Friday, September 3, 2010

A Brief Background

In early August, half-convinced that there was something wrong with my pregnancy, I rushed an appointment to my OBGYN while not even 6 weeks pregnant. Of course I thought the problem was an ectopic pregnancy. No, my doctor said, but you do have a lump in your breast. Probably no big deal, she said, but you should have it sonogramed and maybe biopsied to be sure.

Two sonograms and two biopsies later, I find out on Monday, August 23 that I have two tumors filled with ductal carcinoma. On Wednesday evening, I find out that the cancer is invasive. All-day Thursday we met with our first team of doctors from St. Agnes. During a short break in the day, we get lucky and get squeezed into appointments at Johns Hopkins on Monday and Tuesday for some second opinions.

We'll be travelling with John Hopkins on this adventure. While it might sound odd, they have treated pregnant breast cancer patients before. I'm not even their first this year. Also odd-sounding, babies have not been shown to be aversely affected by certain types of chemotherapy when it was started after the second trimester.

At this point, the road ahead looks to hold surgery, 6 months of chemo, a month or so of daily radiation treatments, years of a hormone therapy well-targeted to my cancer and a new baby squeezed in there somewhere before radiation. Ready or not, here we go.

7 comments:

  1. My heart just broke in half. I wish I could be there to hug you so tight and tell you it will all be ok. I pray for your comfort and healing and a healthy baby. I don't know what to say but I will call you soon. Love and more love, alisha

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  2. oh kathy, i can scarcely imagine the whirlwind of emotions. we're thinking of you and praying for you and will be following the blog for updates. take care.

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  3. KJ My sister phoebe went through something similar. She was at our wedding with brown hair and boy with her. From when I was at fort Bragg in 2001 until just this last year she has had to do radiation, chemo, anti seasure meds, at least 2 major surgeries on her brain and every other check up that comes with it. The point is this. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. We love you and your family. We pray for you. And just so you know, my sister Phoebe is A OK today.
    Jesse

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  4. I am speechless. Please let us help in any way! We can host a play date with Naomi anytime!

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  5. We are so sorry to hear about your fight with cancer. You will be in our prayers.

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  6. Kathy, Bill and I just heard today about your news. We will be saying prayers for you and your family every day and wish were closer so we could give you hugs in person. You are not alone in this fight, but wish there was no fight at all! Keep us all posted on what we can do to help - even from afar! love, victoria and bill

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  7. Kathy, the family and I just heard the news today and we are so sorry. You will be in our prayers every single day! Just remember the story about the footprints in the sand, and know that God is with you every step of the way. We love you guys always-Carolyn, Mark, Brooke & Zac

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