WOW! Where to even begin. To say it's been an emotional roller coaster is definitely an understatement, but all we can do is take it day by day and take the positives from each shitty news we've gotten from this adventure thus far. God's hands are all over this! Here's how the timeline goes:
October 28th: That's the day when I found an irregular mass in my left breast while taking a shower right before I had to go to work at the Horseshoe Casino. I texted my mother, since she's been in the medical industry for 20 years, to let her know that I have a concern about a body part. She's like what body part Brooke? I told her my left breast, then she started to go through the symptoms of various breast issues. I said no to every single one of those. At this point, we were thinking it was a cyst but I wanted to get it checked out because of my life being crazy with UPS Peak Season coming up as well as working at the Horseshoe Casino full-time as a Valet Attendant.
November 1st: Thankfully, my mom knows people in the industry! With being a new patient, it's unheard of getting into a new doctor and having an ultrasound scheduled that very same day. Scratch that. I got the whole meal ticket. I got the ultrasound, mammogram, AND a biopsy all in the same day. HA! If anybody can top that, I will tip my hat off to ya! Back to where I was. My primary doctor saw me and everything looked normal. I was young and my weight looked fine. Everything was perfect as far as physical examinations with the heart, lungs, ears, throat, and nose except that big lump in my left breast. Then the breast examination started. This is where young women should feel free to ask questions and express concerns no matter how big or small a lump in the breast. She was amazing and never judged me for a single question! The primary care doctor wanted to confirm by ultrasound that this was a cyst. What 24 year old healthy, active female could possibly have cancer?
Then there was the ultrasound. The radiologist didn't like how it didn't have the characteristics of a cyst. It had an unusual shape. The radiologist said it looked like a fish and the mother said it looked like a duck. So, mammogram here we come.
First off, NO ONE warned me about the agony and pain I would go through with a diagnostic mammogram. I feel like I have a high tolerance for pain, but nothing could have prepared me for that torture! I felt like I had to call a full timeout on the last frame because I couldn't breathe! Of course, my mother is outside of the room and is laughing because she hears my screams through the walls.
Then comes the slap in the face from the radiologist. She said the mammogram didn't look good and I HAD to get a biopsy. My mother asked her what do you think it is. She looked my mother in the eye and said I think it's cancer. So, that was the first blow of this adventure. Having someone tell you that I think you have cancer is never an easy thing to hold in. So, the dessert to the whole meal deal is a biopsy. We were in the process of scheduling the biopsy for next week while I was getting dressed in my regular clothes. I come out and the ladies told me to get back in the dressing room and get undressed again because they have decided to do the biopsy that day. Kudos to you ladies for deciding to stay late and earning your overtime with me! I still cannot thank GOD ENOUGH for what they did to this day!
Then after that, we wait what feels like eternity, but it was only four days. The mental torture of that was worse than getting the results!
November 5th: The radiologist called my mother at my request because if she called me. I would have NO CLUE what she would say and be able to relay that back to my mother. At 3:48 pm, Dr. Harry, the radiologist, calls with the results. She said that I have been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma which is a form of breast cancer. She would be in touch with a breast surgeon and would call within 24 hours. They call within ten minutes with an appointment. At that time, we were scheduled to see Dr. Hunter-Squires on November 8th at 1:15 pm.
My mom calls me while I'm at work and breaks the news to me. Surprisingly, I didn't cry. I was more relieved. I was relieved because we got answers. Being mentally tortured of the unknown was worse than getting the diagnosis. Call me weird, but that's all how it went down at that moment for me. Does it suck to be diagnosed with breast cancer? Sure does! I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. It's just another adventure. One that wasn't on the bucket list. I was reading a lot about General Manager Joe Maddon from the Chicago Cubs about embracing the suck with his baseball team and in life. Through this process, we're embracing the suck! That's my motto from here on out.
November 8th: We meet with the Dr. Hunter-Squires, who is an oncology breast surgeon. She does an exam and goes into detail about the pathology report with us. She told us what the plan was which is chemo first, surgery second, radiation third if possible, then reconstruction. She then orders a breast MRI for further imaging and schedules with an oncologist.
In summary of what the social worker and nurse navigator told me. They pretty much said to use the cancer card if needed and if anything is offered to you because you're a cancer patient. You take it. Do not ask questions. Lol! I'm sort of kidding, but in all seriousness, they shared great resources and helpful information to help myself, family, and friends get through this difficult time.
This day was in for the books! I got my blood drawn for the first time ever for genetic testing. And imagine that, I faint! Haha I go back to the room and my mother asked me if I fainted. I said yes. So what does she do? She starts laughing! We have to find humor when we can! :D
November 13th: Nothing exciting happens here. Just a breast MRI.
November 14th: We meet with the Dr. Wu, the oncology doctor. In a nutshell, breast MRI found two concerning spots in the right breast as well as the sternum. We don't know if this is cancer but that's where the PET Scan and further testing will tell us to get the best treatment possible. Knowledge is power! She also discussed chemo tentative start date which is November 29th.
Yep! That was a mouthful. This is just a synopsis of what happened in the last two weeks. If you made it past this, then I'm impressed. And I appreciate it! But until then, it's time for more testing and for round one of chemo starting the 29th!
Excuse my French, it's time to kick cancer's ass! With You as my tour guide for this adventure, nothing will be able to withstand against us! Even with every blow we've taken, somehow I still find peace with Your word and presence. I cannot thank You enough for that!
Lord, there are going to be times where I don't know how to pray when the tough gets going. But I lift my heart to You and pray in Your time and in Your way You will touch my body and heal me of this cancer. Give me the courage for my hope is in You!
Brookelyn completed 25 rounds of radiation yesterday! The smile on her face, says it all!!
Brookelyn 3
Cancer 0
Next up! Healing! Brookelyn will continue hormone therapy infusions every 3 weeks, but the brunt of this nasty disease is behind us. Cancer may have distorted her body but it never took her joy! I’ve always been proud of my girls, but to watch my daughter tackle cancer like a boss, gives new meaning to hero for me.
Next for Brookelyn is getting back to normal. Anyone who has battled cancer knows, the word normal is relative. She will have a new normal, but if you know Brookelyn, she will get back to as close to her normal as possible. This kid has never waivered, never backed down from a fight. She will continue with consistent and close follow up from her oncology staff. Oral chemo is being discussed at this time, due to some rements of the cancer, then planning reconstruction early next year. Every day we wait to hear the words ‘You are cancer free!’
Now kiddo, it’s back to adulting! Live the life God has planned for you, let your scars tell His Story. The story of love, grace, mercy, and redemption.
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