Amber’s Story

Site created on February 12, 2022

It all started the beginning of Jan 2022….I noticed a dimple/indentation on my right breast and thought that was very odd, but I never felt any masses of any sort. I immediately called my doctor because this was not normal. After following up with my PCP she sent me for a mammogram on 1/26/22 and that day was a very stressful day for me. I went to a appt that was only suppose to be 30 mins, but ended up being over 6 hours. I had 3 mammograms, a ultrasound and a biopsy where 2 masses were found with some speckling in my images. After waiting (which seemed like forever) it was confirmed on 1/31/2022 that I had invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3. I followed up with my breast surgeon oncologist who sent me for a MRI on 2/8/2022 to get a better look at my breast. The next day I found out they found 2 more masses and a enlarged lymph node. While still processing all this information….my testing to see what kind of breast cancer I have came back and turned out I was triple positive for ER/PR and Her2: Meaning they all are feeding off my hormones and HER2 to continue to grow. This ultimately turned out to be a more aggressive breast cancer then they thought. This would now require a double mastectomy with node removal, chemo, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, plus surgery and more.  After the final pathology reports, I am diagnosed as Triple Positive Breast Cancer with Lymph Node Involvement, which requires multiple surgeries, 16 weeks of Chemotherapy,  Immunotherapy (targeted therapy for 2 year), Radiation, 5 Reconstruction Surgeries, hysterectomy with bilateral oorphectomy and 10 years of Hormone Therapy. I eventually received more bad news that I have the Palb2 mutation which is a partner and localizer of BRAC2. This resulting in me having to follow up with my OBGYN for a hysterectomy with ovary removal due to a higher risk of ovarian cancer after I am completely done with chemo treatment. It also breaks my heart because the Palb2 gene is a 50/50 chance that my daughter and boys are carrying the same mutation as myself. This has been a complete shock to myself and my family as we have already been through cancer once with my own child who was diagnosed at 21 months with Leukemia. I am very grateful that this was found, but also very shattered as I did not expect to go through this again in my home. I am a high school teacher, a mom of 3, married to the most wonderful man I know and just couldn’t imagine life without them. Please pray for me as I go through this journey.

Newest Update

May 01, 2024

Journal entry by Amber Collins —

I NEEDDDD YOURRR HELPPPPP!!!! The lady in 2nd 🥈 place is literally a vote behind me! I need you to VOTE! Share!!! Tell your family to vote extended family and more!!! I NEED YOUR VOTE CONSISTENTLY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE UNTIL THIS IS OVER!!! THIS WILL PUT ME IN THE FINALS OF America ‘s Favorite Teacher!!! Keep voting and don’t forget and don’t stop! I love you all and you are the best!!! 

I KEEP GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH SECOND PLACE!!! Let’s keep me in first!!! Share… vote… REVOTE every 24 hours!!!  Let’s TURNOUT AND BE #AMBERSTRONG!!!! I am in ONE of the most challenging TIMES of my life and this is what I was just sent from America’s Favorite Teacher 👩‍🏫 Help me show my students you believe in them too by voting for their favorite teacher: me!                                                             

https://americasfavteacher.org/2024/amber-collins?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1FxM2zufPEdSbNCDv4o7Fz9wGgunCDsTUZWx8CoDuVMRtY9-fOlAbsEJc_aem_AavqHYELXXS7wQD3QTqocbPAhcYSWmipJ6YV3aQHEetwdmSZmWE3et_laa0m6qW7AmkpPI1cc7gbqpPRZgYSUcch 



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