My Updated Cancer Timeline

While the last 12 weeks of chemo (and the four weeks leading up to chemo) have gone by in a flash, they were also chock full of all sorts of medical appointments and what not. So, I decided to give my cancer timeline an update. When I was in the whirlwind of “oh, shit, I have breast cancer” in August, a friend led me to a breast cancer blog from a neighbor of hers (it was the inspiration for this blog) and the thing I found most helpful was her timeline summary of what she went through and when. Even though this blogger had a really different journey (surgery first, then chemo) it was helpful for me to gauge how quickly/slowly things would happen along the way. Also, some quick color coding for guidance: BLUE is for Medical Appointments, RED is for Treatment, ORANGE is for results/diagnosis, GREEN is for non-medical/treatment cancery stuff.

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July 30, 2018 – I go to my GP, she confirms that Ralph (Right Breast) has a lump. I get scheduled for a mammogram (my first)

July 31, 2018, 8AM – I go to the radiologist, Dr Shearer, for a mammogram and ultrasound of both breasts. Radiologist confirms that I have a mass in Ralph, as well as two masses in my left breast (now known as “Lauren”). Radiologist recommends a biopsy ASAP.

July 31, 2018, 1:30PM – I return to Radiologist for biopsy. I have core-needle biopsies performed on Ralph & Lauren (less the small mass in Ralph, which was being difficult to biopsy). It doesn’t hurt – thanks to a generous shot of lidocaine on each side. Radiologist leaves behind teeny-tiny pieces of metal in the areas where the biopsies are done so that they can be easily re-found if needed. Post-biopsy mammograms are performed – so that they have images of where the little metal bits are placed. Radiologist says results will be back tomorrow after they are reviewed by two lab-techs, himself, and another radiologist.

August 1, 2018, 1:15PM – Results are in, the mass in Lauren is benign, but the large mass in Ralph (the one I felt in June) is cancerous. They connect me with a surgeon, Dawn Johnson, at Piper Breast Center. I get the next available time with Dr Johnson, on the following Tuesday, August 7th.

August 2, 2018 – It’s my birthday. I turned 35. I spend the day at work trying to stay busy, but mostly freaking out inside.

August 3, 2018 – I get a breast MRI as another “input” for Dr Johnson.

August 7, 2018 – I meet with my Surgeon, Dr Johnson. She provides details on the pathology of my cancer – its Triple Negative which means neo-adjuvent chemotherapy is the recommended path forward (chemo before surgery). She recommends I meet with a Medical Oncologist to get the ball rolling on chemo, as well as a number of additional tests/procedures to help us learn more about the

August 7, 2018 – I go back in for additional biopsies on the lymph nodes. Lymph Nodes comes back clean (cancer free) !

August 8, 2018 – Meeting with Genetic Counselor & bloodwork to validate I have the BRCA 1 mutation

August 10, 2018 – Follow-up appointment for my unrelated broken foot. X-rays look good & I can stop wearing the cast. Yay!

August 10, 2018 – Dentist appointment for my semi-annual cleaning. Once chemo starts they advise against dental work since it could cause an infection

August 13, MRI Biopsy (read separate post “Battleship: all about this ordeal) for the small mass in Ralph found during previous MRI. Results come back clean.

August 15, Medical Oncologist Appointment w Doctor Tsai. We lay out the plan for Chemo – 12 rounds of Carboplatin & Paclitaxel, followed by 4 rounds of Doxorubicin & Cyclophosphamide. Will start August 28 and run through the first week of 2019.

August 16, 2018 – Nutritionist appointment for how to eat during chemo – lots of water, protein, veggies and naturally pre/probiotics. All of the things you can’t eat when pregnant are on the “no-list” for chemo (raw fish, booze, unpasteurized cheese, deli meat, etc.) along with foods that increase your risk for food-borne illness (salad bars, deli salads, etc.) and any supplements (random vitamins, probiotic supplements, protein powder/shakes, etc).

August 16, 2018 – Echo Cardiogram to confirm my heart is in good enough shape to withstand chemo. Will also be used as a baseline as I progress through chemo to see how its effecting my heart.

August 16, 2018 – Sushi dinner. The thing I will miss most during chemo is sushi, so I’m getting it in while my immune system can still withstand it!

August 20, 2018 – Chemo Class – a 1:1 appointment with the nurse on how to best prep for chemo, and how to manage/mitigate symptoms along the way

August 21, 2018 – PET Scan to confirm that cancer hasn’t spread. Results come back clean, which confirms my cancer as Stage IIIB

August 21, 2018 – House Final Walkthrough (Yeah, I bought a new house in the middle of all this shit. Oof!)

August 22, 2018 – Moving Day! and also…

August 22, 2018 – Port Surgery, my surgery trial run with Dr Johnson (before the “big” surgery – mastectomy – in February. Now I can do chemo without completely destroying my arm veins.

