My Diagnosis...
Doctors biopsied the mass in my left breast and a nearby lymph node on April 4, 2024. I received results the next day that confirmed malignancy in the mass, but luckily the lymph node tested negative. I was absolutely ecstatic to learn the cancer was likely localized and hadn’t spread! But I would do additional tests to confirm. I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, meaning the cancer started in the milk ducts.
Meeting With the Panel of Doctors...
April 11, 2024, my mom and I met with the panel of doctors and medical experts at the University of Michigan Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center in Lansing, MI. Before our appointment, we tied a pink ribbon and said a prayer on a prayer tree in the lobby of the center. We met with the panel of doctors and medical experts assigned to me, which included my oncologist, surgeon, radiologist, nurse navigator and genetics counselor. My cancer had 5% estrogen and 3% progesterone. The doctor likes to see these percentages closer to 100% and anything below 10% is considered negative. I was also HER2 negative, classifying my cancer as Triple Negative. At the time, I didn’t fully understand Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) compared to other types of breast cancer, but I learned TNBC is an aggressive cancer overall and does not have as great of prognosis as other breast cancers. I decided to do genetic testing for 34 genetic mutations that are common for people who get breast cancer [including BRCA1 and BRCA2], which I luckily tested negative.
WHEN did my cancer start and WHY?
A nurse shared with me that it was likely my cancer first developed up to 2-5 years ago with a surge of hormones. I asked the doctor how I could get cancer and he told me because I am a woman and I have breasts. The doctor told me it is difficult to know for certain what can cause someone’s specific cancer, but I couldn’t help but wonder what started mine. I thought about the last 5 years and what may have caused a surge of hormones. I was pregnant with my 1 and 4 year old boys, I had an IUD between pregnancies, I had taken PROVERA and Clomiphene (Clomid) to get pregnant with my second son, I had my first child at the age of 35 and my second child at 38. Were any of these the reason I got cancer? I’ll never know for certain, but it does make me wonder.
MRI Confirms Size and Stage
April 12, 2024 I had an MRI which confirmed the size of my tumor was 1.3 cm and classified my cancer as Stage 1A. Breast cancer is considered stage 1A when it is smaller than 2 cm and has not spread to the lymph nodes. I requested a CT scan to look at my core and lungs which came up clear. I wanted to have a PET scan, but I learned insurance doesn’t usually cover the cost unless you’re at least stage 3. PET scans also only detect tumors that are at least a centimeter in diameter, and the doctor didn’t have a concern of me having a tumor of this size outside of the localized breast cancer I had.
Second Opinion Never Hurts...
I also went to the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center in Ann Arbor, MI as they are rated the number one cancer center in Michigan and one of the top cancer centers in the country. They performed a second diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. I also met with the panel of doctors at the Rogel Cancer Center on the findings of my cancer. I decided to be treated with the University of Michigan Sparrow Herbert Herman Cancer facility. Sparrow had recently been purchased by University of Michigan, it was a closer location to me and both locations had the same treatment recommendations. I was glad that I had a second opinion, as Rogel had additional recommendations during treatment that were helpful and I was able to bring back to the Sparrow team. Also, if my cancer ever progresses, I already have imaging, referrals, registration in place at another location! I also initiated registering and sending imaging to Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic with these cancer centers being top in the Nation.
