2019: Diagnosis and the Journey Begins

The new year brought changes but also excitement. Our daughter was a Senior in High School and she had applied to several colleges. She was accepted to her first choice - NC State. We were so excited for her future.

January 7th arrived and I left work early for the biopsy. A 3-D Mammogram was performed followed by an Ultrasound. After a local anesthetic was administered, the Doctor took several tissue samples from my right breast. I left the office with a return appointment on January 9th. My husband asked if I wanted him to join me for the results appointment and I said no I would be fine.

I remember arriving and walking across the parking lot and when I looked up he was there. We entered the office and in a few moments my name was called. The Doctor and PA greeted us and in a calm voice told me I had breast cancer - the area was relatively small but would require surgery. We talked about next steps and I chose a Surgeon to meet with on the following Monday.

On Monday we met with a highly regarded Surgeon that was wonderful. We talked about options for surgery and the need for radiation after surgery. Radiation would be 5 days a week (consistent days) for 6 weeks. I would need one more CT Scan before she scheduled a date. God works in mysterious ways and during our conversation my Husband reminded me of the pain that seemed to haunt my back, hips and legs/feet. I basically brushed him off that this was my age, lack of exercise or something else. (Thank God I worked the brief stint at the retailer, during the Christmas season too. Without this experience I would have never know the severity of my symptoms). The Surgeon overheard my conversation and questioned me. She said since we were doing the CT Scan on Thursday, she would also order a Bone Scan.

Thursday came and went followed by a Bone Scan on Friday. I returned to my office at approximately 10am and the Surgeon called me around 12:30pm. As soon as I heard her voice I knew something was wrong. The Bone Scan revealed I had Cancer scattered throughout my spine, my pelvic area and my sternum. Surgery was no longer an option, and she would call me back with a date/time to see an Oncologist. I was devastated and shocked, news I never expected. The Surgeon called back within the hour and asked if I could see the Oncologist at 7:30am on Monday. I'll be there I said.

The weekend was filled with anxiety, fear and emotions. When Monday morning arrived, we drove to the appointment at Rex. We met with the Oncologist and discovered that I had stage 1 Breast Cancer and Stage 4 Bone (not Bone Cancer but Metastatic). We sat and talked with her a while and she said I had a couple of years. My husband and I were crushed, no one expects a diagnosis and certainly not the "c" word. Tests were scheduled over the next month along with a Bone Biopsy. She explained that before we could start a treatment plan, she had to be sure the Bone was also Breast Cancer.

The middle of January to the end of February was filled with CT scans with contrast along with MRI's and a PET Scan. The Bone Biopsy was also scheduled. Tests with contrasts are performed by drinking a solution that allows a brighter view of the area with an IV that pushes solution throughout the body as well. I discovered within two days that I am allergic to contrast. The result was hives and daily visits to my PCP for am and pm shots and large doses of Benadryl for a period of five days. Going forward I would get a prep pack prior to any tests involving contrast.

The Bone Biopsy was an experience. The staff told me I would receive something in the IV to relax me and most people go to sleep, but not me. I was semi-awake during the entire process while they drilled in my hip to extract a piece of bone. The area was numb due to medication but the sound of the drill I will never forget.

Several days later we met with the Oncologist (Dr. R) and she was very thorough as she shared the results of all tests and what the treatment plan would be. All the cancer in my body was Metastatic meaning Breast Cancer was present, not just in the breast but in a large portion of the bones in my body. In medical terms I was diagonsed with ERPRT+, HER2-, with Invasive Lobular. Surgery was not an option. My cancer is incurable, and the plan was to slow the progression using a series of treatment plans. Cancer is very smart; a person can be on a treatment plan and the next scan could reveal progression. I relate it to war, the commander changes the tactics as the enemy (cancer) progresses and comes up with another plan to outsmart the enemy.

I remember going home, my mind was numb, and I felt like a person just existing in a body with no feeling. I didn't want anyone to know, but we made the decision to tell our Daughter. She was very upset and asked us, going forward, to be honest with her about all things. We promised we would. I miss my parents terribly but I'm glad they are not here to witness all the things I will have to go through.

We went to bed that night and immediately got up and returned to the living room. The darkness and the silence were deafening. Fear was present and I prayed Lord please help me. I was literally scared to death and didn't know how to digest everything I had been told. We would experience many more days and nights of anxiety and fear of the unknown.

The initial treatment plan included a drug prescribed, once a day, Tomoxifen along with a monthly shot in my abdomen to control the hormones. I would also receive a bone strengthening shot called Xgeva. All treatments have side effects, Xgeva can contribute to teeth/jaw problems.

The plan was to force my body into Menopause since the hormones were fueling the cancer. As a child I remember my mom experiencing this and how hot she was all the time. I found it hard to believe someone could be that hot all the time. I quickly found that I experienced the season of Summer 24/7, all year long.

I started the treatment plan and had little to no side effects from the drug nor from the shot. I visited the Oncologist once a month for labs to check my levels and every quarter I would have a CT scan. My Oncologist also scheduled a PET Scan to compare tests results and see the effectiveness of the treatment. After three months she could see some of the areas were being treated, six months later more areas were being treated. During this time, she discovered that the PET, for me was more accurate. The CT scan failed to show things that the PET did. Once she stated her case with the insurance company and they agreed, all future tests would be the PET. The PET Scan uses radioactive sugar, injected into the body through an IV. This allows a Radiologist to see what is referred to as "hot spots" in the body that indicate cancer cells or the presence of cancer.

During the year I decided to have genetic testing; not just for myself but for my Daughter. The results indicated I am not a carrier for the Breast Cancer Gene but I do have a mutated gene PMS2 which makes me positive for Lynch Syndrome. This gene increases the chance of getting colorectal cancer and other intestinal cancer by 20%. The Doctor recommended that my Daughter have a Genetic Test in her 20’s to be sure she does not have the Breast Cancer gene.

Aside from the anxiety, the first year seemed to go by quickly with little to no side effects. I thank God that I have made it through this year, and he has blessed me. I was able to continue working with little impact to my daily activities.