Diane's Cancer Chronicles

Back in November, I felt a lump in my left breast. I put off getting it checked because I got sick with pneumonia in December. After still not feeling well in early February, I went to my primary doctor, who ordered a chest x-ray and asked if I wanted a referral for a mammogram. I did not hesitate to get the referral because I knew I was overdue for one. I scheduled my mammogram for February 16 (I had the day off from school). I knew I would be getting a call back for an abnormal result because of feeling the lump. I went back for a 3D mammogram and ultrasound on February 27, where they found another lump, 1.4 cm from the lump I found. The radiologist did not like the look of my images so the next test was a biopsy on March 1. The results came back on March 5. To hear the words "You have breast cancer" was a huge punch to the gut! The positive was the lump I found was benign. My official diagnosis is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with HER2 positive. I will begin chemotherapy the first week of April. I will have 6 cycles, spaced 3 weeks apart. After I have finished chemo, I will wait 4 weeks then have surgery. Right now the plan is for a lumpectomy then wait another 4 weeks before I start radiation for 6 weeks. If you think this is overwhelming, IT IS!!! So much information has been thrown at me in the last 3 weeks, my head is spinning. I am at a loss for words at times and have spent the last 2 weeks preparing for my leave from my job, that I love so much! Being a Kindergarten teacher is what I am meant to do! Please follow my journey as I take on this HUGE fight! I will kick cancer in the butt! #DANAHYSTRONG