Timeline

Lately I have been calling Kaiser West Los Angeles my second home because it feels like I am there all of the time.  It is pretty insane.  Here is a snap shot of my medical treatment that started in October 2011 and keeps going...and going...and going...

• Beginning of October--I felt a lump in my left breast that felt pretty big and decided to call Kaiser and get it checked out.
• 10.12.11--Met with a breast specialist (surgeon) who was pretty convinced that my lump was due to hormone changes.  She suggested an ultrasound to stay on the safe side.
• 11.4.11--Ultrasound of my left breast.  After the ultrasound a radiologist told me that they found two masses that "look suspicious" and stated that I needed to have a biopsy.  
• 11.14.11--Biopsy of two masses in my left breast.
• 11.17.11--Radiologist calls to tell me that one of the masses is cancer.  States that I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (the most common form of breast cancer). 
• 11.23.11--Met with a surgeon who gave me a run down on my diagnosis and the treatment options.  Find out that my tumor is about 4 cm and that it is too big to do a lumpectomy without deforming my boob.  Suggests that I do chemo first to shrink the tumor.  Refers me to an oncologist and orders a bunch of tests.  
• 11.25.11--CT scan of my chest and pelvis to make sure that there are no other masses any where in my body (there weren't...thank god!)
• 11.28.11--Bone scan to make sure that there is no cancer in my bones (that was negative as well!)
• 12.5.11--Appointment with oncologist #1--she was a nightmare and basically looked like she was going to cry the entire appointment due to my young age and pretty hair and did not give me any information.  She recommended that I do a mastectomy and harvest my eggs or an embryo due to the fact that I was concerned about the effects of chemo on my fertility.  This was very confusing and raised a whole lot of questions.  I asked for a second opinion.
• 12.6.11--Took and passed my last licensing exam (had to throw that in there!)
• 12.7.11--Genetic testing to make sure that I do not have the gene for breast cancer (I don't!)
• 12.9.11--Appointment with a fertility specialist--very difficult appointment and I will post about this later.
• 12.12.11--Appointment with the Breast Coordinator to learn about resources, see pictures of mastectomies and lumpectomies, and find out about different options for managing hair loss.
• 12.16.11--Appointment with oncologist #2--he is awesome and at this point I had made up my mind to do chemo first.  He was extremely informative and thorough.  
• 12.21.11--MRI of both breasts...very uncomfortable procedure.
• 12.22.11--Met with a chemo nurse to have "chemo class" where I learned about the medication I would be given and tips for managing side effects...scary...
• 12.22.11--Had an appointment for a Muga scan (basically a heart scan)...I fainted at the appointment due to not eating, feeling overwhelmed, and because the nurse could not find my vein.  Appointment was moved to the next day.
• 12.23.11--Muga scan take two...success!
• 12.28.11--Chemo #1 (of 8)...not too bad...will post more later.  
• 1.5.12--Ultrasound #2 due to some findings from the MRI (Deja-vu)
• 1.6.12--Biopsy #2 (they have to biopsy five different things...WTF?????)  Hopefully they are benign.  The radiologist told me that they look normal but that they want to be thorough and certain.
• 1.11.12--Will have a port surgically placed in my chest for the remainder of my chemotherapy treatments.  It is an outpatient procedure.
• 1.13.12--Chemo #2 
• 1.13.12--Bridget visits!
• 1.21.12--Pauline Visits!
• 1.27.12--Chemo #3
• 2.10.12--Chemo #4
• 2.10.12--Annie Visits!
• 2.14.12--Back to work...
• 2.24.12--Chemo #5
•  3.2.12--Kristi in CA and Santa Barbara weekend getaway!
• 3.9.12--Chemo #6
• 3.23.12--Chemo #7
• 4.6.12--LAST CHEMO!!!!!!!!!!!!
• 5.4.12--Sentinel node biopsy and removal of my port (an outpatient surgery).
• 5.16.12--Mastectomy of my left breast with immediate reconstruction
• 5.31.12--Consult with second radiation oncologist
• 6.5.12 & 6.11.12--Planning sessions for radiation
• 6.13.12-7.18.12--25 rounds of radiation  

Take home message: Do monthly self breast exams. If you feel something or if your boob looks different...get it checked out!!