Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
My cancer story began in early June, 2017, when I noticed a lump in my left breast. It was small, but it really hurt. Those of you who are familiar with breast cancer symptoms will find that unusual, since pain is not usually a symptom. However, I insisted on getting it checked out and am so glad I did. The reason it hurt is because my tumor is wrapped around a nerve. So, thank God for the pain!
I have invasive ductal carcinoma, and am HER2+. What that means in a nutshell is that the cancer has begun to invade tissue outside of the milk duct (where most breast cancers occur). HER2+ status means it is an aggressively growing tumor. So we are moving quickly!!
I now must decide between a lumpectomy + rads + chemo or a mastectomy + chemo - no rads unless they find lymph node involvement. I'm feeling positive we won't find that, though since we found this so early.
Today (July 7) I will be going in for a bilateral breast MRI to get a clear and accurate picture of both breasts at this point - it has been about a month since the initial diagnostic mammogram so we need see what it happening right now, and be sure that no other issues have cropped up on either side. I will then see the surgeon for those results on Tuesday and will have an update for you all.
Please know that, even though I am directing people here for updates, any one of you can contact me anytime if you want more details or have questions. You will NOT be bothering me. You can message me on Facebook or call me. If I'm not up to talking, I'll just answer you later! But please, don't hesitate to reach out if you want to.
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