Crash course of my cancer

Very simply put and in everyday language.

Grading breast cancer: Pathologists grade the cancer according to how the cancer cells look and behave. Grades are numbered from 1 to 3.

Pathologists will look at the size and extent of the tumour which are numbered 1 to 4. Also the number of lymph nodes affected by cancer are noted and the spreading of the cancer from the breast to other parts of the body (metastases).

Another matter of concern and noting is whether the cancer is growing into the blood or lymphatic vessels which is described as lymphatic vascular invasions (LVI).

Type of breast cancer: HER2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor-type 2) is a type of protein that exists on the surface of normal cells which allows human growth factor to attach to the cell.
Normally, there is around 20,000 to 50,000 of these receptors on a cell however in HER2 positive cancer cell, there will be around 2 million, which means the cells are cancerous and are more aggressive as they grow faster.

Testing HER2 positive will show you have an increased level of HER2 protein. Women who are HER2 positive may respond less well to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. This is because breast cancers that overexpress HER2 are a more aggressive form of the disease.

Herceptin, a monoclonal antibody drug targets the growth factor to stop breast cancer cells from growing and can also activate the immune system to kill HER2+ cancer cells.

I have Grade 2, LVI and HER2+ type breast cancer and will need more Herceptin.

Ribbons in the Sky

While waiting at St Marks Breast Clinic for the results of my tests that morning on October 18, 2007 my memory was instantly cast back a month earlier when my oldest daughter Denae came home raving about an 'old school' song she had heard, that I would know but didn't know what it was called. Finally she found the title of the song and played it to me. I had not heard Ribbon in the Sky by Stevie Wonder since I was in college and immediately a rush of nostalgia came over me and for no reason I was quite teary.
So I kid you not when I share that about a month later waiting in St Marks Breast Clinic flipping through a mag and trying hard not to worry that exact song played ever so quietly in the background but heavily on my heart because I knew at the exact moment when I it played it was a sign because the same emotions I had experienced about a month ago overcame me again....the tears flowed freely down my cheeks as I thought of my daughter and the rest of my family...sing it Stevie...

My quest begins...

October 18, 2007
9:00am
I'm looking at my doctor for a sign that my fears were unwarranted. Of course when he starts drafting a referral letter to St Marks Breast Clinic my hopes start to waiver
11:00am
I'm wrapped in a St Marks forest green gown in the waiting room pretending to be interested in the Herald...
11:15am
One mammogram later (I can see why women don't like them much but hey...) I am then shuffled into the ultrasound room with a lovely Beverley walking me through what will happen.
11:20am
During the ultrasound my eyes were fixed on Beverley's face looking for any sign that I should be concerned but she's a professional and she doesn't give anything away. Not long after this has been completed I'm informed a core biopsy will be necessary as a core biopsy will confirm our next move.
11:40am (approx)
Beverley leaves to prep for the core biopsy and suddenly the room is claustrophobic and I am slowly engulfed by the enormity of what may lie ahead. Moments after the core biopsy has been completed Beverley gently places a hand on my lap and in the most tenderest tone says, "Sarvs, I am so sorry to say that the biopsy has revealed the lump is cancer."
I'm asked if anyone knows that I am there. Tearfully I explain no as I wanted to do this on my own. Wrong decision.
October 19, 2007
2:00pm
After a very tearful night and morning hubby and I decide not to wait until after the long weekend to find out if the cancer is benign or malignant so we found ourselves sitting at St Marks Breast Clinic waiting for my results. My whole entirity prayed the cancer was benign.
2:15pm (approx)
Beverley escorts us both into the room where I sat howling into my hands for what seemed like a lifetime the day before and just as she had done the first time looks me straight in the eyes and says, "Sarvs I am very sorry to have to tell you the cancer is malignant."
The rest is a tearful blur but this time I am relieved to have hubby with me.