BreastCancerStories.org

Brenda's Story

Age when diagnosed: 30 and under
Virginia, United States of America
Back to profile Subscribe What is "Subscribe"?

My Visit to the Oncologist

Wed, Aug 26 2009 by Brenda

INVASIVE DUCTAL CARCINOMA that is HER-2 Positive, and Estrogen Receptor Positive.  What the hell does all that mumbo jumbo mean?  That is what i asked the Doc.  He explained to me that my cancer grew quicker because of me being pregnant, the baby produced more estrogen which is what my tumor fed off of, and the invasive ductal part meant that it was in my milk duct, and may be spreading.

I would not know any of this until i either did the surgery, or chemo first.  While pregnant i had to do this?  couldn't i just have time to give birth then go through this?  NO, if i did not do anything about it,  Lord only knows how long i would of survived.  My doctor gave me my options and wanted me to think about them, but not for long a couple of days to be presice.

I prayed long and hard for my decision.  "Dear Lord i beg you to give me answer of what i should do,please help me and guide me down the path you want me to take",  I prayed this over and over.  That night i went to bed after crying myself to sleep, and worrying what would happen to my children and husband if i died, and was i prepared to go?  Of course i wasn't.  My hsband said to me "this will work it self out" as did everything else.  I wanted to beleive him, but how can I when my whole world came down in the matter of a minute. 

I woke up the next day and told my husband that the Lord had spoken to me in my dream, and had told me what to do.  I needed to follow my faith and not what i wanted to do.  I called my doctor and told him i was ready to give him my decision, so i went to his office and talked to him.  " The Lord told me to remove the whole breast" it was so hard for me to say that, i was dying inside.  "Brenda you are so young why would you want to do that.  It may not be so bad we can take the lump out and go from there"  "but what if it is worse than expected?"  "then we can go back in and take the rest if we have to"  "TWO SURGERIES REALLY!!!"  "I dont think so take the whole damn thing"  "but you are so young are you sure?"  "yes, My breast doesn't love my children, nor does it feed them, but i do and i need to make sure that i am here for them"  "Well there is a possibility the baby your carrying may die"  "She is not going no where and if i have to i will give my life for my daughter"  "Well then lets sign the papers and get ready".  My Doctir was an angel sent to me from heaven he understood and took my case seriously, especially considering i had been the first pregnant 24 year old with cancer.  I love my Doctor and will never forget him as long as i live.