Cancer Timeline

Many people have asked, “How did this all come about? Was it a routine screening?”

The answer is, I found it myself.  I am normally really good at doing regular self breast exams.  I’d been slightly lazy considering that I spent a good 6-8 months preparing for a move and then moving and then going back for my 2nd year of teaching.  Last Fall(ish) I fell back into my regular ol’ practice of self exams.  Something wasn’t quite right.  I sat on it for a while and then finally asked my husband for his opinion.  He agreed that things weren’t quite right and encouraged me to see my doctor.  I hemmed and hawed because it was Christmastime.  I was pestered nagged kindly encouraged to make that appointment.  That’s how the journey started.

Fall 2016 – discovered a mass in my left breast during a self breast exam

January 30, 2017 – Appointment with regular doctor.  He believes it is likely just a fluid filled cyst and orders a mammogram and ultrasound

February 8, 2017 – Mammogram & ultrasound.  Radiologist informs me she wants to do an ultrasound guided biopsy because she doesn’t like what she sees.  She’s honest and informs me she suspects it’s cancer.

February 10, 2017 – Ultrasound guided needle core biopsy – radiologist #2 agrees with radiologist #1’s suspicions of cancer.

February 15, 2017 – Official diagnosis of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (grade 3).

March 7, 2017 – First appointment with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

March 16, 2017 – MRI & Genetics counseling

March 20, 2017 – Meeting with plastic surgeon.  Meeting with breast surgeon. Decision made to undergo a double mastectomy.

April 11, 2017 – Genetic results returned.  All negative.  No markers for genetic cancer.

April 12, 2017 – Double Mastectomy with axillary sentinel node biopsy.  Tissue expanders placed for future reconstruction.

April 20, 2017 – Breast surgeon calls to inform me that a .7mm metastasis was found in 1 lymph node.  Other 2 are clear.

April 21, 2017 – JP drains removed.

May 3, 2017 – 1st Tissue Expander Fill (100cc)

May 10, 2017 – 2nd Tissue Expander Fill (80cc)

May 17, 2017 – 3rd Tissue Expander Fill (50cc)

May 17, 2017 – Oncologist confirms that chemo will be part of the treatment plan

May 23, 2017 – Port placed

May 24, 2017 – 4th Tissue Expander Fill (60cc)

May 26, 2017 – 1st Dose Dense AC Chemo

June 2, 2017 – 4th Tissue Expander Fill (40cc)

June 9, 2017 – 2nd Dose Dense AC Chemo

June 24, 2017 – 3rd Dose Dense AC Chemo

July 7, 2017 – 4th Dose Dense AC Chemo

July 24, 2017 – 1st Dose Dense Taxol Chemo

August 5, 2017 – 2nd Dose Dense Taxol Chemo

August 19, 2017 – 3rd Dose Dense Taxol Chemo

September 2, 2017 – 4th (& Final) Dose Dense Taxol Chemo!!