Eugenia Purcelle

Welcome to my Caring Bridge. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and stay informed. I am going to try to keep everyone updated here, so please feel free to check in and keep up to date. Thanks in advance for all the support and help from everyone. Also, all tributes made on this page, go to CaringBridge to keep their site up and running, and not to me personally, just so you know. :) And now for the rest of the story...

   It started out simple enough, a small harmless bump if you will. Well please never ignore these things! I did, for a month even, after all in my mind, it had to be nothing right?? I had a doctor's appointment November 20, 2013 to get some lab results, so I casually mention to the doctor this Lump issue, and she seems way more concerned that I wanted. In fact I get an ultrasound done that day and a mammogram done on November 23. The Doctor calls me in and says they need to see me back in on December 2, so back in we go for some results. I get a new doctor, because my old one has moved. The new Doctor seems very nice, and I like him, he is easy to talk to and sympathetic, but he has bad news, tests look bad and he wants me to talk to a surgeon, so he makes an appointment for me December 10. I go in thinking I am going to meet this guy and we will talk, but no... its take your shirt off, let me see what you got.... hey not even any dinner first!! He wants to go ahead and do the biopsy then and there, and let me tell you, its NOT fun. In fact I threatened to bite the doctor! He got revenge by leaving me a huge bruise on my left breast, so I am not sure yet if we are friends. I went back for results December 17, 2013. Which turned out to not be a good day at all.

   I have been diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. It is a form called Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, with a grade of 3. 

  And even though I have always wanted high grades, this time, a lower grade would have been nice. grade 3 is the highest, which means The tumor cells look very abnormal and are fast-growing, so yeah that can't be good. 

  The Surgeon is sending me to the Oncologist first to discuss treatment options. He is thinking of starting a medication plan first, I am guessing either radiation or chemo. That way there is a chance of shrinking the tumor first, then there will have to be surgery, to remove what is left of the tumor. 

  I am going to try to stay positive and not get depressed through any of this. I know there will be bad days, and days that I will not be too happy, but with the love and support of my family and friends I know that I can get through this. Thanks!