Here is what we know now (and bare with me, I'm just the husband and just trying to understand all the jargon myself). Stephanie's tumor is 2.4 centimeters in diameter. The tumor size is part of the formula that helps determine the stage of the cancer. In most of the articles we've read on stage determination, 2 cm seems to be a popular benchmark. Over 2 cm, the stage moves from 1 to 2. Another important variable in stage determination is if the cancer has moved through the lymph system to nodes. The lymph node under her arm pit is swollen and sore, not a good sign.
We know that she tested positive to hormone receptors or she is progesterine positive. Those cancers that test positive grow faster as the cancer interacts or is fed by the certain hormones. This is good news. The doctors can slow the spread of the cancer by simply suppressing hormone production.
We know that she tested positive for the HER2 gene. HER2 gene-positive cancers grow faster and are more likely to spread and come back. Though this is overall bad news, there is a new drug that is very, very effective in battling HER2-positive cancers called Herceptin which they are calling the miracle breast cancer drug and has been widely in use since 2007.
Stephanie was a candidate for the BRCA 1 and 2 gene test due to her grandmother dying of Ovarian Cancer at a young age and her mother dying of Breast Cancer in July of 2008. The test is a blood test and takes three weeks to get the results. Testing is only done in 1 facility on the East coast that discovered the gene and therefore owns the gene and the test. Its been controversial as the gene test is not widely available yet and may save many lives. I think the statistic is if you have the gene you are 80% likely to get breast or ovarian cancer. Many young women have double mastectomies and ovary removal as a cancer precaution . I will now the results of this test soon.
The next step is surgery. Stephanie has chosen to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back in her breasts by having a double mastectomy. The mastectomy is scheduled for Thursday, February 17th. During the surgery, the doctor will check the lymph nodes for cancer and remove nodes if necessary. We should know the stage of the cancer at that time (and the more specific treatment plan). The plastic surgeon will also be involved to begin the process of reconstruction.
Resconstruction is a year long process. They remove your breast tissue and nipple and place an expander in its place (think fake plastic boob) that they fill over the course of 8 weeks with water to stretch the muscle and skin and create a pocket they can put implants in about 6 months from now.
After her mastectomy, we suspect she will go through chemotherapy and radiation therapy in addition to receiving Herceptin treatments for a year and finally final breast reconstruction.
Overall breast cancer is very survivable. Stephanie is young, in good health, and is ready to do battle. This is going to be a tough year for her, but we expect to get through it and move on to our other plans and goals in life.
Our friends are throwing a "Tits Ahoy - Bye Bye Boob Bash" on Tuesday 2/8 at Vics about 6pm in St Anthony Main. As of today 60 people had RSVP'd from all over the broadcasting and media community as well as friends and family. Special thanks to Ira Heilicher, Sara Collins, Holly Hunt, Irene Peterson and Steph's running friends Michael Kithcart, Mickey Moore and Kim Wier who have run plenty of miles with Stephanie and will no doubt help her through the next marathon.
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