First post:
May 14, 2019 Latest post:
Nov 23, 2022
Hi everyone,
This seemed an easy way to update everyone with what is going on in our life right now, and eliminates answering the same questions from everyone.
As many of you know on October 23, 2018, our little bundle of joy, Thea, entered our lives and has been amazing. Kate and I had decided early on that we would like to have Thea breastfeed for all of the benefits it would provide. Thea started packing on the pounds and continues to be a happy healthy baby. While feeding Thea in late February and early March, Kate noticed a reduction in milk supply from the left breast and a subtle change in it’s appearance. We wrote off the reduction and change to milk duct changes, stress, etc. However, we decided it was best to go to the doctor to get peace of mind.
On April 18, 2019, our doctors’ at Park Nicollet conducted a mammogram and ultrasound, rather than confirm it was nothing, they told us that the changes were due to breast cancer. Neither Kate or I really knew anything about cancer prior to April 18. Kate had no family history of cancer and I had little to no knowledge about cancer.
After a breast biopsy and MRI were conducted, we found that the tumor in Kate’s left breast had two types of cancer: invasive ductal carcinoma and focal ductal carcinoma in SITU. The tumor is approximately 5.0 x 3.0 x 4.0 cm in size. After consulting with our doctors at Park Nicollet and visiting doctors at Mayo (plus more tests than we knew were possible) we know Kate’s tumor is feeding on Estrogen, Progesterone, and a protein called HER2.
We are nearly positive that we will be continuing Kate’s care through the team at Mayo. While it is further from home, she is “too young” for breast cancer so having the best care is worth a few more miles. Plus, the research Mayo has available to potentially help Kate now and others like her in the future is extremely valuable.
Mayo Clinic is working to finalize a road map of what treatment will be but we know it will include genetic testing, fertility preservation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
