Amanda’s Story

Site created on November 7, 2018

Hello there, thank you for taking the time to visit my site and read about my story. Here is a brief re-cap of my history. In 2012, at the age of 24, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was very young to get this diagnosis so my oncologist had some genetic testing done and it came back positive for the BRACA2 gene mutation. Because of this my treatment plan was quite aggressive. I had a bilateral mastectomy and underwent 6 months of chemo. During the Chemo I took measures to preserve my ovaries with the hope that one day Vince and I could have a baby. I had breast reconstruction surgery and was starting to resume a 'normal' life. 


After 2 years of being cancer free in 2014 we found a small pea size lump on my left breast on top of my implant. My plastic surgeon removed it and had it tested and to my disappointment it came back positive as breast cancer. Scans revealed no cancer anywhere else in my body so the treatment plan included removal of that implant and radiation treatment, along with taking the hormone blocking drug Tamoxifen. After that treatment was complete I was able to once again get reconstruction on that side. Again I was cancer free and life was good. 


In 2017 Vince and I got the amazing news that we were pregnant with a little boy and in May of 2018 I gave birth to Cohen. He is our perfect miracle. After he was born I had gone back to my oncologist for a routine checkup when she told me one of my tumor markers (which is a blood test) was slightly elevated. She was not super concerned because this specific tumor marker did have sensitivity to hormones and since I just had a baby she thought it was pregnancy related. The other tumor marker she checks regularly was not elevated. She started me back on the Tamoxifen and I was going in once a month for rechecks. In September the numbers were still on the rise and the second tumor marker was also climbing. She sent me in to get a CT and PET scan. These scans revealed probable cancer activity in my breast bone. She also noted a small spot on my spine and my liver.  The next steps are to get a biopsy done on my chest bone since that will be the easiest spot and then we can see how to treat it.


 I will be continuing my story from here with journal entries, so if you want to see the most up to date status head there! I am a pretty open person so I will be sharing what my doctor is recommending and what we end up doing as well as my thoughts and feelings along the way. Thank you for taking this journey with me!  

Newest Update

Journal entry by Amanda Gatto

Hey there! I realized I never updated you guys on how the biopsy went! So sorry, I’ve been home resting and Cohen seems to have come down with something so I’ve been watching him like a hawk and taking his temperature every five minutes! (First time mommy problems!)

Anyways, back to the biopsy. I think it went as well as it could possibly go. During the procedure they gave me a bit more of the pain medicine then before so I was a bit more comfortable, but the samples she was getting were still just blood and regular bone cells, so she suggested to use a drill to get a deaper sample. I told her yes, I did not want to have to do this again, so she gave me even stronger pain medicine and started drilling into the bone! After the procedure the doctor told Vince that they got a pretty good size sample so we should have an answer at my next appointment which is Tuesday. I wish I could have had answers right then and there, but the pathologist just tests to see if there are cancer cells, then sends them out to get a full pathology on them so now we wait. I will say, I do believe all your prayers are working because I am in a lot less pain this time around even though it was a more invasive procedure! If you can, please continue to pray for favorable results in the pathology report. I feel kind of selfish with this next request, but I also believe nothing is impossible for God, so please pray that if it be his will, for him to give me complete and miraculous healing that surpasses all understanding. I know nothing is too big for Him and am trying to rest in that truth. While I’m waiting I have also tweaked my diet a bit to cut out most meats and Dairy. I was kind of lenient with myself during the thanksgiving holiday, but now I’m back at it! I’ve also added juicing and soursop tea to my daily regimen to try to get my health in tip top shape! I feel like we’ve been waiting for answers for so long that I’m just siting here doing nothing, so at least my diet is something I can change and feel like I’m doing something to heal for the time being. Thank you for your continued prayers, I will let you guys know how it goes on Tuesday! 💗
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