Kayce went to the doctor back in October for a lump. Her doctor referred her to get a mammogram and ultrasound. From there, she was told she did not have cancer, that it was a cyst/abscess, and that her lymph nodes were likely enlarged because of the infection. She was given antibiotics to take for 10 days and told to come back in 1 month for another ultrasound. On Black Friday, November 25, 2022, she returned for another ultrasound and was told her lump was now the size of a ping pong ball and her lymph nodes had enlarged more. She was told she needed a biopsy that day; however, because it was the day after Thanksgiving, no doctor was available to sign off on the biopsy...they couldn't get her in for a week. So on December 2, 2022, she went for a biopsy of the lump in her left breast and lymph nodes.
On December 5, 2022, Kayce received a call she never wanted to receive nor we never dreamed she would receive. Her doctor told her she had breast cancer spread to her lymph nodes.
Only by the grace of God did our family have connections to the Brown Center. She was able to see a top surgical oncologist, Dr. Ajkay, and a top medical oncologist, Dr. Riley, within a week and a half. We were not impressed by the "other" hospital and how they handled her diagnosis. However, we felt confident moving forward with the UofL Brown Center, Dr. Ajkay, and Dr. Riley.
On December 15, we met with Dr. Ajkay, Dr. Riley, and her entire team. We were genuinely impressed. From the time of diagnosis until 10 days, no one had explained anything to her. All she had was the biopsy report; we certainly couldn't decipher that well.
Dr. Ajkay and Dr. Riley explained she has triple negative (not caused by hormones) metastatic (it has spread) breast cancer. They both took their time explaining everything, answering all our questions (someone may have had more than others :)), and explaining her entire treatment plan. The appointments lasted 4.5 hours, but we left feeling very confident in her team at the Brown Center.
TREATMENT PLAN Kayce will be starting chemo and immunotherapy on December 29, 2022. She will receive chemo once a week for 12 weeks and then once every other week for 2 months, for a total of 5 months. Immunotherapy with be once every 3 weeks for a year.
After the chemo ends, she will undergo surgery. Please join us and pray that her body accepts the chemo and shrinks the lump. Also, pray the side effects are minimal.
PRAYERS The doctors explained that life doesn't stop just because you have cancer. Kayce has handled this diagnosis with so much poise and grace, but she has two little girls who do not understand what is happening. Please pray for Emmy, Hadley, and Kyle, as he will have a lot on his plate in the coming months.
WAYS TO HELP Kayce's sisters and parents will be the main ones keeping this site updated. Please check back to see how she is doing. Kayce is a strong and brave woman who will not fight this alone. Her fight is our fight.
If you are interested in helping Kayce and our family, check out the "ways to help" tab for Kayce's Krew merchandise and sign up for her meal train. All donations on the "tributes" tab go to CaringBridge, NOT Kayce.
Kayce met with her oncologist today and found out she is CANCER FREE! She is on her last round of oral chemo and will be finished in 2 weeks! She will follow up in another month, and if everything is still good, she will change to visits every 3 months!
Thank you all for your prayers, support, meals, donations, etc. We could not have made it this past year without you all. Praise God, Kayce is cancer free!
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