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Kristin Walega - Journal

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Posted 2017-02-16T04:24:00Z

Next stop - treatment

Once my oncotype was in it was finally time to meet with the oncologist to learn more about my treatment plan.There are 4 types of breast cancer and they look at a number of factors to determine your treatment plan. First they look at the 3 receptors that determine the type and therefore the treatment. Then they look at your age, stage, size of tumor, spreading, and oncotype to advise on drugs and timeframe. The oncotype tests to see how likely you are to have it recur in the next 5-10 years.[...]

Posted 2017-02-16T03:04:45Z

First stops on the wild ride: surgery 1, 2, & yes 3

In my first meeting with my Breast Surgeon, I was in awe of how she made it seem like it was a routine wart removal process. We will remove the tumor and then you will have radiation, it all seemed so simple and easy. And I should add that I really love my Breast Surgeon, she is top notch! I really appreciated that she made it seem simple and easy adding no significance to it all as I can do that all on my own. This entry is a bit long because of 3 surgeries![...]

Posted 2017-02-16T01:29:27Z

The Unknown

At the time I first met with my Breast Surgeon, Dr. Christine Teal at GW Breast Center, my cancer was Stage 1 and I wasn't aware that the biggest part of having cancer is the unknown. There is a lot of wait and see. And that you can only move forward with the information you have on hand at the time, as the layers peel back then you get a little more information. I think the unknown and inability to control any of it are some of the hardest parts of a diagnosis.[...]

Posted 2017-02-16T01:13:22Z

My Diagnosis

Throughout my thirties my mother drilled it into my head to get a mammogram and I would tell her they don't do it until you are 40 unless you have a history. I guess something about that stuck with me. In September I found a new primary care Dr. who told me to get a baseline mammogram. I had heard that Doctors are now saying 45 or 50, when I asked her about this she said let's get the baseline. On October 26th I had my mammogram, at the time they told me not to be alarmed if they ask me to come in for extra images. [...]