Three weeks ago, I found a lump in my left armpit. It was a total fluke that I even found it. I went to my gynecologist the following day. He felt that it was nothing to worry about since it was not in my breast tissue. Put me on a 10 day antibiotic and sent me on my way.
10 days later (last Tuesday)...still had a lump. I called my gyno back. He sent me to a general surgeon. My sister and I went to see him last Friday (while my Zoe was in the hospital). He felt my lump...thought it was nothing but opted to do a needle biopsy to be sure.
Tuesday evening (4/26), the general surgeon called me with the news that my biopsy shows a type of hormonal breast cancer. Well needless to say, I blacked out. Any word past "you have hormonal breast cancer" became a complete blur. I spent my entire evening and the whole next day crying and feeling sorry for myself and my family. How in the hell was I going to tell my kids that their mommy has breast cancer and will be sick when chemo starts? How are people going to react to my bald head and my swollen steroid face?? (BTW...I don't do ugly or fat very well). How was I going to get everything done that I do now if I am sick and tired (yes guys I am worried about keeping my house clean)?
When I went to bed on Wednesday I had a loooong talk with God. I also decided that every day when I woke up, I would make goals for myself and take each day as it comes. I also promised myself and God that WHEN I get through this, I will cherish my life and the gifts I have everyday. It is amazing how 2 words
(breast cancer) can change your life. People keep telling me..."Danielle, this will make you stronger." And guess what? It is. It is already making me stronger...I have a stronger will to live, to laugh, and to love everyone and everything in my life.
I will be a permanent resident of the Bethesda Breast Center for the next several days. Here is a list of things on my
TO-LIVE List:
1.Mammogram and ultrasound yesterday (holy hell that's a tight squeeze...for you little boobie girlies...exactly how would that work?)
2. Bloodwork yesterday
3. Core biospy of breast lump today...not too bad (but my right side is confused why my left keeps getting all the attention)
4. MRI Monday
5. Scan of body to check for further spread of cancer and another test for my heart (breast surgeon says it is very unlikely to have spread...fingers crossed).
6. Thursday I get my port put in my chest for the upcoming chemo treatments. That is a surgical procedure that requires some feel good meds. I will be sore after.
7. A physical somewhere in there prior to the port surgery.
8. First treatment is May 10. I get these every other week for 16 weeks for a total of 8 treatments (yes I am a math teacher).
9. May 18 I have genetic testing
Yes it is ALOT but I am ready to get started!! Ready to KICK SOME CANCER ASS!! Like Todd said....this disease had no idea who it was messing with when it chose me!!
That is all for now...I will update you when I know more.
So...Jr and I just sat the kids down and explained what is going on. We read them an awesome book called Mom and the Pink Polka-Dot Boo-Boo. It does a great job of explaining what will happen during my treatment. A few tears were shed by them both, but they handled it in such a mature manner. They understand that I might start looking a little different and might be sick or very tired. I explained that it's not the cancer making me sick, but a sign that the medicine is doing its job!!
