The only-mastectomy surgical procedure went effectively, and so they put in a spacer to arrange for reconstruction, which is able to occur later. I left surgical procedure feeling relieved and excited that most cancers was behind me and I may get again to my regular life. Little did I do know I had one other battle to beat.
HER2 who?!
Lower than two weeks after my surgical procedure, the pathology report got here into my affected person portal. I instantly threw the report into ChatGPT to assist me make sense of it as a result of my follow-up appointment wasn’t till the subsequent day. I noticed a whole lot of negatives, which appeared promising. However there have been additionally some positives: The 1.2-centimeter tumor they eliminated was HER2-positive (HER2+), estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+), and progesterone-receptor-positive (PR+). These weren’t anyplace on my bingo card.
HER2+ means the most cancers cells produce further quantities of the HER2 protein, which may result in faster-growing, extra aggressive breast most cancers. Nonetheless, the cells additionally reply effectively to therapy that targets the HER2 protein. ER+ and PR+ imply my breast most cancers cells have receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone, in order that they reply effectively to hormone remedy.
My oncologist defined that with triple-positive breast most cancers, chemotherapy and hormone remedy is beneficial. Therapy would final a yr, with the primary few months being probably the most intense. I might get two totally different remedies every week for the primary three months, adopted by one therapy each three weeks for the remainder of the yr.
It felt like a intestine punch. I knew there was a chance they may discover one thing else through the surgical procedure, however I didn’t count on to study that my most cancers was extra invasive than my medical staff initially thought, due to it being HER2+. HER2 was that lady we didn’t plan for. We didn’t count on her to be right here. Who’s she?
Given this new improvement we determined to spend March freezing some embryos earlier than I began chemo. It was overwhelming and occurred so shortly (extra medical doctors’ visits and testing), however Alton and I felt like the most suitable choice to develop our household sooner or later.
The weekend earlier than my first chemo therapy, we went on a highway journey to Charleston, South Carolina, and rented a convertible Mustang to absorb the surroundings. I didn’t take into consideration most cancers or chemo in any respect that weekend; I used to be simply myself. Driving over the Cooper River Bridge that night time with the music taking part in, I felt free and alive.
Residing life and shining brilliant alone phrases
On March 31 I had my first spherical of chemo. Not even a gentle allergic response to the primary therapy may hold me from being me—goofing round, dancing on the IV pole, and bringing the enjoyment. The following day, April Fools’ Day, I reduce off my lengthy hair. Recently, most cancers and chemo have been calling the pictures, however this felt like one factor I may take management of and do my means. Slicing my hair within the yard, wanting up on the timber and blue sky, listening to the birds singing, made me really feel so robust.
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