In July, I found out she carried the BRCA gene mutation. This mutation greatly increases the risk that one will get breast (87% chance of getting breast cancer, compared with the general population risk of 12%) and ovarian cancer (40-60% chance of getting ovarian cancer, compared with 1-2% of the general population).
Since ovarian cancer has taken out several women on the maternal side of the family, we decided to proceed with prophylactic surgeries to reduce the risks. Early September, I went in for a mammogram and results of that came back all clear. Then, mid-September, I underwent a prophylactic hysterectomy. The recovery from that surgery went very smoothly.
After my mammogram, I noticed a small lump in my left breast. I didn't think much of it, as I had just had a clean mammogram. After the hysterectomy, I noticed the lump got bigger, which I attributed to the hormone changes my body was going through. Several doctors examined the lump and agreed it was likely just a 'fatty' and weren't too concerned. Despite having the clean mammogram, we decided to push through with the prophylactic mastectomy. Two days later, as I was home recovering, we got the call... The lump was cancer, an invasive cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 1 (but very close to being classified as stage 2), grade 3, HR-, HER2+. Since these surgeries were done in order to avoid cancer, we were shocked! And also felt extremely lucky that we pushed through and listed to our gut instinct.
A week after my mastectomy, I had to go back into surgery where they did an auxiliary node dissection and inserted a port for chemo treatments. As you can see, things moved really fast that week. Luckily, my nodes came back clean, meaning we had caught the cancer before it had time to spread. Praise the Lord! We had a roller coaster of emotions, ranging from joy that the surprise cancer was caught early and that it didn't have time to spread, to grief and extreme sadness. Our world was rocked!
Next week, we meet with the oncologist to find out what the treatment plan will be. We anticipate chemo will be part of plan, but we aren't sure how many treatments will be needed.
Cancer is a family disease. Richard has taken excellent care of me, Mason, and our home. He has done this joyfully and enthusiastically. So blessed to have a man like him the head of our sweet little family!
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| Me at one of my many doctor appointments. |
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| Prior to the hysterectomy. I struggled with the hair net concept. |
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| Richard and I before my node dissection and port installation. |
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| My sister and I waiting at the hospital. |
