Support Kate's Battle Against Breast Cancer

This page was established in support of one of the strongest and most incredible women I know, my dear cousin Kate.

To those that know her, you’ll know she’s a very private individual, and for those that don’t know her, I encourage you to take notice the wonderfully vibrant and incredibly humble woman that she is for letting assist on her journey to recovery. Kate was recently diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. And while we are confident that she will win this battle, every battle is fought better with an army of support. She’s 37 years young, a beautiful mother of two to her daughters Charlotte and Olivia, and a loving wife to her amazing husband Gio.

With this journey comes an insurmountable number of challenges as many of you reading can understand. These challenges include the obvious- various medical treatments, appointments, doctor visits, all while trying to juggle the thing that matters most- being a parent, a wife, a daughter, a friend, not to mention her give-back profession of being a speech pathologist to children in our community. As you can imagine, Kate has a lot on her plate. This page is dedicated to trying to alleviate even the slightest amount of that pressure and if that allows Kate to get through this battle faster than I encourage all to help support her path. We all know how hard life can be, but with your support we can make Kate, Gio, Charlotte, Olivia’s life a little bit better. Thank you so much.

Please see below the start of Kate's journey from her own words. This message was pulled directly from CaringBridge which her good friend, Natalia, set up.

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Written: Friday, May 10, 2024

Hello, my dear family and friends.

My good friend Natalia set up this page in the hopes that I can share my journey and updates related to my recent cancer diagnosis. She knows me well and is trying to allow me to have a safe space to communicate equitably and thoroughly with all the people that I love and mean so much to me.

On April 19th, I went in for a mammogram and ultrasound. This was sparked by a lump I felt in my right breast the year before. I voiced my concerns with my gynecologist about this back in July, 2023, and was told that I had a blocked milk duct (even though I was weaning Livvy off of before-bed feeds on my left side only). I took this medical advice as sound because I was prone to blockages on that right side with both girls (during Charlie's 14 months of feeding and Livvy's almost 20 months - she would not give it up!!!)

Fast forward to my March, 2024 annual gynecological visit where the lump was still there and my doctor still told me that my body was somehow not absorbing the leftover milk (despite having not fed for 9 months). I left the office that day, dusted off my old breast pump and continued to attempt to pull it all out for two days with fruitless results.

I received a referral in the mail from my doctor's office for a mammogram and ultrasound. I assumed this was to confirm the aforementioned blocked duct. I have always carried the worry of my paternal grandmother's breast cancer diagnosis in my mind but for some reason - I was still convinced I had a blocked duct. Because my doctor said so. And because it was easier to believe that.

I called the hospital to schedule the mammogram/ultrasound. I was told I needed an order. A referral was not enough. Cue the bureaucratic phone tag. This was mid-March. I work at school. I of course waited until spring break to follow up on this because life is busy and I'm not worried. The doctor's office asked my why I need an order. "Because you guys sent me a referral in the mail." They ask me to then send them a copy of what they sent to me. Cue eye roll. Thank goodness for the iPhone notes app. Turns any picture into a PDF. Done. A week or two later, I finally get an order in the mail with no other follow up. I schedule my mammogram/ultrasound for April 19th. I take a half day off of work and go in on that Friday morning.

They find three lumps/masses. The main, biggest one being almost 8 cm and the smallest being in a lymph node. They tell me I need a biopsy and it is in fact, NOT looking like a blocked milk duct. It is IN the duct and it is a mass. I ask for a biopsy that same day but they were booked solid. I schedule it for Monday morning. We spend the weekend anxiously awaiting my 8am biopsy, hoping, praying, it's benign.

On Wednesday, April 23rd, I receive the call from the hospital telling me I indeed have cancer present in all 3 masses that they found. Cue the spring to getting me scheduled for a full day of scans and doctor visits that Friday, April 25th. I meet my breast surgeon, Dr. Anna Katz (she's the best). I receive a cancer screening blood test, I get an MRI, more blood test, and I meet my amazing oncologist Dr. Hancock (she's also the best).

I am diagnosed with Stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. I have HER2 positive receptors present on all 3 masses. Which is an aggressive cancer BUT the chemotherapy that has been developed for these types of cancer cells is amazing and smart and therefore, prognostically, I am more of a Stage 2 cancer. I also have variable estrogen and progesterone receptors present in the masses so that adds another layer that I am just wrapping my mind around.

The overall plan: Chemotherapy for 6 rounds (every 3 weeks). Followed by a mastectomy of the right breast (both if I choose to). There is a very slight chance that I could avoid the mastectomy if the chemotherapy is extremely effective but at this point, I doubt I won't do it regardless.

Followed by radiation on my lymph node to make sure it's all clear.

Followed by/contingent with maintenance chemotherapy every 3 weeks for a year (but less aggressive than the first 6 rounds).

And also followed by 5 years or hormone blocking therapy to prevent tumor regrowth because of the hormonal component. I'll basically be put in to medical menopause. My ovaries may "wake up" after those five years. I can't think that far. Or fathom doing menopause twice. Poor Gio.

Chemo round #1 was yesterday. I am home today, the day after. I go in for an immune-boosting shot the day today. The next five sessions of chemo will be followed by me taking the shot at home because yay, insurance (sarcastic eye roll #2 here).

Today, I am tired. But I am ok. Small symptoms are creeping in. It will only get worse. But I am DETERMINED. Charlie and Olivia have been my amazing bright stars in this whole thing. It's an out of body experience. I really don't feel like myself. I just know I have to keep moving forward. Gio and my mom, bless them, they are going through so much and yet, they are rockstars. I have the best support system in them and all of you.

This is a really bumpy road on my journey. But I'm in a well-equipped all-terrain vehicle loaded with all the essentials. I am laughing and crying through it all. Dark humor works so well. Charlie knows that cancer hates hugs and kisses and she will hug me and kiss me all the time and say "I'm making the cancer go away" with a big smile on her face.

I have my mom's epically strong uterine cancer journey as my example. I look at so many other women who have been through this. Each body is different. Everyone's journey is unique.

I intend to get through this with willpower and a smile on my face. There will be tough days but they're just days.

I love you all. Sorry for the lengthy post. I just wanted to be clear, detailed, and thorough because so many of you want to know, and deserve to know, from me. Hugs sent your way.

With all my love, Kate / Kasia / Mama / Mrs. T

:-)