Stacey Burns

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.   I learned of this website at a cancer support group at the hospital and thought I would give it a try. I'm not much of a communicator but will try to keep people updated as best as I can.   As most of you know. I had invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast in 2014 followed by  Chemo, a double mastectomy and radiation. Had reconstructive surgery in 2015. 



In August 2016 I noticed a rash on my left breast. At first I thought it was just a rash,  tried Cortisone cream  but It did not respond. I showed it to  Dr Eisen whom I work for.   He was concerned and did a biopsy that turned out to be positive for inflammatory breast cancer.  I Saw  my oncologist who recommended that I get a second opinion at Dana Farber to see if there were any clinical trials I might be eligible for.  I was  very disappointed. The oncologist there was very matter of fact and said you have stage four breast cancer and because it is triple negative meaning not  estrogen, progesterone, or Herceptin positive,there are very few clinical trials available and none I qualify for at this time. I asked her if this was going to kill me and she said yes but not right away.   She told me to go back to Plymouth to  start standard chemotherapy.    I went back and saw my oncologist in Plymouth Dr. White who is wonderful and a lot more empathetic. I started my first round of chemo on Friday the 21st of October. It is almost a week later and I'm still battling nausea and bone pain but everyday it gets a little better. Just in time to start again.   The plan is to do 4-6 rounds of chemo. Which are every three weeks. Then possibly radiation again.  The  most important thing at this point is that the cancer responds to this chemo. They said I will know by the third round as the rash  should be going away. Of course it has only been one week and I  am going crazy that the rash is still there.   I  also have asked about surgery again which at this point we are not sure about. The oncologist at Dana-Farber does not think it is a good idea however I'm not convinced and would like to get another opinion. But that is down the road.   I am waiting to loose all my hair again. Which usually starts around the second round. I know this is the least of my problems but you know how some people can really pull off the bald look and look great?  I'm not one of those people.  Uggh!  

Steve is my rock and is holding down the fort while also being a taxi driver for two busy kids. My family as always are right by my side.  Melanie takes me to all my chemo treatments and takes very good care of me. I am missing my biggest cheerleader however. My dad who passed away during my chemo treatments the first time around. I miss him so much!! The kids are also doing well and are so busy there is no time to dwell on anything.   I am very thankful for all your prayers and will do my best to keep you updated.   Please keep in touch. 

Stacey