 |
| That's NOT a baby. It's a tumor. |
My primary doc is great (shoutout, Dr. Venegas!) and with a quick examination, he ordered a mammogram but assured me it was just a fibroid and wouldn't amount to anything. "You're only 34".
Monday, August 6th. I head to the Margaret West Comprehensive Breast Center inside West Cancer Clinic for my first ever mammogram and ultrasound. I sat in the waiting room and completed my paperwork. I was called back and asked to undress from the waist up and put on a spa-like robe and sit in another waiting room. So here I am (the youngest, by a good 25 years), sitting shirtless in a waiting room full of other shirtless women. But we're all pretending it's fine, because we're all wearing these spa robes, so business as usual.
 |
| My hospital chic deep V top at my surgery consult. |
Biopsies are no joke. The right one went smoothly, I didn't see the needle and I hardly felt a thing. The left one on the other hand, hurt like hell and was sore for days. We poked the bear and it was PISSED. My gut was preparing me for the worst, I had a feeling my results would not be roses and unicorns.
Results take two days to come back. On August 9, 2018, I was at work when I got the call. "Your biopsy results... invasive mammary cancer...we're scheduling you for a surgical consult ASAP."
On Monday, August 13, 2018, I went back to the Margaret West Comprehensive Breast Center for a consult with Dr. Oswaks. He recommended a partial mastectomy (AKA lumpectomy) and I was scheduled for surgery Thursday, August 16, 2018. He and his nurse, Elizabeth, were amazing. They explained everything to us in great detail and were so patient. EVERY medical team member has been so kind and attentive, they have made this so much easier for me.
On Thursday, August 16, 2018, my dad/ambulance driver took me to Methodist Germantown for surgery early in the morning to be prepped. When you have a partial mastectomy, they inject radioactive dyes into your system to track the lymph nodes so they can remove some and biopsy the main node in your underarm... I always wanted to glow!
We waited around a lot, we all know how comfortable hospital waiting rooms are. I was actually relieved to put on my hospital gown and get in the hospital bed! It seemed to go by very fast after that and before I knew it, I had met with the nurses, anesthesiologist, surgeon and was getting the initial drugs to relax me. They gave me the first drugs and the laid the bed flat, I said "wooo!" and was out. I don't remember another thing until I woke up.
My mom got me dressed and they wheeled me out of there before I even started to come down from my anesthesia high. She got me home and my lovely bests, Jordan, Leigh and Lialah met her at my house to help get me settled. I had a glamorous recovery ahead of me, with awkward sleeping positions, ice, 24/7 front-close bras (thanks True & Co for making that a pleasant experience!) and a very awkwardly placed dull pain.
I can't fully express how much it meant to me to feel the love from so many of my friends and family since this started. You've texted, called, sent me flowers, brought me food, took me to dinner or just sent your prayers, good vibes and kind words. I've definitely felt it and appreciate it so very much. Some of you went above and beyond to spoil me and make sure I would be well taken care of throughout this ordeal and I can't thank you all enough!
Results take two days to come back. On August 9, 2018, I was at work when I got the call. "Your biopsy results... invasive mammary cancer...we're scheduling you for a surgical consult ASAP."
On Monday, August 13, 2018, I went back to the Margaret West Comprehensive Breast Center for a consult with Dr. Oswaks. He recommended a partial mastectomy (AKA lumpectomy) and I was scheduled for surgery Thursday, August 16, 2018. He and his nurse, Elizabeth, were amazing. They explained everything to us in great detail and were so patient. EVERY medical team member has been so kind and attentive, they have made this so much easier for me.
 |
| Ready for surgery! |
We waited around a lot, we all know how comfortable hospital waiting rooms are. I was actually relieved to put on my hospital gown and get in the hospital bed! It seemed to go by very fast after that and before I knew it, I had met with the nurses, anesthesiologist, surgeon and was getting the initial drugs to relax me. They gave me the first drugs and the laid the bed flat, I said "wooo!" and was out. I don't remember another thing until I woke up.
My mom got me dressed and they wheeled me out of there before I even started to come down from my anesthesia high. She got me home and my lovely bests, Jordan, Leigh and Lialah met her at my house to help get me settled. I had a glamorous recovery ahead of me, with awkward sleeping positions, ice, 24/7 front-close bras (thanks True & Co for making that a pleasant experience!) and a very awkwardly placed dull pain.
I can't fully express how much it meant to me to feel the love from so many of my friends and family since this started. You've texted, called, sent me flowers, brought me food, took me to dinner or just sent your prayers, good vibes and kind words. I've definitely felt it and appreciate it so very much. Some of you went above and beyond to spoil me and make sure I would be well taken care of throughout this ordeal and I can't thank you all enough!
 |
| Half of the flowers I received! |
My post-op with Dr. Oswaks and nurse Elizabeth on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 confirmed a diagnosis of Stage 2A, Grade 3, Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I had zero cancer in my lymph nodes and the margins around my tumor were clear. (HOORAY!!) My incision was healing up nicely, so at that point, it was time to schedule genetics testing and my medical oncology appointment.
On Thursday, September 6th, 2018, I met with my oncologist, Dr. Somer and his nurse, Heather to learn what the chemo portion of treatment would entail. I found out I would need four rounds of the TC protocol followed by radiation.
TC guarantees hair loss, and for really the first time since this started, I got anxious and upset. Not for vanity's sake, but for my own sanity. Chemo ravages your body, it makes you tired, nauseous and achy. You want some sense of normalcy. And when you lose your hair, the pity, stares and whispers start. I have enough going on, I don't need your pity, I need a high-five. I don't need you to stare at me or whisper, I need you to go on about your day, so I can go on about mine. This is not a pity party, it's an obstacle!
With that said, we talked about cold-capping with Chemo Cold Caps, as I am young with a head full of hair and my diagnosis and treatment plan makes me an excellent candidate for it. I got in touch with Lori Sullivan, my Chemo Cold Cap rep to get the process started. My cooler of supplies arrived Friday, September 14, 2018 and my infusion appointment was scheduled for Friday, September 21, 2018. In between that, my amazing capping team (the family and friends who will go with me to each appointment) and I went through phone training to prepare ourselves. Dad, Mom, Laurie, Leigh, Lialah and Jordan, you are rockstars for your willingness to be on my capping team, play nurse and help me through chemotherapy.
I'm very excited to get started on my chemo and cold-capping treatment. Cold-capping is not a widely-used treatment and I hope I can help change that for myself and other cancer patients. And I know Dr. Somer and Heather are just as excited to see how this works out for me, as hair loss is something the doc is familiar with (haha, sorry Dr. Somer!)
On Thursday, September 6th, 2018, I met with my oncologist, Dr. Somer and his nurse, Heather to learn what the chemo portion of treatment would entail. I found out I would need four rounds of the TC protocol followed by radiation.
TC guarantees hair loss, and for really the first time since this started, I got anxious and upset. Not for vanity's sake, but for my own sanity. Chemo ravages your body, it makes you tired, nauseous and achy. You want some sense of normalcy. And when you lose your hair, the pity, stares and whispers start. I have enough going on, I don't need your pity, I need a high-five. I don't need you to stare at me or whisper, I need you to go on about your day, so I can go on about mine. This is not a pity party, it's an obstacle!
 |
| The other 1/2 of my flowers! |
I'm very excited to get started on my chemo and cold-capping treatment. Cold-capping is not a widely-used treatment and I hope I can help change that for myself and other cancer patients. And I know Dr. Somer and Heather are just as excited to see how this works out for me, as hair loss is something the doc is familiar with (haha, sorry Dr. Somer!)
No comments:
Post a Comment