Hey All!
I am so happy to share my journey with cancer because so many of you reached out and gave me such great info and inspiration when I first started and all along the way!
Thank you!!
Recap -
In November 2023, I felt a lump in my right breast At first, I thought it couldn't be anything to worry about because I had just had my annual mammogram.
After a couple of months I decided to get it checked out. I knew when my family doctor checked me and said " it might be nothing" that it was definitely something!
What followed was sonograms and mammograms and PET scans and MRI's and probably some testing I have forgotten.
diagnoses - lobular carcinoma
This a breast cancer that cannot be detected by a mammogram - please do your self exam!
My oncologist put me on a chemo pill that blocked my estrogen because estrogen is what fuels lobular cancer. I stayed on the pill for all of 2024 with no side effects. And I will stay on this pill for many years to come.
This little pill shrunk my tumor in half and returned my lymph nodes to their normal size. Everyone was very surprised and pleased at this change!
September 2024, I met with my breast surgeon to discuss a mastectomy. I opted for a double mastectomy. Mostly because I didn't want to wear a prosthetic because it would be hot (I thought - I don't really know!) and I'm pretty low maintenance and would like to keep it that way!
Next, I met with a plastic surgeon to talk about reconstruction. OK - this is where it gets good! Really good!!
The plastic surgeon said he can take the excess skin (and there is plenty of work with!) from my abdomen to make my new breasts.
That's a tummy tuck, yall!
Also, he can reattach the blood vessels, so I always have living tissue in my new breasts. I won't have any of the side effects of implants.
All of this is covered by insurance and insurance has to cover reconstruction after a mastectomy. Just so you know!
In January 2025, I had the double mastectomy surgery. It went great.
Now, I will not lie, the recoup is a little rough. I was sore from the stitches but really not in any pain. The drains are cumbersome, and it took 2 weeks before they could come out. Prepare to sleep a lot and watch a lot of tv because you can't do much else.
I went back to work after 6 weeks. I was feeling really good by then.
In March, I started see a physical therapist that specializes in treating lymphedema which is caused when the lymph glands are removed. I had 7 removed on my right-side underarms. 6 had cancer so that's the reason for radiation.
MY PT is great, and I have had very little issues. I will be combatting lymphedema my whole life.
But I didn't have to do intravenous chemo and that was the best news!
I started radiation in April - every day for 5 weeks. I have 6 days to go!
The first 3 weeks were no problem. The 4th week the burn, redness and itching began. I used a prescribed cream which helped. And I used lidocaine with aloe and cortisone to combat the itching and burn. So far, this has really helped!
I had a blood test in March that was negative for any cancer in my blood. The radiation is supposed to obliterate any more cancer in my lymph nodes.
I will undergo testing every 6 months to check for cancer in my blood.
My reconstruction will take place late 2025 or early 2026.
Nothing scared me more that getting these diagnoses but I am here to tell you doctors and scientist and all the people who helped test these drugs and trials, have discovered ways to combat cancer that do not involve almost killing you first!
I have been very pleased with my care, my doctors, and the nurses are angels!
If you want specifics about any of this, especially if you are in Roanoke and getting care from the Carilion Cancer Center -from parking to timelines to doctors to costs, to etc. let me know and I will be happy to answer!