The Waiting Game

Update time! So this weekend was filled with smiles and laughter. I first of all want to give a shoutout to my friend/hairdresser Shay. She fit me in to her busy Easter weekend schedule, last minute might I add, for a hair wash, dry, trim AND style. She’s the bomb. If you’re in Nashville go see her at Troubadour Salon.

Then it was Easter with my family. It was so nice to see my family. And to see them see that I’m ok. One drain is a lot better than 4. It was way easier to hide.

Speaking of drains I still have this one hanging around. It’s filling up too much to be taken out. I got the other two out on Friday. It felt amazing!!! Ok so it stung like the dickens when she pulled them out, but it felt amazing afterwards! Hopefully will get the last one out this Friday. 🤞🏻

Today was a big day! I went back to work for a few hours which was so nice. Then I went to meet my oncologist.

My oncologist came in and talked to me. She said she couldn’t believe it. She said she thought she was looking at the wrong records. Basically because she saw that I was going twice a year since I was 17 and we didn’t catch it until now. She said I did everything right by keeping up my appointments. Sometimes this just happens.

I asked her what stage I was. She said because of lymph node status I’m considered a stage 3a. Not gonna lie that scares me. I thought it was considered maybe a 2. Definitely not a 3. But that just makes me realize that I need to fight that much harder.

My “cocktail” will be AC + Taxol. You probably have no idea what that means. Honestly I just know AC is the hard part. Taxol will be easier on me. So what they are thinking is AC will be given to me 4 times. This will be done every 2 weeks. Then I will have Taxol every week for 12 weeks.

I’m highly considering cold capping. This means basically icing your head before during and after your chemo treatment. This will help with losing hair. I still may lose it all but it’s worth a shot. In the mean time I’m going to be doing some wig shopping!

I probably won’t be starting chemo for another month. She is wanting me to have a PET scan done first, and some heart tests. A PET scan is basically a cancer scan for your whole body. Then they will put a port in for the chemo.

I just want to quickly give a shoutout to people who have contacted me. Strong amazing women who had the courage to go get screened. This is one that I got the other day. It’s amazing.

It takes courage and strength to go in for these kinds of test. I know because I’ve been there. I’d be lying to you if I didn’t tell you I’m scared to death to get this PET scan. I am. It’s scary. But it can save my life. So you got to put your big girl panties on and do it. Gah I hate that saying. Haha! But really I’m just so proud of you guys.

My oncologist told me that she was just talking to her colleagues about the increase of Breast cancer patients that are in their 20’s and 30’s. She said the problem is mammograms tend to not work as well on younger women because of dense breast tissue. And MRI’s are only insurance approved on women that are high risk. It’s crazy. It’s sad. It’s NOT ok. Hoping this changes soon.

I want to say thank you for the people who have reached out to me regarding what to expect during chemo. I was trying to write this blog to help others but it’s helping me just as much. If not more.

I appreciate you all!

Until next update…

Published by

tatatocancer

I was diagnosed with Stage IIIA Grade 2, HR/PR positive HER2 negative breast cancer at age 31. I am now NED!

42 thoughts on “The Waiting Game”

  1. Tears came when I read this and your last post for so many reasons but also came the thought of how amazing you are to open up at a time most would shut down. You have such a positive energy coming through in your posts that it’s impossible not to look forward to the next one you send out. All the good vibes, love and blessings sent your way !

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      1. Cold capping works! I have a friend that went through a double mastectomy, chemo, and radiation before her reconstruction just like you. Cold capping is tedious but worth it as she didn’t lose any of her hair, and she’s so glad she did it. I am a pharmacist about to do a year residency to specialize in oncology, and I am so glad you are sharing your story. You’ve got this! #pimpinjoy

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  2. I’m high risk and have pretty good insurance. A mammogram 1x a year and a MRI 1x a year. The problem..sure insurance approves it but I have to pay $1,700 for it. Such bs. It used to be that if high risk and your dr orders it, it would be covered. Nope!

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  3. Your story has touched me so
    Close to home. I am high risk and have had 3 biopsies in the last year. Every time more nerve racking than the last. This last one was the worst. I had to go under and it was surgically removed. I am fortunate enough it was nothing. But I’m not gonna lie… the post you put about knowing someday. I think not if , but when. I think of you often, even though i have never met you. My prayers and thoughts are with you !!! It’s just hair (coming from a hairstylist) it will grow back- I promise!!!! You got this – STAY STRONG ❤️❤️❤️

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    1. Thank you Suzanne. I’m sorry you are going thru all the biopsies. The waiting for test results is THE WORST. My prayers are with you as well. Hoping you stay healthy and never have to deal with this. If you ever do though I’ll try to help out best I can. 💕

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  4. Praying for you!! #pimpinjoy I’m also glad to hear they are sending you for a cardiac workup. I am an NP student and just finished a clinical rotation with a cardiology-oncology NP. Close monitoring of the cardiac effects of chemo, especially the anthracyclines, is sort of a newer space in healthcare…but much needed. So I’m glad you will be getting that care and diligent monitoring as well!

