My name is Debbie Feese. My cancer journey began in June of 2019 when I was diagnosed with Invasion Lobular Carcinoma, stage 2 HER2-positive with 2 cancerous tumors in my left breast. I was 63.
Having my yearly mammogram was the start of my journey. I had a marker put in my left breast 2 years prior because a tumor was seen. During my mamo they saw the marker and at that spot, the tumor had grown, plus there was another one. I then had a sonogram. A biopsy was next, and it was confirmed both tumors in my left breast were malignant.
At this point I freaked - breast cancer does not run in my family. HER2+ is a fast-growing cancer, so my medical journey had to begin quickly. Thankfully my gyno suggested VA Cancer Specialist and after choosing my awesome surgeon and oncologist I knew I was in excellent hands with the utmost care. With HER2+, you get chemo first then surgery. My husband and I met with the surgeon and immediately knew we chose the right one! I was told that I had to have my left breast removed but we would talk more about surgery after my 3rd round of chemo. I had a bone scan to see if cancer was anywhere else and thankfully it wasn’t.
My surgeon then wanted me to have an MRI with contrast to check my right breast. My breasts were “dense” so it can make mammograms less effective in detecting tumors. The mamo and sonogram didn’t show any thing in my right breast. The MRI showed I had a tumor in my right breast too! So, on to another biopsy! That biopsy came back negative. Please ask your radiologist if you have dense breasts – is DOES matter on detecting breast cancer. Virginia is among at least 27 states that require radiologists to tell women about their breast density – please ask!
I had my port put in and began chemo within 1 month of being diagnosed. I had 6 rounds of chemo – my “cocktail” was TCHP. I chose to get genetic testing – every test possible – and nothing came back positive. I started losing my hair after the 2nd round of chemo, just like my oncologist said, so my husband shaved it off. What an experience that was! I had a few reactions to the chemo, most annoying was not being able to eat – everything tasted like cardboard! I was thankful that my body accepted the poison that was being put in my body to kill the cancer. After my 3rd round, my husband and I met with my surgeon, and he explained that the smaller tumor was gone, and the larger tumor was shrunk in half – chemo was working! We discussed mastectomy surgery and I had already decided I was going to get a double mastectomy directly to flat – “make me as flat as you can”, I asked. My surgeon’s response was “with going flat you will have a much quicker recovery and if that’s what you want, that’s what I’ll do.” I decided to get a double mastectomy because I had 1 tumor in right breast that was found not to be cancerous and 2 tumors in my left breast that was cancer. I wasn’t willing to take the chance of the right breast to one day have cancer – did not make any sense to me and did NOT want surgery twice.
December 16, 2019 was my surgery date. When I woke up, I did not want to look at my chest. My surgeons nurse and my husband told me that it looked great! It took me a few days to stand in front of the mirror and I was tremendously surprised! My surgeon did an excellent job – I was SO excited! Days went by feeling sorry for myself and wondering WHY, HOW I was the chosen one to get cancer. My husband, family and friends and my faith kept me grounded. I stayed as positive as I could and prayed my body and my mind would continue to heal.
After surgery I had 14 rounds of Kadcyla thru my port. After my Kadcyla treatments ended I got my port removed! Oh, happy day – I hated that thing in my body! Also, I must take Arimidex (a pill) for 7 years. KADCYLA is a prescription medicine used as an adjuvant (after surgery) treatment for HER2+ breast cancer. Arimidex (Anastrozole) is taken to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in women who have been treated for early-stage breast cancer.
Today, I am doing great and getting on with life. Get your mammograms and ask about dense breasts! If you are diagnosed, reach out to others – there are SO many on-line support groups and beautiful, loving people willing to listen and lhelp!
My name is Debbie Feese, and I AM A SURVIOR!