October 7 2022
Update after my pathology report. For anyone following me for that information, I had a positive lymph node. This moved me to Stage 2A and decreases my prognosis by about 10 percent. Luckily, with Chemo and endocrine therapy, I can push it back into the 90s. The other issue being debated is my Her 2 status. St Luke’s and LVHN who looked at the original biopsy tissue defined me as Her2 +, while Penn Medicine defined me as Her2 -. The final surgical pathology on the entire mass and lymph node at Penn Medicine agreed I was indeed Her2-. I decided to receive my chemo at LVHN and the pathologist reevaluated all the various studies and believes I am heterozygous. This means a bit of both. It also means I may receive additional chemo and Herceptin after the AC (red devil) treatments. Both Herceptin and AC can damage your heart so they don’t like to over treat. My oncologist and I are seeking a third opinion and perhaps a fourth if we still have questions. Right now we are planning for the Herceptin because the chances for heart damage are low and if it is Her2+ that means the chances of it coming back are high without Herceptin. I have been sending my oncologist question lists and studies to discuss. Also fun coincidence he is actually my Plastic Surgeon, Dr Kanchwalla’s friend and neighbor.
Speaking of Dr. Kanchwalla, he found my youtube and called to thank me for sharing my honest account of his procedure. He nominated me to be in a survivor runway show for a fundraiser at Penn Medicine called BRA day. It will be on my birthday Oct 19th. Now I just need to find a wig and hope I’m feeling better by then.
I had a busy week with the port install Monday. On Tuesday echo cardiogram, my nurse teaching appointment and Wednesday was my first Red Devil infusion. Today, I get an injection to help my immune system. Tomorrow, I plan to shave my hair into a fun cool style (It should be gone in about two weeks). So far nausea has been my biggest issue. If I am not responding as often to texts or reaching out, know I still love you but I am trying my best to rest. I’m thankful and appreciate all the love and care I receive.
I didn’t get a picture of the chemo but below is what a port looks like if you ever spot one in the wild. Who knew welcoming something called the red devil into my veins could be a life saving thing?
