One whole year!

I can't believe that on April 4th, 2014 it will have been one whole year since my diagnosis of breast cancer!  So much has happened in the past year.  I will never forget April 4th, 2013.  At 8:30am I was woken up by a phone call from my gynecologist telling me that my breast biopsy results were in and that it showed I had breast cancer.  I immediately began crying.  Although I suspected this result, I was not prepared for it.  Once those words sunk in, I gathered myself and asked "what's next?"  Thus, began my journey.  The next day I met with the breast surgeon and met my breast navigator.  I was administered chemotherapy from May 7th-July 27th, had my double mastectomy on August 29th, and reconstruction on December 6th.  Right now I am continuing Herceptin every 3 weeks through June and am taking Tamoxifen for several years.  Currently, I am in good health, feel great and am having no side effects from medication.  I can definitely see the end of the road!  It has been a very long year for me, but thankfully it has gone by quickly.  This is definitely not something I would have ever imagined dealing with at this age, but with the support and encourage from family, friends and co-workers I have made it through.  I SURVIVED!!




Update:  Genetic testing for BreastNEXT test (which looks at 18 genes) has been completed and the results were given to me today.  All 18 genes were negative for mutation.  This means that I do not have an increased risk for breast cancer or other cancers associated with these genes.  While this is good news for me and my family members, it is also disappointing, because it still does not explain why/what caused my cancer.


What's Next?  Herceptin every 3 weeks until June.  Then, surgery to have my port-a-cath removed.  Then, nothing except check-ups and taking Tamoxifen.