August 27, 2018 – Last Day at Work until January 14, 2019 (once chemo is all done)

August 28, 2018 – Chemo Round 1 & Oncologist Appt – I had an immediate allergic reaction to Paclitaxel, which was solved with a whole bunch of anti-histamines and steroids. Going forward I’ll need to pre-treat with steroids 12 hours ahead of time to prevent future reactions.

September 3, 2018 – Photo Shoot – since my lovely platinum hair won’t survive the winter season, I decide to do a fall photo shoot with Bart the puppy. It turned out awesome.

September 4, 2018 – Chemo Round 2 – smooth sailing, pre-treatment of steroids work, no serious allergic reactions.

September 5, 2018 – I go Wig Shopping, and pick out a wig that can be best described as the “Rachel” circa 1996. It’s the closest they’ve got to my pre-platinum natural cut/color.

September 11, 2018 – Chemo Round 3 & Oncologist Appt – All seems to be fine until about 8P when the steroids wore off and I had an anaphylactic allergic reaction to the Carboplatin. Fever spiked up to 102.5 and the oncologist had be me head in to the emergency room to get it under control.

September 12 & 13, 2018 – I was admitted to the Hospital, where it took 36 hours to get my vitals (heart rate, blood-pressure, oxygen, respiration & temperature) under control> My first overnight hospital stay. As promised, the food sucked.

September 14, 2018 – After attempting to brush my hair in the hospital and leaving behind enough material for a sparrow to build a nest, I decide its time for a Haircut. I go with a pixie cut. Its okay.

September 17, 2018 – My wig has arrived, and I go to pick it up. It needs a trim before I’m ready to wear it.

September 18, 2018 – Chemo Round 4 & Oncologist Appt, Doctor decides to pull carboplatin from my chemo regimen, as the risk of further reaction (and death as a result) is too great. The next 9 rounds will just be Paclitaxel.

September 20-24,  2018 – I make it to California. It was awesome and exhausting and totally worth it – even though I wore a surgical mask on the plane ride to keep the germs at bay. Probably won’t be making another plane trip until February at the earliest.

Week of Sept 24, 2018 – Calls with “Cancer Buddies” from FORCES, Sharsheret & Firefly Sisterhood. Good to talk with others who have been through this, including others with the BRCA 1 mutation. Also good to realize that no ones story is the same.

September 25, 2018 – Chemo Round 5 & Medical Oncologist Appt

September 25, 2018 – Gynecologic Oncologist Appt to review the impact of BRCA 1 mutation on my lady parts. Exam found some lesions in my cervix, they biopsied them to confirm they weren’t cancerous (they aren’t!) Long story short, a full hysterectomy is medically advised following mastectomy to prevent risk of ovarian and associated cancers.

September 28, 2018 – Nutritionist Follow up, got some new tips/tricks for dealing with the nausea. In total, I’m maintaining weight through chemo which is a GOOD THING!

October 1, 2018 – Ultrasound of Uterus, Ovaries, Cervix & Fallopian Tubes coming out of Gynecologic Oncologist.  Results came back all clear! So far, lots and lots of tests to see where else there might be cancer, but its just in the mass in Ralph – a very good thing all things considered.

October 1, 2018 – My hair keeps falling out, and you can see my scalp straight through my pixie cut, so I decided it was time to shave my head

October 2, 2018 – Chemo Round 6

October 3, 2018 – Gilda’s Club New Member meeting – a place full of activities and support for those with cancer and their caregivers.

October 8, 2018 – Look Good, Feel Better makeup class

October 9, 2018 – Chemo Round 7

October 9, 2018 – Plastic Surgery Consult w Dr Lemaine, on the way to picking a plastic surgeon for my reconstruction following mastectomy

October 15, 2018 – Treat Yo Self Day, including yoga, a massage and a movie at Alamo Drafthouse

October 16, 2018 – Chemo Round 8

October 17, 2018 – Breast Reconstruction Conference, learning as much as I can about reconstruction as I make the MANY decisions that are part of reconstruction

October 22, 2018 – First appt w Oncologic Therapist (mental/emotional)

October 22, 2018 – Got my much needed Wig trim (thanks, Leah). I still feel weird wearing the wig, but the trim makes it less weird

October 23, 2018 – Chemo Round 9

October 30, 2018 – Chemo Round 10

October 30, 2018 – Plastic Surgery consult w Dr Shaefer, the second plastic surgeon I’m considering

November 4, 2018 – I woke up and overnight 80% of my eyebrows had fallen out.

November 6, 2018 – Chemo round 11

Noverember 8, 2018 – Bi-weekly oncology mental/emotional therapy

November 13, 2018 – Chemo round 12 – last round of Paclitaxel

November 16, 2018 – Follow-up plastic surgery consult w Dr Lemaine. Pretty sure she’s the one I’m going with … once I decide I’ll be able to lock in a February date for surgery!

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Unfortunately, I’ve been through a LOT in the last 16 weeks

Fortunately, in 16 more weeks time I’ll be through chemo, mastectomy and will have started reconstruction. I’m not half-way through this journey yet, but I’m making LOADS of progress.