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  5. You are stronger than you think you are. Love, Faith, Strength and Hope and you have everything. You have Got This.

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  6. A friend of mine in her 30s just did chemo for her breast cancer and did the cold capping. In pictures her hair doesn’t look any different so I think it’s worth a try!

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  7. Your road ahead will be rough, but like you said you gotta put your BIG GiRL panties on…wait come to think of it those would be considered granny panties lol 😂🤦‍♀️😂😂😂. Keep up the positive vibes we are behind you cheering you on even if we can’t be there in person,

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  8. A friend told me to follow your blog, and it gives me hope and inspiration. Thank you for being so open and positive through your process. I was just diagnosed with breast cancer on Good Friday. I don’t know any details, but am meeting with my surgeon to discuss my pathology report tomorrow. I am scared. Hoping for the best it can be given the circumstances. I will pray for you as you enter your next treatment phase. May God continue to bless you.

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    1. Rachel. I am so sorry to hear this. But please keep me updated on your path reports. If you have to have surgery I can def give you some pointers. Sending love and prayers for you tomorrow. 💕

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      1. Hi Laura! You are so kind to ask about my outcome. Yesterday was a long day, and glad everything is on the table. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t awful. I have IDC, Stage II, Grade 3 (which is the piece for me that sucks) , ER/PRpositive, HER2 negative. I am opting for a lumpectomy and node removal and it is scheduled for Tuesday. I will likely need chemo, radiation and will take Tamoxifen for five years. I did have the BRACA done so waiting in those results. Hopefully that comes back clean. I feel blessed knowing we are putting together a plan, but anxious of the unknown. Wishing you continued blessings in your journey.

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      2. Wow. Ours sounds so familiar. It’s definitely scary no doubt about it. But once a plan is set it will be better. Hang in there. And keep me updated. 💕

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  9. I’m a breast cancer survivor – over 4 years. Did mastectomy/recon & chemo. I lost my hair, but I had a wig made from my own hair, (right before I began chemo) which was amazing and a life saver! There has been some controversy on the cold-cap because the chemo can’t kill any cancer cells that are cold, so basically if there were stray cancer cells in the brain, (one of the areas BC can met to) the cold cap would prevent the chemo from working on them. Something to research and think about, so I wanted to share that.

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  11. I love your positive outlook, you are truly inspiring!!! Thank you for candidly and honestly sharing your life with BBS listeners.

    I read about this great organization, and I thought you might be interested: it’s called Cleaning for a Reason, and they provide free cleaning services for women undergoing chemo as a gift. To learn more, check out their web site: http://cleaningforareason.org. I’m not affiliated with them in any way – it’s just that when I read about them, I thought of you!

    Sending prayers and good thoughts your way!

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  12. I’m much older than you are but just finished 4 rounds of AC followed by Taxol. The AC was not nearly as bad as I’d been told. I did cold capping and lost very little hair during the AC. I did lose hair during Taxol though where most women don’t. Might be because I’m post-menopausal. Best wishes to you. If you have questions about cold capping, I’d be happy to talk with you about it

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  13. Hope you look back on this chapter as a mere inconvenience in a long healthy active life! I am a lucky one- diagnosed with stage 1 ILC last July. Needed only lumpectomy and radiation. Thanks for inspiring others to be diligent re: mammograms. Praying for your speedy recovery.

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  14. Stay strong and positive. You will need to question everything! Went thru this with my BFF, and my duties were to go to all appointments with notebook for notes and quuestions. She also did the cold to protect her hair, funny thing what little she did loose came back curly. Reach out to all of us when your down or blue we got your back!! Hugs from California!

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  15. I just want to say that I am praying for you!! You seem to be in a strong girl. Keep your chin up and choose Joy!! Positivity and a strong support system is key!! We’re all pulling for you! You got this!!

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  16. Hi! Just wanted to wish you well on your journey. I’m four years out – had AC & Taxol as well. I didn’t do the cold caps – but wish I had! I did all chemo before my double mastectomy. There is an amazing organization here in Austin called the Breast Cancer Resource Center. We have a group called Pink Ribbon Cowgirls for young survivors. So many girls in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s… Let me know if you want any more details.

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  17. I am thinking about you. I’ve been the same route you are going thru 4 years ago. You will do great n this will be behind you before you know it. Get through this and live your life big. You attitude is excellent n that will be what makes you beat this. Much love to you lots of prayers.

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