heidi whittle heidi's journey

Thank you for visiting my page :) I decided to put my journey here instead of on my facebook page to keep it a little more private.  My story is about the same as a million other women.  I have Breast Cancer.  In December I was diagnosed with Cancer and January was confirmed with stage 2B (entered my lymph system) IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma)

I have chosen to share my experience for 2 main reasons.  1, I pray that my story touches even ONE woman and convinces her to take the steps to protect herself from this disease.  Early detection truly is the key.  2, there is no way I can't do this on my own...The love and support I have received from my family and friends lifts me higher every day and I know on those days I can't stand on my own I wont fall far. 

This was actually my third "detection" of something abnormal.  The first was 20 years ago, at 27.  I had a fibroidadenoma and upon removing it, it was determined that it was surrounded by atypical cells.  Had i not pushed for the surgery and let it set for 6 months, it very well would have been full blown cancer and i would have been going through this at 27 and with a 2 year old and 6 month old.  the second was a random lump that appeared and disappeared.  Bonus!! This one was the charm.  I went on December 9, (my daughters birthday) for my mammogram.  I always insist on viewing my slides before I go, because I'm Nosey like that... and immediately i saw it.  The tech did too but she can't say anything but she started to stammer about different positioning show different things. I just nodded and left.  On December 11,  getting ready for my grandsons birthday, I looked up my results on the portal and the radiology report was up.  There was a MASS.  Not a cyst, not a fibroadenoma...a MASS.  I knew at that point I didn't dodge the bullet.  The next few weeks were a whirlwind of fighting with my doctors office for appointments, biopsies, surgeries etc.  The kicker of this whole thing is, after 15 plus years of trying to become a nurse and being called off that path for many reasons, I had finally been accepted into the Practical Nursing Program at our local college and would be starting school within weeks of my diagnosis.

Fast forward to now.  I started school, had my port surgery, and have started chemo as of 2-10-17...my journal will now begin:)