Julie's Fight

Well, I haven't used my blog as much as I thought I would, but since I have it, I thought I would start using this as a place to update everyone in one place as needed.  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of information and I am still trying to process all of it, but I know everyone else has been, too!  Let's start with what we know...then I can update here as needed.  This first one will be long - hopefully they will be shorter from here on out. :)  I can be wordy - ha ha!

It started with a screening mammogram in April.  My company always brings a mobile unit to our office, which makes it easy to get my annual screening.  I have had those yearly as long as I can remember due to family history.  The screening mammogram led to another mammogram and ulstrasound of a lymph node.  The ultrasound lead to a biopsy of the suspicious lymph node.

On Monday, May 5th I received the news that the lymph node was in fact cancerous.

On Friday, May 9th, we met with a breast surgeon - Dr. Christina Kim with Community/MD Anderson - to try to determine next steps and the source tumor.  We received additional pathology results at that time that indicated it was most likely breast cancer.  

This lead to a multitude of tests - I had a breast MRI, breast biopsy of possible tumor (was a benign cyst), PET scan, another ultrasound and finally a MRI lead breast biopsy.

What we've learned: 
*The first MRI showed variance deep in my left breast.  This lead to the MRI lead biopsy.  At that procedure on 5/15, the radiologist (who was great) found a spot to biopsy and we are still waiting on that pathology.
*The best news - the PET scan was clear as far as the cancer spreading!!!  It did show the cancer in my lymph nodes, but no spread to any organs or bones.  That was HUGE!  :)
*Met with Medical Oncologist on 5/16 - Dr. Bhatia at Community/MD Anderson.  Very knowledgeble, kind man.  While he doesn't worry much about staging unless it is advanced, he did talk about based on the lymph node involvement and my pathology to date that he considers me to have stage 2 breast cancer.  And that it is VERY CURABLE!  We latched on to that!
*My type of breast cancer is estrogen positive (ER2) and HER2neu positive, which indicates it will respond well to treatment but is agressive.  Dr. Bhatia did not want to wait on getting started with treatment.  The results of my latest biopsy will make no difference to his treatment, it will help in my surgery decisions in the future.

Where we go next:
*Chemo will start on Thursday, 5/22.  Like I said - he didn't want to wait.  I will have chemo every 3 weeks, 6 times, so 18 weeks.  
*I will also take two other meds with chemo, and then for a year after that specifically target my HER2 positive cancer.
*Genetic testing in June, which will help guide surgery decisions.
*Surgery sometime after chemo
*Radiation after surgery

How are we feeling?  Well, after hearing how positive the medical oncologist is about my treatment and prognosis, we are feeling very positive, too.  We really feel we caught it early - that the screening mammogram did what it should and I'm going to beat this!  I have a few bumps to get through before then - but I'm going to beat this!!!

We have told the boys - they know I have cancer, they know my treatment will start next week and that I will be more tired at times.  We have not yet told them I will lose my hair but that will come as it gets closer.

Thank you for ALL the love and support already.  I know so many have offered to help and when we know what we need I will reach out.  Right now just the love and prayers has been great!