Amber’s Story

Site created on November 10, 2021

Crazy to think I'm even writing this right now as I knew this day might come sometime in my life, just not now.

In 2017, I got tested for a genetic mutation and found out I was BRCA 2+. My father's mother died of breast cancer at 44 as well as my aunt at 51, which set off a wave of testing in our family. After my dad found out he was positive for the gene, my two sisters and I decided to get tested as well. Two of us tested positive, the other was damn lucky. 

Having this gene gives us an 80% chance of developing breast cancer. Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 I found out I was diagnosed, triple negative, grade 3, 31 years old. Stage 3.

How I found out:
In July I felt a small lump (about pea size). At first I thought it was a clogged milk duct, so I went into my breast center and they told me with 100% certainty it was a cyst and I wouldn’t need any screenings. The cyst started growing and it started effecting my day to day, so I went in to get it drained...this was 3 months later. They then performed an ultrasound and told me there was no fluid, so I needed a biopsy, which ultimately came back as cancer.

Right now, I'm starting IVF to freeze my eggs so I can have many many more babies. Then the plan is to do 6 months of chemo, then surgery to remove the tumor,  radiation, then a double mastectomy with breast reconstruction.

This site was created so I could share updates with family and friends.

Love you all. Xoxo.
Amber

Ps. If you’d like to help in any way, Josh’s wonderful family set up a GoFundMe. Otherwise thoughts and prayers are more than enough. ❤️

Newest Update

Surgery + Recovery

Journal entry by Amber Larish —

On to the next phase and feeling extremely grateful and incredibly sore. My surgery call time was 5:45am this past Wednesday and I was as in surgery by 8. The breast team went in first and removed my breast fat and a few lymph nodes. My dr was able to keep my nipples AND nerve graft (which is new!). Supposedly you lose all your feeling and sensation when your breasts are removed (if I poured hot coffee on my chest I would never know) but my dr was able to map out my nerves somehow so I have the possibility of getting feeling back in both breasts! She said not all patients qualify for this, so I am feeling very lucky to have the team I had. 

After the breast team was done, the plastics team came in and inserted expanders (like a thick plastic balloon) and these horrible drains filled with blood and other fluids. Josh empties my drains 3 times a day, I’ll have them in for about a week. Thank god for these pain meds because I feel like someone ran me over with a car when I’m not on anything… overall though it’s manageable. I’m feeling pretty tired, can’t lift anything and have bad back pain. Blakely has been adapting pretty well too. 

But the good news… No remaining cancer in my breast or the few lymph nodes they checked so I am in the clear!! Hard to celebrate when I’m in pain but we will eventually!

I’ll have these expanders in for about 3 months and then will have my implant/exchange surgery. Hoping for a fast recovery here on out. 🎉
Read More of the journal titled "Surgery + Recovery "
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Amber Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Amber's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Leave a comment of support for Amber

Did you know? A quick comment, no matter the situation (positive or negative), can boost morale by 28.2%.

Comments Hide comments

Load more comments
Read More Journal Entries

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Personal Fundraiser
Support Links
Helpful Requests
Go to Ways to Help
SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top