Pt 16: Mastectomy? Check. Chemo? Bring It.

Let’s just rip the Band-Aid off—I'm going to need five months of chemotherapy. Still letting those words sink in. Honestly, I’m not even sure how I feel just yet.

My Oncotype score came back at a 40 - remember this is on a scale of 0-100 to determine the potential for recurrence.  This means that if I only did hormone reducing drugs and did not do chemo, my chance that the cancer would come back is 30%.  I am not comfortable with that risk one bit, so chemo it is! 

I had a hunch this might be the path ahead after previewing my Oncotype score with my plastic surgeon last week. I understood enough to see what was likely coming. Still, hearing it confirmed by my oncologist today hit differently. If there’s any silver lining, it’s that I won’t need radiation—something I was mentally bracing for.

The past few weeks felt like a lull—no big updates, just weekly fills. But that’s about to change fast. Next week is full speed ahead:

• Monday: chemo education class
• Tuesday morning: expander fill
• Tuesday afternoon: echocardiogram
• Thursday: port placement

The port will be placed in my chest, above my right breast, and it’ll be used to administer both types of chemo. The first round—called AC or “The Red Devil” (because of how toxic it is)—will be every two weeks for two months, totaling 4 treatments. After that, I’ll move on to 12 weekly infusions of Taxol.

Because AC is so harsh on the veins and surrounding tissue, it can’t be given through a regular IV. Hence, the port.

There’s a long list of possible side effects—but as with everything in cancer treatment, there’s no way to predict how I’ll respond. One thing that is guaranteed: I’ll lose my hair. It usually begins falling out after the second AC treatment.

Thankfully, my cancer center offers a free wig program, and I’ll be checking that out. Also, fun fact: ever since my diagnosis, my social feeds have become a wig wonderland. I’ve seen some seriously stylish options—realistic, edgy, and playful. So while I may lose the hair, I don’t plan on losing my flair.

This next phase feels heavy—but I’ve got my people, my grit, and my honesty. And I’ll keep showing up here, no matter what it looks like.

Thank you for all the continued messages, prayers and thoughts.  Please don't stop them now. 💗