I'm new here...my story inside : )

Niknak0320

Hello everyone!  As I said in the subject line, I'm new here and looking for some support that I know I'll get here   A little about me...I'm 32 years old, married for nearly 9 years.  We have a daughter who just turned 9 on June 9th and a son who will be 5 in September.  We live in Maryland.  I am a 1 time anonymous egg donor and 4 time gestational surrogate to 3 different families.  My breast cancer was (self) detected while I was pregnant in May.  Here is my "story".

In a nut shell I'll give it to you in short form arranged by date of occurance

May 2nd, found lump in shower (7 o'clock location)

May 4th, physical breast exam by NP at routine OB appointment and referred out for sonogram

May 8th, sonogram done - immediately told that it was a solid mass and I would need a core needle biopsy.

May 15th, biopsy done on tumor in right breast

May 18th, received breast cancer DX at routine OB appointment

May 19th, met with my breast surgeon at The Breast Center in Annapolis, MD

May 22nd, mammogram and sonogram

May 27th,  biopsy done of lymph node that looked suspicious on 5/22

June 1st, birth of surrogate baby - 3 weeks early by induction.  I'm happy to report that she was perfect and healthy weighing 7lbs. 3oz. and was welcomed into the world with my husband and both of her parents looking on!

June 4th, lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy (very painful to recover from since my milk came in the night of the surgery and engorgement was massive!)

June 8th, pathology report results given to me by my surgeon - a clear margin was not reached and the 1 lymph node they took showed evidence of tumor.  Mastectomy recommended.

June 9th, genetic counseling and BRAC1/2 testing done.  I also had 600cc's of post surgical fluid removed from my right breast at this appointment!

June 12th, consult with medical oncology

June 15th, full body PET scan

June 16th, elective simple mastectomy of the left breast and modified radical mastectomy of the right breast with axillary node dissection - 19 lymph nodes removed.

June 18th, "chemo teaching" appointment at medical oncologist office

June 19th, MUGA 

June 22nd, consult with ratiation oncology

June 25th, post op from mastectomy - all three drains removed!

July 6th, first chemo scheduled.  "TAC" cocktail every 3 weeks for 6 rounds.

Ok, so there is the short version.  I'm new to this so let me see if I can fill in some blanks - and forgive me if I'm listing anything wrong....this terminology will take a little while to learn! LOL

BRAC1/2 was negative

ER was positive but PR was negative and HER2/neu was negative

PET scan was clear, MUGA was good, pathology from bilateral mastectomy was great...all 19 lymph nodes were negative. 

My breast cancer is Stage IIB

I can't think of anything else at the moment to fill you guys in on so you know all about me.  I am having some difficulty with pain of my incision (9" on each side) rubbing against my clothing if anyone has suggestions on how to help that.  My steri strips have mostly come off (11 remain).  I'm wearing pillow boobies until I can get some prothetics and need to wig shop soon!

 I'm thankful for a place where I can come relate to others who know exactly where I'm coming from! 

-Nikki

hollyann

Nikki welcome to the club nobody wants to join......What a wonderful woman to be surragate!.......So sorry the baby had to be delivered early but thankful she is ok.....I'm sure her mommy is too......I'm sorry you are having pain......I always wore soft flannel and those cotton sleeveless tee shirts.......Have you contacted the families or the center where you donated eggs?.....You may want to let them know also....This is a very painful time for you I know......Not only are you suffering from the effects of surgery and tests but you are so very young..........I wish you much peace and love, dear sister...........Keep us posted........

Niknak0320

Thanks for the welcome!  I haven't contacted my egg donor agency yet because I was waiting on the BRAC1/2 results but now that they've come in, calling the agency is on my list of things to do!

I'm having a hard time with how tight my chest feels.  I was pretty large breasted (38DDD not preggo and this last pregnancy I went up to 38I) and I thought I'd feel so "free" of the heavy breasts once they were gone but I'm so tight that I feel like a cinder block is sitting on top of my chest   I hope this goes away with time!

Anyway...thanks again for the welcome!

Jaimieh

Nikki~ Sorry you had to join us   I am also in Maryland and I almost was treated at Annapolis but instead I chose to go to GBMC.  You are still healing from your recent birth and surgery so I imagine that within the next couple of weeks you will fell so much better. 

BTW, I think it's a great thing that you have done for the 4 families