My Breast Cancer Journey The Short Version: I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2024. I had a partial mastectomy in February. The pathology report indicated I needed a full mastectomy, which is scheduled for April 2025. The Long Version: After moving to Pennsylvania in late July and beginning my teaching job in August, my family and I worked on getting established with healthcare providers as soon as possible. I had a routine mammogram in October (Happy Halloween!). In early November, my doctor contacted me to schedule a repeat mammogram and an ultrasound. I went in for the additional tests, anxious about the possibility of having cancer. As I waited for the radiologist’s review, I hoped to hear my usual result: "You have dense breast tissue. Please see us again in a year." However, instead, the nurse returned and informed me that I needed a biopsy due to a mass found in both exams. In late November (Happy Thanksgiving!), I underwent a biopsy. Sore and exhausted, I returned to school that evening for parent-teacher conferences, relieved that I only had one conference before Thanksgiving break. Then came December (Merry Christmas!). In early December, my doctor called with the results—cancer cells were found in the biopsy. A new journey had begun. With my amazing husband by my side, we met with an oncologist and a surgeon. The oncologist appointment was brief but informative: I had the most common form of breast cancer. I was ER and PR positive—terms that initially meant nothing to me, except that they indicated a better prognosis. I was HER2-negative—another positive factor. An MRI was recommended to complement the mammogram findings. At my January follow-up, the MRI results showed cancer throughout the breast. The surgeon and oncologist recommended a full mastectomy. Shocked, I asked if there were alternatives. The surgeon suggested a PET scan, as MRIs can sometimes produce false positives. However, my insurance initially denied the PET scan. After multiple phone calls and a special meeting with my surgeon advocating for me, the insurance finally approved it. On the same day, I also reached out to a naturopathic clinic to explore additional cancer care options. The PET scan results came back—no visible cancer! Yay?! However, the surgeon explained that the PET scan might not detect small tumors. The biopsy confirmed cancer cells, so we proceeded with a partial mastectomy and sentinel lymph node removal to determine if the cancer had spread. Surgery was scheduled for mid-February. As new hires in our school district, my husband and I faced the challenge of running out of sick days, planning for substitutes, and navigating an uncertain recovery process. Everyone’s body heals differently, making it hard to predict how much time off I would need. Surgery day came and went. Recovery was tough—burning pain in my breast, arm, pecs, and armpit. Wearing a surgical bra. Struggling to wash my hair, shave my legs, wash my face, and maintain balance. About a week after surgery, a kind friend and co-worker brought food to the house. (I have rarely felt so embraced by a community so quickly—perhaps a perk of small-town life.) As we chatted, I suddenly felt unwell. "I don’t feel right," I said. My husband, Rick, asked, "Do you think you’re hungry?" "No," I replied. "This is different. Something is wrong." That was the last thing I remembered until I came to, with Rick holding me up and my friend finishing a call with EMS. "The paramedics are on their way," she said as she helped me to my bed. The paramedics arrived, checked my vitals, and found everything normal—until I stood up. My blood pressure spiked. I took an ambulance ride to the hospital, where I stayed for about seven hours undergoing tests. Thankfully, all results came back clear. The doctors concluded that I was dehydrated and administered two bags of fluids. We finally arrived home around 1:00 am. That brings us to late February (Happy Belated Valentine’s Day!). The pathology report from my partial mastectomy revealed cancer cells extending to the margins and a positive tumor in my first lymph node. However, my second lymph node was clear—some good news! My surgeon concluded that the MRI had been accurate, and a full mastectomy was necessary as soon as possible—now scheduled for April. And so, the journey continues. Please check the updates section for more recent announcements.