Help Sheena fight 2nd case of rare breast cancer
Where to begin? I first had cancer in 2007, I would have made 13 years cancer-free in March on the 19th, 2020. I was diagnosed with breast cancer again on March 5th, 2020. The type of breast cancer that I had is very rare, I was the 37th case in the world. It is called invasive ductal cancer with necrosis. It is so aggressive that as it grows it forgets to feed the inside of the tumor and dies. It is painful and the lump actually hurts, this is one reason that it is different from regular ductal cancer. The first cancer was found by me as I woke up on Valentine's day with a golf ball-sized lump on my right breast. This time it was found on my mammogram. My breast still hurts from the last surgery, so I was unable to feel the lump pain. Last time the lump was 1.8 cm and this time unofficially is 1.5 cm, so hopefully, we caught this one in time also. Last time was lucky, lucky and no lymph nodes and hormone negative. Also, your breast had to be removed if the lump was over 2 cm, so I was able to have a lumpectomy. It is in the right breast again so I think I will have to have a mastectomy, maybe on both breasts. I am a little scared about that.
Last time when I had the cancer, they wanted me to go to Texas to get treatment, and I told them no as everyone that I knew on Kauai was praying for me. At that time I had a job doing sales repping, so I traveled all around my island delivering. When everyone asked what they could do for me, I asked them to include me in their prayers.
I live on the island of Kauai and we do not have a breast surgery specialist on my island so I will have to fly to Honolulu for treatment. I have lived on Kauai for 33 years now. I am single, so going through this on my own other than a small close network of friends who are helping me as much as they can, but I live on disability and will need help with airfare, taxis, and medical bills. I may also need help with lodging in Honolulu, not sure yet.
Last time I simply had a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation. It took them two months to figure out what type of cancer it was after surgery because they had not seen it before. The lump was sent to Honolulu, San Francisco, and finally to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota where a doctor recognized it.
I did very well with my last treatments, did not get sick with chemo and worked through the whole chemo. I quit my job when I had to do radiation daily. I think that it is important you remain mentally strong while going through cancer. I had really good insurance at that time and they paid for my airfares. Now I do not have good insurance and will need help to pay for my bills, airfare, etc.
I do not know anything more about my new cancer at this time. I need to talk to an oncologist, and they will not make an appointment for me until I see the surgeon on April 7, 2020. The surgeon is on vacation for three weeks, of course. I would like to ask them questions, but they will not see me. This concerns me and makes me wonder if I should go to Honolulu for my chemo as well. they told me that they only have one doctor here for oncology as two doctors just quit. I am worried about waiting for another month as it can spread. I will keep you posted with updates.
I appreciate any help that you can give. If you would like, please include me in your prayers. May God bless you and your family and keep you well.