While I was hoping to have a few more details before doing public, with my birthday rapidly approaching, I wanted friends and family to know that 51 was going to look a little different from 50. 50 was full of travel and food–some of those pictures appearing on the Pictures page, but unfortunately, it is ending on a bit of a sour note!
But here’s what we know right now. I have stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, obviously better known as breast cancer. For a brief timeline:
- April 19th: A lump was found by my primary care physician (PCP).
- May 2nd: A diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound was conducted and a biopsy was requested from there.
- May 25th: I walked the 18-mile Lakefront Path. (This has nothing to do with the cancer, of course, but is an indicator that I have no symptoms! I feel fine.)
- May 28th: The ultrasound biopsy was taken.
- May 30th: I received the call that it was malignant.
For those who know such things, it HR+, HER-, which is generally good because there are a lot of treatment options.
I have met with a surgeon who has walked through what’s next. We don’t know the precise order or treatment options yet though. But a little bit about what the possibilities are:
Because it is invasive, there will need to be at least one of each of the following categories:
- Surgery and radiation (type of surgery still TBD).
- Chemotherapy and/or therapeutics (i.e. Tamoxifen).
But it could be all four! Lucky me.
Where we are right now is in a holding pattern, we are waiting on results from an MRI and from genetic testing. And so, that’s it.
As my lovely PCP says: “It’s going to be a rough year, but you will be get through this. This is super common. We (Northwestern) do this all the time. We know what we are doing and will get you through.” But obviously, the year of 51 is being treated with a little more dread than I usually treat my birthdays!
Comments
5 responses to “This is 51.”
Hey Carmin,
Really shitty news am so sorry. Hang in there, seems like you caught it early and Northwestern is one of the best facilities to combat and cure this scourge.
Hugs,
Ben
Your analytic and logical prowess is going to come in handy! I also hope you allow yourself the grace you deserve to react, feel, and eventually heal. I know you’ve got this. Kick it’s ass.
Sorry to hear this news Carmin. That was 40 for me. 11 years later have been all clear fortunately. I still remember Dr Bethke telling me “This is NOT an emergency” when we first met which was true but I still pushed to have my surgery asap. Please let me know if I can do anything to support you. You got this!
I’m so sorry you will forever remember your 51st year this way. I know you’re already deep into finding out all you could about this diagnosis and the treatment options. Praying for you and good support from family and the medical people.
Happy Birthday Carmin! Obviously this will not be a typical globetrotting breaking all sorts of ground at work and at home year but you will kick cancer in the ass and tell a compelling story about this tough journey. You are really such an amazing person and obvious very brainy but really such a loveable being in a way that is so laid back and so fun to be around. I love to follow your sometimes irreverent adventures. We love you and without overstating, anything we can do to support you please let me be part of this journey. Hope you drink some of your favorite wine and kick back today. Love from your crazy Tio Ben.