So my doctor, sister and I make small talk about the surgery. I learn there may be some weird reason I’m all bruised on the left side, was a difficult block for anesthesia, yada yada yada. I honestly don’t remember what was said at the beginning of the appointment, but I certainly remember the end of it.  “Complete pathologic response”. I seriously cried the happiest tears, next to giving birth to my children that I’ve ever had!  She handed me the five page pathology report that I plan on keeping forever. 

This means that I am CANCER FREE!  I didn’t do it alone. I can thank my AMAZING family and wonderful medical team that spanned from Virginia to Illinois!  None of this happened as planned.  February 10, 2021 I had a horrible oncology team in Maryland that treated me so terribly I quit after one chemo session.  (First was 3/17/21) Moved my care to Virginia in April (4/9/21)  and was never more thankful in my life to have met such an amazing care team . I didn’t have biweekly chemo as recommended because of this set back. I spent eight days in a month (April to May)  in the hospital.  All the research says you can’t or shouldn’t alter this regimen. It should be a strict biweekly start on AC for four treatments then weekly taxol for 12.  Well of course I failed at that too. I couldn’t “handle” more than five treatments of taxol.  I had 19 days of a fever in between my weekly infusions all in the month of June.  I met an oncology surgeon  and plastic surgeon in Virginia and my initial plan was “encouraged “ to do breast conservation surgery  (aka lumpectomy- reduction) because I was a young patient and it appeared my cancer had at least shrunk to a minimum. 

Well just like nothing quite goes as planned after my second four day admission, I talked my husband into moving back home. I needed to be closer to family. This was enough that at this point who knows what would happen and I wanted it to happen with most of them close by.  One issue was he had a contract and in the travel nurse field it’s a bad idea to break that for ANY  reason.  So we decided I’d pack up Sheldon, so I wasn’t completely alone traveling, to head with me while he, Madison and Chapo stayed there to complete the time he needed, to not only finish the contract, but to avoid a now third insurance (maximum) deductible during a cancer diagnosis.  

Sheldon and I made our way around August 1st back to IL. I had made several appointments while still in DC at NorthShore Health System that were all before the end of the contract/ insurance expiration.  I met with an amazing oncology surgeon named  Dr Kopkash. I can’t explain with each appointment I had in this health system, I felt in such great hands. I explained that after one taxol, I ran a fever for four days and acquired pneumonitis that was diagnosed by the fifth treatment and I wasn’t interested in doing radiation which is pretty much “required “ with triple negative breast cancer. Radiation runs a much higher risk of pneumonitis than chemotherapy does.   I knew then I’d be having a mastectomy. I had seen so many hack job photos online I was pretty scared to say the least.  Fast forward to the days before surgery, I dreamt of explosions in the operating room and other completely ridiculous incidents that just don’t happen!  The day of surgery, I was energized to just get the show on the road whatever the risks.  I honestly never asked her how she planned to cut me and was more concerned about having my port removed than anything.  

Dr Kopkash is definitely a miracle worker.  My incisions are not visible in the mirror. They’re so carefully hidden I am so thankful and lucky. I think the JP drains will leave a scar more visible than the actual mastectomy!   I have expanders in and Dr Sisco gets to deal with those for now.  I’m graduating to not seeing the oncology surgeon for six GLORIOUS months!  I just want to celebrate this amazing news with everyone and anyone that will listen right now! 

I am CANCER FREE! From February 10th to August 25th my body was poked, displayed, prodded  and scanned more than I ever thought imaginable.  I know it’s not “over” but it kind of is. I am a new person because of this and cancer didn’t win this time! 

I truly can never thank my family enough! They’ve taken such amazing care of me and I am not sure how I can ever repay them.  I may just be around long enough to torture them for many years to come 💕 

Thanks to  you for all the kind, encouraging, uplifting words over these past six plus months!  I’ve appreciated them more than you realize.  

I’m excited for Michael to make it here today and we can begin our new normal ❤️  cancer free