Chezarae’s Story

Site created on April 28, 2023

Chezarae has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery (bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction) on May 23rd . There were four tumors identified on the one side and nothing on the other.  A small but macroscopic amount was found in one of her sentinel lymph nodes. The cancer found was all grade one and estrogen responsive. 


Chezarae is having nine weeks of chemotherapy. This is being IV delivered, not pills, and she had a port "installed" for delivery. There will be four multi-hour sessions total each three weeks apart. Her first session  was July 12th. After chemo is finished and some break for rest and recovery, she will have three weeks of radiation. This will be 16 half-hour appointments over the course of three weeks. Along the way Chezarae will also have a bit of physical therapy to recover range of motion and strength in her arms from the surgery. We are not sure of the timing and extent of this but don't expect this to be too demanding, as so far Chezarae's post-surgery recovery has been going very well.

 We appreciate your prayers and support as we take this journey together.  You can click on Ways to Help tab for our Meal Train and any other ways to help that may arise.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Peter Distelzweig

Chezarae successfully completed  her radiation therapy October 25th. It went well with none but expected side effects (and those perhaps on the milder side).

 
Chezarae’s mom flew home on October 31. We are so grateful—eternally grateful—for Ginny’s time with us. It was a blessing in so many ways and on so many  levels.   Thank you again, Ginny. And thank you, Skip, for being without her for so long. 
 
We met with our medical oncologist in early November to talk about what is next. Because the cancer was estrogen and progesterone positive that provides another tool to decrease the chance of recurrence: hormone therapy. This is a longer term treatment (at least five years) and involves a daily pill and a monthly shot. 
 
They also checked her bone density which came back on the low side (this runs in the family). So she will also have an IV treatment for that once every six months for (at least) three years. 
 
Last week she had very minor surgery to remove the IV port they had “installed” under her skin to facilitate the chemotherapy delivery.  Chezarae’s happy to have that out. Yay!
 
In six months or so, after full tissue recovery from radiation, Chezarae will have some final reconstructive surgery. This is also on  the “minor surgery” side of things. 
 
So, while there is more to come, we feel very much out of the thick of things and are so grateful  for all of your thoughts, prayers, and support! 
 
And thanks be to God. 
 
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