Breast Cancer

I'm the one in eight women that are diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Lucky me.
I have DCIS Grade 2. The technical term is DCIS T2 N1 MO, Grade ll, Stage IB. The cancer was found in two of my four sentinel nodes. I will have to take a hormone pill for 5-10 years after I am done with radiation.

I went for my routine mammogram in July. The radiologist saw something and called me back for more views. This same scenario happened three years ago except the biopsy was benign. This time the biopsy was positive for breast cancer. So, I had surgery scheduled for August 23.  I went out to California for eleven days and it was wonderful. I made absolutely no decisions about anything at all. No responsibilities for 11 days!

I had surgery on August 23. I had a lumpectomy. The surgeon removed the cancer, but it was also in my lymph nodes. I also found out that I am allergic to the material they use in the stitches, so the surgeon cut all the stitches out and I had an open wound that needs to heal from the inside out. Four months later and it is still opened about an inch.

I started Chemotherapy in October. I had four cycles, two weeks apart of AC. AC (Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide). Also known as Red Devil. I've lost all the hair on my body. My doctor tried to tell me I could find a wig, but I told him I am not wearing a wig, and I haven't. I do wear a hat out because my head gets cold.

I am currently doing my second round of chemo. Paclitaxel. It hasn't been as hard on me as the AC was and it's every week for 12 weeks. I am on week four.

After I am finished with chemo, I will do 4-6 weeks of radiation daily. But I will have one month off and I will be traveling to California again during that month off.

My cancer was found early, no one could even feel the lump. I feel fortunate that it was caught early. I love all of my doctors, and especially the nurses at the cancer center. They are all wonderful.