Breast Cancer 101

A lot of people are asking me about the cancer and I have realised that I haven’t explained properly (the teacher in me….)

I have what they would like to call Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC). It is a very common type of breast cancer. It starts developing in the milk ducts of your breast, but breaks out of the duct tubes, and invades, or infiltrates, surrounding tissues. IDC is not a well-contained cancer. IDC has the potential to invade your lymph and blood systems, spreading cancer cells to other parts of your body. If IDC spreads beyond its original site, we say it has metastasized. IDC is the most commonly diagnosed breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma accounts for about 8 out of 10 of all invasive breast cancers.

I work with a “treatment team”. A bunch of very clever people that decides on the best route to recovery. As a team they decided to first do chemo, then the mastectomy and reconstruction and if necessary radio therapy.

What is chemo? It is a form of treatment that uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs. It destroys any cancer cells that may have spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body. Also known as systemic treatment because the whole body is exposed to the drugs. With routine scans cancer in other body parts may be identified, but not the nitty gritty ones on a micro scale.

Why not the mastectomy first? The breast specialist likes to get the “cancer under control” and also to prevent the risk of infection after the operation. On a psychological level I also think (for me anyway) the chemo-first approach is the best.

At this point in time we are going to opt for a mastectomy and reconstruction in the same operation after completing the chemo treatment. The specialist will perform a LD flap. This operation involves moving a large muscle (latissimus dorsi) from your back. The flap and its blood supply are tunnelled under the skin just below the armpit. It is then put into position to make a new breast shape. The operation is referred to as a latissimus dorsi flap (LD flap).
I went for some blood work today to see if the chemo drugs are doing their job. Everyday there are different symptoms – from feeling like I have a hangover to food tasting differently. Even chocolates are not the same….. Hopefully signs that I am passing the blood tests!
Thank you for reading my blog. I appreciate all the support, love and prayers SO MUCH!! Even if I don’t even know you.