on what they find after surgery.  Wait 4 weeks and then discuss reconstruction.  This can change at a moments notice.


-I am currently waiting to get a PET scan to see if the cancer has spread to any other soft or hard tissue. I will update you on those results.
-5/20/21 I will have my port placed by Dr. McConnell. This is a quick outpatient surgery that is done in 20 minutes. I have already had this done and it is a little sore, but not bad at all.  The port is placed on the upper right side of my chest. I will post pictures of it later.  The port is used for all the chemo infusions I will have. It can also be used for any other infusion or blood draw I may need. Easy access. 
-5/28/21 is my first chemo infusion. My chemo drugs are, Doxorubicin know as "The Red Devil", Cytoxan and Taxotere. The infusions will last around 4 hours starting at 9:00am until 1:00pm. I will for sure update you on how this is going.
-7/15/21 I will meet with Dr. McConnell again to start discussing my exact surgical plan and see how my chemo is responding to treatment.


So far this is all I have planned. I will update you regularly as things come up and change. 


PS...I Love You