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!!