My Graduation From Breast Cancer Treatment - No Cap & Gown. Just Very Curly Hair!
I began breast cancer treatment on October 9, 2014, the day I went to my doctor after finding a lump in my breast. The preliminary diagnosis was cancer. I needed a full mammogram and biospy to rule out, or in, cancer. Three days of hell ensued over that weekend before I could get in to get a mammogram.
A few days later I had a thorough mammogram on both breasts, and had an immediate very painful breast biopsy. I went through a battery of tests to check to see if the cancer had spread to any of my bones, brain, tissues or organs. I was fortunate that the cancer had only gotten into two lymph nodes in my axilla (armpit). I had numerous doctor's appointments and intensive medical tests during that three week period. I was exhausted by the time I had to start chemotherapy. I wanted a vacation, but time was of the essence to get this cancer under control. My life was a whirlwind of anxiety and fear. I had aggressive breast cancer and it needed to be treated, immediately. Our lives turned upside down in a matter of days. I had to learn to cope and quickly get my mind around what was happening. I did just that with the help of my very supportive husband, my two brother's in law who are MDs, and after talking with my surgeon and medical oncologist. We had a plan, and I was ready to start the battle of my life.
On October 29, 2014, I started 6 rounds of grueling chemotherapy - consisting of Carboplatin, Taxotere, Herceptin & Perjecta (once every three weeks) through February 10, 2015. I became bald seventeen days after starting chemotherapy. It was a very cold winter with no hair and not feeling good.
On March 10, 2015, I had a left breast modified radical mastectomy and removal of 31 axillary lymph nodes, with an immediate phase 1 breast reconstruction surgery. My tissue pathology showed a complete pathological response to chemotherapy. I am cancer free.
Three weeks later, I began 7 weekly 50cc injections of saline into the tissue expander implant to reach the maximum size for my eventual permanent breast implant. The tissue expander is under my chest wall muscle, creating a pocket for the eventual permanent breast implant. The tissue expander process is uncomfortable to say the least.
On June 3, 2015, my last major treatment began with 28 rounds of radiation therapy on my upper left chest, axilla and neck area. The radiation therapy caused a minor second degree burn on my collarbone and energy sapping fatigue.
I completed one year of Herceptin infusions on September 30, 2015. In the late winter of 2016, I will have sufficiently healed and recovered from radiation therapy to have phase 2 of my breast reconstruction surgery. I have to go for periodic 2D echocardiograms to monitor my heart functions. Herceptin can cause heart damage in a very small percentage of patients. So far, my heart has been fine. I gained a slight amount of weight during my months of rehabilitation, and I am going to the gym three days per week to regain my strength and endurance. My doctor is amazed at my progress and recovery. I have lowered my blood pressure and lost 11 lbs., since September. I can now walk at least 1.8 miles on the treadmill in 40 minutes. That is remarkable because I could barely walk across the room due to exhaustion during chemotherapy.
I am thankful to be alive and for my excellent team of doctors and medical personnel who have helped me along the way to wellness. I am slowly getting my energy back so I can return to my love of photography.
Thanks for enduring my long absence while I went through this challenging health journey in my life.
My Graduation From Breast Cancer Treatment - No Cap & Gown. Just Very Curly Hair!
I began breast cancer treatment on October 9, 2014, the day I went to my doctor after finding a lump in my breast. The preliminary diagnosis was cancer. I needed a full mammogram and biospy to rule out, or in, cancer. Three days of hell ensued over that weekend before I could get in to get a mammogram.
A few days later I had a thorough mammogram on both breasts, and had an immediate very painful breast biopsy. I went through a battery of tests to check to see if the cancer had spread to any of my bones, brain, tissues or organs. I was fortunate that the cancer had only gotten into two lymph nodes in my axilla (armpit). I had numerous doctor's appointments and intensive medical tests during that three week period. I was exhausted by the time I had to start chemotherapy. I wanted a vacation, but time was of the essence to get this cancer under control. My life was a whirlwind of anxiety and fear. I had aggressive breast cancer and it needed to be treated, immediately. Our lives turned upside down in a matter of days. I had to learn to cope and quickly get my mind around what was happening. I did just that with the help of my very supportive husband, my two brother's in law who are MDs, and after talking with my surgeon and medical oncologist. We had a plan, and I was ready to start the battle of my life.
On October 29, 2014, I started 6 rounds of grueling chemotherapy - consisting of Carboplatin, Taxotere, Herceptin & Perjecta (once every three weeks) through February 10, 2015. I became bald seventeen days after starting chemotherapy. It was a very cold winter with no hair and not feeling good.
On March 10, 2015, I had a left breast modified radical mastectomy and removal of 31 axillary lymph nodes, with an immediate phase 1 breast reconstruction surgery. My tissue pathology showed a complete pathological response to chemotherapy. I am cancer free.
Three weeks later, I began 7 weekly 50cc injections of saline into the tissue expander implant to reach the maximum size for my eventual permanent breast implant. The tissue expander is under my chest wall muscle, creating a pocket for the eventual permanent breast implant. The tissue expander process is uncomfortable to say the least.
On June 3, 2015, my last major treatment began with 28 rounds of radiation therapy on my upper left chest, axilla and neck area. The radiation therapy caused a minor second degree burn on my collarbone and energy sapping fatigue.
I completed one year of Herceptin infusions on September 30, 2015. In the late winter of 2016, I will have sufficiently healed and recovered from radiation therapy to have phase 2 of my breast reconstruction surgery. I have to go for periodic 2D echocardiograms to monitor my heart functions. Herceptin can cause heart damage in a very small percentage of patients. So far, my heart has been fine. I gained a slight amount of weight during my months of rehabilitation, and I am going to the gym three days per week to regain my strength and endurance. My doctor is amazed at my progress and recovery. I have lowered my blood pressure and lost 11 lbs., since September. I can now walk at least 1.8 miles on the treadmill in 40 minutes. That is remarkable because I could barely walk across the room due to exhaustion during chemotherapy.
I am thankful to be alive and for my excellent team of doctors and medical personnel who have helped me along the way to wellness. I am slowly getting my energy back so I can return to my love of photography.
Thanks for enduring my long absence while I went through this challenging health journey in my life.