My Cancer Journey

I really don’t know how to start this post. Sometimes it feels like I’m stuck in the twilight zone. It feels very surreal.

A year ago I found a lump on my breast and I thought it was a cyst. It was on the surface. I waited a little to see if it would go away. It didn’t and I decided to go to the doctor. She sent me to get a mammogram and they said that I should do a biopsy. The biopsy was so annoying by the way. Waiting for results can take years off of you. It’s so stressful. Biopsy results showed that it is cancer and that it is HER2 positive.

HER2 positive is:

“HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This protein promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about 1 of every 5 breast cancers, the cancer cells have extra copies of the gene that makes the HER2 protein”

This was so shocking to me. I never in a million years pictured my self going through this. I mean no one does. I felt like I was in a black hole when I first found out.

My breast surgeon sent me to do all the testing to make sure that it hadn’t spread anywhere in the body. I did it all. CT scan and MRI are the worst tests. For me personally. Uncomfortable tests. At this time it felt like I was lost in a vortex.

All the tests came back good. Thank God and I had the cancer lump removed. I did not remove the breast just the lump. I also had lymph nodes checked out because cancer can spread to the lymph nodes under your armpit. Thank goodness it hasn’t.

I am now in a place where I’m ready to battle rather in a place of loss and confusion. I had to switch my mind set. I need to feel like I’m in control and the only way I can do this is to be optimistic, positive and determined. I need to be strong for my children and husband whom I love so much. I’m so grateful for everything in life.

So my treatments begin next week. I start chemotherapy, followed by radiation and hormone therapy. The entire process should be completed in a year and I also have to continue taking a prescription that puts me into menopause for five years or longer.

I also have to do a heart echo after each chemo because the medication can have an effect on the heart. This is scary but I’m working out on my treadmill to keep my heart in good shape.

I’m documenting my journey through videos because I want to share my story with others and I want to help others that are going through this as well.

Yesterday I had my PICC line put in and next week I will be ready to do my first chemotherapy. The first chemo takes 4 hours. I definitely need to bring a bag with me full of essential things. I will share #mycancerjourney on my YouTube channel.

Please subscribe if you want to follow me on this journey.

So this is what’s been happening in my life. It also sucks that we are in lockdown 3 in Toronto and I can’t bring anyone with me during my chemo. But I’ll be ok. I’m strong.

In April I celebrated my 45th Birthday. I don’t feel 45. I feel like I’m 30. 🎉

I would like to say thank you 🙏 for all the online support and love that I’ve been receiving. It really brings me strength and gives me so much hope so thank you. I’m so grateful for all of you. God bless!