Hey Everyone!  So, I’m doing something I swore I’d never do.  I feel once step closer to Facebook now that I have my very own blog!  To begin, I’d like to thank each and every one of you for your love and support.  If you’re interested in what’s going on, feel free to check this site daily.  I’m going to try to post regularly to keep all of you in the loop.  Apparently, blogging is the thing to do!  It’s much more “2012” than e-mail!

So, since last week’s mass e-mail, here’s what’s new:

I have Stage 3 cancer in my left breast with positive lymph node involvement.  I tested ER+, HER2-, PR?.  My genetic testing is still pending.  I am believed to have Stage 1 cancer in my right breast.  The tissue results (ER, PR, and HER) are still pending.  Did you know that you can have 2 different types of cancer in each breast?  We met with Dr. Louis Blaum, my cousin – the very handsome and very wise thoracic surgeon who specializes in breast, this morning!  He wanted to do a lymph node biopsy near my right breast but was unable to find one.  This is a good thing.  We’re praying that those lymph nodes are not involved.  I’m scheduled for a brain MRI on Thursday…..not because they suspect that anything is wrong…..it’s to settle my own neurosis!  Sal and I also met with an awesome nurse practitioner, Priscilla, along with our oncologist, Dr. Bruce Saidman, this afternoon.  I begin chemotherapy on Wednesday, August 29.  Here’s how my schedule will work:  I’ll be receiving dose dense chemotherapy.  This was studied at Sloan Kettering and proven to work a little better than the older method.

Week 1:  On Wednesday, I’ll receive Adriamycin and Cytoxan.  On Thursday, I’ll receive Neulasta.  This drug helps prevent a dramatic fall in the white blood cell count that is caused by chemo.

Week 2:  On Wednesday, I have blood work but no chemo.

Week 3:  Repeat Week 1.

Week 4:  Repeat Week 2.

We do this up until Week 8 where I finish this regime.  Then, the plan is to take, possibly, a week or 2 off and start another drug called Taxol for 8-12 weeks.  I know it probably sounds sick, but I’m psyched to get started with treatment!  I feel one step closer to getting the hell rid of this cancer.

The only news that Sal and I received today that bummed our spirits a bit is the prognosis.  Ah, the prognosis!  So, with a stage 3 cancer, one has a 60% chance of reoccurance with chemotherapy alone.  This is cut in half with surgery and radiation.  Yes, I’ll be receiving all 3.  I’m trying to look on the positive side which looks at the glass half full:  there a 70% chance of remaining cancer free!  I don’t like playing the odds, though.  I don’t gamble.  I’d rather buy a new pair of shoes!  So, we need to find out how to best monitor me after all is said and done.  If the dreaded C does return, Sal and I want to be sure that we catch it early.  Remember, I feel healthy.  I look healthy.  I have a Stage 3 carcinoma consuming my entire left breast that went completely undetected.  It couldn’t be felt by any healthcare provider, it didn’t show up on an ultrasound, a mammogram couldn’t detect it – we only saw micropappilary calcifications which was the give-away.

I can’t thank each of you enough for the outpouring of support that you’ve shown me and my family.  I truly feel humbled and blessed.  I have a favor to ask each one of you.  Because I know that you’ve been praying for me and my family, please pray for those battling this disease that have no one to pray for them.  I realize that my journey has just begun but what’s making it a little easier is knowing that I have such a great family and a wonderful group of friends cheering me on.  I can’t imagine how difficult this would if I had to face the journey alone.

Thank you!  LIVESTRONG and God Bless!