Stage 2B - 2012

Time-Line -  Last Updated 6/12/17

1/10/11 – Visit to gynecologist to investigate lump discovered with self-breast exam

1/10/11 – Ultrasound done with radiology;  findings - no solid or cystic masses or other findings to suggest malignancy
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One year later

1/30/12 – Visit to gynecologist to re-investigate same lump; doctor attempted to drain what was believed to be a cyst and was unsuccessful

1/31/12 – Met with surgeon for consultation; recommended core biopsy

2/6/12 – Core biopsy performed

2/10/12 – Diagnosed with breast cancer

• ER+/PR+/HER2-
  • HER2 originally came back negative on the core biopsy, but the biopsy done on the tumor was positive.  Hopkins triple checked these results by performing what is called a fish test that confirmed my HER2 is negative - great news.  HER2+ patients are given Herceptin for 52 weeks.    
• IDC – invasive ductal carcinoma
• Tumor Grade 3

2/15/12 – Breast MRI

2/23/12 - Lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy

• 2.7 cm tumor removed and surrounding area (there are 2.54 cm in one inch)
• 5 lymph nodes were removed for testing
• Port-a-cath inserted just below my collarbone 

3/15/12-  Re-excision surgery

Diagnosis

• 1 out of 5 nodes came back positive for cancer   
• Stage 2B 

Treatment – Johns Hopkins

Chemo: ACT - Adriamycin & Cytoxan - 4 treatments once every 2 weeks followed by Taxol - 12 treatments once a week; chemo will cover approx 20 weeks (5 months) 100% 9/7/12  

Surgery: Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders 10/1/12

Radiation: 28 rounds of radiation 100% 12/28/12

Surgery: Reconstruction - exchange the expanders with implants 7/25/13

Hormone Therapy: I will take Tamoxifen for 5-10 years starting after radiation.  This will help block how my body processes estrogen.  Start taking daily 1/11/13, stopped taking 4/28/17 after stage 4 cancer was confirmed. 

Oophorectomy: March 2016, removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes. 

My Johns Hopkins Team

Robert Miller - Medical Oncologist
Asrari Fariba - Radiation Oncologist
Mehran Habibi - Surgical Oncologist
Michele Manahan - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon