Melanie Kuper-Sasse

Thank you, everyone, for your kind thoughts, words of encouragement and prayers.  I appreciate every one of them and feel so loved by the support I've received so far.  We started this site as a way to tell everyone what's happening and when and to give everyone the opportunity to ask questions or give advice.   Hearing the diagnosis, "you have cancer," is pretty overwhelming on its own.  Combine that with all the fear, uncertainty, appointments, treatments and the need to keep everyone updated . . .  it was already a lot to handle, and it's just begun.  We hope that this site will serve as sort of a "home base" or "central command" for everyone to stay up-to-date while still giving me the opportunity to try to get better and not go completely insane!


 I discovered the lump on my own from a self breast exam.  I'm not yet 40, so until recently, I hadn't yet had a mamogram.  I haven't had all the testing required in order to properly 'stage' the cancer, so we don't have that information yet.  But, I have undergone a mamogram, biopsy and MRI.  I have been diagnosed with triple positive (ER, estrogen receptor, PR, progesterone receptor, HER2, protein receptor)  mixed type (ductal with lobular features) invasive breast cancer.  The shorter version is triple positive IDC.  We know that I have 4 tumors all in my left breast.  They are spread throughout the breast and not clustered in one area.  The largest tumor measures approximately 2.7 cm, which is just a little over an inch long.  The other three are just a bit smaller than that. 


IDC is the most common type of breast cancer.  Mine also has lobular features, which currently is treated the same as just ductal.  There is some research regarding whether or not they should be considered different and if treatments should be different for just IDC or mixed type.  But, for those that like to Google, you won't find much on 'mixed type,'  . . . . I've looked.  I know I"m not supposed to, but really?!  Who can't Google?!  The ER/PR + portion of the diagnosis means that I will benefit from some hormonal therapy down the line.  I am also, unfortunately, HER2 positive.  HER2 positive cancer is typically more aggressive.  But, there are some really great treatments that specifically target the HER2 receptors.  We know that I will be getting chemo, having surgery, followed by radiation and hormone therapy.  So, hopefully, with a combination of treatments, I'll be able to kick it.    


The next few weeks will be a whirlwind of activity filled with appointments and scans.  Hopefully, we'll have more information regarding the stage of the cancer, and the complete plan for treatment soon.   We'll keep you updated as more information comes in.  Again, thank you so much for all the love and support.