Shauna Henson My Breast Cancer Journey

First post: Sep 7, 2023
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.

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Shauna was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in November 2021, received a single left-sided mastectomy with immediate reconstruction January 2022.
Following surgery, they can learn a lot more about the type of cancer I had, etc. and we also discovered I had another cancer called "Paget's Disease of the Nipple" and I'm grateful we had not kept it (as we were planning to in surgery but then right before surgery I said only if it was a very viable vein).
Had multiple infections & skin necrosis which resulted in implant loss and irrigation surgery March 2022.
Due to the type of breast cancer, ER+/PR-/HER2-, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, no lymph node involvement & "clear margins" after the single tumor was removed, they ran a test called "Oncotype Score" which indicated the benefit for chemotherapy would outweigh the costs of chemo treatment to reduce my likelihood of cancer recurrence.
I had a high score. so I underwent chemotherapy from late April 2022 to July 1, 2022. 


I completed a gradual return to work in January 2023 where I was back on full-time hours as of March 2023, with incredible support from my entire company, family, & friends, with some modified duties and accommodations in place. 


I did a mammogram in February 2023 that showed no signs of cancer in my right (remaining) breast, and read my results through the new AHS Connect platform in Alberta, Canada.
I get emails for all my test results as soon as they are published, which can be a mixed blessing for sure. Thankfully, all looked good, except I was given a NEW classification of "C" heterogeneously dense breasts and with a new protocol/recommendation in Canada/Alberta - women should now receive an Ultrasound if they have dense breast tissue C or D, as small tumors would appear the same as dense breast tissue in a mammogram. So I received a breast exam & ultrasound in March 2023, indicating no sign of cancer. 


I knew I was experiencing pain, fatigue, but a lot of these things all could be explained by somewhat recent cancer treatment during the prior year, as well as transitioning back to full time hours, adjusting to my new normal while still grieving so much loss.


Alas, in May 2023 - a few weeks before my 2nd attempt at reconstruction surgery - I had a follow up Bone Scan (from cracked ribs in Oct 2022) where they ran additional testing. 
From there, my life would change forever as I was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer - Stage 4 - innumerable lesions (tumors) in BOTH my lungs. 
For 5 or so weeks I underwent a series of CT's, MRI's, New Biopsy, etc. - where I learned my type of cancer had changed to  "Triple Negative" 


AKA = mTNBC = metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer
This has the worst prognosis, and even worsened by the fact I'm under 40 and we know TNBC is VERY aggressive in younger people, and I know my original cancer was very aggressive, especially since my naturopath (who specialized in oncology) advised me I had the highest Oncotype Score she had ever seen. 


It's been a whirlwind, I am completely exhausted and overwhelmed - so much uncertainty ahead of me, but what we know for sure if I don't have that much time left - years, if we are lucky.


I start treatment for mTNBC tomorrow, Tues June 20th, 2023 and I'm terrified but holding onto hope and faith for as much time and pain-free days as possible. 


Hoping this will be a space where my loved ones can come and stay up-to-date on how I'm doing, and share information with one another, support one another.
As an empath and Highly Sensitive Person, sharing these updates is not only devastating for myself, having to hear it aloud and relive it, but then also manage the emotional impact and response from those who care about me, my husband, and one another. 


I am hopeful this median will ensure people feel looped in when they have capacity and can read as much or as little as they like.


DISCLAIMER: This may be a bit of a therapeutic journal if that's what I end up needing as well, so please just know I am well supported and just in complete survival mode and wanting to navigate this as authentically and real as possible for me, but I do seem to embellish/dramatize a little by nature. Your prayers & loving wishes are welcome always. 


Thanks for reading
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