Week 2
Hi friends - Lisa here!
Thank you all for reaching out, sending well wishes, and keeping us in your thoughts. Your support means a lot!!
Things have happened so quickly over the last week since we got the official diagnosis. We've had a chance to catch our breath a bit this weekend. The amount of things we've done this week is staggering so I decided to make a list:
Met with a breast surgeon & oncologist + got bloodwork
Met with two different fertility docs, decided to do a round of IVF, met with a nurse, got an ultrasound and bloodwork, started injections and oral meds
Got an EKG (all looks good)
Got a breast MRI (not so great, more biopsies needed)
Met with a genetic counselor and got more bloodwork
Got a brain MRI (all looks good)
Worked almost 3 ‘normal’ days
Kept a tiny human and a dog alive
Up next:
PET scan
Port placement
Two additional MRI-guided biopsies to check other suspicious areas of both breasts for cancer (this is happening Friday the 20th and it’s a combo of two very uncomfortable things- breast MRI and biopsy itself- send extra prayers for calmness and peace that day)
Continuing another 10+ days of injections and oral meds for IVF, along with regular ultrasounds and bloodwork, and then an egg retrieval
Session with a nurse to understand chemo
Ultrasound-guided placement of a 'clip' into the tumor in preparation for future surgery
Scheduling a consult for a wig
Talking with a social worker for some advice on how to talk to Archie about all of this
Here’s some more details we know:
The official start date for chemo is March 2. It will be 6 rounds of what's known as TCHP, 3 weeks per round. More info here
The hope is to shrink the tumor a significant amount for surgery. If it's small enough at that point, a lumpectomy (partial removal) can be considered. However, a mastectomy (full removal) offers a lower chance of needing radiation afterwards, and a lower overall risk of recurrence.
After the surgery, ideally, all of the cancer will have been removed. If it hasn't been, more treatments would continue from there; I understand less of the detail about this part because it's still an unknown.
I will also need to be on every 3 week injections of herceptin (the "H" in TCHP) for a full year, starting March 2. This is a targeted antibody for the tumor specifically so hopefully won't have the same side effects as chemo. I’ll likely be on hormone therapy for the next 5-10 years, with a potential break in the next 2-3 years if we decide to have another baby.
Here’s some things that have been good:
The treatment team. I have two nurse navigators who can kind of guide us through the process and this is really helpful. The surgeon is fine (definitely very surgeon-y), but I really like the oncologist who called me at 6pm to answer a question, and the office is really responsive. Our fertility doc gave us hugs when she saw us, and moved mountains to make everything happen really quickly.
I also have access to oncology counseling, reiki, massage, acupuncture, and a nutritionist.
Living in a major city and having access to not just treatment resources but so many things at our fingertips - tons of food and grocery delivery options, easy access to any store if we need essentials, uber always 5-10 minutes away to help us get to appointments
Little treats and coffees at the Starbucks across from the doctor's office
Getting the cutest photos from daycare and knowing that Archie is in good hands
Support from friends and family- my parents have been helping us out a lot and we are so grateful!
Not going to lie - I'm angry, and sad, and really scared about what's to come. But truly, hearing from friends via text, call, email, or this page really helps and lets us know we’re not alone. Please keep reaching out!
Talk to you all again soon!