The important stuff upfront: * This page will contain swearing. Like, a lot of it. If you don't like the swears, this isn't the page for you. * Likewise, I will most often NOT use appropriate medical terminology. For example, if I ever need to discuss my ovaries, they will be called Lady Bits. It's just the way it is. * Please only leave a comment if it is positive and/or helpful. Sweary, funny, and inappropriate memes and GIFs will also be accepted.
My story: I find lumps all of the time. They come, they go. I had one on Right Boob (RB) that didn't "go" so I went to the doctor. They scheduled a mammogram and an ultrasound, a drill I'd been through a dozen or so times. I knew this one was different when the radiologist came into the room after the ultrasound. There's a checklist of things they look for when detecting malignancy and my lump had all of the things....not a test I was excited about acing.
A biopsy on October 4th (non-invasive procedure, my ass!) confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma, HER2 positive.....about 5 cm worth of it. And, cancer decided it was going to mess with me a bit more. A breast MRI, followed by a PET scan showed some concerning things, some worth worrying about, some not. There was a "hot spot" on my ovary (AKA, bits and pieces/B&P), some sassy and enlarged lymph nodes, and a suspicious mass hiding in Left Boob.
Another ultrasound confirmed a B&P cyst (benign!). Several biopsies showed NO CANCER in my lymph nodes (a HUGE relief). Unfortunately, the biopsy (again, I felt pretty fucking invaded by this non-invasive procedure. I'm typing this with ice packs shoved into my armpits so, yeah....not a fan) on LB came back positive for a separate invasive ductal carcinoma. Gross for sure (and aggressive - it's fixin' to start some shit), but not nearly as large or as advanced as RB.
The port for delivering chemo will be "installed" Nov. 1st and fingers crossed treatment (chemo followed by surgery) will start shortly after that!
Welcome to my cancer journey....buckle up for a sweary ride. :-)
Earlier this month marked two years cancer free. Every ache, pain, and twitch causes stomach-dropping anxiety and thoughts of "this is it, it's back" but so far, so good. I stand by initial hashtag from way back when...#boobsaredumb
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