The crazy radiation crew!
BREAST CANCER
On October 3, 2016, after going through a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, and numerous other tests, I had an appointment with my oncology surgeon. He didn't beat around the bush at all; he entered the room and said, "Well, you are positive for breast cancer."
Grade 3
Stage 111C
Invasive Ductal-Carcinoma
Estrogen-Positive
HER 2-Negative
WTH does all this mean???
He said I would have chemo, a mastectomy, and, most likely, radiation. Although I knew in my heart that this was cancer, even before Dr. Quill said those words to me, it was still quite a shock hearing it confirmed. My head was spinning with many questions, but the big one was, "AM I GOING TO DIE??"
Dr. Quill said we were going to hit this thing with every weapon available to ensure that we got rid of every cancer cell and ensure they didn't come back. He then asked if I was ready to fight.
OH, HELL YEAH!! I'M READY TO FIGHT!
And a fight it has been!
My treatment plan called for adjuvant chemotherapy in the form of four treatments of a combination of drugs-Doxorubicin and Cytoxin. Doxorubicin was fondly referred to as "The Red Devil" by the nurses at my Cancer Center. This was a very accurate description, as I quickly learned!
The plan was for me to receive the "Red Devil" cocktail every other week for four treatments.
By my third visit with the old Red Devil, I had lost 14 pounds and dealt with horrific nausea, acid reflux, and other nasty side effects.
My white blood count also remained extremely low during this time, and I had to have injections to help restore the white blood cells between treatments.
One week I had to have daily shots. After that, I wasn't allowed to go out or have visitors for weeks because of the threat of infection with the low WBC.
Following the third treatment, my doctor decided to do a follow-up mammogram and ultrasound to see if there had been any tumor change before proceeding with the 4th treatment. Those tests showed that the primary tumor had decreased in size quite a bit, that the smaller ones were pretty much the same, but that none had increased.
It was decided that I should skip the 4th RD treatment and move on to the next phase of chemo.
The next phase involved weekly chemo treatments for a total of 12. Taxol was not as bad as the RD but did provide some adverse effects of its own. Unfortunately, my WBC remained extremely low during this phase, so I was again housebound!
WE DID IT!
My Favorite Oncology Nurse-Becky!
Next up-the mastectomy.
I had a modified radical mastectomy. Dr. Quill removed my right breast and 11 lymph nodes. Unfortunately, I must say, the mental aspect of the surgery was worse than the physical. I seriously was surprised that I wasn't in more pain from the surgery. I took pain pills for the first 3 days, but after that, all that was needed was the occasional Advil.
One of the worst things was dealing with the stupid drainage tubes after the surgery! The bulbs had to be emptied several times a day, and they were positioned so that it was almost impossible for me to reach them. Thankfully, my sweet hubby did that for me most of the time.
I did not have reconstruction.
And then came 33 radiation treatments. This burn sort of looked like a heart, don't ya think??!
Celebrating the completion of my radiation!
All was good for a while....
Unfortunately, in early November 2020, I had a recurrence. A lymph node was biopsied, and the results showed that it was positive for cancer.
With this recurrence, I realize I will most likely be on some type of treatment for the rest of my life. The treatment I am currently on is a combination of a pill called Verzenio and monthly injections of Faslodex. While they do have some fairly unpleasant side effects, they are working for me. And that's all I ask. That's what I pray for. Just work. I still have a bit of living to do!