So here we go again. August 18th gave me life ticket I never wanted to get. My cancer has returned.
I found an inflamed lymph node along my collarbone. August 13th I met with my oncologist for my quarterly visit and he felt the same thing.
August 16th I had a PET scan and the findings showed three lymph nodes along my collarbone and a spot behind my breast bone.
August 17th I met with the breast surgeon. He did a needle biopsy of one of the nodes. August 20th confirmed cancer cells.
Flurry of emotions and knowing how chemo makes me feel is never welcome. I was also informed I will be needing radiation this time. This is a new realm for me. I researched the names given to me and have found the lady that will give me a sunburn.
Meeting with the radiation oncologist.....
After viewing my previous reports from my diagnosis two years ago, I did everything by the book. I am the less than 10% of the population that chemo did not kill the small cancer cell that lingered behind my breast.
She explained to me that 10 years ago when they did full radical mastectomies, that tiny node behind my chest most likely would have been found, but the tiny questionable lymph node under my arm would not have been detected. Technology over the past five years has given us sentinel node biopsy, which allowed us to find the tiny 4th lymph node under my arm two years ago. The activity in it was small, they could not even consider it a positive node.
More medical jargon...due to the grade of my tumors upon my original diagnosis, this is an aggressive cancer. I was Stage 2A(determined by my tumor size and small lymph node activity) with a Grade 3(3 is the highest) and the mitotic rate was a 9. I am also triple negative(Estrogen, Progesterone and Her2 negative). I knew from the beginning I may be faced with re-occurrence within the first three years.
My chemo and radiation are going to be very aggressive. I will be taking Carboplatin and Gemzar every two weeks for three sessions. Radiation will follow after the chemo regimen. I will be radiated twice a day for 3 1/2 weeks and chemo pills will be taken along with the radiation.
There it is...my ass getting kicked.
