Steph’s Story

Site created on August 4, 2020

Hello Family, Friends and Other Caring People!
 
  My name Is Steph and I recently was diagnoses with Triple Negitive Breast Cancer. I hope to use this platform to help keep people and my family up to date on my treatments and my condition. Just knoe that some days I am not up for writing or doing much of anything...but I will do my best to let you know how I am doing.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Steph Walker

So based off what we know about my cancer, my medical team came up with a treatment plan.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer located on the Right Breast
  Stage 2
  Grade 3
  Size: 2.6cm
Genetic Testing: Positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation

Right side Lymph Node: No cancer found in the biopsy.
Left Breast: No cancer found in the biopsy.
No other cancer seen on CT/PET scans.

(Basically what it says above is that I have an aggressive breast cancer, but it was still in an early stage. Very treatable and high survival rates. I also have the breast cancer gene that makes me at high risk of getting breast cancer in the future but also puts me at higher risk for ovarian cancer.)

My oncologist wanted to get me started on chemotherapy as soon as I was able. We were still at the early stage of the cancer and we did not want to lose that jump. 

The plan is:
 12 weekly treatments of: Taxol and
Carboplatin
   (Started on Monday July 27th, 2020)
 4 bi-weekly treatments of:
Adriamycin (known to patients as The Red Devil, look it up!)
   (Following the first set of chemotherapy)
 
 Bilateral Mastectomy, 1st Stage Reconstruction and Oophorectomy Surgery
(removal of my ovaries)
  (Couple days in the hospital and about 4-6 week recovery at home)
Evaluation will be needed to determine is additional chemotherapy or if radiation is needed. (TBD)

 2nd Stage Reconstruction Surgery
  (Another day or two in the hospital, followed by 4-6 week recovery)

 3rd/Final Stage of Reconstruction Surgery 
  (Typically an outpatient procedure with a 2-5 day recovery)
*I'll talk about the details of the reconstruction plans at a later time.*

My prognosis is really good. I should be able to make a "full recovery" (just missing a few parts/pieces).
Thank you all for your support and for your love!
I will continue to post updates and information about my treatment progression.

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