About

 

My Journey

Just breathe……this is what I would say to myself, over and over, while going through my diagnoses and treatment.  I still say it today.  Did you know that you physically cannot cry if you are taking deep breaths?

Today my friend told me she thinks I am a superhero. We were talking about cancer and how I don’t think (or see) how I am doing anything different other than just trying to live another day. The truth is I never felt sick or tired leading up to my diagnoses or even after going through chemo. I felt the same; I just noticed subtle differences in my appearance.

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The first time I was diagnosed was in March 2018. I went in to the doctor because I noticed a difference in my breast tissue when doing a breast self exam. It quickly escalated from a biopsy and ultrasound to a bilateral mastectomy three weeks later. At the time I did not require chemo or radiation. I recovered from the surgery and then had reconstruction three months later. I was back to my normal activities by September 2018 and followed up with my oncologist and surgeon every three months after that and as each month passed, I became more comfortable with the fact that I had beat cancer.

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In November 2020 I noticed a little bit of swelling in my right armpit. I called my surgeon and went to see her the same day. She did a biopsy of four lymph nodes in the office and confirmed her suspicion for the return of cancer. I truly felt like it was over.  I remember getting into the elevator and doing everything I could to keep from crying because there was another family in with us.  Just breathe!  I lost it when I got to my car. My husband had met me at the clinic. and we hugged and got into our own cars.  We both sobbed in disbelief. 

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The whirlwind started again…CT scan, PET scan, echocardiogram, MRI, medical port placement, chemo, labs.  I received 12 weeks of chemotherapy along with two medication infusions that help to control HER2 protein.  I will continue to receive these HER2 infusions as long as they remain effective.  

Fast forward to August 2022 and I was again diagnosed with cancer, this time I developed 4 lesions on my brain.  Over the summer I noticed increased head pressure and some issues with depth perception.  As they progressed, I contacted my oncologist and an MRI was done.  I am now receiving radiation therapy to my brain.  

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Cancer is a horribly scary disease that can rock your whole world!  Emotionally, financially, physically, just everything.  As I continue along my journey, I think a lot about how it impacts families and what I can do to help make their journey just a little bit easier.