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Vital Info

Name:
MIchelle (michelle67)

Member Since:
April 1, 2011

Location:
near Philly, Pennsylvania

Birthday:
February 28, 1967

Profile:
Cancer Survivor

Cancer Info

Type of Cancer:
Breast Cancer

Medical Term for the Type of Cancer:
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma & Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Diagnosis Date:
November 30, 2010

Stage of Cancer:
Stage 1

Tumor Size:
02

Grade of Tumor:
Grade 3

ER:
Negative

PR:
Negative

Her2 Status:
No

Lymph Node Involvement:
No

Surgery:
Re-excision Surgery, Lymph Node Removal, Lumpectomy

Chemotherapy:
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)

What I Hate Most About Cancer:
That it makes my kids afraid for me. How it altered me and my life forever. The fact that I'll always be looking over my shoulder for it.

What I Have Learned From Cancer:
To make the most of every moment with my 2 young daughters. That I deserve to be happy every day.

Things My Supporters Can Do To Help:
Don't be afraid to laugh with me. I am still the same person, but my perspective has been altered.

Metastasized? Where?:
No

Cancer Center:
Rena Rowan Breast Center at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Tips for others on how to deal with the physical side effects of chemo/cancer:
Hydrate during chemo, with water and Gatorade.

Breast Cancer Symptoms:

None. I found my evil lump while showering, and even after I and my doc could feel it, the mammogram was “clear.” It was then seen on ultrasound and MRI.

NO family history. Genetic tests (BRCA 1 & 2) negative.

During routine scans after breast cancer dx, a mass was found in my head. Turns out in addition to the bc, I have a benign meningioma – a brain tumor. My neurologist tells me these grow slowly and we can zap it with rads later, so I’ll deal with that after I finish chemo and radiation for the breast cancer.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects:

Excisional biopsy of left breast 11/23/10 (1.1cm tumor)
Re-excision to get clear margins and do sentinel node biopsy 12/21/10

Radiation or Proton Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

6 and a half weeks of daily localized treatments. 33 total, with 5 boosts at the end.

Began 6/2/11
FINISHED 7/19/11

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

4 rounds of taxotere & cytoxan every 3 weeks.
Started 3/3/11.
Second round completed 3/24/11; had allergic reactions to both drugs.
Third round done without reactions (super slow drip) on 4/14/11. Fourth & FINAL round completed 5/5/11, and grateful for being finished!!

Hormone Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

None, I have triple negative breast cancer so hormonal therapies will not help me.

Stats

Posts: 34

Photos: 6

Events: 8

My Supporters: 73

I Support: 84

Comments: 379

MIchelle's Cancer Blog

Cancer Blog Entries Archived by Date

2012 (6)
- May (1)
  - Good News in a Crazy Life Life has been stressful but I wanted to post something about two big things this week - I had my fir...
- April (1)
  - What A Difference A Week Can Make Last week was rough but made so much better by the support you all gave me. On April 1 it was one ye...
- March (3)
  - You Guys Are Amazing! You know I never doubted that all of you have my back - as I have yours - and that your eyes and ear...
  - Starting to Take Life Personally My life seems on some kind of downhill slide. I hate to vent but I have to. This isn't just about ca...
  - Running on my hamster wheel It has been a while since I posted anything. At first this was because there wasn't much to report. ...
- January (1)
  - New year, new opportunity Nearly a month into 2012 and this is my first BFAC post of the new year. I've been checking in often...

2011 (28)
- December (1)
  - This is for You! I guess holidays make everyone think of the past, those special days gone by, and those of us who've...
- November (4)
  - Great Holiday I just wanted to post to say that all those who commented on my last post about Thanksgiving were ab...
  - Grateful But Not a Doormat In the US, Thanksgiving is here and I have a lot to be thankful for. Last year on this holiday, ...
  - Happy Tears Like so many generous friends here predicted, my mammo and dexa scan yesterday gave me good news! ...
  - If it wasn't for bad luck.... The last few weeks have been rough, but not in terms of health so, in a way, such setbacks don't get...
- October (2)
  - Little Milestones Yesterday was my first anniversary - well, one of the first anniversaries - of the many steps or exp...
  - A Right to be Angry (?) Tonight (in the US anyway) the Lifetime TV channel will broadcast a made-for-TV movie about breast c...
- September (5)
  - Cautious Joy (Bad-A$$ Virus Kills Cancer!?) I just want to preface this news with a disclaimer that I am not prone to exaggeration, nor am I a d...
  - Got the Call & All is Well Quick update: My neurologist's office called today to say there was no change to my brain/meningioma...
  - Brain Scans and Anniversaries and Tattoos, Oh My! Still no phone call from Univ. of Penn, so I'm hoping that no news is good news, aka nothing's chang...
  - Me, the Party Animal (the nervous kind) Thanks so much to everyone who commented on my last post. I did go to the reception and the firs...
  - How To Get Back to "Normal"? I've been a journalist/news producer/writer since 1990. I worked for newspapers, in radio and TV, an...
- August (3)
  - I Don't Need No Stinking (hot) Flashes This may be TMI, especially for the guys, but I need to ask the ladies about this. Had my first c...
  - Active Duty is Over Monday at 8am was the follow-up with the radiation oncologist I not-so-lovingly call Dr. Butthead. H...