Emily’s pink journey

* Updated* Emily’s pink journey is a way to keep all of Emily’s family and friends updated as she begins her battle against breast cancer. November of 2024 - I found a lump in my left Breast in the shower one day, and just thought it was weird and I'd see if it was still there the next month. December came and went and they were still there, didn't hurt but just wasn't sure if I had an infection in one of my milk ducts or something weird going on. I called my Dr.'s office to make an appt and was told my Dr. was no longer with that medical group. So decided to change my insurance back to Kaiser at the beginning of the year at open enrollment and go from there. Made the switch, saw my new Internal Medicine Primary Doctor for the first time and told her about my lumps. Mid January 2025- I had an appt- She checked me out and recommended I get a Mammogram. Since I was not yet 40, I had not had one before. The next month was a blur- Mammogram was not as bad as all the rumblings I had heard. However I have a lot of squish to work with so that could have been a factor too. I was recommended to get an Ultrasound, then had a Biopsy February 6th on 2 of the 3 Lumps. Automatically after a biopsy Kaiser assigns you a Surgeon and that will be the person who goes over the results of your Biopsy and conveys the pathology findings. My Appt. with my Surgeon Dr. Baril was February 12th and that's when I got the news I had Grade 2 (I learned they don't give a Stage until after surgery- but now know I’m Stage 2) Estrogen Positive Progesterone Positive HER2 Negative Invasive ductal carcinoma. BREAST CANCER. 2 Months before my 40th Birthday- out of no where! After weighing my options and surgeons advice I decided to move forward with a Left mastectomy. Started the pre surgery checklist and got a number of scans, injections and tests done. In one of those scans, something abnormal appeared in my left armpit, and another ultrasound & biopsy was ordered and performed. Mind you- after each of these biopsies I had to get another mammogram. Kinda annoying, but I did it. Turned out, there were lymph nodes of concern- that seemed abnormal that would also need to be taken out during my surgery and sent to pathology. March 20th 2025 I had my Left Mastectomy and they ended up taking out 14 Lymph nodes in my armpit area. Started Chemotherapy end of May to have 6 Rounds of IV Chemotherapy and finished mid September. Next up I'm preparing to start Radiation as the next step of my treatment. Thank you for your positive thoughts, prayers and support. One day at a time with your love and support I will fight through this.