Ok, so I had the new tumor taken out Friday. It was 1cm. My original one was 2 cm. This one had only been growing for 5 months which is scary. It is very aggressive and rapidly multiplying. Since it is a recurrence of my old tumor, there is no staging. The freaky part is that there is only a 1% chance of this happening, and it did!
I was a little concerned when my doctor came in and looked flustered. She was not happy about this. She did say that it's not hopeless and that I can still beat it. I asked if she'd seen this before and she said yes, twice. Not very good, I know. I then asked how they were doing. She said very well and in remission.
I will now undergo a new regimen of chemo and this time radiation. They typically don't radiate mastectomy patients that had negative lymph nodes because all the tissue is removed. This time it is necessary because the chemo didn't work in the breast. She said it did it's job elsewhere by not allowing it to spread though.
This chemo is Gemzar & Carboplatin. It is every 21 days like before but it's suppose to be a little easier on the patient. Less naseau and other side effects. I might even keep my hair. She said it tends to thin but not fall out completely so no shaving my head this time!
After 6 rounds of that, I finish in February (I think), I will start radiation. I haven't seen the radiation ocologist yet so I don't know all the details there. I only know that it will mess up my perfect boob! It makes the skin shrink. I'm talking with the boob Doc Wednesday about that. I'm kidding, so what, if it means I'm alive. You won't see it under clothes.
Anyway, my spirits are up. I'm not freaking out, just pissed off that I have to do this again and I can't come home for Christmas. I guess it's a small price to pay so that we can have many more Christmases to come.
Love,
Erica
*My surgeon called at 4:30 today (after my post above) to tell me that my second surgery came back clean, no cancer in my chest muscle. That's a little bit of relief for an otherwise crappy day!
Breast Cancer Survivor
"We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails"
Family photo November 2008
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How it all began......
Welcome to my website! This site was created by my wonderful friend Angela to keep everyone I love updated on my “Journey” beating Breast Cancer.
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on December 19, 2007 @ 4:30 in the afternoon. It was quite possibly the worst phone call I’ve ever received. The doctors kept telling me that I was “too young”… it’s probably just a cyst or a fibroid (benign tumor). So, I had convinced myself of the same. Imagine my shock and fear when the doctor said “I hate to tell you this, but it IS cancer.”
I didn’t really know how to react. At first I cried a little. Then, I was ok. Then cried some more, then, ok. It wasn’t until I saw the surgeon and learned of the best option for survival, a double mastectomy, that I really broke down. I had a meltdown for a couple of days and then I was fine. I’ve been pretty good with it ever since. I know that I can beat this sneaky disease and I will live a long life with the loves of my life; my husband Jason, and my 2 boys, Will & Nathan.
Jason had a hard time at first. He just kept thinking the worst, that I wouldn’t make it. He’s doing much better now that we’ve seen all the doctors and the prognosis is good.
The kids don’t really understand. Will (who’s almost 4) thinks mommy is having an operation, that’s it. Nathan just turned 1 so he just wants to be held all the time. That will be the hardest thing on me. I love to hold my babies and I won’t be able to pick them up for awhile.
Thankfully, my mom, Kathy, has come to the rescue. She is here as long as we need her. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful mother and family. My sister is coming from Alaska, pregnant and all, to help out too. My dad is coming back soon and Jason’s parents, Rick & Jan along with his whole extended family are just a phone call away if I need them. Unfortunately, my brother, Steve can’t come although he wants to. I even have my friends from Maine that want to come and help! Thank you Christina and Nikki for offering. My friends here, Angela, Oti, Julie & Niki are all on standby also. They’re ready at a moments notice for whatever we need. I love you all, I can’t say how good it makes me feel to be loved.
Everyone I know is praying for us which is so wonderful. I appreciate all the prayers. Only God knows what will happen but I’m confident that he will pull me through.
Anyway, I hope you log on to find out how we’re doing down here in Texas. My surgery is January 9th @ 7:30 a.m. I’ll be in the hospital for 2 nights.
I hope this site can help anyone else who gets this horrible disease, although I pray that none of you ever have to experience it.
Love to all!
Erica
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on December 19, 2007 @ 4:30 in the afternoon. It was quite possibly the worst phone call I’ve ever received. The doctors kept telling me that I was “too young”… it’s probably just a cyst or a fibroid (benign tumor). So, I had convinced myself of the same. Imagine my shock and fear when the doctor said “I hate to tell you this, but it IS cancer.”
I didn’t really know how to react. At first I cried a little. Then, I was ok. Then cried some more, then, ok. It wasn’t until I saw the surgeon and learned of the best option for survival, a double mastectomy, that I really broke down. I had a meltdown for a couple of days and then I was fine. I’ve been pretty good with it ever since. I know that I can beat this sneaky disease and I will live a long life with the loves of my life; my husband Jason, and my 2 boys, Will & Nathan.
Jason had a hard time at first. He just kept thinking the worst, that I wouldn’t make it. He’s doing much better now that we’ve seen all the doctors and the prognosis is good.
The kids don’t really understand. Will (who’s almost 4) thinks mommy is having an operation, that’s it. Nathan just turned 1 so he just wants to be held all the time. That will be the hardest thing on me. I love to hold my babies and I won’t be able to pick them up for awhile.
Thankfully, my mom, Kathy, has come to the rescue. She is here as long as we need her. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful mother and family. My sister is coming from Alaska, pregnant and all, to help out too. My dad is coming back soon and Jason’s parents, Rick & Jan along with his whole extended family are just a phone call away if I need them. Unfortunately, my brother, Steve can’t come although he wants to. I even have my friends from Maine that want to come and help! Thank you Christina and Nikki for offering. My friends here, Angela, Oti, Julie & Niki are all on standby also. They’re ready at a moments notice for whatever we need. I love you all, I can’t say how good it makes me feel to be loved.
Everyone I know is praying for us which is so wonderful. I appreciate all the prayers. Only God knows what will happen but I’m confident that he will pull me through.
Anyway, I hope you log on to find out how we’re doing down here in Texas. My surgery is January 9th @ 7:30 a.m. I’ll be in the hospital for 2 nights.
I hope this site can help anyone else who gets this horrible disease, although I pray that none of you ever have to experience it.
Love to all!
Erica
2 comments:
Erica,
I am so sorry about this news, this just plain sucks. I cant believe it. You are a strong woman everything will go ok. Keep your spirits up. Your in my prayers.
Kathy Apon
This totally bites.....I am so glad to hear you staying so positive and looking at it with the glass 1/2 full. And yes, you will miss this Christmas in Maine, but if this will give you many, many more in the future, that is all that matters. I am thinking of you and sending you lots of hugs from Maine!
Katie
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