I am so sorry to be so impersonal and use this blog, especially
with family and friends. On April 18th
I found out that my breast cancer has returned, I was just two month from my
five-year anniversary.
Needless to say, Mike and I are disappointed to have to deal
with this again. In 2009, I had a
mastectomy with a latissimus dorsi flap procedure, and some of the cancer
cell(s) were missed, which can happen. A
small .8cm tumor has developed in the same breast and very close to where it
was located last time. The tumor was
discovered on a mammogram.
I have since had blood tests to determine the cancer’s
characteristics. At this point, we know
that it is estrogen and progesterone positive – which is good and means it can
be suppressed via drugs. This week there
will be an MRI and CAT scan for further diagnosis.
We have already met
with two top oncological surgeons here in Arizona to get information and
opinions on how to proceed. Thank you to
Dr. Jeff Trent, President and Scientific director of TGen for helping direct me
to the top doctors in the Phoenix area.
I guess TGen is part of my “key to the cure”!
It looks like I will have surgery mid-May to remove the
tumor and surrounding tissue, followed by 6 weeks of radiation. Of course, I am timing this so that I don’t
miss a bike ride in Napa, my niece’s graduation, or our trip to Okoboji.
I am not going to fool you and say I am not bummed out. I have done absolutely everything possible
these last five years to be sure that this would not happen – six-month check
ups, mammograms and everything else recommended. I guess it is ‘the luck of the draw’.
But, we will get thru this again. As Mike has said more than once – he really
is a ‘leg man’. Of course, I am teasing. I honestly am so thankful to have Mike by my
side; he is calm, helpful, loving and supportive. I am thankful for all of you as well. We will keep you posted.
Lots of love,
Katie
