11/18/24 the date of the beginning of the last “normal” day of my life. Going in for a normal mammogram and finding something concerning was not what I had anticipated. I had been through this before in 2018 though, everything will be fine.
On 12/26/24 when my phone buzzed I couldn’t help but look at My Chart. There it was, on my bright screen in type like it was a notice of the flu … carcinoma. Between 11/18/24 and 02/19/25 was a blur and a sudden, harsh lesson on what the cancer world is. Unbeknownst to everyone, except my husband and closest friend, I would go to 20 appointments. Surgery set, April 16th 2025.
So what can you do while you wait two months for surgery? I focused on telling the rest of my friends and family. Including my 3 kids. I also made sure my family was set up at home, for their extra activities, and school for when I went down from surgery. On surgery day, we arrived early. It took a little over 6 hours. I do not remember much from that day, except getting very sick and sleeping. It took 3 weeks for me to go back to work. I could not drive for 5 weeks. Breathe, next step, do I have to have chemo?
You guessed it, more appointments! I get to see the general oncologist. In addition to planning my estrogen suppression treatment, he gives me an Oncotype test. It tests 21 genes to come up with a score. 15 or higher, chemo is suggested. 2 weeks go by. With eyes closed I listened to the Dr on the other end, it’s a 3! Blessed, no chemo. On 06/22/25 I started radiation. In 4.5 weeks I would go to 26 sessions of radiation. One everyday Mon-Fri. Radiation brings its own set of problems. Pain, skin discoloration, lymph node swelling and more.
Once finished, we move on to estrogen suppression therapy; also called menopause. Estrogen likes to help the type of tumor I have grow. To shut off my estrogen for the next 5 years I will go to the Dr. monthly to have a pill inserted into my stomach as well as take an additional pill everyday. Thankfully these new options are here to avoid things like chemo. However, I am not looking forward to menopause twice.
Appointment count so far-11/18/2024-10/03/2025: 83. Almost to remission. Did this all work? A question that will not be answered until my additional scan in December. More waiting, more appointments. But so, so blessed. My story is far from over.
Submitted by Crystalina Arceneaux