Paige McFarling

Dear Family and Friends,

As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer in September 2015.  At that time, I had a lumpectomy and 30 rounds of radiation.  Because this cancer was hormone receptor positive, I was prescribed a hormone blocker, Tamoxifen, for a five year course of ongoing treatment.  The tamoxifen was so debilitating, I was unable to continue that treatment.

Thankfully, because I couldn't continue the Tamoxifen, my wonderful oncologist ordered both follow up mammogram and MRI every six months to monitor my recovery process.  Almost two years to the day of my first diagnosis, an MRI and subsequent MRI biopsy revealed that my breast cancer has returned. It is an early stage but is more aggressive than the prior one.  Because of the aggressive nature and I've already undergone radiation treatment, the next course of action is double mastectomy.  I'll have the mastectomy and reconstruction on October 24th.  I will not have confirmation on the need for chemo until after surgery.

The type of cancer is:
Stage 1, invasive ductal carcinoma
ER+/PR+/HER2-/BRCA-

Thankfully, this cancer, like the first, is BRCA negative meaning it is not something I could have passed on to my girls.

This has obviously come as a shock to my family and me.  My girls have been through so much in their young lives. I am comforted by the amazing attention I have received from my friends at Lancaster General and the gift of top surgeons at University of Pennsylvania. Though the surgery is extensive and the recovery arduous, my prognosis is a 95% cure rate.


Through all of this, I keep as my shining light the fiercest and most beautiful and gracious cancer warrior, Dawn Lacey McCabe Howarth.  Rest in peace and rise in glory, sweet friend.  Thank you for loving me through my first battle and leading me bravely into the second.

So many have asked to be kept informed and connected so I have created this site to share my journey with you.  I am grateful for and blessed to have you with me as my cancer journey continues.

Thank you all for your love and support.

Much love,
Paige